| Wendy W - WI |
|
|
| #1 |
Does anyone out there have an Abetta Endurance Trail Saddle? I just got a flyer from Chicks and this peaks my interest. I want Cordura for easy care and light weight. I've read some really nice reviews too. Anyone there have one?
http://www.buytack.com/products/saddles/act/20510.htm
|
| |
| westiemom |
|
|
| #2 |
Wendy, I'm pretty sure this is what Donna rides in. You could check with her, she likes them well enough. |
| |
| Feleicia |
|
|
| #3 |
I don't have the Abetta endurance, but I do have an Abetta synthetic saddle and absolutely love it, very comfy and easy to care for, has lasted me several years and is still in excellent shape. I am looking at the endurance one also, want a saddle without a horn, haven't made up my mind yet. Working in ortho I've seen a ton of pelvic fractures from saddle horns and I've had my shirt get caught on the horn during a little bucking session! |
| |
| Jenni O. |
|
|
| #4 |
I have also heard good things. I thought I read that they tend to be wider, but not sure. I currently am using the Western my husband bought. I like it but that horn scares me. I hold onto it when we lope, not bc I need to but bc I feel like I need something between it and my body. It's come close loping up hills, and a fellow rider had her shirt ripped by hers. |
| |
| Peggy-IL |
|
|
| #5 |
I have a similar synthetic western saddle (not Abetta, but barrel cut with a horn) from about 100 years ago, when they first came out. (OK, it was only 21 yrs) I LOVE this saddle! Lightweight, easy to clean (well, I don't think I actually ever clean it!) wears like iron! It doesn't fit our current riding horse (OTTB Festins Pharoh from MHWF) who is a stereotypical TB: narrow, high withers, long back, long shoulder.  BUT to get back to your question: I would definitely buy this saddle! Abetta is a good brand and with 4 tree widths you should be able to get a good fit. And the price is about what I paid for mine 21yrs ago! I am seriously thinking about getting one for Pharoh. Thanks for the tip, Wendy! |
| |
| Anna WI |
|
|
| #6 |
I have an Abetta flex tree saddle and I also love it. I went for a 3 or 4 hour trail ride and it was the first time I had rode in it and was very happy that my butt didn't get sore like it does in my leather saddle. About the only thing I don't like about it is when I do arena work, because with the synthetic fenders your legs move around a lot easier than they do with leather ones so I have to pay attention to my legs the whole time and make sure I don't get unbalanced, but for just trail riding I really like it. |
| |
| Karen-MHWF |
|
|
| #7 |
Wendy, I think my endurance saddle is an Abetta, not positive, but I am more than happy to let you borrow it to see if you like it before you buy one. I usually always ride in my Dressage saddle, so I won't miss it. 
Our old Western saddle that we use for the program is an Abetta and I cannot say enough good things about it. Someone donated it to us about 5 years ago and we use it all the time. Anyone who has been here and ridden a horse, you know the saddle I'm talking about (unless we broke out one of our own saddles to let you use). That thing has gotten so much use over the years and is still in great shape, and it fits quite a few body types as well. Nice and light and easy to clean!
|
| |
| Molly D. |
|
|
| #8 |
Another very comfortable trail saddle is the Hilason endurance saddles. They are a leather treeless saddle (the only thing that fits my high withered App) and are very comfy. For only about $350 they're a great buy. You can get saddles with or without horns. |
| |
| Wendy W - WI |
|
|
| #9 |
Oooo thanks Karen! I'd love to check it out!! I really like the looks of this saddle. |
| |
| Jenni O. |
|
|
| #10 |
I'd avoid Hilason like the plague. I have heard WAY too many bad reviews, and reviews of poor customer service. Sometimes people get a good one, but if you don't good luck sending it back. They are a knockoff of Bob Marshall saddles, which have great reviews typically. Check out both their reviews on horsetackreview.com. |
| |
| Tricia - No. Wi |
|
|
| #11 |
I have heard nothing but good things about these Abetta saddles. I rode in one once, and it was awesome. I have a synthetic saddle (thanks to a MHWF auction  ) and I just love it. My husband also has one from Country Supply that we've had for 9 years and it's really wearing well. When (if) my synthetics wear out, I'll be purchasing an Abetta w/the flex tree. |
| |
| Amy |
|
|
| #12 |
Ditto to what Jenni said about Hilason. I test rode one for about 5 minutes. I've not heard one good thing about them. They fit the horse horribly as well as the rider, leather peels like paper... Avoid them at all costs. I too have an Abetta just not the endurance model. My last Abetta was 10 years old when I sprung for a new one My other saddle is an Orthoflex and I would honestly rank them equal in comfort. You will love the Abetta. I would add becareful if your looking into an endurance saddle, any of them. They are made much like ropers where you would be standing more then sitting with your weight more forward then a pleasure/trail saddle. |
| |
| Wendy W - WI |
|
|
| #13 |
