It got here it got here it got here!!!!!!!!!!Sure, the saddle that I ordered in early December FINALLY confirmed up at my home! Not too dangerous I suppose, that it solely took 2 months to get right here.
After I revealed my slam article in opposition to State Line Tack, my frustration stage had risen to a brand new stage and I emailed them via their web site. I obtained an e-mail from them. And that is what it stated:
That is so not true, I by no means obtained a name, or a message from them. However, that’s a good way to push off a buyer, make them suppose you probably did outreach them. Kudos to you Stateline Tack.
However though I’m nonetheless offended with the corporate, I can’t be offended with the saddle, as a result of it’s far more than I assumed it will be.
Trying to find the Finest Western Saddle for You Wants
Like I stated in a earlier put up, I had saved as much as purchase a brand new saddle. I needed to have one thing to make use of on path rides that made me really feel safe within the saddle. And for me, I felt a western saddle was the way in which to go. However up to now, I’ve purchased western saddles that I by no means felt allowed me to nonetheless really feel a reference to my horse.
That led me to looking for an in depth contact kind of western saddle. And from the analysis I had been doing, it appeared like a reining saddle may be the way in which to go. So I gathered up my professionals of what I needed my saddle to have and why I used to be led towards a reining saddle:
Constructed for Management: These saddles are all about supplying you with exact management throughout these fancy reining maneuvers. Suppose spins, sliding stops, and people cool rollbacks!
Low Pommel and Cantle: This design helps you to transfer freely within the saddle with out getting in your means. It’s like having an open dance flooring for you and your horse!
Shut Contact: Reining saddles maintain you comfortable in opposition to your horse, so you may really feel each twitch and motion. It’s such as you’re changing into one together with your equine accomplice!
Snug Seat: As a result of who needs a sore behind after a day of driving?
And this was the saddle I felt was match for the precise issues I used to be searching for.
When the saddle FINALLY got here , I used to be a little bit overwhelmed with the scale of it. I’ve been driving in an English saddle for therefore lengthy, seeing the scale and feeling the load of the saddle made me marvel if I had made the best choice. The colour was additionally a little bit bit completely different than it was within the on-line images. However that’s not actually that huge of a deal.
No, extra importantly, I wanted to attempt it out to see if this was the best selection. And though the saddle is bigger than what I’m used to, it’s positively an excellent saddle.
Tacking Up for the First Time
My horse Jesse was once a dude ranch horse. This implies he has at all times been ridden in a western saddle, till he got here to stay with me. So after I put the saddle on him, I feel he breathed a sigh of aid. He was like….Lastly, you’re placing the best saddle on my again!
I didn’t have the right sized saddle pad for this saddle on this picture as you may see. I assume I used to be planning on getting a saddle that was smaller. However for my ‘check experience’ I made a decision this pad can be okay. However you may see how the saddle is pushing out previous the pad within the picture? I used to be a little bit fearful about that. So our first experience wasn’t very lengthy.
You’ll discover in some images although, the bigger saddle pad. I purchased the right measurement for the saddle, and my horse
I purchased a western cinch much like one my pal Vickie has for her horses. And fortunately, that match the saddle in addition to Jesse.
I wasn’t positive if I would really like the stirrups. They appeared relatively massive, and I wasn’t positive they’d work for me. However they did, and so they had been excellent!
Attempting Out a New Saddle
Since I haven’t ridden Jesse in a number of months, I assumed it will be finest to remain within the confines of my enviornment, together with the pinnacle supervisor, Al-Capony.
Silver Royal Skidmore Reining Saddle
One factor I at all times do earlier than getting within the saddle is, I stroll my horse across the enviornment. Positive, I might lunge them first. However I want to stroll with them to see what mind set they’re in BEFORE I climb into the saddle.
Jesse is, for essentially the most half at all times regular Eddy.
And he actually appeared relaxed and quiet – although he has principally had the whole winter off from work. So after a lap in each instructions from the bottom, I took him over to the mounting block. He was superb about standing nonetheless right here too. I additionally obtained a brand new bit from Schneider’s. It’s a jointed port curler mouth curb bit. And identical to the saddle, Jesse was actually relaxed with this bit. I’m guessing that is much like what they used for him on the ranch? Who is aware of. However this bit appeared to agree with him.
Sorry, I obtained off monitor. Again to the saddle!
For the primary experience my stirrups had been too lengthy, so I needed to dismount and shorten them 2 notches. However apparently western saddle have modified because the final time I rode in a single.
