Reviews / Testimonials

I bought my Specialized Saddle in July of 2015. At the time I had two horses and wanted one saddle that I could use for both. I did my homework and checked out the saddles out there. This is something I have done many times before.
It was my good luck when my friend Barb Heller decided to be a distributor for Specialized Saddles. I know Barb and I know she would never endorse something she didn’t believe in. She made a believer out of me.
I have a Trailmaster Saddle and I ride trails two or three times a week. This has been the easiest saddle to “break in”. The seat is super comfortable and I like the position that I sit in. The saddle is wonderful quality, the builders did a great job. Both of my horses moved out more comfortably in the saddle. Did I mention the weight? That is a big deal for those of us who are a certain age and don’t lift 45lbs. like we used to. I have let numerous people “try” my saddle because I have complete confidence in it.
So, I think you could say, I love my saddle. I thank you, my horses thank you. I hope to have many more happy trails!

Jean and Mo

Dear Dave,

I bought a Eurolight for my horse/pony, a hard to fit Paso Fino, and me, a 70+ year old rider. Saddle fit was my first priority and your system allows me to perfect the fit for him. I love being able to tweak the fit depending on his condition at the time.I have always ridden English but felt that I needed a little more security than my English saddle provided. Western saddles just DO NOT fit my Paso nor do the treeless or the saddles supposedly built for Paso Finos. The Eurolight is FANTASTIC. It fits my little horse and is super comfortable and secure for me. I have never had such a comfortable saddle. I wish I had bought one years ago.

I had ridden as a young person and have just started riding again in the last seven years. I am primarily a trail rider and one of the things I have noticed since getting my new saddles is that after riding for several hours I have no pain in my back, hips or knees (a condition that effects a lot of older people and causes them to cease riding) which was not the case before in a different saddle. In fact, if I have a problem with any of those body parts, a ride in my saddle will eliminate them for days so I am riding much more. Riding instead of pain meds, what a concept. The other thing is that my horse is much freer in his movements. He has always gaited but now he flows and is far more relaxed.

I watched your video and thought “WOW” when you were riding girthless and thought it was probably a trick. It wasn’t! I girthed my horse one day and forgot to check after I had been riding for a while. Had a great ride. Got off and started to untack him and found the girth was totally loose. The saddle had not moved an iota during my mounting, riding and dismounting. I was impressed and have never forgotten to check since then.

I also love the pad and girth I got with the saddle. They are well worth the extra investments.

Thank you for making such an awesome saddle that is not just for the endurance rider but is fantastic for any rider old or young who would like to enjoy trail riding in comfort for their horse and themselves.

Susan Newton

Located in Virginia

My mare loves this saddle, I have never sat in such a comfortable saddle, and the weight is great. It is really the perfect saddle. ~ Rogers, Joe

I am so glad to have come across Specialized Saddles. I have managed to have two hard-to-fit Arabs and you have taken the time to custom fit them with your fine saddle. Plus it doesn’t hurt that the saddle looks so sharp!

Did I tell you that I tried 3 different saddles before the Specialized Saddle to find one that would fit Nadara? Thanks for always helping me out.

~ Jan Haugen

I sure love my saddle! Without such a light saddle I would have given up riding because of my back. Thanks for a wonderfully comfortable, lightweight design that feels great to my horses and me!

Sherie Weatherby

After trying several brands of saddles I found the answer for fitting my Paso Fino. Your Featherweight Trail fits my horse and I love it ! Super comfortable and the color even matches my horse!

Thanks for such a great saddle!

Renee Harms
Tucson AZ

Dave,

Wow, am I pleased with this saddle. Not only did you get it to me in time for my big ride, but its PERFECT. I’ve been trying different saddles for over a year. Could have bought 2 brand new ones for all the shipping I paid for. Now, finally a saddle that made perfect sweat marks on my boy, lightweight, soft in the seat and absolutely safe with the bucking rolls as added security. I’m so pleased. Thank you so much for inventing such a beautiful, comfortable saddle. My Paso Fino moved beautifully under it, didn’t try to turn, or rush home, was, for once, able to be himself.

