New saddle

I haven't bought a new saddle since 1995 when I did dressage - all my others were used. (In 1995 I bought a synthetic Thorowgood for $400.)


I won't ever buy a new car or vehicle of any kind because they devaluate the first few miles so much it just seems wrong.

But I wanted to badly to join team Specialized after riding in one again, and seeing so many other bloggers happy with their choice.

I did not have an easy time getting this saddle because I went directly through the manufacturer who is atrocious at customer service. In fact, after he got my money, when I asked when they sent my fit kit, after waiting several weeks, he said "Calm down" in his email. I took his snarky advice, waited 6 weeks, and asked again. Oh, I guess they were lost in the mail. We'll just send the saddle then.

These saddles come with a series of neoprene and velcro shims and pads that can be combined to fit most horses (not all horses - none can say that). Supposedly you don't need a saddler, you can just simply learn to do this yourself for any horse.

All these weeks waiting I watched all the fitting videos I could find online, to be ready, but I knew the saddle would come with a DVD that helps with fitting.

Very disappointed, I saw that it's just the same videos I saw online so far. And they are not enough. I received the loin template fit kit, and it has numbers on it - but the numbers don't mean anything to me. They don't say "If your horse measures a 0, use this pad" for example. There was no note in the box, however, there were two brochures with pictures of their entire saddle line in case I want to buy another.

Funnily, as I set it up on a chair in my living room, I kept thinking I was imagining things, like if I saw it out of the corner of my eye, it was like I was looking at one of your blogs, you SS people. It just didn't "fit" here, in my brain.

So, how do I fit it to my horse? Using my eyes, my feel, well, I'm not so good at that. I need more.

I was very glad to see that it is not too long for her short back. Actually, the interior panels are about 2 inches shorter than the saddle skirt itself - how odd, but good for a tiny horse.

I put it on her and was instantly annoyed that the pad that comes with it, made by SS, for this saddle, does not seem to fit this saddle! I have a Eurolight and this pad seems to be made for the International or something, with a big bulge at the front, like you could use it with an English saddle. I'm soooo picky about my pads fitting exactly around my saddle bearing area. I can't believe that it was made by them (in Taiwan) and does not fit the saddle. I was also disappointed that it's cream with white trim, and not white as described on their site. Oh well, you can't really tell.

I just wanted to see it on her but my man said, "Jump up there and I'll get some pics." I wasn't prepared, as you can see, but I did, and walked around the front yard a few times. I was instantly "locked in" as I sat down in this saddle. That is one of the perks of it, if you like that, it really grabs you. Also, a suede seat is extra sticky.

Mara looks perplexed in the photos, and I felt bad cuz I hadn't fit it to her yet.

As you've probably read in other blogs, this saddle is not top quality - the leather looks cheap and already has a scuff on it out of the box. The conchos are awful, but I knew they would be there. I can ignore them, Aarene promises me it doesn't take long to learn to ignore them, or just cover them with junk. However, the saddle is very affordable, saddlewise. Brand new even. I paid way more than you guys, I know, but way less than what I'd pay in Germany for a new saddle of any kind. Even including shipping and customs fees, which are a huge chunk.

I am going to sell the stirrups it came with (they refused to sell it without stirrups!), cuz I prefer cages cuz I prefer riding in hiking shoes and I like the safety of cages, even if it's only in my mind (I've fallen off without them and never had a problem).

I was afraid it would look huge on her, cuz she's so diminutive. But thankfully it doesn't. The pad though....

So I'm eagerly awaiting mails from friends I've asked for help in figuring this thing out. Come on please advise, I want to ride!!!!

For now, here are pics from the modelling session (and we now have FOUR easyboots! yay!).

I am excited, I cannot say delighted, because I still don't know how it works, but hope to be delighted by tomorrow! I am in love with its appearance - its minimalist design and sleekness. I love how it seems to just disappear underneath riders (like Funder), like she's riding bareback.

Ready...set.....wait.