Really Amy??? Crap!! I looked at where I'd sit and where the fenders/stirrups are and they seem more forward and that is what I'm looking for. I don't want the up and down, but want to sit back in my saddle with my legs more forward. If anyone is out shopping please check your saddle/tack shops and see if they have one there and let me know. I'm very interested in this saddle. |
| |
| Molly D. |
|
|
| #14 |
I guess I will consider myself lucky to have the only good Hilason saddle out there. Mine fits my high withered horse wonderfully and I feel like I'm sitting on a pillow. I had both an Abetta western and an Abetta endurance and found them too wide in the gullet for my horses. It caused all the weight to rest on their shoulders. |
| |
| Dottie |
|
|
| #15 |
I have been through a TON of saddles and helped alot of friends with theirs too. My girlfriend had an abetta endurance and i rode in it several times. i liked the saddle, it did position you more upright or forward, it doesnt have a deep pocket to sit in. i have also been an owner of hilason. my saddle was one of the nice ones. i bought it from a friend of mine so i knew what i was getting. it was very comfortable but Does not stay in place on the horse even with a tacky pad. Be prepared to always be shifting your saddle while riding and it spinning around your horse when you get on! one of my other friends custom ordered one from them and it was a nightmare, it came the wrong color (a hot burgandy pink) and was stitched together completely crooked. they would not take it back, very very poor service, i wouldnt recomend buying anything from them. if you want one, find a used one that you can try out and make sure it is a good one!! I also have a cordura saddle that was actually made by cabellas. they dont make it anymore. it is our spare saddle and i will never sell it!!!! this year we took out a loan and bought our dream saddles and are completely sold by them. they are from hillview farms, if anyone wants to look at them. they are pricey but well never buy new saddles again!!! Best of all our horses LOVE them!!! they have a sectione on ther site for cheaper used ones too. But yes, i would buy the abetta endurance if i didnt have my new one |
| |
| Amy |
|
|
| #16 |
Dottie is that the place that makes the American flex? What model did you go with? I think that is the woman that posted a couple saddles for sale on her website for me. Nice people. I'd love to hear what you think of the flex panels. I'm drooling all over my keyboard! I am a huge Orthoflex stichdown saddle freak. |
| |
| Dottie |
|
|
| #17 |
I bought the Pleasure Plantation, its similar to the stitchdown. If you looke at the site with the saddle on it, they actually took a picture after they made it as it turned out just beautiful!! they hadnt made the color combo i requested yet, its the last one on that saddles page. I absolutely LOVE it!!! Cathy is such a wonderful person to work with. the place is called hill view farms if you want to look it up. the panels are awesome, it so far has fit every horse i have put it on. They are easy to take care of too, just check them and oil them when they need it. otherwise just regular saddle cleaning! my husband got the caliente, we had to put some center shims in his until we build his horse's back up. it was so destroyed from ill fitting saddles that we need the muscle to have a chance to grow back. we went throught so many saddles trying to find one to fit that horse!!! Now after his horse isnt in any pain he gaits just awesome and loves to go out and go riding!! If you take your horse to their place you can even try the saddles out. they are so easy to work with it just makes for a great relationship!! Do you own a stitchdown? where did you get yours?
Hopefully were not hi jacking this thread to bad!!!
|
| |
| Jenni O. |
|
|
| #18 |
Wendy, have you ever tried an Aussie? Sounds like you might like something like that, but hard to tell until you try one. Your legs tend to be farther forward, but you do ride a little differently in them. |
| |
| Wendy W - WI |
|
|
| #19 |
Hey Jenni, yes I do have an Aussie and do like it a lot, but have a bugger of a time getting the girth tight enough. I am going to get a converter, but still want another saddle and this looked just like what I was looking for. I just need to find a place that has them so I can sit in one. This one looks more forward in the legs than most others I look at. Sooooo if ya'll are out shopping and see this one, I am only interested in this one at this time, please let me know where it is. Thanks! |
| |
| Dottie | |
| Donna LE |
|
|
| #21 |
Yes Laura, I do ride in an Abetta saddle. It is the western type, not the endurance. I've ridden in it for about 6 years. Just love it. I like it because it is light weight. Because I am short, a heavy leather saddle would be hard on my back to put up on my horse. I also love the synthetic for fall ridding, the warmth from the horse comes through and keeps my seat warm. It has the sued seat, so easy to keep my seat. Also, for cleaning, you can hose the saddle off and let it dry in the sun. Looks like new. It fits on my Quar-AB, (Tom) Curly, (Beauty) and Arab (Renegade) without any pinching. Good luck Wendy, I am sure you will be happy. |
| |
