Eldorado Stitchdown/American-Flex Saddle

[CherylE]

Anyone own one of these? Got any opinions on them? I have ridden the Ansur and would like a bit more support. This looks possible. Am supposed to get one in about a month. They did not have this in stock. What do ya'll think?

[Terry Wallace]

Is it the stichdown that Orthoflex used to make? Do you have a photo of it? If it is like the Orthoflex stitch-down... it sits way above the horse.
The one I saw, I could put my whole arm under the gullet, clear up to my elbow......WHILE it was on the horse... and my arm is NOT small... it perched the rider something fierce.... it was not my saddle, but I got involved with it when she (my friend Judy) told me Orthoflex would not take it back.... they said it would "fit in time", that the panels would adjust...well, I beg to differ...it never would have fit her Paso correctly.
She paid I'm thinking $1,300 or thereabouts... be sure to make sure it fits and that you like it.

Is this company the off-shoot of Orthoflex?

[CherylE]

There wasss a mention of orthoflex in the article I read. I'm thinking it is related. The site is American-Flex.com. the saddle is in the index. I like the english version.....I read your comment on the Tennessean by national bridle. Thought I'd look into that.

Things keep going Ill end up riding bareback, if at all. My frustration level is never my limit. I was going to try this saddle and send it back if my mare still would not ride well.

[CherylE]

My typing reflects my frustration....I meant near my limit. Thought the Ansur was VERy comfortable and wanted more stability, thus the flex interest. I have 10 saddles with only two horses....anyone need to check out my tack room? :oops:

[Trail Rider]

I recently bought 2 flex panel saddles from Richard L Watson. I only have one now, the other will be here in about a month. The one I have is my wife's and she likes it. She uses it on a 13.2, 12 yr old gelding and it fits him fine.

I tried it yesterday on my 40 month colt and it fit him fine also. The only complaint I have is that I did not let the stirrups out enough and my ankles got a little sore from to much angle. One thing that I did notice is that the saddle seem to have much less slip when mounting. We usually ride Tucker's and they will slip to the side some when mounting. With these flex panels you do not have to cinch as tight to mount.

Anyone else have any experience with the R L Watson flex panel saddles?

[reuben T]

I was seriously considering becoming a dealer for american flex, (was waiting on the $$ to get started.) but now I'm not going to because Len came up with something more practical. Len's the one that started the whole flex panel idea, but he sold out, say's there were problems with it he couldn't fix, seems the high price was part of it, and many people didn't like the feel of them, too springy, too high, moves too much. I always figered if the horse is comfortable I'd get used to it. But now with len's "corrector" availible for $160, I'm just going to go with that and use whatever saddle I like and comes somewhat close to fitting the horse, and let the corrector do the rest of the adjustment to fit. it's a half inch thick and acts as 4 flex panels under the ends of both bars.

[KAB]

Yeah, Len Brown came up with otho-flex saddles and while he had that company and was making all that money he thought the saddles were great! I bought one and when it didn't fit my paso the company was of no help.I would NEVER buy anything from him or a company he has anything to do with.Just there to take your money.Just my thoughts tho.

[Terry Wallace]

Kathy..that is the same reason(s) my friend encountered. I just want to reiterate..that flex panel saddles DO NOT fit "every and any" horse...that is BS. Just wish I would have taken photos....BUT...I did notice how HIGH the saddle sits on the first horse on the main page of the website, where they are showing saddle fit. If you like to perch and rock back & forth on the top of a horse, then a flex panel saddle can sure provide that feeling when they don't fit.

The Orthoflex company would not take back the brand new, ill-fitting saddle. That is quite a chunk of cash to kiss goodbye...

Also..be aware that those panles DO wear out and need to be replaced once in a while. I'll stick with my traditional gaited horse tree...JMO

[CarolU]

American Flex saddles are made by the people who worked for Len in the original Ortho Flex. They now make their own. Len sold Ortho-Flex and the company that has it now fixed most of the problems it had before. It is my understanding from taling to both companies, that they stand by their products and make a good product. I feel as KAB does about Len - he loved the flex panel saddles when he made them. And sorry Ruebin, but I don't like his new product at all. Some might, I don't.

Two problems I have seen with these saddles - and there is a third company, the Rocking R, that makes them now too, is the height above the gullet (I rode one and felt I was 4-6" above the horse). I don't care for this, but some people like it fine.

The other problem is the way the panels hook to the underside pad, with big bolts. I don't care how much padding they put there, it boils down to all your weight on those four bolts and eventually it will cause pressure there for the horse. May not happen for a few years, may never happen if the saddle isn't used much. If I bought one, I'd certainly monitor those bolts constantly.

I have an Ansur and know why you like/dislike it. They can't be beat for comfort, contact, and fit. I use mine constantly and it spoils me rotten. BUT, it is not a safe saddle for green horses, green riders, or dip&spin artists, like Diablo. I also can't train spins or rollbacks for reining in it.

