Lightweight Cordura Saddle and Saddle pannier for pack out?

[squeekieslayer]

Hey guys, I have 2 horses. Most of the time I do day to light overnight hunts with them. I have regular, heavy, roping saddles for both of them. I bring saddle panniers along and just load them up and walk out if I am successful. I am a big boy and considering going to lightweight cordura saddle so save them 30 pounds or so.

My question, will running a saddle pannier on this set up be less stable or safe for my horse than my regular saddle?

I have ridden on them and really like them, just dont know how they will handle the static load of a pannier for packing out quarters.

Joe

 

[wyosteve]

I've been using a Cordura for both riding and packing the past 18 yrs. Saddle works great for both jobs. Packed half of a moose in saddle panniers without any problems. Love the light weight. My only 'complaint' is that the cordura saddle seems to ride 'hotter' than the heavy leather ones so I get a damp butt if it's sunny and warm out.

 

[squeekieslayer]

cool. do you have one with a "flex tree" or do you think that would make much difference?

Joe

 

[squeekieslayer]

any brand suggestions? My horse is 1/4 draft and i had to go with a really wide tree to fit him. I will have to look but it seems most come in 7 inch. The flex tree at 7 inches should be good with a thinish gel pad.

Joe

 

[Coyote Commander]

The problem with a lot of the "flex" trees is they tend to stretch with time.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Big Horn, Abetta and Fabtron are the brands our local saddlery recommended as the 'best' quality synthetic saddles on the market. Know Robby has been pleased with his Wyoming.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I think I am going to go for it... the only thing holding me back is that my current saddle is a beautiful work of art and I feel like riding on plastic jsut feels wrong... then again, I am not shooting a flintlock or long bow... So i guess modern isnt that big of a deal HAHAHAHA

Joe

 

[wyosteve]

Mine is an Abetta. I also have a smaller Abetta the I use for friends, kids, etc. Can't beat the price and it has held up amazingly well given all the miles my 'petite derriere' has put on it. Mine is a rigid tree and for last year's sheep hunt I rode a pretty stocky quarterhorse and it fit just fine so I think you don't need to go with a flex.

 

[fort fireman]

This is just me and my opinion. I don't pack but I was a trail guide for several years. So I spent 8 -9 hours a day in a saddle for a many years. I am very much a traditionalist when it comes to horse tack. I never could get used to how the synthetics rode. I just don't think you can beat a well made rawhide tree based saddle. In the whole scheme of things a 30 pound saddle vs a 15 pound saddle is a nonissue if the saddle doesn't fit the horse properly or cripples the rider. Others mileage may vary however.

 

[robby denning]

http://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09-05-12-00/horse-packin/215-lightweight-cordura-saddle-review

I've packed out quite a few whole bucks, quartered with cape and antlers on mine.

 

[Coyote Commander]

Part of the saddle fit problems these days are in the narrow gullets like 6 1/4-6 1/2" gullets. We've bred the "Quarterhorse" style breeds to be a lot bigger and stockier over the last 40 years. I've found a 6 3/4-7" gullet gives me more leeway in fitting. Can always pad up the wider gullet for a narrow horse (within reason), but if you run into a wide horse with a narrow saddle you're pretty much sol.

I bought a true Wade tree saddle 15 years ago, wider gullet, wider bar angle, and just wider bars. I've honestly never come across a horse yet (all Quarterhorse style breeds with a few draft crosses) that I couldn't fit that saddle to.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Part of the saddle fit problems these days are in the narrow gullets like 6 1/4-6 1/2" gullets. We've bred the "Quarterhorse" style breeds to be a lot bigger and stockier over the last 40 years. I've found a 6 3/4-7" gullet gives me more leeway in fitting. Can always pad up the wider gullet for a narrow horse (within reason), but if you run into a wide horse with a narrow saddle you're pretty much sol.

I bought a true Wade tree saddle 15 years ago, wider gullet, wider bar angle, and just wider bars. I've honestly never come across a horse yet (all Quarterhorse style breeds with a few draft crosses) that I couldn't fit that saddle to.

Spot on on the wider saddle is better advice.

Personally, I'm just attempting to loose some weight.
Fortunately I ride a huge young paint. I wanted a riding mule, but they're just too expensive. Maybe one day.
Hunt'nFish