Hilason
Endurance/Barrel/Train
Trail Saddles
Manufacturer: Hilason
Model: Endurance/Barrel/Train
Category: Trail Saddles
Purchase: I found it on Ebay for $349. The saddle arrived within 4 days, via FedEx, and was in great shape.
Likes: It's lightweight. Workmanship is acceptable. It came with both western fenders and English leathers (nylon), and two sets of stirrups both lightweight and cushioned.
Dislikes: I don't like the looks--I thought I was ordering a tan suede, and I got a dark brown smooth finish instead, with white inserts on the sides of the skirt. (sort of tacky). It was my mistake, not theirs, I just bid on the wrong items, more or less. The seat is VERY slick; I usually ride in tights and am going to have to put some fleece or something on the seat. The stirrups are not long enough for me. I have them all the way down and will still have to punch one more hole. (I'm 5'10".) I thought it would feel more like my horse, but it feels more like a saddle under me. I also got the 18" and probably would prefer the 16". The seat is big and my horse is small with a short back. I may send it back for an exchange--it'll cost me about $100 postage, but probably worth it.
Quality: Cowhide. Well constructed from what I can tell. Fleece on the underside. Nylon stirrup "leathers," darn nice stirrups. D-rings front and back. Billet straps are heavy leather. The pommel up front is just for balance, I guess, if you need it in an emergency. However, it will probably tear right off if you get in a wreck. Both the pommel and cantle are filled with a removable closed cell foam. You access them thru a zipper on pommel and cantle.
Summary: For the money, not bad. Not suitable for long trail rides, but good short trips out to the mailbox, definitely safer than going bareback. Still, I guess nothing can rival the wonderful feel of riding bareback under a smooth little Icelandic!
Rating: 3
Author: J.Manning
Date: 2005-09-23
Usefulness Rating: 3.65278 out of 5.
72 reader(s) voted.
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