Strada saddles

[whisper's mum]

Last one, I promise.  Please tell me all you know about these.  Thank you. 

[happy-horses]

The chap is ever so helpfull if you email  Have you ever thought of getting a show saddle? I used to love my ideal ramsey.....

[chapsi]

Pm SueBlue. She used these for years.

[whisper's mum]

Thanks Chapsi.  I would consider a show saddle, HH, I'm honestly not sure what I'm really after. 

[Nix77]

could you get a saddler down helen? maybe not to buy from, but you could at least then try a load of different saddles and see which fits the best, and then look for a second hand one of those? if you needed to reflock it then you could?

I have found this person excellent: http://www.nationalsaddlecentre.com/brochure.pdf

however, her saddles are all quite pricey, but she will reflock older saddles and will come out with a wide selection that you could try?

as for strada, i have sat on one, and it was lovely, and on a PRE too, so they must fit iberian backs.

what about one of peters saddles?

[JILLSHEP]

Hi I've got a black Strada dressage for sale, its a lovely saddle it just doesnt suit my other half.  I've a phot on my phone I've sent out if you'r interested pm me your mobile and i'll send it across.  The Turville stud always used them on all there horses and now Marcia and some of the WE team use them, they are great on Iberian horses.

[whisper's mum]

Thanks guys. 

[Debbie]

you need help for your addiction Helen 

[Heather]

I advised Helen to look out for a Strada. I still dont like the stirrup bar position, and not having velcroed on knee rolls, it isnt easy to assist the rider, as with saddles that do have velcroed on rolls.

But I love the tree, and the close contact panels. I have tried to persuade Ilge to change the design, but she is happy with it as it is. I do not find it a saddle that allows you to sit- you have to have a very established position in order not to feel out of balance, and I feel very behind the movement in rising trot on them, but that may just be my ineptitude after years of riding in saddles that help me to sit, and believe me, I need all the help I can get! 

Heather

[whisper's mum]

I manage to sit in a chair seat, even in your saddles, Heather.  I hadn't considered one of these until you mentioned them so thank you, I'll let you know how I get on. 

[whisper's mum]

you need help for your addiction Helen 

I did think I was just fussy but now I reckon it's probably a case of a bad workman blaming his (her) tools! 

[margarita]

Hi ya, I have strada saddles and really like them. Horses are comfy in them .  Margi is wearing one in my photo below   It suits me but suppose its just what you are used to .   I think my seat is ok in them.

[Heather]

I manage to sit in a chair seat, even in your saddles, Heather.  I hadn't considered one of these until you mentioned them so thank you, I'll let you know how I get on. 

Ggggrrrrrr - you do NOT sit in anything remotely like a chair seat, Helen. When will you realise that you are a very nice rider indeed? !!

Heather

[EmmaB]

I have a strada, they are a great close contact fit for the horse (they don't move or slip at all  ), but having tried out many saddles, I don't find them the easiest or most comfortable saddles to ride in. 
My trainer hated riding in it as he said you can't close your knees properly if the horse started to play up, he basically said you could fall off more easily   
But many classical riders like an open seat to find their own balance so it just depends which you prefer.
The other thing I find is its hard to warm the heat reactive panels up in weather like this.  Even if you put a rug over the top to warm the saddle up, as soon as it hits the cold air it goes hard again, but could be me doing something wrong 

[whisper's mum]

Hmmmm, thanks Emma, may not be great for me then - I'd need velcro attached!  I'll let you know how I get on if I try one on Sunday . I tried a Frank Baines today but it was too big really, I should have a smaller one coming next week. Thanks for all the help.