Wooot!! I just bought a new saddle!

[Annie&Dixie]

I have been looking and saving for months!!

I finally got my own Bob Marshall Treeless! Yay! I'm so sick of riding in the Circle Y Treeless that isn't even mine...my legs are so short and I can't punch new holes in the stirrups because it's not mine. Finally, my own saddle! :cowboy:

OK, so here's the deal on the saddle. It's 14" to 14.5" Genuine Bob Marshall, it has diamond tooling all over, no fenders to mess around with, round skirt, black seat, I love the color, etc.

I should be getting it in 2 weeks at the latest, I'm so excited!

[JackieB]

Cool! Congratulations, Annie. It is very exciting to get your own saddle, that's for sure.

[Annie&Dixie]

Thank you! I can't wait for it to get here!

[Arrow]

Looks nice, congrats! Can't wait to hear how it works out!

[Dakota Sunrise]

Awesome! Congrats!:D

[Gliderider]

Congrats !! I like the diamond tooling pretty:)

[Annie&Dixie]

I will be taking pictures of it on Dixie when it gets here! I just don't know if I can wait that long!

[Buckpoco]

I have one that is almost the same...hard to tell from the picture. But I just love it. It fits any horse and I can ride forever in it. You should have a Skito pad with it...that's really important. Enjoy.
Also, they can slip when you mount from the ground, so having a thin neoprene pad underneath really makes some difference.:rolleyes:

[PoniesRock101]

YAY! congrats on the new saddle!

[Annie&Dixie]

Buckpoco - Thank you for the suggestions but I won't be getting a Skito pad for sometime, partly because of the price and the Skitos tend to slip around so much more than any other pad for me. And I would use the neoprene but I'm weary about using neoprene as an underpad and I refuse to use neoprene on trails, so I need a pad that won't slip on its own, at least not much. Believe me, I know all about the slipping while getting on! I've got a round horse who knows how to bloat like no other! :)

[Buckpoco]

A&D-What kind of pad will you use under it? I'm glad you know about the slipping. Even so, to me it's the most comfortable saddle ever. I've been on 5 hour rides where everyone is sore and I was just as comfy as could be. Never had dry spots on the horse either. It's so nice and light to lift also.

[Remali]

That's a gorgeous saddle, and it looks so comfy! I can't wait to see it on Dixie!! Congratulations on your new saddle!!

[Annie&Dixie]

Buck - Oh I know! I love these saddles, I've been riding in the one that I've been using for the last two and a half years. I don't think I'm ever going back! I've been heavily debating about pads, I will definitely get something with 100% wool for trails, I've been considering the Thinline western pad but that's even more expensive than the Skito. But then again, I don't think it would have the same slippage problems that I've seen with the Skito and if I get the Skito I would probably end up buying a thinline pad or something anyways to keep it from slipping which would be more than just the Thinline western. Right now, I ride in either a tacky too Reinsman contour pad or an impact gel...I really like both of them but I refuse to use neoprene on the trails. So, I have no idea what I will be using. I'm sure I'll figure out something. I'm thinking I'll get the Thinline Western, you can't beat a price for a good pad and then this way, I could use it for everything.

Remali - I will be sure to get pictures of Dixie with it on!

[Annie&Dixie]

Ahhhh! The payment clears tomorrow with paypal and I'm going crazy! I can't wait for it to get her!

[luvs2ride1979]

Oooh pretty! I'm happy you found one! Mine has the diamond tooling on the cheyenne roll and carriers. It's very fancy ;-).

Go with the ThinLine Felt Pad (http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/thinline-pads/western-pads/thinline-western-felt-pad/prod_216.html) in the barrel shape. They are pricey, but they will NOT slip and should provide enough cushion and weight distribution. I use a regular ThinLine over a felt pad for my treed saddles and really like it. The new ThinLine + Felt pad has some spinal clearance, and it's just one pad, so it's easier to use. I have a friend that uses the thinline felt pad for her treeless. It's one of those hilason cheapo nasty saddles, but it works pretty well with her pad! Her mom bought it for her thinking it was the same thing as a BMSS, lol.

Or, with the Skito, if you get the 100% wool bottom it doesn't slip much. That's what I use, plus a 100% mohair roper shaped girth and it works great! I have these no-slip strips on the top of the pad (an extra add on) that keep my BMSS and Skito firmly together. I also use a ThinLine (the regular ones), but really as an added layer of weight distribution. I am a large rider, my saddle is an 18"... ;-)

[Annie&Dixie]

My BO and another boarder has a Toklat Wool Felt pad that I think I'm going to try before I make the purchase of the Thinline...if that one doesn't work out, I have talked to a person at Arete's Saddlery and she said that as long as the pad is clean and in good shape that I can send it back after three days. Now I just have to convince myself that it's worth it to spend the money :huh:

[cloedoll]

Congratulations Annie, it looks awesome! =)

[oursarge]

Great saddle, maybe I can save for one for my boy since he is so round too. Nothing wants to stay on him.

[PaintedHearts]

Congrats on the new saddle! :)

[Piper522]

Good for you Annie...and I can't wait to see how pretty Dixie will look in it! I still need to come see you guys soon!!!

[Annie&Dixie]

Cloe and PH -Thank you!

Oursarge - You should definitely try these saddles, I love them!

Piper -Yes! You need to come down some day! I'll be at the stable on Sunday, probably around 4 or 5.

[Remali]

Anxiously waiting right along with you! Saddle shopping is the next best thing to horse shopping! :)

[Annie&Dixie]

Haha, you got that right! And I never got to do the horse shopping thing, Dixie found me really. She's been at the barn longer than I have! SO this is super exciting for me!

[Turn and Burn]

Congrats on the new saddle!! I so know how it is, when I saved enough for a new saddle I couldn't wait for it to get here!:)