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[cruisinlight]

Please, I would like people's impressions on these saddles. I have recently seen a couple in a local tack shop, and they look like they might possibly fit my very large, wide-backed, low-withered Walker. I don't want to buy one from this shop, as his mark-up is too much. I would probably go through CQEquine, or used (I'm always on a budget--& I was just shocked to look at this year's prices on a couple of websites of saddles I like).

I'm wondering which of the models might fit my horse better--if at all. Also, some of them have a suspended seat and at least one has the regular seat. Which do you prefer, and why? I really like the plantation, Buena Vista and old-timer look, but basically need a good safe saddle that will let my horse move out comfortably.

Also, is there a better type of rigging for the mutton-withered horse in these styles of saddles?

Thanks.

[kckc]

saddle fit is a huge issue for me... fit for the horse, not sliding back and my comfort.   I suggest getting one you can trial.  As many as I have tried that don't fit me or my horse I can't imagine having to try to resell every time.   I plan on doing the back mapping that is shown on Crestridge saddlery... well, I hope to do it or find someone to do it for me :-)  Then I'll carry it around to put on the saddles.   
I personally don't care for the suspended seat - I like being closer to my horse and like I'm holding on to him not the saddle.

[stablemind]

I've always like the Miller saddles.

Keep in mind that a suspended seat is a sling of webbing that lefts the saddle seat off the saddle tree, usually just enough that you don't feel the bars under your seat bones. My pointy seatbones don't like to feel the bars! By suspending the seat, the seat can be made with a narrower twist. With my saddle, the suspended seat makes it so my hips aren't stretched. It lets my upper legs rest closely against the horse, so I have better use of my seat (upper legs) than any other saddle I've ridden in. If you prefer a flat seat so your butt is closer to the horses back you will probably not like a suspended seat. When I'm in a saddle with a broad, flat seat, I feel like I've lost a lot of my ability to cue with my seat/legs.

This website explains twists and suspended seats: http://www.synergistsaddles.com/narrow-twist/

[KysaSD]

Cruisin,
I am an Henry Miller dealer and try to answer all your questions when I get to the store this afternoon....including photos of the Henry Miller I got in yesterday!

[Walkin45]

I always see used ones advertised.

[KysaSD]

To begin with, Henry Miller Saddles are made by an Amish Colony in Kentucky, of Which Henry Miller is the master saddler.  They are well made of nice leather!  You will find that Crest Ridge Saddles and Allegheny Mountain Trail Saddles are made to similar quality, but different amish colonies.

This is the saddle I got in yesterday.  Trail model, SQHB, and notice that it is full rigged.


This is the exact same saddle, but the rigging is in 3/4 position.  This works well on many gaited horses.  The first saddle was ordered for a QH that has a very forward girth grove.  The 3/4 rigging pulled the saddle forward onto the horses withers.  I think the second one will be perfect, but the saddle fitting doesn't happen until Friday.

And Cruisin,
Can you describe the size and shape of your horse?

[Riderkat]

I had an Eli Miller Old Timer that I adored= it was lightweight but very well made, good leather, nice quality. It was more for a shark-finned horse, which I no longer have in rotation LOL, so I sold it. I found it a very secure saddle for trail riding and working horses in.

[cruisinlight]

Thanks for the comments and info.

KCKC--yes, I have bought and then sold many saddles. Including a couple where I had done the back map and still didn't find a great fit.

Cyd--Thanks for the link. That was helpful and informative. My horse has a very broad back, so I don't know if a more narrow twist is even possible. On the other hand, maybe the suspended seat would relieve some of that width.

Walkin--I see some on sale, but the sizes are hard to judge. I want to have a better idea before buying, especially since I'll probably buy from a distance.

RiderKat--I bought a beautiful Eli Miller saddle on eBay when my horse was still really young. And it was so incredibly narrow that it looked like a child's toy on him. Sold it again.

Kysa--Nice looking saddles. But SQHB will not work for us. My horse is close to 17 hands, probably weighs 1500 lbs. I saw a couple of the Buena Vistas and the Old Timers that maybe had a wide tree, and the angle of the bars looked really generous. That is what I am trying to figure out, if something along those lines would work.

As far as the rigging goes, I think his girth groove tends to be back--or maybe his shoulders push the girth back. It always seems to need to be set back kind of far. I will post pictures.

[cruisinlight]

One photo of a VERY dirty horse, and at an awkward angle, but you can see the whole guy.
Two of his back, kind of showing the angles that I saw in the link that Cyd sent about twist. One from above and behind, the other from the side, me sitting on a fence. Maybe I'm delusional, but I think his back is wide enough to dance on.

[cruisinlight]

I don't know if this will work. I'm trying to attach a short video.

https://youtu.be/Yi3F8Wh7uf8

[Walkin45]

17 hh?

[ClaudiaIN]

Wow, he is wide.   I'll get the gullet measurements for you.
Kysa is a much better saddle fitter than I am, so I would go with her advice.

[Riderkat]

yeah he's broad but he's not 17H

[ClaudiaIN]

Buena Vista.   Suspended seat. Comes in both semi quarter horse bars and 6.5 gullet. AND. Full quarter horse bars and 7 inch gullet

old Timer. suspended seat. Quarter horse bars and 6.5 gullet

Trail saddle, number 102. Seat not suspended both semi and full quarter horse bars.  Gullet 7 on full.

Hope that helps

[KysaSD]

Yes, I understand that a SQHB trail saddle is not what you need....but I wanted you to see these two saddles.  I primarily fit stock horses, so the trail model in SQHB and FQHB is what I sell.  I have NEVER had anyone interested in the Buena Vista or plantation model.  But Gaited people certainly might like those.  I ask my inside rep....Henry's English...what trees Henry uses, and hope to get back to you.  I am 90% certain all the trees come from Steele Saddle Tree Company in KY.  But I do want to know if he makes any of its own trees, before I say 100% are built on Steele.  Then I can link to some of the trees at Steele's website.
And while I would be happy to fit your horse in person, I am not good at doing so from photos.