Kates
Ride About Endurance
Trail Saddles
Manufacturer: Kates
Model: Ride About Endurance
Category: Trail Saddles
Purchase: I have a very Wide Flat backed Appaloosa Mare, I had purchased 2 saddles before this one, One from Frontier Equestrian, and one from Down under saddle supply. Neither fit her decent and/or they were made cheaply. I found Kates through a friend, I paid 825.00 a very good price next to the down under, that didn't fit her, wasn't even close BTW, and they received a wither tracing and many measurements. I will be posting a review of that saddle also.
Likes: The Ride About endurance was made on a custom tree, especially for my mare, special order, the leather is the nicest, softest leather of any of my saddles, it is made beautifully... it's construction is well made and made for use, tough brass fittings that are also beautiful. Though the horn is not a intended for roping, It appears sound enough to do so. I ponied mare little halflinger/welsh cross on a ride and used the horn to stop her spooking many times, and it doesn't even show any where from such use. The People at Kates were absolutely wonderful to work with, helpful friendly and just nice all around in answering all my questions before and after my saddle arrived.
The leather covered under panels are the nicest I have seen on any australian saddle I have looked into, or bought. The way they are made is great for people that want a secure seat, with a light weight comfortable fit, and they are made to fit a horse not a camel LOL, like some of them I have seen. That leave no room for a moving shoulder, and sit way to far forward. That is why the Down under didn't fit her.
Dislikes: The flaps are a bit longer than I expected them to be for an endurance, but it does not pose a problem. The girth straps are completely covered, and I would have liked to see them be removable for cleaning and attaching a pad.
Quality: The quality is beyond compare, in the australian saddle industry, the leather is soft, and easy to work with when saddling, not stiff as a board for years, it feels already broken in. the tree and suspended seat make for a very comfortable ride.The nice brass hardware makes it look very attractive as well. with plenty of D's to tie things on.
Summary: I absolutely love my saddle, I have found nothing to complain about what so ever, the fit is as perfect as you can get without using a professional saddle fitting, that comes to your horse. I was actually very impressed with it even before I got to try it out on my mare, but after I do believe I will never again purchase another saddle from any where else.
Rating: 5
Author: Kim Mitchell
Date: 0000-00-00
Usefulness Rating: 3.925 out of 5.
40 reader(s) voted.
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