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 Expert
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Location: NW. Florida | Those of you with experience with Sibley's give me the pro's and con's. I've gotten older and looking for something a little more secure. I've riden in Cactus saddles for years and I've tried Bob Marshall's and Tammy Fisher and not satisfied with either. They are too constrictive. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
 
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Roxie would know the answer to your questions. I believe she's had a "few" in her life. She's the expert.
(Southtxponygirl)
Bumping so maybe she will see this thread!
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 I Always Miss the Good Stuff
Location: Oklahoma | Exact same situation. I've diligently tried treeless (for the last 18 months) and can not do it. I just ordered my 5th or 6th Deb Sibley. I love them and I do believe the quality has improved over the last few years. Good Luck!
Edited by Kellie 2017-08-29 4:49 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | I run in one. Bought it used about 3 or 4 years ago. its held up great. Keeps you secure but you can still get out of it if need be |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| As a person who has ran in both a Sibley and Cactus, I personally feel more secure in a cactus because there isn't as much flex. Whereas the sibley is very flexible which has its pro's but as far as security, I felt more secure in a cactus. However, my sibley has a 4" cantle which makes a difference.
I suppose it depends on what you mean by secure. Flex trees or treeless in general have more flexibility and motion under them vs a treed saddle is going to be more stable. However the taller pommel in conjunction with the taller cantle will enclose you well without trapping you like I feel the Bob Marshalls do. |
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Expert
Posts: 2161
Location: NW. Florida | Stayceem, Does the Sibley flex, as much as, a Fisher or Marshall? I've heard that they ride more like a treed saddle compared to the others. I know it's going to flex and I'll have to get used to it, but I just couldn't stand the trapped feeling.
I wish I knew someone that had one I could try, because I hate to put that much money in something and not adjust to it. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
Location: run2win land | It does not flex like a Bob Marshall. Rides and fits like a conventional treed saddle. Doesn't fold up and you can pull yourself up leaving a barrel. I ride in the 5in cantle. Love mine, hardest part is getting stirrups adjusted. Play with it til it fits right. The front is for how much swing you want and the back is for length. I'm tall so I like being able to get longer fenders. I own three and I do like my more recent saddles better than my earlier one. They've held up, I still ride in one I bought 10yrs ago.
Edited by swd 2017-08-30 10:54 AM
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | A Sibley is a flex tree saddle, the Marshall and Fisher are a treeless.. The Sibley has a way more secure feel to it because your more stable in it, they have a bit of flex to them but nothing like a treeless, they feel like riding in any other normal tree saddle, I like how they ride and the seat is a bit softer then a hard treed saddle. I love my Deb Sibleys but my horse not so much, he dont like the flex feel of them and my other horse I cant keep them in place on him the saddles just slide back on him so they are for sale here on Barrelhorseworld, if they would stay in place on one fella and the other fella didnt mind the flex tree I would not be selling them. And another thing you have to learn how to adjust the stirrups,.they are a bit confusing untill you get the hang of them, thats way I hardley let someone borrow a Deb. The 5 inch cantle has alot more secure fit then a 4 inch cantle, but if your running barrels a 4 inch is better for me. Just make sure you get the right size seat if running barrels. These saddles are made with a forward hung stirrups, they will adjust how and were you like your feet placed. The Sibleys are a very cool saddle, Deb Sibley has Face Book and you could ask her about her saddles. And Panther Canyon the maker of Deb Sibleys has a Face book page too. Check them out. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | IRunOnFaith - 2017-08-29 11:51 AM Roxie would know the answer to your questions. I believe she's had a "few" in her life. She's the expert.
(Southtxponygirl)
Bumping so maybe she will see this thread!
LOL, no expert, but I do like them  |
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Expert
Posts: 2161
Location: NW. Florida | Thanks for all the information, I'm thinking this may be something worth trying. My mare is really thick, but she has higher withers. My Cactus fits her good and doesn't slide back, so I wonder if I would need a wide on her? I probably need to ask Deb, or Panther Mountain. Thanks again for all your help. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Carbon Copy - 2017-08-30 1:33 PM Thanks for all the information, I'm thinking this may be something worth trying. My mare is really thick, but she has higher withers. My Cactus fits her good and doesn't slide back, so I wonder if I would need a wide on her? I probably need to ask Deb, or Panther Mountain. Thanks again for all your help.
Its Panther Canyon saddlery and if you do call Panther Canyon saddlery ask for Jimmy.. |
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Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Carbon Copy - 2017-08-30 10:42 AM
Stayceem, Does the Sibley flex, as much as, a Fisher or Marshall? I've heard that they ride more like a treed saddle compared to the others. I know it's going to flex and I'll have to get used to it, but I just couldn't stand the trapped feeling.
