Deuber and Partner
Startrekk All-Purpose Treeless
All Purpose Saddles
Manufacturer: Deuber and Partner
Model: Startrekk All-Purpose Treeless
Category: All Purpose Saddles
Purchase: I was in luck and got this saddle for a good deal on Ebay. I must have been one of the few who had done research on this saddle and was thrilled to win it on the only bid, a $1400 saddle for $900! That was about three years ago, and of course they are costlier now.
Likes: Talk about styling! This hides its modern design beneath a very traditional look. Good quality leather covers the exterior, and inside it is so very adjustable. Two stirrup positions, panels with velcro, and pommels in varying widths allow this to be personally customized. Although it rides like a traditional English style saddle, I find it much more comfortable since the seat isn't forcing me into any unnatural, hip popping, private pounding positions. The 'tree' is layers of thick leather which conform but do not collapse, and the sizes run true to English sizing.
For the horse opinion, I defer to our little mare who, according to her chiropractor, was resisting work and having pain in her back. Now, when she sees this saddle coming, she stands still for mounting with no more aggravated head tossing, and she moves out much more happily with less stress.
Dislikes: OK, nothing is perfect. Changing the pommel width in this saddle is not easy, and is often a two person job. Also, I am not wildly happy with the attachment of the billet straps, which are just sewn on to the flap. Being widely spaced and low, it took some doing to find a girth that lined up properly. I bought a conformation girth with some strap length between the buckles which does the job.
Quality: The leather and design are beautiful and quality. Whereas some saddle leather reminds me of cardboard, or worse, driving gloves, this leather has that feel of firmness which requires breaking in. I saw more of the interior of this saddle than I had intended when a young horse tried to rip it apart upon panicking, and the construction is solid with good stitching. Only the billets may need some reworking by me in the future, but so far they are showing no signs of failure.
Summary: I am very pleased to have purchased this saddle for a bargain as I did. If I could afford other saddles in this line, I would definitely buy more! For a treeless saddle which works on even high withered horses and rides traditionally but still keeps me in mind, it is a dream come true. I adore it.
Rating: 4
Author: Amy in MO
Date: 2010-02-02
Usefulness Rating: 2.775 out of 5.
40 reader(s) voted.
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