Conference noted::equitation

    
    
    Are these the nylon (or some other lightweight material)
    saddles??  I'd never heard of them before.  If these are
    what you are talking about, I know someone that bought
    one and can get some info for you.
    
    Linda
    
    

    
    	The Ortho-Flex saddles are a good saddle...  Really comfortable
    	for both the rider and horse.  I rode my horse in one for a
    	bit (friend's saddle) and he seemed to move more freely then
    	he did in my western saddle (at the time).  I really feel that
    	they are built with the horse's back in mind..
    
    	I didn't choose to buy one because at the time I didn't like	
    	way the back of the saddle was fit on - I felt it looked really
    	cheap.. and GOD knows - this saddle is not a cheap one to buy.
    
    	I did buy an Aussie Saddle and get the same free moving results
    	with my horse - and no back stiffness or soreness after many
    	miles.  I find that this type of saddle is very secure and 
    	comfortable for me too...  You ride it very much like a western.
    
    	But getting back to the Ortho-Flex....  I talked with Mrs. Brown
    	(I forget her first name) and her husband designed and built
    	a number of the O-F saddles before coming up with the this one.
    	I think she said that they rode 3,000 miles one year with five
    	horse (I think 2 were pack) and they HAD to have a saddles that
    	could fit different horses (I think they have Walkers) and not
    	gaul them.  She is a super person to talk to and sent me photos 
    	and information regarding their saddle.
    
    	I feel that if a person 
    		1. Wants a lighter saddle (if they are currently riding 
    		   western) 
    		2. They spend many hours in the saddle 
    		3. Feel their horse just doesn't work really freely under their 
    		   current saddle (or they get sore backs)
    	Then the O-F may just be the answer for them.	  
    
    	Just my 2 1/2 cents worth...

Re: .1   These saddles are not the nylon or other man-made variety.
         they are primarily high-grade leather or boar-hide, and
	 come with snakeskin inserts and a plethora of extras like
	 silver conchos, a cantel case, straight or curved fenders,
	 different types of horns (or no horn) and they are fairly
	 inexpensive considering they are all custom made.

Re: .2   What a testimonial!  It is Lisa and Len Brown that go on
	 those enduros.  Thanks for the feedback.  It seems like
	 these saddles are a good alternative to other, fancier,
	 custom saddles.  Worth looking into, anyway.

Dave

    
    
     Well, I phoned in my order for an O-F saddle today. Very nice people
    to talk to. The person that I talked to (Gilbert) was very
    knowledgable. He talked my out of some of the options I was
    considering,for one reason or another. Gilbert was very excited over
    the set-up I want and more than willing to go the extra mile to make
    sure that everything will match perfectly.
    
     If anyone would like more info send me mail or give me a call, I'd
    be glad to help if I can. When I recieve the saddle (6-8 weeks) I'll
    give everyone an update.
    
    
    dtn 297-2905
    
    Paul
    

    RE:.4 (DAVE)
    
    	Well... did you finally get your O-Flex saddle?  How do you
    	like it??
    
    	Susan

    Yeh,  how has that saddle worked out for you?  I have been thinking
    about getting something like that because I ride a lot of different
    types of horses and I hate lugging around 5 different saddles.
    
    I hate it when this happens.
    
    virginia

Has anyone added an Ortho-Flex to their collection in the last 5 years? :)

In particular, I'm looking for opinions on their english line (which 
appears to be fairly new).  I saw a few at the National Western Stock Show 
this last weekend but the english-knowledgeable weren't there.  Would their 
saddles work well if you were looking for a close contact-type saddle?

As a previous reply said, these guys aren't cheap (over $2K for some of 
them) and I'm wondering if something like one of the Courbette Softseats 
for less $$ wouldn't work as well.

    
    I have a wonderful book on the Ortho-Flex - if you will send it back
    to me - I let you read it.  Send me your internal address I'll send
    it you.
    
    The saddles are wonderful and I would love one - but they are
    very very very very pricie.
    
    Louisa

Got my Traditional last November but it was too late to ride it until this 
past April.  I have a little less than 100 hours on it, and I love it.  
Razz 'Em Up, the 1/4 horse I usually ride, has completely ceased her head-
tossing at the walk and no longer exhibits impatience when being saddled. 
When doing tight circles, she seems to be able to hold her curvature much
more easily. 

I have also tried the saddle on a fat Morgan mare and on a grey Arab, and
the panels perform as advertised, i.e. they just swivel and self-adjust to
the shape of the animal.

A secondary benefit is that I think I'm riding better because I know my 
horse is comfortable.

One thing I've had to watch with this saddle is girth tightness.  I usually 
have to notch up one after about five minutes.  

I had to install the included shims under the booties.  I normally use all 
three under the front booties, to raise the front of the saddle, at least 
with Razz.

By the way, I've yet to use a saddle pad.  The booties work great, and I 
washed them at about 50 hours.  Threw 'em right in the washer, warm water, 
hung 'em out to dry in the air, and they didn't shrink a bit.  Without a 
pad, plenty of air moves under the saddle, which is great on warm 
afternoons.

By the way, I opted for Safety-Cam stirrups, and they do help you keep your 
heels down.  They're also supposed to help eject your feet from the 
stirrups when the situation warrants, but since I haven't had my first
wreck this year, I have nothing to report in that vein. 

Craig, $1,900 poorer but real happy about it.    ;-)

    Can anyone tell me if Betsy Steiner on the cover of this months (Aug
    96) Dressage Today is using an ortho flex dressage saddle?  I noticed
    it had those funny panels sticking out at the front. 
    
    Thanks,
    Sharon