My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
How can you tell if a saddle tree is broken or cracked? There are several warning signs — a crease in the leather on the seat, a popping or clicking sound when you’re riding, or too much flexibility in the saddle when you manipulate it. If you suspect your saddle has a broken tree (or […]
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After buying a saddle that was definitely smaller than advertised, I learned how to measure the seat size on a Sensation treeless saddle. Unlike an English saddle where you measure from the button on the side of the pommel to the center of the cantle, or a Western saddle where you measure from the pommel […]
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The gullet of a saddle is the channel that runs down the center of the underside of a saddle, in between the panels. The gullet bridges the horse’s spine so it is an important part of the saddle design. If the gullet is narrow, it can pinch the muscles on either side of the spine which […]
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So, you’ve bought a treeless saddle because in theory, it fits every horse — but don’t forget that in many ways, ensuring proper fit is all about the saddle pad. Treeless saddles solve a lot of saddle fitting problems. I can’t tell you how many people I see riding in saddles that are either perched […]
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Soon after I sold a couple of saddles, the itch to try something new started. I’ve always wanted to try a Sensation Treeless saddle, but they are made in Canada so there haven’t been a lot of opportunities to try one. So, when a woman in Western Massachusetts advertised two for sale . . . […]
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This post on the Chronicle of the Horse Forums caught my eye yesterday. You see, I have a small problem with saddles. In fact, I’ll have to take the fifth on answering the question because to admit how many saddles I own would require counting them, and I’ve decided I have too much stress in […]
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One of the challenges of riding in a treeless saddle is protecting your horse’s spine. With a treed saddle, the gullet keeps the rider’s weight off of the sensitive nerves and protect the horse’s spine. When the first treeless saddles were introduced, most of them did not have integrated gullets; spinal protection was offered by […]
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Many horses are adept at inflating their bellies like balloons, making it near impossible to get your girth tight enough before you mount. Especially when you are riding cross country, or foxhunting, getting that girth up another hole or two can make the difference between a saddle slipping or staying put. The problem is that […]
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