|
|
 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
   
Location: North Dakota | I have a Circle Y (from Smith Brothers) barrel saddle. When I looked up the seriel number, it has full quarter horse bars with a 7" gullet.
It's fits my horse Red **okay**. I feel like it is ever so slightly tight near his shoulder, with a small dry spot right behind the dip of the shoulder area. I just know that I can find something better for him.
I hear everyone always loving their Crown C saddle, and I know it comes is larger gullet sizes. Red is a wider-built, muscular quarter horse.
I was looking at ordering one from Teskey's to try (since they have a good return policy).
Would you try the Martin Crown C 7.5" gullet first or the 8" ??
I also could just order BOTH right away, and return the one that doesn't fit. (Or return them both if they don't fit, obviously.)
I don't know too much about saddles as far as the different shapes/curves/flare the trees can have. How are the Crown C's different from a Circle Y?
Thanks. |
|
| |
|
 Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| I was riding in a different brand that had a 7" gullet. It was a little narrow for my mare, so when I ordered my Martin Racer I just ordered an 8" without having her measured. I put it on her and realized it was not near wide enough. The next time I was in OKC I had her measured and found out that she would need at least a 9.5" but more than likely a 10" (they didn't have anything that wide for me to try on her, but the 9" was still too narrow). So my suggestion would be to actually try the saddles on your horse or have your horse fitted prior to purchasing. Or make sure that you can return the saddle for a full refund or exchange in case your saddle doesn't fit. And I think one of the big selling points that they have with their saddles is that if there is any muscle damage because of an ill-fitting saddle these will allow the muscle to regenerate which may cause the horse to need a wider gullet. So you might want a gullet width that is just a little too big and use the shims to make the saddle fit correctly until the muscles have regenerated, otherwise you'll be needing to go up a gullet width. |
|
| |
|
 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | I just sold my Lisa Lockhart wide fit, which fit my sorrel AWESOME. I think those gullets are what...a 7? A couple of weekends ago I tried a 7.5 Crown C on him and it was way too big. Dipped down in the front and the bars in the back popped up off his back. So Saturday we are heading to Killdeer to try on a 7.
Flash is a pretty stocky horse, but his back isn't as big as his buttLOL If i were you I'd try the 7.5 or if you know someone with a 7 you could throw it up on and see what it looks like. 
|
|
| |
|
 Star Padded Honey
Posts: 8890
Location: NW MT | One thing to keep in mind is that the Crown C's are measured on bare tree from what I have been told. So a 7" finished (your Circle Y) would not have been 7" to start with. My mare is very broad, wide back & I got a 9 1/2". It fit good but now she is needing larger as she has filled in to it & am ordering a 10 1/2. |
|
| |
|
 Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia |
I have been doing a TON of research on these saddles. Hopefully i'll be purchasing one within the next few months. You have to understand the theory behind the Crown C. The object is to move up in gullet size as your horse builds muscle. Its hard to explain, but basically you want a big gullet size so it wont hinder the movement of the shoulder muscles which allow them to grow because they are being used. Watch this video where Sherry Cervi explains this method and the use of shims. This video sold me on the idea. Stingray is up to a 9" gullet - which is huge.
http://youtu.be/l4iVhzeegyk
Edited by Runninbay 2014-01-09 1:31 PM
|
|
| |
|
 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think for a Martin you can have someone come out and fit your horse before you buy before you go through the hassle of buying two and returning.
|
|
| |
|
Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia | Crowned Image - 2014-01-09 3:04 PM Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think for a Martin you can have someone come out and fit your horse before you buy before you go through the hassle of buying two and returning.
Really? How would someone go about doing that?
|
|
| |
|
I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | Contact a dealer and find a professional in your area I would guess. Don't bank on this, I haven't had my nap yet  |
|
| |
|
Star Padded Honey
Posts: 8890
Location: NW MT | Last I knew, there were only like 2 dealers in the whole United States that had actually taken the time to officially learn from Brian on how to properly fit these saddles. (that number may have changed by now.) Brian will however, send you a trial saddle that you can start your fit with & will walk you through fitting it properly. That might be an option. I would be leery of asking anyone that is a dealer to do it - they do fit differently than some other saddles - and just because the sell them does not mean they understand them. Brian can advise you if there is any dealer in your area that IS knowledgeble tho. |
|
| |
|
 Member
Posts: 45
Location: Missouri | I am also looking into buying a Crown C saddle. How would I get a hold of Brian to get a trial saddle & proper fitting instructions on this saddle? |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 411
Location: Smack in the middle of WA! | Definitely have your horse fitted for a crown c! I am lucky and we have a local guy that has trained with Brian on correct fit. My mare is currently in a 9 inch gullet and will most likely stay with that size. My 4 year old on the other is also in the 9 and still has more growing up to do so I'm guessing he will eventually need a wider gullet  |
|
| |
|
 Been Blessed
Posts: 7587
Location: Living in my Promised Land | I started with a 7 and ended 6 saddles later with an 8.5. You have to learn about shimming in my opinion to get them to work unless your horse has an easy to fit back. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2122
Location: The Great Northwest | You could go to Marten Saddlery site and get all the details. |
|
| |
|
The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | Linda D - 2014-01-09 3:58 PM I started with a 7 and ended 6 saddles later with an 8.5. You have to learn about shimming in my opinion to get them to work unless your horse has an easy to fit back.
