“You need a new saddle,” they said. “It’ll be fun,” they said. Lies—it is all lies.
I was never blessed with an easy-to-fit horse and I had my fair share of saddle fit woes even before I bought Ax. When I bought him I completely ignored his conformation (i.e. GIGANTIC withers) and soon realized that the saddle that fit my mutton-withered Morgan was not going to fit over his buffalo hump. After selling said saddle, I stumbled upon the ancient Dover Circuit that I purchased a little over a year ago. As Ax progressed and developed more of a topline the fit went downhill. Chiropractors, massage therapists, and saddle fitters told me what I already knew—it was pinching his shoulders causing the whole thing to slide back and pressure points on his back.
I had known for a bit that it was time for a new saddle but was struggling to come up with the funds—until the slippage started and I knew I was going to have to bite the bullet for the sake of my horse. Obviously, no amount of different saddle pads, changing saddle placement, or girth tightening was going to make the Circuit stay in place, so it was time for it to go. But if I was going to be spending a chunk of my savings on a new hunk of leather and wood, I was going to upgrade. After shopping around online, but struggling to find anything that hit my criteria and my budget, I listed my saddle for sale and resorted to going bareback.
Long story short, a few days later I spotted what I thought was the perfect saddle, sold my saddle as a partial trade, and this beautiful Amerigo was on its way to my door from Redwood Tack. I’m not kidding—it was that fast. Leah was incredibly easy to work with and accommodating to all of my questions, concerns, and crazy horse owner antics.
This saddle is gorgeous. I have never owned a nicer piece of tack nor have I ever spent so much on one item (aside from Ax). The shoulder and wither clearance is perfect—it couldn’t fit him better—and it is in amazing shape for a 2003. My one negative about all of it? It makes the need for my beloved thick half pad obsolete. I think Ax loves it as much as I do.
Breeches & Boat Shoes 
Glad it went so easy for you! I have spent most of the time that I have owned Sydney looking for a good saddle that fits both her and I. It has been a nightmare! I finally found a saddle that fits us both, and it has made such a big difference in how she goes and how I ride.
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Yay! Glad to hear that you found the perfect saddle as well!
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I read your title and what was running around in my mind was “Heffalumps and Woozles” Glad you and Ax found the perfect fit!
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I would definitely consider Ax a Heffalump.
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Question – besides the circuit not fitting Ax, what do you think of it? Is it okay for a cheaper brand? Comfy seat? Thinking of grabbing one.. Thanks!
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I did! I’ve had two over my course of having horses. The older ones are decent quality and the newer ones are pretty nice, but the ones in the middle years were pretty cruddy.
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Leah has need great when I’ve worked with her too!
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The new saddle looks lovely!
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Thank you!
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Gorgeous!
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Thanks!
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yay for quick and painless saddle shopping! that amerigo is gorgeous!
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Thank you!
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Nice! This is how all saddle shopping should go.
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I bought one of my CWD saddles from Leah and traded her an Antares in the process and it was quite easy and painless. Glad you had the same experience!
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Gorgeous!
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