Finally got my new saddle in.

Yay, I finally got my custom made saddle in last night. I decided it would be best to stick on a nice broke horse for the first few rides until I can get it nice and broke in but I can already tell that once I get the stirrups set and the leathers nice and flexible, it is going to be so much more comfortable and secure than my other one.

Also, just a shameless company plug. This is a handmade saddle from Corriente Saddle Company (www.corrientesaddleco.com) and it cost less than $700.

Very nice! Congrats on your new saddle, looks very comfortable :)

I love the saddle and will definitely check them out. Hope they make one my size. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who is not into all the leather tooling - as far as I'm concerned - less is more!

Very cool! I am also in the "less is more" camp. I have two 1950's super tooled hard seat saddles (for lessons) and I HATE cleaning those things, lol. It takes a good hour with a toothbrush to get all of the tooling really clean... I'm considering selling both of them and buying an Abetta, lol.

Thanks for sharing this saddle! Very cool.

$700 for the custom made saddle is an awesome price! Congrats!

I'm always wondering... When you put the order for the custom made saddle do you provide only horse measurements and your size or anything else for YOU to feel comfortable? As far as I know depending on the body build you want to go with the certain "twist" (more wide/more narrow) in english saddle. I'd think something similar should be for western.

Thanks guys. I am very impressed with it. This company does good work, especially for the price. Of course, it isn't as super high quality as one that would cost $2000 but the only thing I have found on it so far that is a little bit off is that there is a piece of rawhide underneath the cantle roll that is a bit rough, but shoot, it's not like it's a show saddle or anything LOL. All that matters is that it is made sturdy and is comfortable for me and my horses. I had the option for tooling but I got the saddle made full roughout and roughout and tooling just don't mix. Plus, it's too hard to clean the mud out of tooling .

Dee: I honestly don't know what all seat sizes they cover, it wouldn't hurt to call and ask. Though you might want to go to a local tack shop and just sit in a bunch of their saddles to find the tree that is comfortable for you. I love the modified association tree, it has a deeper seat and feels so much more secure than any other saddle I have ridden but some people find them uncomfortable.

As far as I know, this particular company only has one size of tree for horses, it is a FQHB with a 7" gullet. Fortunately, that fits most normal stock horses. They have all different kinds of tree options for the rider. I was able to ride in my brother's saddle enough to find out that was what I wanted so that part was pretty easy. I just told them the basics of what I wanted (I'm not terribly particular) and let them have at it. I think I know what you are talking about as far as twist goes, my Dad has all his saddles made with a very flat, very wide seat because that is what is comfortable for him. I can't ride in a saddle like that for more than about 45 minutes before my hips are killing me, I have to have a more narrow saddle. This one is just a touch wider than my roping saddle but it is deeper too and my weight is balanced different. I can ride 4 hours in my roping saddle and I'll be hurting but I went out for about 3 earlier and I came back in feeling great (well, my knees and ankles were sore but that's just because the stirrups aren't set yet).

Beautiful! If I ever try another saddle, I think it will be a Corriente. I have heard nothing but good about them, and the price is right.