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Arachnid
Platinum Member
 England
1872 Posts |
 Posted - 28 May 2007 : 7:04:58 PM
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Has anyone tried one of these? Are they any good? Do they fit Arabs? I would like something more secure than my lovely show saddle for hacking out and I came across one on the internet. Thanks in advance as ever
Julia x 
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West Sussex |
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sasha
Gold Member
United Kingdom
518 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2007 : 9:59:27 PM
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Hi,
I have had a couple of stock saddles. they are extremely comfy, but i have to say they tend to fit the traditional withered horse better than an arab with a very broad wither, they can also be quite long in the panels, so not great for a short backed arab.perhaps they are available in a shorter version in a Wintec? |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2007 : 07:52:39 AM
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My friend had one when she was doing endurance on her now retired mare....she had the Wintec/Bates synthetic - she liked it, did several long competitions using it - but then ran into a problem as it was bridging...it was quite long & the shape of the bars were not very Arab shape friendly - her Arab mare was only 14.3hh, had a wither & wasn't wide - not the typical Arab shape - but then she was VERY fit! The saddle wasn't very generous in width - although it could be altered by the saddler. They do tend to suit the narrow/withered shape as they are not over generous. I think the problem my friend had was that the saddle was too long for her mare - they are long. She also had to use a Limpet pad underneath it - to keep it on her horse!
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Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 09:52:31 AM
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| What a shame they look so comfortable! I have ordered one just to see if it might fit because it can be sent back. They come with Cair these days and the gullet system but I wont be able to do anything about it being too long. Any other suggestions for saddles which I might find it difficult to fall out of? I have a Fylde WH which is very comfortable for both of us but it is teeny weeny and doesnt give me much support. Its great for showing and dressage but I fancy doing the odd pleasure ride and I think something more substantial might be in order! |
West Sussex |
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shah
Gold Member
England
1356 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 10:51:45 AM
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You'll have to try my Free n Easy saddle next time, it's v comfy and secure.
I suspect Judith will recommend an Orthoflex saddle They look super comfy too some of them. |
West Sussex |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 11:33:46 AM
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Hi Tabita - yes I do like my Ortho-Flex - heres Ginger wearing an Endurance Cutback - I always feel wonderfully secure when riding on these saddles....manys the time over the years I would have ended up on the deck without those large thigh rolls!
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Edited by - Judith S on 30 May 2007 11:45:23 AM |
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Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 1:31:52 PM
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| Yes that looks comfortable. Is it heavy? Shes a pretty girl your Ginger. |
West Sussex |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 1:44:16 PM
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It is very comfy!! Its certainly not light (my WOW is a similar weight & so are RR etc) - but the panel system spreads the weightover the horses back.
Aww...thanks - Ginger is 56% American Saddlebred x PBA & a REAL madam
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Gemma
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1802 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 9:48:36 PM
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Another orthoflex convert here!!
I have a Plantation Amigo, beautifully modelled here by Marigold:
Like the cutback, it has huge knee-rolls and is very difficult to fall out of (and Marigold has done her best to test it out!!). It rides very similar to a stock saddle. |
 
Photo 2: West End Photography |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2007 : 10:57:43 PM
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| Gemma - looks good!!! Pleased to hear the saddle is suiting you/her! The seating position on the Amigo is certainly more towards the Western seat - legs more forward than the Cutback (tends to be more legs under) more like the Express Lite or Patriot. |
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Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 1:12:13 PM
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Gemma - soooo impressed re green plastic. Spider wont tolerate a crisp bag within 2 miles of him (we are working on it)
Jx |
West Sussex |
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Gemma
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1802 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 3:41:48 PM
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Thanks Julia and Judith!!
That green plastic took a few sessions of work, and I did take up a 'foetal safety' position in case she was a wally (and I'd worked over it from the ground before I got on).
Don't be too impressed though - suspicious blades of grass are far, far scarier and I've needed those knee rolls on plenty of occasions! |
Photo 2: West End Photography |
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Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2007 : 11:00:38 AM
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Wintec arrived. Really nice saddle and NOT too long BUT it doesnt take an extra wide gullet something which isnt mentioned on any of the sales stuff so its going back. Will look out for a second hand orthoflex (since I think OH will need counselling if I buy a new one - just looked up the prices!)
Jx |
West Sussex |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2007 : 12:11:10 PM
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I have read somewhere on the Wintec site that the stock saddle won't take the X-wide gullet......I had at one time thought about one - but this point decided me against it.
My friend has an Ortho-Flex Cutback for sale - but its got the original panel system (mk1) the panels are longer than the mk2 in my picci - can be too long for short backed Arabs. I "might" be selling one of mine in a while..........! Another friend has a Stitchdown for sale...
Good second hand OFs are getting hard to find....I would not buy one from the company that is now Ortho-Flex (took it over from Len Brown - the mad who developed OF) - they are not as good as the origianals & are VERY expensive!
pm me if you want to talk about OFs.
I am having a saddle from the US to try - totally adjutable - looks FAB - but want to try it well on my many differnet horses before I say anything about it!!!!
Judith
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Edited by - Judith S on 01 Jun 2007 12:13:05 PM |
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