Equiscan Shoeing Saare Saddles The Hay Company Educational Clinics Articles Clinic Dates Appraisal and Auction Services Contact Us Email	Sharon Saare Saddle Bare Tree Fitting Service and Sales Sharon Saare Saddle Representatives Sharon Saare Saddle Information page 2 ~Rigging~ Long hours of continuous travel require a rigging position that keeps the cinch far enough back so that it won't gall a horse behind the front legs. Our standard in-skirt rigging offers 7/8, 3/4, and 5/8 rigging options that accommodate horses of various sizes and weights and eliminates bulk between the rider and horse!! It also eliminates pressure points associated with fixed rigging assemblies. Your horse will truly appreciate this feature!! And so will your knees!! We also offer dropped "D," flat plate, and "C" rigging options. ~Swells~ The saddle horn has been removed on my trail models so that it doesn't interfere with the rider while in the standing position, either going uphill or at the trot or gallop. The tapered 12" western type swells remain to give the rider something to lean into while going uphill or at the trot. This gives the rider support and provides an opportunity for relaxation--Yes--Relaxation!! If the rider doesn't have to spend the day fighting either horse or saddle--there is no reason why fatigue from even a supreme effort can't be substantially reduced!! Saddles with the McClellan type front do not provide this important support and also cause abrupt contact with the rider when a horse stops suddenly or shies. ~Seat~ Our standard seats are padded with sponge rubber. Our standard seat size is 15"--however we do make 16's, and we now offer hard seats. It is most important that the rider have the option of more than one riding position on a long day. Our bodies are designed to carry weight best when we are in a standing position. Without a rise, the rider's back is more inclined to have to bend to maintain balance. Bending - particularly into a reverse arch as can occur with a perfectly flat seat, produces fatigue. Our standard High-Low rigging slot options enable the rider to adjust the angle of the rise--in essence the seat--to suit. Horses recover from exertion at the walk. It's restful to the horse's back if the rider isn't always in the same position. It's restful to the rider too. Our endurance seat is constructed so that the rider can easily maintain the forward position but can "get away" from it and sit comfortable when desired. The western saddle seat is more traditional. ~Cantle~ My 12" wide cantles are 3 1/2 inches high. I use a small Cheyenne roll because it keeps whatever the rider is carrying behind the saddle -- Behind the Saddle!! I don't use a high cantle as that encourages a rider to lean back into it which is very hard on a horse's back. A 6" cantle, popular on many of today's saddles, also can injure the rider's back. We will, however, make a 4" cantle on western models. I provide a comfortable seat, but not one that sacrifices the horse for the rider. We also make saddles with rawhide cantle binding without the Cheyenne roll. ~Fenders~ The standard western type fenders give support to the rider's legs simply not available in English saddles or partial fenders with detachable stirrup leathers. Extra Long Fenders are available by special order for the rider over 6 ft. tall. And for those Little People, extra short fenders are also offered! ~Stirrups~ My standard stirrups are 5 1/2" by 3" nylon with leather covered sponge rubber padding. I use nylon, not because it is cheaper, but because it's lightweight. Heavy stirrups create an insidious pressure on your foot, but you feel it in your ankles and knees. Using lightweight nylon, I can give you a broader bearing surface without the pain creating weight of old-time bell bottoms. I also have fully leather covered stirrups used by many pleasure and show riders. All my stirrups allow the rider to move the foot from ball to arch over a long ride exactly the way the old-time cowboys rode when they did it all day--for a living--day after day. That option helps prevent neuromas from developing which may over a period of time if you ride only on the ball of your foot. ~Lining~ I use only real wool shear lings instead of the artificial fleece used by most saddle makers today. After fleece has been in use for only a short time, it packs down and offers the horse no protection whatsoever. Also, three independent tests with heat sensors have determined that most artificial fabrics generate considerably more heat on your horse's back than do natural fabrics. Using real wool adds to my production costs, but your horse will know and appreciate the difference every time you ride!! ~Attachments~ Six trigger snaps, one big D ring, two mini-D's, and four footman's loops are a great help in securing canteens, jackets, saddle bags, a crupper, and breast collar if necessary. ~Weight~ The endurance saddle is lightweight--under 24 pounds--and the western saddle ranges from 28 to 32 pounds, so that the horse need not be handicapped by extra weight, however, shortcuts that would reduce the comfort of the rider (or horse) have been excluded. There are lighter weight saddles available, but few of them offer good weight distribution or adequate support. They often give the rider a backache and can do the same thing to the horse. Some are made with artificial fabrics that are abrasive to the horse and rider. They are initially inexpensive--but in a short time are throwaways--which can make them very expensive in the long run. We now make the new Sharon Saare Light 22 lb. Racing Model--available in all 15" and 16" trees. ~There Is No Substitute for Quality~ Most saddles today are produced by people who have never done endurance, competitive trail, or show riding. Some by people who don't ride at all!! Not so with mine!! I've done all of that, I've been where you've been! I know what you and your horses need!! ~Finish~ My standard saddle, the one you have seen along the trail since 1972, is smooth leather with a natural oil finish. And now--For the rider who wants that top of the line look-- ~The Primo~ Hand carved floral "the old fashioned way"--It's beautiful!! In fact, it's a knockout!! Available by special order in all sizes and widths. ~The Mini-Floral~ Hand carved front and rear and a dab on the fender, but, smooth leather under the rider's leg. For the rider who wants the class but uses the saddle long hours! ~The Basket weave~ Hand stamped--Understated elegance!! Ask for our color photos, It's Stunning!! ~The Mini Basket~ Like the Mini Floral, art work fore and aft, but not under your leg. All above are available with sterling silver conchos!! Most of the silver you see on saddles today peels. I use only sterling!! Popular demand for my good fitting saddles has resulted in the production of my ~Horned Saddles~ with endurance skirts or western skirts and double rig. Both are available with the various floral and basket weave patterns and with silver!! ~What Put Me Into Saddles~ When I became interested in endurance riding in 1965--started competing in 1967--there wasn't much tack available. The first time I completed the Tevis Cup, it was with a forty five pound stock saddle. The next year, I was able to find a lighter weight western saddle, but it was still a far cry from what was needed. For the preceding 20 years, most of the saddles produced had been tailored to the needs of the show ring and arena. While the principals of design were correct for those uses, they were definitely not appropriate for the long distance trail. There was one very good quality saddle being produced on a special order basis, however, it was obvious that there was a tremendous need for moderately priced, good equipment. With that in mind, I started research and development and produced prototypes in 1972. Go to Sharon Saare Saddle Information page 3 Go back to Sharon Saare Saddle Information page 1
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