Many thanks
Suzanne Harris

Hi Dave,

You might remember I met you in Walnut Creek, California, a few months ago where you recommended a wide tree saddle for my Morgan gelding, Derby. I traded in the regular tree Eurolight that I had just had for a few months and upgraded to an International, wide tree. And it’s great! Fits him great – no white spots. He really moves out, and his walk feels nice and swinging, his trot big and strong. And today my saddle saved me from falling off! We were cantering up the trail when a pair of flickers flew out of the brush right in front of us. Big sideways spook, but my saddle didn’t move and we continued cantering along nicely. I feel secure and relaxed in my saddle, and that’s saying something on a horse as exuberant and forward as Derby!

Marilyn Miller
Clayton, CA

Thanks to Kathleen Green for this testimonial from Edith!

I’ve owned my Frankie for a little over two years. We’ve been through about seven saddles with none of them fitting correctly so I figured that I was destined to use thick pads with lots of shims until I met Kathleen Green at the Pomona Horse Expo. She showed me her saddles and I was hooked, I ordered a Eurolight shortly after. Frankie and I love our saddle and we will be customers for life! What a difference, it fits! Frankie used to be cinchy and cringe as I sat the saddle on his back, but now he stands there patience and polite with no more head tossing. The saddle fits so well that I don’t need to cinch it tight at all, it stays in place and we’re both comfortable. Frankie had never backed up and when I asked him to, it resulted in him rearing. I didn’t realize how badly the other saddles fit and how much they were hurting him until, with his new saddle on, I asked him to back and he did. I almost cried. I recommend this saddle for every person and every horse; it will be the best investment you ever made. Thank you, Kathleen Green, and thank you, Specialized Saddles.

What would you say to a 57 year old man who decides he wants to take on a new equine sport Jumping, while giving up another sport, endurance in which he had some rewarding experiences including winning two Nationals championships? A line about new tricks and old dogs comes to mind.

Previously, when I had broached this idea to my wife Tracy, she had pointed out the many good reasons, I should forget this nonsense. In the spring of 09 I mentioned it again and this time she said, “well why not go for it?” Endurance had become a business for us. I own a company that makes adjustable endurance saddles and she operates an endurance horse training center, Flight Leader Farm. Perhaps we were both ready for a change of scenery on occasion. But why jumping especially at my age?

I have always loved that momentary feeling of weightlessness, catching some air when skiing off a ledge, or jumping a hill on a dirt bike. The words of Tom Petty song echoed in my head,” learning to fly is the hardest thing, cause what goes up must come down”.

My first attempt at learning to jump had occurred 30 years earlier when a hunter jumper barn had opened near my country home in East Texas. I bought a Jumping saddle and booked a lesson. My lesson involved trotting over ground poles,. I came here expecting to jump, and no jumping what so ever was involved during my hour lesson. This wasn’t what I had in mind, and I didn’t go back.

Fast forward to my next lesson in March of 09 in my home of El Paso TX. My Instructor ask me a few questions about my previous riding experiences, and I told her about jumping logs and bushes with this mare on the trail and why I thought she could be trained to be a jumper.. She had me ride around in the arena for a few minutes. As watches me ride circles, on my 16 Hand Anglo Arab mare, a deepening frown grows on her face.

“What are you doing” she asks with an exasperated tone?

“You are in a 200′ x 300′ arena and you are flying around like you are trying to win an endurance race” Clearly you can ride, but this is not a foundation for jumping” Jumping is about stride control and you must learn to slow way down. As we trotted circles, in what I thought, was now a slow, working trot” she barked, “slower, let’s start from the beginning and give you horse a chance.”

At least, at the end of this lesson, she let me trot over some small jumps.

And this time I at least understood how much I didn’t know.

Same time next Thursday I ask?. We began as many lessons as I could work in with my busy travel schedule. And at home, I began doing what is commonly called flatwork. Rather dull, compared to my gallops through the brush or along the river, but I knew I was starting over, and the end result would make me a better, more skilled rider.

My horse seemed to love jumping as much as I did. After a month of riding about three times a week, we were going over 2′ jumping in various patterns and starting to get sense of what the sport was all about. I read two books on jumping and one weekend I built four of my own standards, and set them up, in our arena and was excited to show my wife what we had learned. She took her camera and snapped some pictures as I went over my new jumps for the first time. Wow, she said, “I think you and Lisette have found your niche.”

Even though we were only jumping 2’6′ Lisette was clearing them by a foot and as I looked for the first time at photos of me jumping, I was proud of the progress we had made In only six weeks.

