Friday, November 20, 2009

Saddle Shopping



I LOVE MY SADDLE!

When I got Dusty, I didn't have a saddle.
I worked with a gal that had a friend who
bought a new one and gave me her old one.
I REALLY appreciated it.
It worked for awhile.
I was ready to go out and get a new one.
I spent alot of time sitting in them and finally found one
that I was comfortable in.
It was new, and of course more than I had budgeted.
But Cowboy said I should get it if that was the one I liked.
They let me take it home and have my trainer
try it on the copper pony to see if it fit him.

It did.
It is a Circle Y Sheridan, trail saddle.
I can trail ride for hours and never get sore.

I LOVE MY SADDLE.

I have had it for a year and a half.
I have struggled in the arena when riding.
I have been frustrated for months.
I just can't seem to get in the right position.
I am always fidgeting.
Moving forward, hands not quiet.

Poor Dusty.
I would be okay, then I would be tossed forward when
posting losing my balance.
I feel like I am always leaning forward to have my
hands in the right position.
I have come to the conclusion, my wonderful saddle is to big for me.

It is a 16" seat.
My trainer here said she would have never put me in a 16"seat.
So I decided to go back to where I purchased it,
and see is I could trade it for a used one.
Well, they didn't really have anything, all of theirs were consignment.
She wanted me to try a Wintec. Now, I'm not knocking them,
but that is not what I was looking for.
Besides, there was a big difference in the cost of the two.
I didn't feel that would be a fair trade.
I know I would never get what I paid for mine.
But I wanted leather!
She was the same gal that sold it to me.
She said to me, move up in the saddle.

Really?

Now I am not that stupid.
I would still not be sitting right.
She didn't want to help me.

She made me feel like it was my problem.
She talked me into trying one of those sheepskin pads.
It did make me feel like I was sitting in it better.
It also reaffirmed that I had an issue.
I still had a problem, and the pad was just masking it.

I took it back and got a refund.
She didn't wait on me, but said, it didn't work?
I said no, and left it at that.
I will never shop there again.

I was really disappointed that they would not try to help me solve my problem.

I was talking to the owner of the Curves where I work out,
telling her my delima.
She told me I needed to go see a gal named Mary at another
tack store.
I never knew of this place.
So Cowboy took me up there and I told her my story.

What a WONDERFUL lady.
She is the owner.

She has helped me tremendously.
She didn't have much in used saddles.
So we looked at new ones.

I took one home to have it fitted to Dusty.
It didn't work.
So I returned it, and tried another one.
My trainer watched me ride in it, and gave it the thumbs up!
It will work perfect for him, and ME!
I rode in it and it felt wonderful.

I didn't have any issues.

So it is on order.

I will post about it when it when I get it.

Mary gave me a great deal.
She will take my saddle as a trade, and I get a new one
plus give her $250.00.

What a kind, caring person she is.

The best part of the story is that she is married
to a guy Cowboy went to school with,
and hadn't seen in almost 40 years!

They had a great time catching up.
dusty devoe

12 comments:

Leah Fry said...

Sounds like that deal was meant to be. And how cool is it that Cowboy got to catch up with an old friend?

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Good for you for sticking to your guns! sounds like the new tack stroe and the new saddle will be a good fit .Cool about Cowboy's friend as well

Unknown said...

Good you found a new saddle but I do have a solution for your old one. Look at these http://3forkssaddlery.com/seatshrinker.htm

Unknown said...

Oh and I highly suggest to go on their e-mail newsletter list. It's very informative http://www.western-saddle-guide.com/

Shelly's Stuff said...

Wow, I'm surprised that the first shop didn't try harder, especially with the economy the way it is. You would think businesses would be bending over backwards to keep customers. Glad to hear things worked out at the second shop. I decided early on that I wasn't going to try to make a killing on a single piece of jewelry...I would price everything very reasonably, have great customer service, develop relationships, and hope that people would come back for those reasons. Have a great weekend!

Mama H said...

I'm glad you found a new one, but I still think we'll need to look at saddles during Cowboy Christmas! Hmmm, maybe if the new one doesn't work out, you'll be forced to get one in Vegas! Can't wait to see pics of the new one.

Maery Rose said...

Finding the right saddle that fits both your horse and you can be so frustrating, especially if you don't get a good salesperson to work with! I'm glad you found one (saddle and salesperson)that works. I think it will make a big difference in your riding pleasure. But as for the riding, you sound like you get a little frustrated with yourself. I hate to hear or see a rider doing that.

The best instructor I ever had would yell "There! Did you feel that?" And I'd memorize the "feeling" and aim to repeat it. It worked so much better for me than, "Leg back! Raise your right hand above your left! Touch your nose to your toes!"

But different things work for different riders. Can't wait to read your next report on how it's going.

Desert Rose said...

The most important thing for me has always been to be "in" the saddle, not "on it"! I can ride for 10 hours in my saddle climbing up and down these steep cliff trails and never feel that I am out of position...and never am sore! I am so glad that this kind hearted lady was in your path...and in doing her good deed for you,her husband had a nice reunion with Cowboy!

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Sometimes things really do happen for a reason. I'm glad you're getting a saddle that fits you and Dusty better. I can't wait to see it!

~Lisa

Tammy Vasa said...

Can't wait to see your new saddle! I just bought a new (used) one, too. I have a Tex Tan flex that I love. My husband rides in a big ol' 35 pound saddle. I always feel so sorry for his mare. So my friend, who also rides in a TT flex said she had ordered a hornless version. So she sold me her gently used saddle for my husband. He's been in the same saddle for years. Change will be hard. But I am sure he'll like it.

Paint Girl said...

Pony Girl told me that you were getting a new saddle. I can't believe that woman from the first place wouldn't help you, terrible customer service. But I am happy that you found someone that was willing to help you!
I can't use my trail saddle for arena riding, it pushes me forward in an awkward position for arena riding. But it is wonderful for the trails, the only thing I hate about it is it is so heavy! I had to buy a cheap, used saddle for arena work. It's not very comfortable, but it lets me get the arena training done so much easier, because I am sitting properly in it.

City girl turned Country Girl said...

Wow well that lady at the first store was not nice at ALL!!! I'm glad you decided to never go there again, horrible customer service!!

I'm glad you found this other lady! She sounds awesome!! And what a great deal you worked out!