Mounted search and rescue

["philip easley" <easleyranch@foothill.net>]

For those looking for a saddle that fits your mule, try the semi
Quarterhorse Tree.
Philip Easley
NCSSAR
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "irvin lichtenstein" <ilichten1@verizon.net>
To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 8:53 PM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Hi to everyone


>
> The primary consideration for a saddle is that it fits. As we are all
aware
> a poorly fitted saddle is a way to ruin a good horse and your butt. First
> determine which style fits your riding and your horse's training. Remember
> that you will carrying extra weight so a well made tree that distributes
the
> weight is essential, as are attachment points for saddle bags, water
bottles
> and the other stuff you will want to carry.
>
> A MSAR saddle is a working saddle, one you will feel comfortable in for
> hours and own for years. Depending on the MSAR you hook up with you may
> expect tasks to last from 4-8 hours in the East and probably days in the
CA.
> Other considerations are how easy it is to take care of. My saddle is
mostly
> rough out, with a suede padded seat. A quick brush off is all it needs.
It
> was custom fitted to the horse 16 years ago and still fits, and next
winter
> will get new billets and leather girth. The string girth (it is a roping
> saddle) gets replaced twice a year or whenever too dirty to brush off. I
> also got the fenders and skirts sized for me and to keep the saddle bags
off
> his skin.
>
> A further consideration is comfort for extended periods. If an endurance
or
> even a dressage saddle is most comfortable use that. I have friends that
> trail ride for hours using a Steubben saddle that is maybe 30 or more
years
> old.
>
>


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