The next weekend there was a small local schooling show in nearby Las Cruces NM .and I decided we would go and enter the 2’6″ jumping class. AS I waited my turn after a smooth warm up, I must admit I had some stomach butterflies. I turned away from watching the first rider, and made small talk with the rider next to me waiting her turn instead of watching the first rider ride the pattern, as I should have. I was convinced I had it memorized correctly, and had mentally visually myself riding it, to etch it clearly in my mind. When It came my turn I took a deep breath an off we went. My mare bravely took each jump, heisting slightly only once, as we approached a double with lots of brightly colored artificial flowers. We went clean, and I approached the judge and she politely said, that was a beautiful ride, however you missed the last jump.. Somehow I had not seen it on the pattern, being over on the other side of the arena sort of hiding, by another jump. And my overconfidence, that I had the pattern down pat, made me feel a little foolish, but hey that’s what schooling shows are for right?

Looking at the AHA web site I saw there was the Zia classic show in two weeks in Albuquerque NM. I must point out here, my wife did not share my confidence I was ready for class A show. But show day found us headed north having gotten our late entry in just under the wire. The show office people were so nice with my many questions. And I found my stall and begin getting ready for my first class, the HJ warm up, not judged. I had entered both HA working hunter over fences 2’6″ and HA jumper 2’9″,both preceded by a half warm class I was a little surprised to learn I was the only entry in the warm up class, and felt under the microscope as I entered the outdoor ring surrounded by people. My horse felt my tension, and she too was much “higher” than normal, and seemed to feel all the eyes on us. The first jump went smoothly, but as we approached a double, complete with a fax brick wall, an lots of flowers, she locked up with a last minute refusal, almost unseating me. I sat calmly on her, in front of the jump and exactly in front of the judges stand. I turned her around, circled and approached again squeezed my legs slightly and visualized us sailing over the jump, and two strides, then over the next. This we did, and smoothly finished the pattern, and exited the arena in silence.

Next was my HJ class and I was the last to go. This time I carefully watched the other riders. The was one refusal, and one rail down, so maybe I would not be last place in this double judged show. My number was called and I tried to be positive, and relaxed as we circled to pick up the right lead and started to the fence. One jump after another sailed under us smoothly, with no hesitation even at the troublesome double, and it was over before I knew it. No rails down, and I pretty sure I had cleared all the jumps this time. I hoped I had gotten a placing, but as they named forth, third, second without calling my number I felt pains of disappointment but then the loud speaker said first place won by___, and I missed the number, but recognized they had said my horses” name, placed first by both judges!! I was stunned and elated at the same time.

The pattern for my next class, HA Jumping was clearly more technical, with more tight turns and precise riding required. AS I entered the ring the steward ask did I want to ride the jump off? I was a little confused ,and he explained I was the only entry in the class and if I got around without two refusals I would win, and I had the option to ride, or not ride the jump off pattern “No ,I said, If I get around that will be just fine.”

Again we went clear, and I found myself wishing I had some other entry to experience the thrill of competing in a Jump off for time.

I collected my prizes, and I must say, I never thought I would be so proud of these four pieces of blue ribbon.

Horse shows are different than endurance events, in some ways that my wife and I really liked. Like staying in a nice motel, with your horse in a stall, eating hot meals with clean fresh clothes, and most of all not getting up to saddle up and start at 5 am.. yep I could get used to this, she said.. So could I . We watched other Arab classes the next day before driving home.

It wasn’t long before I was studying the entry Premium of the Sport Horse Nationals in Sept in Lexington. I discovered there were no classes for HA jumping in 2’9″ height. Being a national championship there were only room for higher level jumping classes of HA Open, 3 to 3″6″ and ATR 3 to 3’3″. And there was only one other show I could find with those classes two months away in June in Santa Barbara Cal, with a preshow and region 2 championship. I just happened to be going the Sacramento Cal for the Western states Horse Expo, June 12-15 where I was a clinician speaking on saddle fit and working a booth for displaying my saddles. Why not take a trailer, and stay for the show?. My wife signed off on the idea and we would enjoy visiting some friends and a little down time between the events.