I've actually gone the other way. I purchased a 9 in gullet for my 8 year old. He was really round over the wither and back when we first fitted it. Last spring he sprouted a wither and his back changed, making the 9 way to big. I am just getting ready to order him a 7.5 which fits beautifully
With regards to the shimming I don't think you can shim a very large span of gullet. I've tried shimming my 9 and its just not working. |
|
| |
|
Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2014-01-09 12:56 PM I just sold my Lisa Lockhart wide fit, which fit my sorrel AWESOME. I think those gullets are what...a 7? A couple of weekends ago I tried a 7.5 Crown C on him and it was way too big. Dipped down in the front and the bars in the back popped up off his back. So Saturday we are heading to Killdeer to try on a 7.
Flash is a pretty stocky horse, but his back isn't as big as his buttLOL If i were you I'd try the 7.5 or if you know someone with a 7 you could throw it up on and see what it looks like.
You had the Lisa Lockhart flex tree saddle, didn't you? I thought I saw you posted something on Facebook that you didn't like the freedom of swing in the stirrups.
I'm also heavily considering trying the Lockhart saddle too, but I'm just scared to try something new (flex tree). Plus, I guess I do like the fact that the Crown C's' come with adjustable rigging. On my Circle Y, I'd really love it if I could move the rigging forward on the saddle (so the saddle sits back farther on Red's back) so it would be nice to have that adjustable.
Although I just really wonder if Red is always going to have a little dry patch behind his shoulder. There's just a DIP there and I don't see any saddle covering that. But certainly I think I can find one better on his shoulders.
This photo is from last spring and I have got my saddle setting too far forward (I should really take some new pictures). But pretty much under the concho is where I feel it is just a tad bit to narrow for him. Not horrible, but I feel it could be better.
|
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | Itchy Shadow - 2014-01-09 3:05 PM I am also looking into buying a Crown C saddle. How would I get a hold of Brian to get a trial saddle & proper fitting instructions on this saddle?
When I was looking at ordering my Crown C I called Martin Saddlery and they put me in touch with Brian Peterson to help me with saddle fit. The phone number is on their website. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | If your current saddle is leaving dry spots behind his shoulders he could have muscle atrophy in that area from saddles being too tight - my gelding did. By shimming my saddle it has allowed his muscles to fill back in. Brian at Martin or another qualified Martin fit expert could help you figure out what would be best for your horse. I would definitely call them before ordering. They are super helpful! |
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| With the crown c there is also a lot of rock in the bars, if your horse has a flat back, them you may need to custom order one with extra flat bars. I did.
You also cannot compare the crown c to any other saddle fit, as the crown c is to sit behind the shoulder, whereas all the other saddle companies fit on the shoulder, this is a big difference, as behind the shoulder is larger then on the shoulder.
The reason for shimming is to ensure that the saddle fits evenly from front to back. Brian believes that the majority of horses will need to be shimmed their entire time with the crown c.
I love my crown c.
I am the person who doesn't like the freedom of swing with the Lisa Lockhart. I like my stirrups to stay completely square under the saddle, I find that the crown c allows me to do this. |
|
| |
|
Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | Super information everyone! I'm learning lots.
I watched the videos on Martin Saddlery's website too.
I may have to call Martin Saddlery and see if this "Brian" can help. I'm a little worried about cost though. What sort of process (for those of you who have talked to Brian) do you go through in order to find a good fit for your horse? I'm envisioning them sending you trees, and you sending them back, until you find one that fits your horse pretty good. Am I crazy in my thoughts, or how does it work? |
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| r_beau - 2014-01-09 7:07 PM
Super information everyone! I'm learning lots.
I watched the videos on Martin Saddlery's website too.
I may have to call Martin Saddlery and see if this "Brian" can help. I'm a little worried about cost though. What sort of process (for those of you who have talked to Brian) do you go through in order to find a good fit for your horse? I'm envisioning them sending you trees, and you sending them back, until you find one that fits your horse pretty good. Am I crazy in my thoughts, or how does it work?
They came up to our barrel racing finals, a tack store and satisfied crown c owners allowed Brian to use their saddles to fit the people who booked appointments to have their horses fitted. |
|
| |
Folks on-line