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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
   
Location: SW North Dakota | I have a LSOF gelding who has a great back, but a really long shoulder. Saddles sit his back well, but seems like some (Merrill, Coats, Crown C) interfere with the "swing" of his shoulder. There are a couple of good used Caldwell Rocket saddles for sale, but I'd have to buy sight unseen. I've never sat in one, nor tried one on my horse. That alone makes it feel like a bad idea to buy sight unseen, but I can get a decent deal on one from a motivated seller. It's a 14.75"- I usually ride a 14-14.5", but really like the "freedom" I feel in a bigger seat.
The biggest concern I have is the high rise in the seat. Wondering if it will make me feel like I'm planted on my pockets? I like a saddle that doesn't make me feel trapped, usually lower cantle & swells is what I like. I have an older Jerry Beagley that I love, but there is only about 1/4" clearance between my horse's withers and the pommel of the saddle ( and fit one finger in there, but it's snug).
Also wondering about the "hang" in the stirrups- I prefer straight down or pitched a tiny bit forward with a loose, but not floppy, feel.
Does anyone have time to share their thoughts and opinions? Thanks!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 784
Location: USA | You should send pictures to Charon and see what tree she recommends. A rocket is for a horse with a dip behind the shoulder. I have several Caldwells and another one coming this spring. They are like no other.... Good Luck |
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Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | Thanks! I thought about that, but then I'd feel obligated to buy a new one. Even the good used ones are an investment. Maybe I'll shoot her an email anyway. I watched the videos on her site and read all the reviews I could find- which is why I'm thinking of taking the leap and just buying one. I think the Rocket would work on his "racy" build. THANK YOU!! |
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 Did I miss the party?
Posts: 3864
 
| Caldwell's run big so, keep that in mind. A rocket is a 7.5" gullet with rock in the bars and won't fit a flat backed horse. If you like a lower pommel and cantle this is going to be a big change for you. The pommel is a cutter style so, it's high. The cantle's are approximately 4-4.5" but they feel high because the ground seat is cut in a way that will sit you closer to your horse. The stirrups hang directly under you. They're not forward hung. They do give your legs freedom of movement. I've never felt trapped in a Caldwell. Secure, but not trapped at all. Having said all of this, they've been my favorite saddles for close to 14 years. I've probably owned 20 of them over the years in just about all of the trees, and I highly recommend them!  |
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Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | barrelracinbroke - 2016-12-01 1:13 PM Caldwell's run big so, keep that in mind. A rocket is a 7.5" gullet with rock in the bars and won't fit a flat backed horse. If you like a lower pommel and cantle this is going to be a big change for you. The pommel is a cutter style so, it's high. The cantle's are approximately 4-4.5" but they feel high because the ground seat is cut in a way that will sit you closer to your horse. The stirrups hang directly under you. They're not forward hung. They do give your legs freedom of movement. I've never felt trapped in a Caldwell. Secure, but not trapped at all. Having said all of this, they've been my favorite saddles for close to 14 years. I've probably owned 20 of them over the years in just about all of the trees, and I highly recommend them!
Super helpful, this is just what I wanted to know. I'm guessing the 14.75 will feel pretty big, then. There's also a 14.25" available- 2006 model but looks in really nice shape for $3100. I have mostly ridden in Merrills for the past 15 years or so, but really like the way the Beagley feels.
From watching Charon's saddle fitting video, I think the Rocket (regular tree) is what would work best on my horse. He's got some drop behind his ginormous withers, flat muscles and deep cinching. I just sold my beautiful wide tree Tami Semas- it was too wide and I didn't care for the way the stirrups hung, so I have money in my PayPal account that I'd like to use on another saddle before I burn through it buying Christmas gifts! ha
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Did I miss the party?
Posts: 3864
| Glad that helped  . Yes, a 14.75 is going to feel more like a 15". They definitely hold their value in terms of price but, there's also a Caldwell saddle sale page on facebook that had some I believe. 2006 was about when they first made the Rocket tree. I have one horse who uses a Rocket. He's HUGE. Every ounce of 16hh and about 1300lbs with a big wither but, he doesn't have super buldgy shoulders. I use a Classic Equine bio-fit shim pad (not the correction pad with the big circles in the shoulder) for him because I'd say the Rocket is about 1/4" too wide in the front but, fits his wide loin well. Hope you find something that works for you both! |
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Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | barrelracinbroke - 2016-12-01 1:48 PM Glad that helped . Yes, a 14.75 is going to feel more like a 15". They definitely hold their value in terms of price but, there's also a Caldwell saddle sale page on facebook that had some I believe. 2006 was about when they first made the Rocket tree. I have one horse who uses a Rocket. He's HUGE. Every ounce of 16hh and about 1300lbs with a big wither but, he doesn't have super buldgy shoulders. I use a Classic Equine bio-fit shim pad (not the correction pad with the big circles in the shoulder) for him because I'd say the Rocket is about 1/4" too wide in the front but, fits his wide loin well. Hope you find something that works for you both!
My gelding is 16h and 1230#. He is super powerful, but not incredibly wide through the chest and shoulders. I don't know if you can see it, but I posted a profile picture of his back in my OP... From what I read/watched, the Rocket is designed for this type of horse, right? |
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Did I miss the party?
Posts: 3864
| ND3canAddict - 2016-12-01 12:52 PM barrelracinbroke - 2016-12-01 1:48 PM Glad that helped . Yes, a 14.75 is going to feel more like a 15". They definitely hold their value in terms of price but, there's also a Caldwell saddle sale page on facebook that had some I believe. 2006 was about when they first made the Rocket tree. I have one horse who uses a Rocket. He's HUGE. Every ounce of 16hh and about 1300lbs with a big wither but, he doesn't have super buldgy shoulders. I use a Classic Equine bio-fit shim pad (not the correction pad with the big circles in the shoulder) for him because I'd say the Rocket is about 1/4" too wide in the front but, fits his wide loin well. Hope you find something that works for you both!
I'm sorry no, I didn't see it...... Is it on this post??
The saddle fits a horse with rock or "shape" in their back. So, one that has a dip behind their wither then curves back up toward their loin.
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Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | I copied and pasted the pic to the body of the OP. I'll attach it here.
I bought one sight unseen last night. 14.25", looks brand new for $3K. Obviously, it's not here yet, but I'll let you know when I get it. I figured for 3, I'd be safe and not lose a bunch of money if it doesn't work.
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Did I miss the party?
Posts: 3864
| ND3canAddict - 2016-12-02 6:12 AM I copied and pasted the pic to the body of the OP. I'll attach it here.
I bought one sight unseen last night. 14.25", looks brand new for $3K. Obviously, it's not here yet, but I'll let you know when I get it. I figured for 3, I'd be safe and not lose a bunch of money if it doesn't work.
Congrats, I hope you love it!! 
Your horse is good lookin! And definitely has a back for a Rocket shaped tree!!
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  Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | Glad you found one The rise in the front of the seat will not keep you from getting up and over one when you need to. I bet you will love it. |
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Duct Tape Bikini Girl
Posts: 2554
| I have a Rocket and a Promax, and I will say a high rise seat is usually a little more comfy with increased seat size. Although I normally ride a 14 1/2" seat, I went to a 15" with the high rise seat. |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | I have a promax with a high rise seat and love it. |
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