But could I get my horse and me jumping nearly a foot higher in 6 weeks? My trainer didn’t think it was a good idea, saying it normally should take a year to raise your level a foot. But undeterred I started moving the pins holding the cups up a little each week. With the help of my LA area Specialized Saddle sales rep Kathleen Green, I found a stable with jumps where I could board my horse, while we went north to the trade show. Upon our return, I took another lesson from an Instructor at the board barn. The loaded up and off to the Earle Warren Equestrian center in Santa Barbara. Every Lesson brings with it some new insight, and learning to jump, is really a lot about learning to ride better.

The air was electric we pulled in the Earle Warren Expo center and three arenas were buzzing with Arab show classes. This is going to be a bit different from Albuquerque.

I was at the bulletin board at 7am the next morning where they would be posting the jumping patterns. I managed to copy it and went back to motel and begin memorizing. I decided to enter both Open and ATR jumping classes as both would jump the same pattern. The Open class went smoothly except for a single refusal, at a double with a single stride between. I turned back and approached it again thinking come on you can o this and she responded with a perfect jump, single stride, and clean over the next oxer,finish with no rails down. I got a third and was happy with our start. It could have been worse .

The next class was ATR and Lisette never hesitated, beautifully jumping everything and when this class was over we finished second, also jumping clean in the jump off. The results were the exact same the next day in the region 2 championship show. A third and second, this time the ribbon said “reserve Champion”, and as we drove home to TX, I told my wife “next year let’s bring two horses.”

Since writing this story in 09, I took two horses to the region 8 sport horse championship in winter park colo in July, and won HA Open Jumper Champion on Lisette and won open HA Working Hunter champion on My palomino George.

David Kaden – Owner & Operator Specialized Saddle

The first time I saw the little Mustang was at Tall Pines Endurance ride. He and his rider beat us by so many hours that I barely caught a glimpse of them. Reports had it that his front leg really swelled, but since he was not lame, he had not been pulled. His owner had turned him loose to find his own way home. He simply hung out by the road until some compassionate folks caught him and iced his leg.

About a month later, the young owner died in a drowning accident. Cisco ended up with his friends, and they did not get along. When they put him up for sale, they said that he needed an experienced rider. The previous owner had put him with a trainer for a short time because of problems with running away.

I am not brave, but I am determined. One look at his big feet, good bone, strong hip and long trot and I was sold.

The young woman who sold him to me said he liked to bolt for home, do leaps and paw with both front feet when tied. She was right. He tried to lose me in many creative and calculated ways. He succeeded twice.

The first time I tried to saddle him, he tried to bite the saddle. I noticed that he had some white hair on his back, so knew saddle fit would be an issue.

We spent many hours in the round pen and his behavior did improve. What bothered me the most was his unpredictability (sound familiar, Mustang owners?). He seemed to be the most troublesome when ridden hard on the previous day. I tried at least a dozen saddles on him, watching for sweat patterns and experimenting with pads. My western show saddle seemed to be the best, but the skirts are square and rubbed his hip.

I picked the brains of many patient soles and invaded tack stores with a tape measure and chart. A western style endurance saddle seemed to be the right one and I bought some expensive saddle pads for extra insurance.

Things seemed to go better and his behavior was getting quite good, but I could never get completely in sync with him. Then last year at Fort Stanton, he acquired some edema on his back. I had been noticing, also that the muscle along his spine looked different.

Many endurance riders were using Specialized Saddles, and I had been too cheap to consider one, but I had run out of options and I could not continue to hurt this valiant little horse. David agreed to look at his back and kindly told me that his back was very hard to fit being asymmetrical and long and that the muscle on his back had atrophied from the poorly distributed weight. The sick feeling that overcame me then visits me still.

Needless to say, I bought a Western Specialized saddle, wanting the extra security. I cannot believe the difference in the horse and in myself. We are so comfortable! He moves freely and his back muscle has actually filled back in!

In 2008, we completed 495 miles without pulls and won a jacket for the SW region (5th) for my weight division. No big deal for some, but a BIG deal for us. Best money I ever spent….no kidding…and this is coming from a notorious cheapskate.

We finally found that missing intangible…..harmony.

– Maribel Paulson

In May it was clear that something was wrong with our 12 yr old gelding, Levi. Vet checked him in the round pen with the western saddle I’ve been using for 4 yrs and determined that was the worst saddle fitting he’s ever seen. I guess to make matters worse I had it too far forward and held in place with a breast collar.

