Shadowlark
8th Jan 2007, 10:11 PM
OK so the saddle Arrived on Friday for a weekend of abuse..
I unpacked the saddle and was disapointed to discover it was made in India. The Stamping was poorly done looked like a given was given the tools and the leather was very dry..that saddle is drinking oil as fast as I can put it on. Workmanship is ok.. but I would have to say my notorious Hilason saddle is better made.
Anyway, I only paid 400$ for the whole set off ebay - so I thought what the hay lets give it a whirl if I still hate the silly thing, back to ebay it goes and I will just hope for the best I suppose.
I bought the barrel racing cut Chestnut colour with the moving panels but no flex in the tree. I am PICKY about how my saddles fit for good reason of course (most people near me call it nurottic.. but anyway) I started with it On Deja - because simply put that mare will tell me where to put that saddle if she doesn't' like it. She has a relatively pristine back with no issues - but she also isn't a Hard to fit horse generally speaking.
That saddle setteld onto her perfect. From every angle I like how it fit. Soo I decided to sweat her up in it and see if I was still happy - clean pad and a good work out later. Lovely even distribution of everything and a generally happy mare. So we carried on with it. Ended up with it on 7 different horses by the end of the weekend, 4 of those ridden in it. My 2 boarders who were there tried it.. both horses have deffinate saddle issues.. both went way better in it. It was very comfortable and secure to sit for the rider.
SOO the jury really is out. I am happy with how it fits, it IS comfortable and for the 400$ I paid - I am pleased with what I have as a general using saddle and for guests etc. The REAL test here is going to be time. Will it still sit well, will it hold up to rigorous use.. can I abuse it like my Hilason and have it still look ok? Will it continue to fit the horses.. or is this some trick..
Sorry gang the camera is kaput and I have yet to replace it.. so no photos of the three ring circus.. but I knwo a couple people have asked about them - so wanted to leave my impressions.
I unpacked the saddle and was disapointed to discover it was made in India. The Stamping was poorly done looked like a given was given the tools and the leather was very dry..that saddle is drinking oil as fast as I can put it on. Workmanship is ok.. but I would have to say my notorious Hilason saddle is better made.
Anyway, I only paid 400$ for the whole set off ebay - so I thought what the hay lets give it a whirl if I still hate the silly thing, back to ebay it goes and I will just hope for the best I suppose.
I bought the barrel racing cut Chestnut colour with the moving panels but no flex in the tree. I am PICKY about how my saddles fit for good reason of course (most people near me call it nurottic.. but anyway) I started with it On Deja - because simply put that mare will tell me where to put that saddle if she doesn't' like it. She has a relatively pristine back with no issues - but she also isn't a Hard to fit horse generally speaking.
That saddle setteld onto her perfect. From every angle I like how it fit. Soo I decided to sweat her up in it and see if I was still happy - clean pad and a good work out later. Lovely even distribution of everything and a generally happy mare. So we carried on with it. Ended up with it on 7 different horses by the end of the weekend, 4 of those ridden in it. My 2 boarders who were there tried it.. both horses have deffinate saddle issues.. both went way better in it. It was very comfortable and secure to sit for the rider.
SOO the jury really is out. I am happy with how it fits, it IS comfortable and for the 400$ I paid - I am pleased with what I have as a general using saddle and for guests etc. The REAL test here is going to be time. Will it still sit well, will it hold up to rigorous use.. can I abuse it like my Hilason and have it still look ok? Will it continue to fit the horses.. or is this some trick..
Sorry gang the camera is kaput and I have yet to replace it.. so no photos of the three ring circus.. but I knwo a couple people have asked about them - so wanted to leave my impressions.