Trekker
Talent (size 2)
Trail Saddles
Manufacturer: Trekker
Model: Talent (size 2)
Category: Trail Saddles
Purchase: I purchased my Trekker Talent treeless saddle from Genuine Trekker Saddles at genuinetrekkersaddles.com in June 2007
I paid about $1000 with fittings. Laurie, the retailer, was very helpful and friendly. The shipping was timely and my saddle was everything she claimed it to be.
I had researched treeless saddles because I wanted to get a saddle that would be comfortable for me as well as one that would fit both of my horses.
Likes: This is the most comfortable saddle I have ever encountered. It is well made of both butter-soft smooth and suede leathers. It has panels on the underside to prevent spinal pressure and it does not require a special pad. Since it does not have a tree, it gives you the wide stance you get when riding bareback, with the security of a saddle. I no longer have pressure sores in my seat bones after a five hour ride, since there is no hard tree. My horses move freely and I experience much closer contact with my horse than I did with a traditional treed western saddle. I do not have any problems with saddle shift when mounting and I feel very secure without having to over-tighten my horse's girth. I love the security of the suede seat, the flexible pommel and the ease with which I can lift it onto my horse's back. This saddle weighs only 7.7 lbs without fittings. No more huffing and puffing to get a big western saddle up on my horse's back. I can lift this with one arm and GENTLY set it on my horse. This saddle fits both of my horses well and they both appreciate my purchase. I honestly will never ride in anything else ever again (unless, of course someone wants to give me the NEW model, the Trekker Talent II that came out this year which has removable and replaceable panels on the underside!!)
Dislikes: There isn't anything I don't like, except that I wish I had the NEW model with the removable, replaceable panels on the underside. Also, this saddle has a 23" spine so when purchasing a trail pad, you have to be sure to get one with a spine of at least 24 inches and a minimum drop of 19 inches. I don't think this saddle would work as well for a heavier person though. I weigh 130 lbs and I think it is fabulous, but when my husband (not a rider) who weighs 180 lbs mounted my horse, the saddle slipped and he found it a tight fit. I also noticed that the panels, which are made of a memory foam and wool, compressed when he was on and if you had a high withered horse, or one that was of poor weight, this saddle might not keep a heavy person from causing pressure on the topline. Some people might not like the lack of twist and may feel strange sitting so "wide" like when you are bareback. I like it because that is how I learned to ride!
Quality: Very nicely made of soft leather and supple suede. The stitching is tight and the overall construction is excellent.
Summary: If you like bareback riding and close contact with your horse, but need or want the security of a saddle this is the last saddle in which you will ever ride. You and your horse will feel less fatigued after a long ride and you will wonder how you EVER found that old western saddle "comfortable." I LOVE my Trekker Talent.
Rating: 5
Author: Virginia Gusto
Date: 0000-00-00
Usefulness Rating: 3.34091 out of 5.
44 reader(s) voted.
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