Andrea Esparza
Andrea and Suerte
The horse I have now, I got to take on a “test ride” in just the Colin Dangaard Australian “bareback pad” before I purchased him. It had no cantle or poleys and I just knew I was going to fall off and eat dirt, because my only experience had been with other “bareback pads” that have no support and don’t serve much purpose other than keeping horse dirt off your butt. However, I was amazed at how comfortable it was and how secure I felt in it, so I asked what brand it was and did some online research because I thought I wanted one just like it for fun, but then I saw that Colin could add a cantle and poleys to it as well and so I got that version instead. (Plus my horse has high shark fin withers, so fitting him in a saddle was proving to be extremely difficult.) And so I did all my measurements and wither tracings and took pictures and sent them in and had this same saddle made and I have never been happier. I love the softness of the seat and how the stirrups don’t torque my knees. I didn’t even think about a leather one at the time. I just knew that I loved what I tried out when I purchased my horse and I had to have one for myself too, but I chose to get the “upgraded deluxe model” instead.
Suerte in his bareback saddle with cantle and poleys and monkey grip
Here is a picture of my Peruvian horse Suerte and our bareback saddle. I absolutely LOVE it!! He is 21 and has “shark fin” withers, so he was very hard to fit in a saddle, but my bareback saddle fits him perfectly!
I like that I can feel my horse’s every movement beneath me. It is somewhat like riding in a bareback pad, but with so much more security for me and support for the horse. Plus it is very soft and comfortable, lightweight, and easy to clean.
Anytime Colin posts about his saddles on Facebook or someone asks about them, it seems I’m always jumping on the post and commenting all about it and how much I love it! LOL. I will sing the praises of this saddle to anyone who will listen to me! 😊
Andrea crossing a big river
UPDATE: I rode all over Eminence, MO at Cross Country Trail Rides in July 2020 with this saddle! It was perfect for the EIGHT river crossings we did!
* To purchase this saddle click HERE