We had him treated for a sore back and shoulders, bought a new western saddle that was fitted to him, but he was still not comfortable when I tried to ride him and would not walk out, so I stopped riding him.

Your clinic was our last hope before taking him to Alamo for a complete check.

When I rode him at your clinic Saturday in the saddle you fitted to him he was like a new horse again to me and was fun to ride, free in the shoulders and trotted great.

I purchased the Trailmaster (without the horn) and rode Sunday for a long ride and had a great time. My old boy is back. The saddle is very comfortable and the way the fenders hang I found it easier to move with the horse on sudden moves he makes.

He used to be so uncomfortable that he would get under himself and jump or buck. I think the saddle we bought has solved a lot of problems for us.

I think the whole experience was good for us and Levi. It all made sense.

– Mary Ann

I purchased a Tracy Webb signature Santa Fe at a fitting clinic near my home in Bear Valley California.

My horse, Choco LOVES the new saddle. Some of the benefits I have noticed already would be a softening of the eye, for sure. He just looks content and relaxed. And keeps that look even when asking him to back now, which took a little while for him to forget it hurt, but now that we have done it so many times w/o any pain, he gets it that the pain is over. Very nice 🙂

He moves more freely and easily, his gait has improved, and it is easier to keep him in a gait.

I love the way the saddle feels to move in. It is a much lower cantle than my previous saddle, so there is a little adjustment on my part to bring my confidence level back up. I don’t think I was necessarily safer in the higher cantle saddle I used previously, but I think more it just felt like it, and I just need to get used to that factor. But the freedom of movement is definitely there with the Santa Fe, and thus makes me feel more “as one” with my horse, and I feel he is responding to that as well.

The “bump” on his back which was a direct result of the pinching on the last saddle is softening and shrinking. Yay! And there is no flinch at all when pressure is applied, so I know we are doing good.

And…it LOOKS pretty with all the bling! We have had a little trouble getting the purses to stay on. If Choco shakes, they fly off. But seems to be only when he shakes. I think the angle of the saddle with all the shims are not helping. I am not overly concerned. We have been working on tightening up the snaps a bit.

(Speaking of the bling, can you get me in touch with the gal who can order me additional bling? I would really like that.)

So, in summary, I am quite satisfied with my new saddle and am very grateful to all of you for educating me and taking the time to get both what Choco needed for his comfort and enjoyment, not to mention performance, and what I needed as a rider. It feels like it has all come together. You guys are the best!!! 🙂

– Beth Hall

I can’t say enough great things about my Specialized Saddle. I bought it after I had purchased 2 other saddles to try and fit my mare – one of which was a treeless saddle (which hurt her back so much she was unrideable for 5 months). When I tried the Specialized I finally had hope that something would work. I have had it re-fit to my mare 3 times in the 3 years I have had it as her fitness level and shape has changed – something very few if any other saddles can accommodate. When I rode a hard-to-fit gelding that belonged to a friend, I had a spare set of panels fit to him; we did his 2nd and 3rd 50 mile rides that weekend and his back was terrific.

I really like the saddle as well – it is very well constructed and makes me feel very secure. Also, it is a real benefit to be able to move the stirrups into different positions in order to optimize your equitation and make life even better for your equine partners. I’d be proud to wear a Specialized hat and tell even more people how great these saddles are!

– Kristen Fisher, Corinth TX

When I received my saddle by mail delivery 2.5 years ago, I could not wait to put it on my horse Jack and try it. Surprisingly, the saddle fitted him without any additional need for shimming and so I decided to mount Jack on the spot.

I could not believe the difference I felt at that time between my previous 8-year old roper and my new specialized saddle.

I had the feeling I was riding bareback ! I could feel every movement of his back and shoulders, every muscle that he was using.

This is what I like the most in my specialized saddle, it is like riding without one.

The soft feeling you have with your horse can only improve the partnership and understanding of his movements and ideas.

And no pain in the a after hours of riding, the saddle gives you all the comfort you need to stay in all day long (or week long as I did last year when driving cattle in Belgium!).

The saddle still looks very new, although it has been frequently used for more than 2,5 years now. The leather is still soft and strong, just how it should be.

The picture was taken a few days ago on the beach, we are both enjoying the ride.

