Endurance saddles for the petite rider? Do they exist?!

Thanks for the tips everyone! I've been keeping my eyes open on ebay and other sites like it. I have seen several saddles that were my size, so I know they are out there, just few and far between!

This little beauty popped up on my FB page today and thought it was intriguing. I always liked the simplicity of the McClellen, but never found any of quality that would actually fit my arab's wide shoulders!

Apparently this is totally customizable as far as gullet/bars/seat size/length. With the right padding, I kind of think this would be awesome.

I have always been interested in getting more heavily into mounted archery, and of course, I want to try out endurance so this might be a really cool saddle to do that. I don't really plan to show and my average day is spent trail riding, so I am very excited to learn more about this saddle. There isn't much info so far, but from what I am reading, it sounds like the saddle would be <$700 or so.

What do you guys think?

-A Company Mounted Archery (The page that I found this on)

While that saddle looks nice, I would not get a saddle for endurance without trying it for several days/miles or not having fitted by a professional. While an ill fitting saddle can be OK over a few miles, it will be *horrible* over 50. If you like the McClellan, I would find a way to try it. Some saddle companies have demos for 2 weeks. That should be enough time to see if the saddle fits and has any issues.

I am 5'3" and 115 lb, and I ride a 13.3 Welsh/Arab. I fit in a Barefoot saddle size 1 pretty decently. I am hoping to get a sheepskin cover that will snug it out a little bit, but the Barefoots are treeless, and that isn't for everyone, but they do well for smaller riders. I agree that the sheepskin cover will take up room on a 15 inch saddle, and it can be nice to have a tiny bit of wiggle. I know Action Rider Tack does saddle demos and some of the other companies out there will also allow for demos, too. If you can demo the McClellan in the right size, I would give it a try.

While I can see why the minimalist idea is appealing, my initial thoughts on seeing that saddle are omg I would impale myself on the pommel for sure and wouldn't the stirrup leathers rub my thighs. Could be that neither of these things would actually happen, but I sure would want to demo this saddle to make sure!!

You showed a picture of a big horn youth saddle.. is there a reason you aren't looking at getting an endurance version of the big horn, if you know it will fit you?

PH- The smallest size that I can find of those is 15.5. I would really need to try that out with a sheepskin seat cover and see if I'll be swimming or what have you.
I am not sure what brand/make of saddle I am going to get yet. I would definitely consider it, as I really like my current Big Horn. I love the different rigging than what I have now.

Yeah, the saddle above was designed for mounted archery, so I don't think they were planning to do any ducking under trees. Haha. Albeit, my current saddle has a horn and I haven't hurt myself on it too badly as of yet. I kind of lean foreward and to the side when ducking.

They were saying that this is a proto type and a basic model, so I think other features would be offered. Also they said that it is extremely easy to modify, so maybe I could get a lower pommel? I was thinking that a sheepskin on the seat and the stirrup leathers would go a long way too.

I am totally open to just about anythiing at this point and I definitely plan to make sure I can demo what ever I choose first. That's way too much cash for me to fork over to have it not work!


ETA- Just found this. It is a Big Horn Endurance and looks like the pommel is nearly as high as the one above. So maybe it isn't as bad as we are thinking?

http://madison.craigslist.org/grd/3488665654.html

You are fun size!!! :)
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What type of saddle is on the grey horse?

Not to de-rail this thread, but that archery saddle is seriously awesome. You should check out the horseback archery thread on here Horseback Archery

I think it just depends on what you are used to. If you ride without impaling yourself on a horn, then that pommel likely wont be an issue. I don't think I am that coordinated personally.

I know there are 15" big horns out there. We currently have a 16" big horn for sale that looks like what you have currently, only without the horn (its model #117). Wish you were closer, so then you could sit on it and get a feel of if its as big as you think.

Yeah, I never impaled myself but I have caught my clothes/coats on the horn. I could definitely live without having that issue to worry about.

I don't know that the BH endurance saddles come in anything smaller than 15.5. If they do, I've never seen it and I've been looking. Aw. Yeah, I think I'd be swimming it it. I have an english saddle that is equal to a 16 western, and I am all kinds of lost in it. I only use it as an extra throw around saddle for guests since almost no one fits into my 14in BH.

If you come across a BH endurance that is a true 15in (and the people are measuring correctly) then give me a heads up. I am nearly certain that a 15 with sheepskin would work for me.

Side note. What material pad do you use? I really like sheepskin, but I've been seeing a lot of woolfelt and other materials. I am not a fan of neoprene or other man made materials of that type as they make my horses sweat really badly.

Oh, and for cute factor, this is my future endurance mount. He's mostly CMK with a little bit of Egyptian on top. His grand-daddy was straight Davenport. If he turns out like his mom, he's going to be WIDE through the shoulder.

I think youd be better off swapping for that appears to be a tucker in the background.
McClellan's are well known to be godawful uncomfortable.