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Griping and complaining

2K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  dee 
#1 ·
Why to saddle makers think that just because your backside is big enough to need a large seat size, you have to ride a draft horse? :evil:

I really liked this saddle I found on Ebay, and nearly put a bid in on it, until I saw the gullet width. Last saddle I bought on Ebay had the same problem. Doesn't anybody make a large seat on a saddle that would fit a highish withered horse? :-(

Used/Vintage 17 ½? Lamb Western Bear Trap Roping Saddle - eBay (item 220687019230 end time Oct-30-10 13:38:41 PDT)

I probably shouldn't complain. I actually have a saddle that fits Dancer, but I'd like to have one with a little more room for my fat ***! :lol:
 
#2 ·
Why to saddle makers think that just because your backside is big enough to need a large seat size, you have to ride a draft horse? :evil:

I really liked this saddle I found on Ebay, and nearly put a bid in on it, until I saw the gullet width. Last saddle I bought on Ebay had the same problem. Doesn't anybody make a large seat on a saddle that would fit a highish withered horse? :-(

Used/Vintage 17 ½? Lamb Western Bear Trap Roping Saddle - eBay (item 220687019230 end time Oct-30-10 13:38:41 PDT)

I probably shouldn't complain. I actually have a saddle that fits Dancer, but I'd like to have one with a little more room for my fat ***! :lol:

I'm not trying to mean or offend anyone, but saddle makers probably assume that if you need a seat that big, that you are too heavy for an average horse. Although that does make sense, some people just have really big butts and don't weigh that much, or some people just like the extra room.
 
#3 ·
I'm not offended - I'm fat. Not proud of it, but it is what it is. Lost 40 over the last year, but still fat. And I am too heavy for the average horse. I even worry that I'm too heavy for Dancer. Hopefully, once I can really start riding, I'll lose even more weight. But it would be nice to have a really comfortable saddle in the meantime!
 
#4 ·
What seat size are you looking for? King makes 17 and 18 inch seats in normal gullet sizes. I have an 18 with the 8inch gullet for Rain, my Appy as she is VERY high withered and the way the gullet sits, it is perfect for her and doesn't pinch. I know some don't care for King's but I really do love mine and it's super cheap!
 
#5 ·
I had a saddle with a 20" seat (very comfy), and an 8" gullet. Saddle popped up in the rear nearly three inches when we cinched it down. Dancer didn't care, but I did. Daughter tried riding in the saddle (seat was way to big, but it was Dancer we were worrying about) but when daughter sat in the saddle, it must have pulled on the cinch, because Dancer really started pinning her ears, and the cinch did look uncomfortable.

I sold that saddle. I have a 17" saddle with a 6" gullet that fits her pretty well. However, I haven't ridden her in it, so I don't know if it will work for her with me in it. I rode poor DJ in it - he didn't seem to have any issues, and my older daughter used it on him when she and younger daughter went riding together. It looked like it fit him pretty good. DJ had moderately high withers.

The saddle is built a little oddly, IMHO, because it may only have a 6" gullet, but it really flares out from that point, and the pommel is cut up way high, giving even more room for Dancer's withers. I was going to try the saddle on her today with no pad to run my hands under it and see if it will really work for her, but it was pouring rain and she was soaking wet. I'm not so picky that I won't take my saddle out in the rain, but I had already been out there long enough that I was pretty chilled. (Farrier was out today)
 
#6 ·
King has 17-18 in many different styles that range from a 6 1/2 inch gullet to 8 1/2. They even have 19's in a few select ones. I have their trail one and LOVE it! I was riding in a 15in barrel saddle before as it was all I had. I learned just how bad of a fit it was for me when I was on Stiffler and Claymore scared him and he leapt forward. I ended up with huge bruises from the pommel. We went to the auction the next week and there is a dealer there who sells the saddles DIRT cheap. Indy's friend Tracie bought one of these saddles in an 18 and I tried it and then bought my own. If you want one super cheap, I can give you the number for the dealer where Tracie got hers. She paid $210. Every saddle they have is less than $500 and super nice!
 
#7 ·
I've seen their saddles on Ebay, and have considered them. Once I know whether or not the saddle I have fits Dancer, I may look at them. The other thing I need to look at - did losing 40 pounds mean I can get by with a 17" saddle. If so, that's what I alread have. That would mean that I would only need to get a saddle for hubby, and he can use a 15" or 16" saddle (no butt)and they are a LOT easier to find (and cheaper.)
 
#9 ·
I would think that a 17-18" saddle would be about a normal size, no? Maybe this company company is more towards draft sizes?

Fifty...I ride in a 17.5 inch (english) saddle and I am no where near a size where I could be considered too heavy to ride a horse.
 
#10 ·
17" - 18" is a very large western saddle seat size. The most common size is 15" for adults. I think western saddles are measured a little differently than english saddles, I think. Don't quote me on that, because I know nothing about english saddles... :)
 
#13 ·
I had the opposite complaint a few months back. I was trying to find a draft saddle to fit Rosie. I am no lightweight at 210 but I like a 16" saddle. Nope, no dice. If it had draft bars, you couldn't get the seat any smaller than a 17...and even that was a stretch.

I feel your pain on trying to fit a saddle. I would be more comfortable in a bigger saddle but my 15" Bighorn is sooooo comfortable, I just suck it in. LOL Not to mention that thing fits everything I ride.
 
#15 ·
There is such a thing as exceeding the weight bearing length of a horse's back, so if you're concerned for the comfort of your horses you may want to look into that. (Not trying to be rude, just want to you to be aware. I have to be really careful of it with my pony since she's a short little thing.)

Here's a video that does a good job explaining:
YouTube - Saddle Fitting in 9 Steps - Step 6 - Saddle Length - by Schleese Saddlery Service!

Now I believe with western saddle you have a little bit of wiggle room with the skirt, but the end of the seat itself should not cover the lumbar area of the horse's back.
 
#16 ·
Eolith - I don't think you were being rude. I prefer honesty to over tactfullness any day of the week. And the concern you raise is valid. Dancer has a short back, which is something else I have to take into consideration.

Farrier was out yesterday and he laughed at me when I fussed about being too heavy for Dancer. With her broad build and short back, she should be able to carry me all day - once she's back in condition. She's not young, and probably shouldn't have had Rain, but there we are - can't take that back. Dancer is going to need lots of exercise to build her muscling up before we do any long rides, but we can build her up slowly with shorter rides. Probably would be good for me to do that as well. One thing he warned me about was to make sure the saddle wasn't too big for her back. He suggested that if the saddle I have doesn't fit her pretty much perfectly, I might want to consider a gaited horse saddle with a round skirt. Great. Those aren't cheap - but come income tax refund time...
 
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