Cecile Beeck, The Netherlands

I ordered my saddle from your company in April 2009. I absolutely love it. I own the Trailmaster. Because of the way that it’s made with the removable pads underneath, I can adjust it when Romeo gains a bit of weight during the summer from all of that pasture grass in Georgia. I ride 2-3 times a week in the rolling hills and mountains of North Georgia. The saddle is not only perfect for my horse but is comfortable for me too. And I’m thrilled that it is so lightweight…16 pounds!

Sincere thanks from a very happy customer!

LeAnn Householder
Canton, GA

PS…I happened to be trail riding one day and ran into a large group of endurance riders on their Arabians. Romeo did not exactly fit into the group as he’s a Tennessee Walking Horse but the riders all complimented me on my saddle. They immediately recognized it as a Specialized Saddle from Texas!

Hi Dave,

The NATRC ride this past weekend went really well. As I expected, I did A LOT checking fit for Specialized Saddles Riders. I fit Carnell Miller from Georgia and her horse won Novice Heavyweight and she was second in Horsemanship. I fit Patricia Petelle, and she and her horse won the CP division and she won sweepstakes. I fit also Susan Cozzolino and her horse was second and she was first! Gary Clayton, rode his new horse to a win in Open Heavyweight and sweepstakes. It was a full ride with a waiting list so there was great competition in all divisions.

It was a good day for Specialized Saddles.

I was very proud to be associated with Specialized Saddles this weekend.

Julie Capaldi
Specialized Saddles Eastern Representative

Big smile from me! I rode 20 miles on Tuesday and not a sore muscle for me or my mare later that day or the following day. Love my new saddle very much!
~ Nancy Kay, DVM

I love my saddle so much!

I went to Hidden Valley with my group at 8:00 a.m.today and just got back. We did our arena work and the obstacle course and then for a ride. They all had to ride in my new saddle on Link and they all just loved it! It is so very comfy, I just love everything about it! The leather strings and loops are so nice. The stirrups were a bit weird at first, the thickness on the pads flatten out which made it much better. Link liked the saddle too – easier on his back.

Thank you so much….You and Bill were absolutely fantastic! I wish, I would have gone through you two long time ago…Now, I have to save my money a buy another saddle for my Haflinger/Belgain Sunny.

Barbara Plescia

It is awesome like all of my other ones!
Thanks for inventing such a great product. (my horses thank you also;-)
Have a super day!

Dixie

My sister and I bought saddles in the spring of 2009. We were going on
the ‘Best of America- by Horseback’ Border to Border ride from Mexico
to Canada and wanted to get the best saddles for our horses. We took
one horse each for the ride. We had contacted Julie Capaldi about
these saddles. She came to our farm, introduced us to the saddles and
taught us how to fit them to our horses. At the beginning of the ride
in El Paso, TX, Dave was gracious enough to come and do the final fit
for the horses.

We rode approximately 2000 miles in 5 months with minimal discomfort
to our horses or ourselves. The saddles held up well through desert,
mountains, and rivers. We were able to make adjustments on the saddles
as the horses lost weight and built muscle. Our saddles look used but
in great condition and we are using them on the trails and at shows
now. We enjoy the light weight, good looks, and ease of use of these
saddles. My saddle is an A line western and Liz has a ranch type
western. Both have a flat seat. We recommend these saddles to anyone
concerned about their horses back. Many Thanks to Dave and Julie.

Kathy Baldwin and Liz Malcome
Madison, Georgia

I received my Eurolight Saddle yesterday[2-07-2012] afternoon.

I was impressed with its looks and style.

Later yesterday[2-07-2012], Terry Pieper came and fitted the saddle.

I have to tell you, as much as I was impressed with the saddle, I was that much more impressed with Terry.

She demonstrated her knowledge and passion to provide my horse Truely with a proper fitting saddle.

This to me was an added feature to the quality of your product and the service that you provide.

After Terry finished with the fitting, I took Truely out for a ride. The saddle and fit was perfect. There was no slipping of the saddle, I was comfortable in the saddle and Truely’s movements were smooth and fluid.

I would like to thank Specialized Saddles and Terry Pieper for an excellent product and service.

