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Member
Posts: 7
| Hi,
I am on the hunt for a saddle and have been for a while. My problem is there isn't a tack shop near me where I can go try different saddles....my other problem is I ride in a 15.5-16" and most of those aren't stocked because the average size is a 14.5 so hard to get a good idea of what is comfortable and works.
So I'm hoping to get some ideas from what I am looking for....I have recently started riding English to work on balance and really like the close contact feel, the freedom of the stirrups, and not being a whole lot in between my legs and my horses sides. I know western saddles aren't going to be like that but hoping to find a happy medium :) Also looking for a deeper seat but something that sits you more up and down and not too far forward or too far back....
Thank you! |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
  
Location: NE Texas | Hi there, what is your budget? I can make some suggestions, but need to know what your budget is. :) |
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Member
Posts: 7
| At this point I'll make the financial sacrifice of up to 2800 if I have to go over a little I will. Though I would prefer to stay below 2k. Whatever it is needs a good resale value, currently in the process of dropping 100 pounds. Lol
Thank you!! |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | I grew up riding hunters/jumpers and dressage. The saddle I found to be most like the english saddles is a Triple Creek. They have a narrow twist and sit you more like a dressage saddle. Very centered and you can still move around. I know of a 15" for sale, you can pm me for information |
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 Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia |
I love my Double J Lynn Mckenzie saddles. Everytime I sit in another barrel saddle I am reminded how comfortable they are. They are pricey but I highly recommend you try one at least. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I love my Roohide saddles, and I have ridden everything out there at one point or another with few exceptions. My Roohides fit my horses so nicely and ride so nice and balanced with a pocket to sit in. You sit down in these saddles rather than on top of them. You can sneak around and find a used Roo in your price range.
Originally famous for making upper end cutting saddles, and now making barrel saddles, they are quickly gaining popularity in our industry due to how nicely they fit a horse and how balanced they are. It's hard to find them in the smaller seats, but I know where there is one at that is a 15" I think. I have one 14.5" and one 15" on different trees. I prefer the smaller seat, but prefer the tree in the 15. One day I may trade them in and have a new one built on the tree and in the size I want, but for now, i'll stick with these.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 575
| Herbie - 2017-02-09 9:40 AM
I love my Roohide saddles, and I have ridden everything out there at one point or another with few exceptions.  My Roohides fit my horses so nicely and ride so nice and balanced with a pocket to sit in. You sit down in these saddles rather than on top of them. You can sneak around and find a used Roo in your price range.Â
Originally famous for making upper end cutting saddles, and now making barrel saddles, they are quickly gaining popularity in our industry due to how nicely they fit a horse and how balanced they are.  It's hard to find them in the smaller seats, but I know where there is one at that is a 15" I think. I have one 14.5" and one 15" on different trees. I prefer the smaller seat, but prefer the tree in the 15. One day I may trade them in and have a new one built on the tree and in the size I want, but for now, i'll stick with these.Â
LOVE these saddles. I have a couple cutters and they're wonderful. One day I'll be able to snag a barrel saddle of their's! |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | I ride a 15.5' Mary walker saddle-look up the specs on Jeff Smiths website. The tree is VERY similar to a sharon camarillo so you might find one like that to fit your horse-they are one of my favorites too-the Mary walker is just better. feet straight down deep seat-good front end to keep you where you should be! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 516
| LMS - 2017-02-09 11:05 AM
I ride a 15.5' Mary walker saddle-look up the specs on Jeff Smiths website. The tree is VERY similar to a sharon camarillo so you might find one like that to fit your horse-they are one of my favorites too-the Mary walker is just better. feet straight down deep seat-good front end to keep you where you should be!Â
Second the Jeff Smiths. I've tried their other 3 lines (regular JS, Tami Semas and C3) but not the Mary Walker. I love them all though! The major difference in all 4 is the tree. The Semas has more rock to it in my opinion, the regular JS being a little more flat and the C3 being the flattest. I got a C3 because the front end is higher than the other 3 lines which is what I need to keep me sitting up. I also got the 5" cantle instead of the 4" or 4.5" because my horse is too quick for me lol. C3 has more forward hung fenders which I prefer, but you're still able to move your legs where you want to. Highly recommend them. Also, if it doesn't fit you or you don't like it for whatever reason, you can send it back and exchange it. As long as it's in new condition they shouldn't charge the restocking fee (don't quote me on that though). You won't be disappointed! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 509
| I'm waiting on ups to bring me a new Roo I hope there as good as everyone says |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | No suggestion on saddles but thru my saddle fit issues I have found tack stores that offer returns on saddles. They are Coolhorse.com, Horsesaddleshop.com and Family Farm and Ranch. I'm sure there are more out there but that's what I have found so far. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | TwistedK - 2017-02-09 8:58 AM
I grew up riding hunters/jumpers and dressage. The saddle I found to be most like the english saddles is a Triple Creek. They have a narrow twist and sit you more like a dressage saddle. Very centered and you can still move around. I know of a 15" for sale, you can pm me for information
I used to ride English and jump & I have to agree that a Triple Creek saddle is very close contact and I love mine. Pro Rider (by Jeremy? Correct me if I'm wrong) uses the same tree "Steele" as Triple Creek saddlery and I'd like to get my next saddle from them but they are a little more expensive than Triple Creek. I'm the type of rider who doesn't like forward hung stirrups and I believe both of these saddlery's have straight but free stirrups. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Herbie - 2017-02-09 10:40 AM I love my Roohide saddles, and I have ridden everything out there at one point or another with few exceptions. My Roohides fit my horses so nicely and ride so nice and balanced with a pocket to sit in. You sit down in these saddles rather than on top of them. You can sneak around and find a used Roo in your price range.
Originally famous for making upper end cutting saddles, and now making barrel saddles, they are quickly gaining popularity in our industry due to how nicely they fit a horse and how balanced they are. It's hard to find them in the smaller seats, but I know where there is one at that is a 15" I think. I have one 14.5" and one 15" on different trees. I prefer the smaller seat, but prefer the tree in the 15. One day I may trade them in and have a new one built on the tree and in the size I want, but for now, i'll stick with these.
She's not kidding! 
Anything I might be wanting to try, I would go to this lady and ask how it feels, what types of horses it fits, etc before purchasing. She talked me into my current saddle and I LOVE it. |
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