They’re loads simpler – or not less than this one is, for altering the size of the stirrup. And the leather-based on this saddle already feels damaged in. Not just like the tremendous stiff saddles I’ve purchased up to now. So I used to be capable of simply, and rapidly, shorten the stirrups to as size that felt good.
Silver Royal Skidmore Reining Saddle
And after I was again within the saddle, I observed an enormous distinction on this western saddle, I felt balanced. I feel you may see within the picture, it’s cutout underneath the place the fender lays, giving a extra shut contact really feel. Western reining saddles, or the reiner horse saddle, are designed for aggressive reining occasions, or so says the definition. Reining saddles have forward-hung stirrups, a low horn, low cantle, and so they often sit low on the horse’s again. I feel that is what drew me to this specific saddle.
I feel you may see it on this phot, how low the seat is. And I for one love that! Despite the fact that Jesse is shaggy on this phot, I feel you may inform he’s relaxed. In reality, throughout our first experience he was VERY relaxed! His head was low, he was actually stretching out when he moved, and he simply appeared pleased.
He wasn’t tense, and that is most likely as a result of I wasn’t tense. I felt so relaxed in my legs, in addition to my seat. So not solely is that this saddle good for me, nevertheless it appears to suit my horse completely as nicely. I’ve by no means really identified what it meant when a saddle description stated ‘semi-quarter horse bars” vs. ” full quarter horse bars. However via researching, I discovered that A “full quarter horse” gullet measurement sometimes refers to a saddle tree with a gullet width of seven inches, and it has one thing to do with the angle of the bars? Or one thing like that. However no matter all of that’s, this saddle matches Jesse completely, and it has a 7″ gullet, or additionally known as ‘full’ quarter horse bars.
Silver Royal Skidmore Reining Saddle Assessment
Aside from how lengthy I needed to wait to get this saddle, I’m very pleased that I purchased it. The leather-based is incredible, it matches my horse nicely, and it matches me too. I did get the 16″ seat, which appears to suit my rear finish, and legs nicely. It looks as if it is rather nicely constructed and I feel it would final me a really very long time.
And although I didn’t just like the stirrups at first, I actually do like them now. They might look enormous compared to my English stirrups, however they’re the proper measurement.
The saddle is unquestionably heavier than my English saddles. It weighs in at 30 lbs. So having the suitable saddle pad was crucial.
I just like the 5 Star pads. So I purchased the suitable sized one for my saddle. That is the 32×32 7/8″ thickness 5 Star Saddle Pad and I find it irresistible. I feel Jesse is pleased with it too. It’s 100% wool , presents safety, an ideal match, and it’s sturdy. It isn’t low cost, however the high quality is unquestionably value it.
I used to be a little bit fearful it will weigh to a lot for my do-it-yourself saddle rack, nevertheless it appears to be holding up. I feel I’m going make a unique kind of saddle rack although, as a result of I need to help the saddle correctly after I maintain it in my tack room.
However I feel my favourite factor about this saddle is the way it makes me need to exit and experience! To have the ability to have all of my gear work nicely for myself and my horse makes driving enjoyable, and never a chore. I LOVE driving! And with this saddle, I do know I will probably be doing much more driving!
Silver Royal Skidmore Reining Saddle
It’s onerous to explain – from the primary time I sat in it, and walked, trotted, and cantered (loped) across the enviornment, I had no considerations of my stability. I wasn’t gripping with my legs, or stiff in my higher physique. Every part simply appeared to fall into place and made sense. I don’t know the way else to say it. And it’s really a beautiful feeling to really feel like I can do something, or go wherever with my horse now. And I feel this saddle performed a giant a part of that!
The place To Discover the Skidmore Reining Saddle
I’d NOT suggest shopping for this from Stateline Tack. For apparent causes. However I did discover it on Amazon. And on the time of scripting this (March 22, 2025) It says I can have this shipped to me and I’ll have it no later than April 1st. So about 10 days. That isn’t too dangerous.
I’ve additionally been increase my Western driving gear at Using Warehouse and Schneider’s. It’s shocking at how rapidly each of those retailer’s ship out my orders. I’ve not too long ago purchased a breast collar, one other bridle together with break up reins, and some different issues I need to check out earlier than I share them with you.
So I feel for now, I’m going to exit and experience my horse for a bit with my new saddle, and I will probably be again actual quickly with extra new issues so that you can attempt! I imply, spring is right here, and summer season will probably be right here earlier than we all know it. So it’s positively time to get again within the saddle. Wouldn’t you agree?
Glad Using!