Regards,

Mike Keretzman & Truely Wonderful

Hi Dave,

I wanted to drop you a note to let you know how happy I am with the Specialized Euro light that I bought a couple of years ago.   I have been riding my Donnie horse for about 6 years now, with the first 4 in a different saddle that fit him okay, but was never really comfortable for me.  It wasn’t adjustable, and used a thick pad that always made me feel like I was sitting “on top” of the horse.  The saddle would slide back and forth, and would slip to the sides on occasion.   Mark Housley suggested I look at the Specialized, so I took one home from the convention two years ago and gave it a try.   I watched your fitting video and set upon my horse with a whole toolbox of stuff expecting it to be a lot of work.  It wasn’t at all, in fact it only took me 30 minutes to figure it out and get it set.  Donnie has one shoulder a little bigger than the other, and all it took was one different size shim and a little drop of the front panel to get it to fit.  I started riding him, and from the first minute I was surprised how well it fit him, and especially me.   It was like riding bareback compared to my previous saddle.  I could feel the horse underneath me, and the balance was so much better I cannot believe it.  I use the thin pad and mohair girth, and after the initial adjustment I have not touched it. The saddle does not move-  I don’t even use a breast collar anymore except on Tevis.  The sweat marks are perfect; the air channel on his back is always dry.  It is extremely light, which is important for me as a middleweight rider on a smaller horse.  We have done about 1400 miles now with the saddle, including four 100’s and twice at Tevis.    And although it may sound like an advertisement, the horse really does move much better with the Euro Light and thin pad.   I could not be more satisfied with the saddle.  Wait, there is one problem-  I could not figure out how to get water bottles to stay on the front of the saddle.  Try as I might they just flopped around.   I talked to you at the convention and asked if you had a solution.  You shipped me a pair of matching leather bottle holders that fasten onto the saddle with the existing screws.  Bingo- perfect.   The bottles mount solidly and you can use them to lift the saddle off and on.  So much for that problem.

I really can’t think of anything else to complain about- the saddle is that good.  I know not every saddle works with every horse, but I found one that is magic on Donnie, and that’s the only one he will ever see on his back.   Thanks so much for the product, and the ongoing support you have provided.

A very happy customer!

Nick Warhol  West Region
Forever Dawn GA  (AKA Donnie)

Here is my story.

Ok, so my wife is Sharon Roper, a very successful Specialized Saddles dealer, but I have to tell my story. Trust me if you knew me you would know I wouldn’t be so enthusiastic if it weren’t all true.

Since Sharon became a Specialized dealer I have heard all these great stories from new owners. I watched Sharon on the NATRC rides go from losing points from a sore back, no matter what she did with pads and saddles, to perfect performance and this year riding open class, which is 30 miles, 10 miles longer than previous years.

Well I have my own story. The western saddle I have been using fit fairly well, didn’t have too many sore back problem but it would not stay put. The saddle would slide forward past the withers even with just cantering, imagine with steep hills, regardless of various pads I tried. I now have my very own Eurolight. and man, what a difference. This saddle doesn’t even have to be cinched tight to stay put. At the NATRC ride in NM we were ahead in time so we stopped for 30 minutes and I loosened the cinch 3 holes on the billets. We remounted and then did a 1/2 mile trot to the P&R. After the P&R we walked over to the water and then I noticed that I had forgotten to tighten the cinch. A mount, dismount and trot and that saddle didn’t move one whit with the cinch dangling! That is a miracle to Jabez and I. He has become so quiet, amazing for a left brained extrovert, like his owner. An extra bonus with this saddle is I change the pads and I can get the same fit on Nakala. It is a wonderful product!!

Dave Dashner
Grand Junction, Colorado

Hi David,

I want to thank you again for your support. I adore my saddle and it has done so much to improve my mare’s back. After a competition, Jazz would always get B’s on her back and be very sore for the next couple days, no matter the terrain. With the Specialized, we got it to fit pretty much perfectly, and she came out of her ride in great shape. We went to the OCTRA Spring Ride and entered the FEI** 75mile. This ride was filled with rolling hills and a couple of very good climbs. I was expecting her to be at least a little back sore at the end because we have no hills to condition on but her back was fantastic and not sore or tight in any way! I was amazed at how good her back was, but also at how she moves out in it! She is much more comfortable and so am I.

We completed the ride in 4th place in a time of 9:29.  With this ride, Jazz and I are officially qualified to compete at the World Junior Young Rider Championships in Abu Dhabi this December. We are still planning on attending the North American Young Rider Championships in Kentucky this July.

Thanks Again!

Lee