I wish I knew someone that had one I could try, because I hate to put that much money in something and not adjust to it.
No they don't flex the same as an actual treeless. Mine is more flexible than the others I have seen, not sure if that's a flaw in design or what. Mine was also one of the first made and have had it 10 years now and still using it so they do last. It does slide back on my gelding but most do, he has a very odd slope to his shoulder.
And to clarify I don't feel insecure in mine but I do feel more stability in a treed saddle. However, the seat is much softer like another poster mentioned. Riding in a treed saddle feels like I am sitting on a board in comparison.
Where are you located? Maybe someone has one? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
Location: run2win land | I thought Panther Canyon wasn't involved anymore? Lots of posts on Facebook. Yes, I would get a wide. I have a couple thick made horses and the wide sits so well. You can see one of them in my profile pic. I don't have to cut my horse in two to keep it from moving. Mark your adjustment with a pen. It is super frustrating if someone borrows to try and get it re adjusted. Lol
Edited by swd 2017-08-30 9:32 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2161
Location: NW. Florida | stayceem - 2017-08-30 4:01 PM Carbon Copy - 2017-08-30 10:42 AM Stayceem, Does the Sibley flex, as much as, a Fisher or Marshall? I've heard that they ride more like a treed saddle compared to the others. I know it's going to flex and I'll have to get used to it, but I just couldn't stand the trapped feeling.
I wish I knew someone that had one I could try, because I hate to put that much money in something and not adjust to it. No they don't flex the same as an actual treeless. Mine is more flexible than the others I have seen, not sure if that's a flaw in design or what. Mine was also one of the first made and have had it 10 years now and still using it so they do last. It does slide back on my gelding but most do, he has a very odd slope to his shoulder. And to clarify I don't feel insecure in mine but I do feel more stability in a treed saddle. However, the seat is much softer like another poster mentioned. Riding in a treed saddle feels like I am sitting on a board in comparison. Where are you located? Maybe someone has one?
Northwest Florida
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Expert
Posts: 2161
Location: NW. Florida | What kind of saddle pad do you use under them. I normally ride a Saddleright. Also, I'm pretty short, like 5'3 will the fenders pull up that much, or will I have to have shorter fenders on it? |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Carbon Copy - 2017-08-31 8:01 AM What kind of saddle pad do you use under them. I normally ride a Saddleright. Also, I'm pretty short, like 5'3 will the fenders pull up that much, or will I have to have shorter fenders on it?
I use my 5 Stars pads with my Sibleys, and they have different lenght fenders, there is the long, medium and short, just tell Jimmy how tall you are if you order from Panther Canyon saddlery, if you order from Deb same thing, I think you would go with the short. |
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Member
Posts: 27
Location: North central Florida | Really like the Deb Sibley Ultra Flex saddle ordered new from Panther Canyon Saddlery two years ago (14.5" suede seat with 5" cantle, 6.5" gullet). I have always ridden in a traditional treed saddle, but wanted something that had forward hung stirrups with a deeper seat as my treed saddle allowed my feet to swing back and caused me to feel pitched forward during a run. In my search for a new saddle, I tried several treeless brands and didn't care for the rolling feeling. One thought to consider for really push style horses, they can feel everything in a treeless saddle. If you even think about sitting down in a true treeless, they feel it (i.e. downed barrels).
I was fortunate that a neighbor had a Deb Sibley (15" seat, 5" cantle) and allowed to me borrow it for a few days to see if I really liked it. This saddle makes me feel secure during a run through the turns and allows me to get up out of the seat on a push style horse. Feels like I'm riding in a treed saddle, yet I can feel my horse underneath me (with no roll). I use a 5 star pad 7/8" at shows and a Classic Equine ESP 1" thick for everyday riding. This saddle weights around 22 lbs, I think. Very happy with it and currently looking to buy another one, but need a wide fit for my second horse.
Good Luck in your search!
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Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Southtxponygirl - 2017-08-31 9:45 AM
Carbon Copy - 2017-08-31 8:01 AM What kind of saddle pad do you use under them. I normally ride a Saddleright. Also, I'm pretty short, like 5'3 will the fenders pull up that much, or will I have to have shorter fenders on it?
I use my 5 Stars pads with my Sibleys, and they have different lenght fenders, there is the long, medium and short, just tell Jimmy how tall you are if you order from Panther Canyon saddlery, if you order from Deb same thing, I think you would go with the short.
I use a CSI on one gelding and a 5 star on others. Depends on the horse for me. I also recommend the short fenders but you could get by with regular but wont have as much freedom in how you adjust |
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