Saddle Options

KNEE PAD STYLES


Western Drafter Knee Pads	Southern Drafter Knee Pads

Western Drafter Knee Pads allow the rider to lean forward in the saddle and the extra height at sides (4" is standard) gives security with a lively horse.

Southern Drafter Knee Pads are very popular for polocrosse, endurance riding and for riders who like to lean over the front of the saddle. Southern Drafter Knee Pads re low profile (3 1/4" is standard).

LEATHER

We have used Greenhalgh's bark tanned leather in our saddles and gear for many years and have found it to be supple and long wearing.

Smooth or Rough Out Leather?

We recommend rough out leather for heavy work conditions as it doesn't show scratches and gives better grip for the rider. Another option is rough out seat and knee pads with the skirt and fenders smooth. Smooth out all over is also available but is not recommended for work conditions.

Most of our saddles are made either rough out (i.e. flesh side out) or a combination of rough and smooth because:

We find that the rough side of leather stands up to everyday wear and tear better than the smooth side;
The strongest part of the leather is the smooth side so it needs to be protected from damage by scratching and rubbing;
A cut on the smooth side will open up whereas the rough side of leather can be cut half way through without opening up;
A scratched smooth out saddle doesn't look too good therefore affecting resale value;
Rough out seats and kneepads also give a better grip.

For more information about leather view Saddle Materials, and viewSaddle Care to learn how to care for your saddle and other leather products.

Rigging Styles

Revolutionary stainless steel cable rigging;

Continuous cable runs through the pommel and joins behind cantle;

Cable rigging designed to give the best girthing position for individual horses;

19 strand stainless steel cable;

Cinch lace fits directly to cable - less bulk;

Tree with cable tested to a strength of 2.2 tonne;

Heavy PVC coating protects the cable from wear.
Advantages of cable rigging:
• Closer leg contact;
• Allows rider to slide cinch laces to the best girthing position;
• Saddle finds its own balance;
• Greater stability;

"Customers purchasing a personal saddle overwhelmingly choose saddles with cable rigging."

Skirt Options


Flank Dee with double skirt	Slimline - one piece skirt and no flank dee

Fender Options

Consider your riding style. We have two options for hanging the fenders which give a very different feel:


Spring Bar	Over Tree

Fenders hung from spring bars for the rider who likes plenty of forward movement with the fenders.The Spring Bars on our fender saddles are similar to those on a flap saddle with the fenders under the flap instead of over. Spring Bar fenders give more freedom of movement, especially forward, so someone who has been riding in a flap saddle would adjust to them easily. The Spring Bar fender has the added safety advantage that if the rider gets thrown and hung up, chances are that the fender will slip off the spring bar.

Fenders over the tree are designed for a person who likes to ride fairly straight up and down, dressage or western style. Our saddles have a rock bar where the fender strap goes over the tree which has a pivoting effect as the fender moves back and forth with the leg.
We have found that whichever style people choose they soon adapt to it.

Your choice of fender mounts will be determined by the styles of saddle you are used to, and your riding style; whatever suits you.

Saddle Top View

Saddle Top View showing cut away at front of seat.

All of our saddles are cut away at the front of the seat. The cut away has several uses including lifting the saddle on to the horse and as a hand grip with a lively horse.