So for that I use a BOb Marshall saddle. Also treeless, just as comfortable, but it has a solid cantel and pomel and offers side-to-side rigidity. It is very safe and can be used for Reining and Barrel racing. Saddles are like bras, one size won't fit everyone.

Look around. There are many similar type saddles around. See what you can find and try before you buy.

Good luck.

[reuben T]

hey carol, have ya tried it? what do ya not like about it? (always looking for more info/opinions.)

[CarolU]

I don't believe a 1/4" pad will correct a bad saddle fit. A too narrow or too wide saddle is still going to be just that, and cause the same problems it does without the pad. It the shoulders are pinched by the tree, all the padding in the world won't 'fix' it.

There are other pads that breath, I like the all cotton Ventiallator that Stateline Tack sells for around $30. Many times I've unsaddled a sweaty horse to find it dry under the pad. The sktto pad, the gripper pad, all breath too. His statement is just not true.

I don't like polyester for saddle blankets or pads. I wear it in the winter for heat, it keeps you warm even after you sweat. I imagine it does the same thing as a saddle pad. I prefer natural products that whick sweat away.

I am naturally leary of any product that claims to do everything the ad for the pad says it does. I saw an earlier version of his ad, and in that version all he did was blast Ortho-flex. I think a product should stand on its own, no need to bash the competition.

I've never tried one. It's not worth the $160 to experiement when I am perfectly happy with my saddles, fit, and blankets that I'm using. Also, to 'fix' things, you still have to buy some bag, the special shims, etc., that he gets around to later in the ad. You could easily be into it a lot of money.

Anyway, you asked. You are more then welcome to buy one and try it. You may like it fine. We're not all put on this earth the same for a reason.

[ErinC]

see Brendas new post, she can help you out!
really!

[reuben T]

Thanks, everyone's experience in life is different, and the longer one lives the stronger get's their opinions on things with which they have to do, so no need to criticise one another for our opinions. (I know, I have some too where I didn't used to.) My opinion on it is that a normal saddle with rigid tree, fitted carefully, is just fine for 100% of what most people do, it's only when one starts riding 8 hours a day or more day after day, maybe for weeks, that something better fitting will likely be needed. Even cowboys who ride like that will have 2 horses to trade off so they can both have time off, even though 1 horse is capable of it physically.

[Terri]

I have a flex saddle made by a guy in CT, I absolutely love it. It is the classic english version, but his trail saddles and western are nice too. It is very light and fits both my pasos.
http://www.saddleranch.com/

[ErinC]

Terri does have a very nice saddle, I hate to ride english, but this is a nice saddle to ride in, and it fits my horse, and EVERY horse we have put it on.
I would buy one in a heart beat if I was looking

[stella]

Terri, I went to that site you posted, and the pics look good, but they've never finished the "Q&As" or the "Info on flex systems" part of the website..says due to finish in Sept 04!
So, I guess You have to email for that, and price, info? How very clever of the spider in catching flies.....

[Terri]

I bought mine at the Equine Affaire 2 years ago so got a pretty good deal. But they aren't cheap. I would imagine they are running from anywhere from 1200 - 2200 now a days, but I am just guessing. Fred stands behind his saddles. When I first got it, it didn't fit Mico quite right. So I took a bunch of pictures of it on Mico, send the pictures and the saddle back and he adjusted it. Of course I still had to pay shipping. Then when I accidently yanked out a rivet, he sent me a new one. He claims if you change horses he will adjust it to your new horse for the cost of shipping it to him. He told me he adjusted one lady's saddle twice for her. 1st time from her Paso to her new Haflinger then again when she sold the halflinger for a thoroughbred. He is a bit bossy and opinionated, but I really like his saddle. I can ride all day in it and be very comfy.

[echo]

Hi Cheryl,
I know of a stitch down type American Flex saddle for sale (very lightly used) for a good deal. If interested, email me and I'll forward you to the lady with the saddle. It's black, about 4 years old, and was bought as a package deal with a horse. The saddle was too big for the new owner, so it sat in a tack room and is in excellent condition. I think it was equivalent to a western size 15.5 or 16 (English 17.5 or 18).

[SarahR]

My typing reflects my frustration....I meant near my limit. Thought the Ansur was VERy comfortable and wanted more stability, thus the flex interest. I have 10 saddles with only two horses....anyone need to check out my tack room? :oops:

Oh, Cheryl, I am right there with you! Maybe we should get together and try each other's saddles out? I'm on saddle #4 for my mare, and it fits horribly. I spent $2500 on it, it was supposed to be made from 5 wither and back tracings I made, but it doesn't match them. The company has a stellar reputation, but somehow I got off on the wrong foot and after questioning the company's methods for adjusting saddles they really copped an attitude. Thankfully for me this company will give me a refund...whew! Now I am off to find yet another saddle that may or may not work...it sucks, huh?

This is the saddle I am thinking of now: http://www.specializedsaddles.com

I have a $180 synthetic Aussie that fits her better than anything I have, so I might just try having it adjusted and see if that will work out.