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[FlGirl]

Yes, another saddle thread, lol.  I have a barrel of a mare also and have been through several saddles.  They all "roll" on her.  I've been researching saddles and would like to use a company that has the "forms" that they send you and you can try the trees out first.  I've been down the road a few times where you put the wire over the withers and measure but the saddle never fits!  Allegany looks like a nice saddle at a decent price. 

Anyone have any experience with them?  Customer service good?  Saddle made well? 

Thanks for any input. 

[KysaSD]

I hope someone with recent experience answers your question.  The company was started by John Rettig and he produced a quality saddle, and I think always had good customer service.  The company has since been sold to Staci.  I have no personal experience, but I have also never hear anything negative about customer service since Staci took over.  I am pretty sure the company is using the same Amish saddle makers and the quality of the saddles is very good.

[MyBoyG]

I copied over from my journal regarding our AMTS saddle and experience.  Staci was great to work with.  She listened to my concerns about fitting my horse who needs more top line, and I received my new Cascade Wade saddle in record time due to the saddle maker having the tree we needed in stock.  I loved being able to customize everything about the saddle for what I consider "off the shelf pricing".  I went with AMTS after reading so many success stories from happy customers.  And now me and my horse can be added to that list.  Staci will work with you before, during and after the sale.
 

It's been a very long time since I've updated this journal (and my blog) but moving some of the old journal here to the new site, made me realize there are things I would like to keep journaled for future reading.  It had been awhile since I had even read my journal, and I found it fun to revisit some of our adventures.

So the new saddle.  I really really loved my About The Horse saddle, but since it was no longer a good fit for G, and it was getting way too heavy for me to lift and swing, it was time for a new one.  I did try several from a variety of vendors.  I tried the Tucker Equitation; a Tucker Big Bend Summit, and a Casa Dosa Freedom saddle.  Assured that all would fit based on gullet measurements and pics, none were quite right.  For either of us.  I had been admiring the saddles that were being produced by Allegany Mountain Trail Saddles, and I thought at this point I needed to work with tree forms to really see what could work with him today, and what may work with him when his topline comes back.  So, I called Staci at AMTS.  I found her to be very much like Debra at CRS, as she seemed very customer service oriented, and knowledgable about fit for the horse and rider.  I communicated with a few AMTS saddle owners, and didn't receive one complaint.  The fit forms were ordered.

These are the conformation shots sent to Staci (you can really see the pockets in this first shoti:





Out of the thirteen forms, the NE seemed the best option for fit today and tomorrow, as I would truly not have to buy another saddle for a few years



My two concerns with G were allowing room for his wither pockets to fill in and allowance in the rear of the tree to stay off the loins, because he runs down hill.  What I loved was being able to select rise of the seat, the amount of padding, and narrower fenders to lessen the weight.  It was really fun picking the conchos and the colors.  Never having done that before, I was like a kid in a candy store.  I really had to rein myself in though, as I had to stay within my budget.

And then I got an email from Staci.  She wanted to know if I liked. What's not to like?


And then it arrived.  I was like a little kid at Christmas and had to immediately run to the barn to see if it fit. 

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and i really love the hardware and conchos!


This little video made me tear up, as it is the first time in ten years that G's tail has been centered and soft under saddle.  Zeke noticed it right away so I asked him to video tape it.
http://youtu.be/7JtH8ClOunw
 
I believe I'm already seein a difference, but the fluffy winter coat could be fooling me...plus wishful thinking.  I hope to continue riding through the winter (even though we don't have an indoor) and come spring take new conformation shots to see if there is a difference.

[JeanRDH]

I have 2 Allegany Mountain Trail Saddles.  One from when John owned the company. And one that Staci had made for me.  I found both easy to work with and very accomodating. I love my saddles; one is a plantation trail and the other is a western trail saddle. 
MyBoyG, my horse also takes the NE tree.  It was a special order tree, when I ordered mine.

[Cowgirl Up]

Pretty saddle, and fit too.
Happy Trails

[Cassidy]

Well, I posted but lost the post   Both my husband and I have AMT saddles and they are wonderful saddles.  Staci went way out of her way to make my saddle last year for my first ever vacation with my horse and it is beautiful!  Her customer service is wonderful!  To my surprise the stirrups were already turned, no break in needed and with short legs that is a real treat!  No squeaks ever, that was another nice plus.  My husband just got his AMT saddle last week and with all this snow and cold here he can't even put it on his horse to test it    His horse was a hard fit but Staci hung right in there working hard, pictures, videos, testing one than another of the trees.  And since he was a hard one to be sure (partly us since we weren't pros) she sent everything to Ed Steele to get his input.  She goes that extra mile to be sure horse and rider have the right fit.  I chose the wrong seat .. too much rise .. not at all AMT fault I picked that seat .. Staci had me send it back after vacation and her saddle maker refit it for me and it's perfect now.  You can't even tell it was ever fixed.  I asked for something that would look like "my" saddle not one that came from a tack store and let Staci do her "thing" and said surprise me.  Well, WOW, is all I could think when I got the saddle.  She really out did herself.  I've never had anything like this ever .. it's a work of art and extreamly well made.  I'll try to post a picture but last time it didn't work .. hope it does now.



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[gallatingal]

George and I both ride in AMT saddles. I got one used from a fellow GHSer, and we scored one for George on Ebay just before Christmas when Staci was doing that no reserve on her in stock saddles. I knew which tree would fit Trigger and when one came up I was the lucky bidder!
Unfortunately the one I have been riding in is not going to fit my new horse. I can't stand the thought of parting with it, but I may have to.

[lindadobe]

Ive loved the ones Ive had so far.

[dawn_a]

Yep, have had a variety of them.  Very nice saddles.  Well made for the price range, nice to have custom trees to fit the horse and nice to be able to customize it to fit the rider!  I do think they're one of the best saddles you can get in the price range they're in.

Dawn

[Haven]

I am very happy with my AMT good fit on my horse comfortable to ride in.  I have mine for sale in the tack trading the seat is to big for me know as I have lost weight but will not hesitate to order another one with a small seat.