Yes, I FINALLY decided on a saddle for the turd! I went back and forth a million times, but I think I made a good choice. I am going to get an Allegany Mountain Trail Saddle. They have the fit form program, and although it's not the same as a true custom fitting it's a lot closer than eyeballing it. I just can't afford to have a $2000 saddle made when he'll probably outgrow it in 2 yrs anyway. I am going back and forth between the Cascade Wade and the Western Trail, I really like the deep seat of the Cascade Wade. I will most likely go for Mahogany and black, I don't know if I'll bother w/tooling, it depends how much it ends up being! They're built on Steele trees, hand made by one person only, premium leather and actually hand screwed together rather than stapled like most assembly line saddles. Everything i can find about them HIGHLY recommends them for their quality and phenomenal customer service. They're nice enough that if he grows out of it I can probably sell it and get at least some of my money back. Here is a link, let me know which style you think would work for us. We will mostly do trails, yes I'll do the occasional show in it but I really just want something comfortable for us both that will hold up and won't cause him pain.
You know I'll keep you updated!
Allegany Mountain Trail Saddles

Beautiful saddle, congrats! I think Jackson will wear it well

Thanks! It'll probably be a while before I get it, I am waiting on fit forms and then we'll probably go back and forth for a while about options, fitting, etc.... It'll be great to have one I know fits though!(At least for a while,lol, depends on how much growing Jack does in the next year or so)

How is Jolly?
How are your lessons going?

I'm sure it'll be worth the wait :P I was so excitied when I got my first saddle..it's a cheap one but it's held up for a looong while.


Jolly is doing good, stil being stud-ish...the vet didnt get out this week for some odd reason but he's getting gelded asap.

Lessons are also good lol but man can I feel it in my legs XD The horse I ride..is very slow & old but I love him, he's a big sweet heart.


How's Jack?

Glad to hear he's being gelded, I am sure it'll be a load off your mind when it's done. Is there going to be an issue w/his hidden "equipment"?

Jack is good! Well, he was quite a turd Saturday, he didn't want to work! I know how that feels(cue monday morningitis) but that's just too bad,lol. Then he got even more huffy cuz I gave him a bath!


He is a good boy though, I'm excited to take him out on the trail soon!

Hey Jen, loving those saddles. I really like that dark brown/ Black-ish Cascade Wade, and other than that I do like the darker Western Trail. Looks like the most obvious difference will be in saddle horns. Have you decided yet?

I am leaning to the Cascade Wade. I like that color too! I don't know, I guess I just like the look of the Wade better. I looked at the Old Timer but i don't like the rise in it, I don't think it'd put me in a good position. I've been trying to figure out which type of rigging I want. I am not crazy about how low the ring is on the saddles that have a rear cinch, if I have a pad that fits the shape of the saddle and there is not a huge amount of extra it seems like it'd irritate the horse. I am going to see if the placement of the ring can be changed to a bit higher. I will be showing Western Pleasure in it so I guess it needs to be as "Westerny" as possible, but I am more interested in functionality and comfort on the trail.