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Member
Posts: 11
| Recently I've realized that my current saddle is not fitting my horse anymore, and it is about an entire saddle size too big for me. I knew that I had bought a half size too big, but now it's looking like I was even more off. My mare does rollback style turns and Im struggling to keep my seat when I sit to prepare for the turn, and every time we leave a barrel I get popped out of it. (Straight up in the air, its probably hilarious to watch) It is a combo of the incorrect seat size, the actual design of the seat, and my riding. I hate to sell it because I custom ordered it and it is gorgeous, (cactus flex tree) but being able to stay with my horse during our runs is probably important too.
Im looking for suggestions as to what brands to try. I need something that has a deep seat that will let me sit during a turn but be able to get up and out of them as well. I have a somewhat local tack store that will let me ride in demo saddles, but Im at a loss for what to look for. They have a lot of double j saddles, specifically pozzi pros. Im looking at c3 jeff smith barrel saddles too, heard nothing but good things about them and was wondering what everyone thought? Im open to suggestions, any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance! |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
   
Location: The best kept secret in TX | The problem with brands is they aren't all the same in tree specifications straight across the board. When one brand's Full Qtr Horse bar won't fit, another brand's full qtr horse bar will.
My suggestion instead:
You're looking for a saddle tree with a flat seat, such as a Hadlock and Fox tree. The Hadlock and Fox has a flat seat, making the saddle feel "Deep". The swells on the hadlock are also larger and taller. Again, making the saddle feel deeper. I am sure if you called, they could make you a tree to fit your horse.
I would suggest finding a tree that fits your horse first. You can ask any saddle maker/ saddle company to build on your choice of tree. Keep in mind that tree specifications can change depending on the maker of the tree. A semi quarter or full quarter bar is not always the same across the board. Look more for bar flare than gullet. Once you find a tree that fits stick with it. The specifications for that tree that fits most likely will not transfer to another tree makers specs.
Maybe try and get a saddle tree sent to you to try before you buy. Then have the tree covered how you want.
As far as fit for you, I am curious why you bought a saddle a half size too large? A good rule of thumb is two finger distance between your thigh and the swells with your hiny resting against the cantle.. Some like more room... If you get a tree sent to you something to keep in mind is this: A hard seat will give you a more true seat than a padded. If you are wanting a padded seat plan ahead and order a 15 tree if you are wanting it to be a 14.5 seat. If you want a hard seat, (I would suggest this since you are wanting a depper seat) get a true 14.5. It will be a hair smaller than a 14.5
Something to conisder as well, some tree makers can make you a truly custom seat. They can make the tree so the saddle sits like a 14 1/4 if you feel the 14.5 is too big and the 14 is too small.
Hadlock and Fox may be able to help you with all of this. I am unsure.
I just had a Hadlock and Fox tree covered by Teskey's and am in love with the flat seat. Teskey's took care of getting the tree in for me so I didn't have to contact Hadlock and Fox directly.
So sorry your saddle didn't work out.... That's a bummer!!  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | I really love how Double J keeps you in. its so deep but also allows you to get up when needed in between barrels. So comfy and worth the money! I sat in a martin and didnt really like how i felt, i felt too far forward. I cant remember excatly what style Martin it was but i definitly prefer the double Js. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 623
Location: /ARKANSAS | Is your saddle slick seat and fenders? I ordered a nice saddle, starting doing the same as you. I need the half breed saddle, makes all the difference. If the seat is slick maybe you could cover it with a part of the magic seat! Cheaper than a new saddle.
Edited by fastwrapn3 2017-07-17 9:43 AM
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Member
Posts: 11
| Thanks! I think I thought I knew what size I should have bought, a 14 inch seat, but I also lost some weight and its looking like a 13.5 is what I need. I tried a saddle yesterday with that seat size and for once I didn't feel like I was swimming in it.
I will look into finding a tree that fits my mare first though, thats a good idea to build from the tree up. She is not quite stout enough for a wide tree, and a 6 3/4 inch gullet with some flare, like you mentioned, fits her well. |
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Member
Posts: 11
| It's rough out with a suede seat. I tried a pair of bucking rolls on it but I think the cantle is the problem, there is no pocket for me to sit in and its not deep enough. |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | horseco - 2017-07-17 9:45 AM Thanks! I think I thought I knew what size I should have bought, a 14 inch seat, but I also lost some weight and its looking like a 13.5 is what I need. I tried a saddle yesterday with that seat size and for once I didn't feel like I was swimming in it. I will look into finding a tree that fits my mare first though, thats a good idea to build from the tree up. She is not quite stout enough for a wide tree, and a 6 3/4 inch gullet with some flare, like you mentioned, fits her well.
Then I would for sure call Hadlock and Fox and ask them for a Full Quarter Horse Bar and see if it fits her well. If not, maybe they can tweak the bars a bit for you.
Good luck! And Kudos to you for being aware of saddle fit for your horse.  |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Since the saddle is popping you stright up out of the seat I say the twist is to wide for you, I know that Cactus saddles have a pretty wide twists to them, they make my hips hurt, I like the Pozzi Pros and the Caldwells and the Martha Joseys they all have a smaller twist to them and they set deeper. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Just wanted to add, the twist in the saddles are very important if your a smaller person are dont have bigger hips, that was the first thing I always looked into befor buying a saddle I always checked to see how wide of a twist a saddle had.
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2017-07-17 10:24 AM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 716
Location: who knows? | The Shiloh JP Contender or Finalst both have deep seats...Love riding in the Shiloh's, the set you balanced and have deep seats. |
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