Endurance Saddle

[Bodshi]

Anyone got one? I wondered whether they were ok for everyday riding, are they prohibitively expensive etc? Been doing a bit of online research but can't seem to find much - a lot of sites seem to link endurance and treeless. Don't know much about treeless either - I had a vague impression they were more comfortable and easier to fit but having done some research it seems they are as difficult to fit as an ordinary saddle and don't suit all horses. The more I find out, the more confused I get!

[No_Angel]

You can use treeless saddles for endurance (I do/did) but there are specialist treed saddles around made for endurance riding.

Treeless saddles can be fitted without professional help, it's not particularity hard you just need to use a bit of common sense.

[Tao]

I have a Pathfinder and a Specialized Western Trail saddle for Endurance.

Here are a few makes I can think of,

Free n Easy - St christopher( Strada Saddles) - Orthoflex - Podium - Torsion- Jill Thomas - Freemax - Reflex - Reactor Pannel Saddles.

[Bodshi]

Thanks folks. Should just point out I'm not planning on doing endurance, just trying to find a saddle that's comfy for both of us and which best suits my future plans of long hacks and pleasure rides.

Had a lot of fun looking at all those saddles Tao - some of them, like yours, look quite unconventional. Such a range of prices too - I quite fancy the St Christopher but then the Jill Thomas is cheap enough to get for a young horse who might well grown out of the saddle in a year or two.

But then again, some of the less conventional ones sound really good, very lightweight and I would have thought less restrictive for the horse. Mmm, might have to go to an endurance event and see is I can see any in the flesh.

[Tao]

Sounds like a good idea, pop along to your nearest Endurance event, have a look around and ask questions, everyone is very friendly and most helpful.

I took ages to find a saddle that suited myself and my horse. I started out with a very old trail saddle with my Arab.

There is nothing better than hacking for hours in a lovely comfy saddle.

Happy saddle hunting.