[MIEventer]

*Squeels*

I have been needing a saddle for Nelson for quite some time, but never had the money to buy. I have searched for 2 years for a good used one within my price range, but was never successful.

Everytime I tried to save my money, something would always happen to prevent me from putting my savings on a saddle, but on other more important things due to life and blah blah blah.

So my Mom sent me $300 to put away in a savings account to put towards a saddle, and I sold my Wintec for $250.00 so I have about $600 now in my savings account - where the majority of my paycheque goes into board, feed, Nelson's care, paying off a $2,000 vet bill, plus gas and help towards bills....*sigh*

My Hubby just did our tax returns and we got a nice $ amount coming back to us, so the majority of it is being put into our savings account, and I am going to get some to spend, and my Hubby is going to put some away to spend - and my small bit is going to be put onto of that $600 to put towards a saddle.

I just don't know what to get.

I have been borrowing a beautiful Collegiat Convertible Diploma. I really do like this saddle. Very comfortable, soft, supple and fits me like a glove. I don't want to get out of this saddle.

The tree works lovely with Nelson's back shape, I love the width of the gullet and I love the fact that I can change the tree width with the gullet change system I had with my Wintec.

Collegiate Diploma Saddle - Sale! $759.00 from Adams Horse Supply

Or - I have even borrowed a M. Toulouse Celine from a friend at the barn, and it is also a very nice, comfortable saddle that I enjoy being in, and works well with Nelson's back shape.

This is on sale at a local tack shop, and comes with leathers and irons and all that fun stuff.

Collegiate Diploma Saddle - Sale! $759.00 from Adams Horse Supply

The downside, it is a fixed tree so I cannot adjust it - but I can bring it to the saddle maker who owns and runs the tack shop to help make it accomodate Nelson.

Toulouse Jumping Saddles

I don't know what one to go with?:?

 

[MyBoyPuck]

You know the deal. Try them all out on your horse. They all fit differently. One of them will put you and your horse into the best position and you'll know it when you feel it.

I just got my saddle from Adams. They're having some great deals lately.

 

[MIEventer]

I have tried them both - and I like them both, that's the dillema.

 

[CaptainLiecy]

Eenie meenie minie mo?

 

[gypsygirl]

i have a celine & i totally love it =]

 

[MIEventer]

LOL! Eenie Meenie Miney Mo! ROFL!

Thanks guys, I do appreciate your input.

 

[iridehorses]

I have been borrowing a beautiful Collegiat Convertible Diploma. I really do like this saddle. Very comfortable, soft, supple and fits me like a glove. I don't want to get out of this saddle.

The tree works lovely with Nelson's back shape, I love the width of the gullet and I love the fact that I can change the tree width with the gullet change system I had with my Wintec.

Collegiate Diploma Saddle - Sale! $759.00 from Adams Horse Supply

Ta Da!!!!

Just the way you describe the two saddles would do it for me.

(I love saddle hunting but finding one that is the right fit can drive me crazy sometimes)

 

[Jake and Dai]

I really don't have a lot of saddle knowledge but when I read your post MIE, I got the sense that you were way more excited about the Collegiate and liked it better than the other. It was in how you described the Collegiate over the MT if that makes any kind of sense.

 

[MIEventer]

OK! I will go with the Collegiate!

Thanks so much for your help guys **HUGS**

I am so excited *claps*

And besides, if the Collegiate doesn't work out, it is a great name brand and model that I am sure I can re-sell if necessary - right?

 

[iridehorses]

right..

 

[MIEventer]

Oh...I am worried about your ..... afterwards *cocks eyebrow and squints eye*

 

[MIEventer]

DREW!! I need your input here chickey doodle!

 

[Tack Collector]

The entire gullet kit is a waste of money. Don't buy it. Just get the gullet(s) that you need, and that will be the blue, red, and possibly white but usually a white-XW gullet horse is flatter across that back than that saddle tree. So, just the black medium and blue and red are usually the useful ones.

 

[MIEventer]

Thanks Tack Collector! I do have the whole kit though already, when I owned the Wintec 500 A/P. When I sold the saddle I let the white gullet go since I don't use it.

I have all but the white, and somehow I've accumulated 3 black? Odd.

I use the Blue gullet on Nelson, the medium wide.

 

[Dressage10135]

I dont know anything about the second brand you mentioned, but I just wanted to say that I have a Collegiate SR Event and I LOVE it!!

 

[MIEventer]

Thanks Dressage for your input! I do appreciate it

 

[upnover]

YIPPEEE!!!! Congrats on getting a new saddle!!!

I think both are good saddles. But with Nelson being out of work for a bit (and he has a tricky back to begin with, right?) he's going to be losing muscle and eventually building it back up. I would think something with an adjustable tree would be a practical choice. That way you don't have to pay the saddler every time his back makes a big change.

 

[MIEventer]

EEEK! I KNOW!!! I am so excited! I haven't bought a new saddle in over 5 years!!!!

Thanks for the great tip, you are right - the Collegiate Convertible is the one to go with.

THANKS!

 

[upnover]

don't forget to post pics when you get it!

 

[MIEventer]

I will I will order it sometime next week. *claps hands and jumps up and down*

Now I have to find brown leathers, a girth and a bridle and sell all my black tack.