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 Total Germophobe
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Location: Montana | Those of you that ride in one, is there a big difference between the wide and regular tree and which one do you like/fits a horse better? And, do the seat sizes run true to size? I typically ride in a 14", but am looking at a 13.5" basically because its available to me. I don't have to buy a saddle right now, but am needing something before I start going to races this summer, so I'm definitely on the lookout for something. I'm also not dead seat on a Lisa Lockhart, but a flex tree is appealing to me on a one of my horses because of the way her shoulders are made. Thanks! | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| The circle y flex trees are pretty cool actually - I ride one, but it isn't a Lisa.
The Lisa flex trees are wide all the way around. That line is made for big shouldered, wide topped horses - think more of the old style cowhorse.
The Kelly K flex trees are more narrow in the twist and seem to have a bit more straight angle to the bars.
There is also a Kenda Lenseigne (mtd shooter) line that also offers another version of the Kelly tree on a deeper seat, more like a deep pocket cutter. The wide version of this is what I ride and love how it accommodates large shoulders and higher withers of my mare.
If you have a dealer near you, I'd try the different saddles on and see how they fit you and the horse you'll ride it on. | |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | Thanks very much, Lindseylou. We do have a circle y dealer in town but they don't keep anything in stock (you think they would, but whatever). You were most helpful with your information though! | |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | mtcanchazer - 2017-04-18 10:00 AM Those of you that ride in one, is there a big difference between the wide and regular tree and which one do you like/fits a horse better? And, do the seat sizes run true to size? I typically ride in a 14", but am looking at a 13.5" basically because its available to me. I don't have to buy a saddle right now, but am needing something before I start going to races this summer, so I'm definitely on the lookout for something. I'm also not dead seat on a Lisa Lockhart, but a flex tree is appealing to me on a one of my horses because of the way her shoulders are made. Thanks!
I have two of the Lisa Lockhart saddles (one for each horse). My mom has a Kenny Harlow for her gelding (same Flex2 tree). We love them. I really, really like the concept of them. It makes sense to me.
There is a big difference between the regular and wide. My two horses are the definition of quarter horses. They are beefy! So I have the wide for both of them. Any other horse (besides mine) I have tried to put my wide saddle on, it was WAY too wide. I guess my horses are just brutes, haha.
My only "complaint" I can say with the Lisa Lockhart is there is not much gullet clearance. So if you have a horse with high withers, it may not work well. Although, my mom's Kenny Harlow does seem to have a little bit more clearance, but still not a ton. Her saddle is the regular tree and it seems to fit most horses we've tried it on, besides her gelding. Her gelding isn't exactly small, but he's not a monstor like my boys. I'd say the regular flex2 tree fits like a full QH bars.
Seat size seems to run true. I grew up riding in a 15" seat size (in my mom's old saddle) and when I ordered my first Lisa Lockhart saddle, they had a 14.5" available or I had to wait 8 weeks for a 15". I took the plunge and ordered the 14.5" and I actually really like it (which is probably what I shoulda had anyway).
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | r beau thank you for your experience! Again, it is most helpful. I know in a Double J a 14" is too big, in a Courts a 14" is about right. I've not tried a flex tree, but I have a 3 y/o has wide/bulging shoulders & she's a hard fit with a regular treed saddle & because of that you can't go narrow or semi QH bars on a wood tree because of that, but otherwise isn't super wide yet, but who knows what she'll end up doing. My other mare is wide, but not massive. My Courts saddle fits both horses OK, all though I'm noticing dry spots on my wide one up towards the withers about the size of my palm, but I also have to realize she still needs to lose about 75 to 100 lbs and get in better shape (which we are working on). The 3 y/o has even sweat marks, but the saddle rolls slightly on her (and it has gotten better with tenting the saddle pad) and when I brush her back I notice a little soreness towards the flank area and I'm thinking that I have too much rock to the bars because it pops up a little on the back. I don't think it sits down too far, but I suppose it's possible.So in long I'm hoping a flex tree is an answer to me saddle fit issues! If you want I can try to post a pic of each of them later when I get on. The computer. Just no laughing because they aren't in shape yet! Lol | |
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Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | I hear ya, haha (on the fat horses). I sent Shotgun off to the reining trainer to get into shape and I'm trying to work on Red. He's got dry spots on each side behind his fat pocket we're trying to work off.  It is what it is!
This is my Shotgun 2 years ago (he just turned 4 at the time) with my first Lisa Lockhart saddle on, with the wide tree. He just needs that wide bar angle. You can see how there is not much gullet clearance, but it never comes anywhere close to touching him so it's fine. (Using a 3/4 inch 5 Star pad here.)
Then a pretty picture with his new saddle when it arrived! (because I was sick of sharing 1 saddle for 2 horses at jackpots) It's the same saddle, just a different "style".
Maybe here's an indication of how beefy my Red is. He sure looks the part for a showmanship (or halter) horse!
And when I was saddle searching for him, and tried the Lisa Lockhart.
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | Again, r beau, thank you very much! Here are some pics of my girls...I if I get it I'm hoping it will work for one or the other of them. 
 (QT 4-17-17.jpg)
 (Pebbles 4-17-17.jpg)
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 QT 4-17-17.jpg (99KB - 203 downloads)
Pebbles 4-17-17.jpg (96KB - 204 downloads)
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