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 Expert
Posts: 2097
 
Location: Deep South | I need help, opinions, advice, whatever you've got!
I ride a bunch of different horses, never keep one longer than about 6 months. I basically just like starting colts, it's kind of my thing, my hobby, I enjoy it. So I buy all of these prospects, ride them for a little while, then sell them once they're going pretty good.
I don't care to buy a new saddle every few months, nor can I afford to have several saddles for multiple different types/sizes of horses.
I realize there's not going to be a "one size fits all" but I would like to hear recommendations on what I should be looking for that would fit "most" horses, possibly with just shimming and/or a saddle pad change?
I am looking to buy used, and stay under $2000.
I'm currently riding in a Martha Josey Ultimate, and while I like how it fits "me" it seems to be too narrow on most horses I put it on. I love riding in a Coats, but have never personally owned one and was not sure what gullet size I would need? Even if I could find one close to my budget.
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 Veteran
Posts: 164
| My Teskey's saddle was about $2000 brand new custom built, and has fit every horse I put it on. Love it! |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
 
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Check out the Crown C's they have the adjustable riggings..
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2014-09-24 4:05 PM
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Posts: 209
| I really love my G Bar G! |
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Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Southtxponygirl - 2014-09-24 4:04 PM
Check out the Crown C's they have the adjustable riggings..Â
I have read a LOT on the crown c's. The more I read, the more intimidated I am by them. Lol! |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I thought I would be too, but I love mine and I dont do any of the shimming like some say you have to, I just used different saddles pads if I use it on different horses, love the adjustable rigging, comes in handy  |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I didnt care for the Crown C at all. Made me feel like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears. After a Josey I don't think you'll like it either. If I were you i'd look for a Shiloh Contender (Jordan Peterson) probably. I like how they fit and they ride nice and secure. Unless of course you want me to send you this cutter and i'll go get a new one. LOL I do still love how they are fitting my horses and riding.
Edited by Herbie 2014-09-24 4:17 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| I like the Martin saddles ... they have a barrel saddle that has a nice tree and the adjustable riggings too ...
Circle y also has a newer set up on their flex tree 2 saddle that isn't too awful spendy - I ride the wide and it fits my 1250 lb older mare and I can shim it to fit the 3 yo filly too. It was very reasonably priced as well.
Good Luck!
EDTA - the Martin saddles I was referring to are the FX3 barrel racing saddles :) not the crown c's ... but still nice saddles with a bit different feel than the crown c!
Edited by lindseylou2290 2014-09-24 4:19 PM
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | I think a Martin would be your best bet. You probably won't need a 10" gullet or anything big like that, but you'll probably need larger than a 6/7". I've thrown my 8.5" on two horses much different than my main gelding and can get it fit pretty decently (not perfect like I'd like, but good enough for the handful of times I'll be on the horse) between my three different 5 star pad thicknesses and the two shims I have. |
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Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Herbie - 2014-09-24 4:15 PM
I didnt care for the Crown C at all. Made me feel like I was about to kiss my horse between the ears. After a Josey I don't think you'll like it either. If I were you i'd look for a Shiloh Contender (Jordan Peterson) probably. I like how they fit and they ride nice and secure. Unless of course you want me to send you this cutter and i'll go get a new one. LOL I do still love how they are fitting my horses and riding. Â
Sent you an email lady! |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | I think you should look into a Meleeta Brown, seriously, I loved how it fit both of my horses, one small and stocky the other large and wide! I would bet you would like the saddle too as it really seems like a balanced ride, unless of course your stirrups are forward hung on the saddle you currently ride in. The stirrups on these saddles hang more down with "substance" Plus they are pretty reasonable price-wise, you could probably throw in a CSI pad that helps a lot if you have a saddle that doesn't quite fit as good as it should and still be under the $2000 range. |
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Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Longneck - 2014-09-24 7:04 PM I think a Martin would be your best bet. You probably won't need a 10" gullet or anything big like that, but you'll probably need larger than a 6/7". I've thrown my 8.5" on two horses much different than my main gelding and can get it fit pretty decently (not perfect like I'd like, but good enough for the handful of times I'll be on the horse) between my three different 5 star pad thicknesses and the two shims I have.
This is kind of what I was wondering.
What size gullet do I need, that's wide enough to fit or at least shim to most horses, but not too wide.
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Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | LMS - 2014-09-25 8:39 AM
I think you should look into a Meleeta Brown, seriously, I loved how it fit both of my horses, one small and stocky the other large and wide! I would bet you would like the saddle too as it really seems like a balanced ride, unless of course your stirrups are forward hung on the saddle you currently ride in. The stirrups on these saddles hang more down with "substance" Plus they are pretty reasonable price-wise, you could probably throw in a CSI pad that helps a lot if you have a saddle that doesn't quite fit as good as it should and still be under the $2000 range.
I did send her a message on FB a couple of days ago, hoping she'll have time to help me out.
I've heard she's quite the expert on helping people out with this stuff.
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