the price sure has gone up on the corrector. I got a couple of them awile back when they were $160 for just the plain pad without envelope pad or shims. I see a price there now of $210 for pad and shims.
But I like them. With some adjustment if needed they spread out the weight of the ends of the tree bars. If a saddle has too much sway for a strait backed horse the shims are needed. But I figgered I could make them if needed. I'd just make a special pad with gaps in the middle.
It makes sense to have something there that has enough stiffness to support the saddle yet flexible enough to follow the movements of the horse. Before using them there were dry spots beside the withers where the pressure of the bars was too much, (cheap western saddle on a mustang) adding the corrector eliminated them.

If It'll make a cheaper and less than perfect fitting saddle fit as good or better than an orthoflex, and do it without adding to the hight any more than a normal pad, I think it's well worth the price.

I just wanted to throw in my 2-cents and recommend a Stonewall saddle if one is looking for a McClellan type saddle.

www.stonewallsaddles.com

They are not cheap, but not outrageously expensive (About $1400). But the value comes from the fact that they will custom fit the tree to your horse. They do it two ways--either you do the old fashioned "line tracings" or you can have them send you the Card System and get the fit that way. The card system rental only costs $50. Once they have that information, they select a tree from their stock that meets those specifications and modify it if necessary.

The saddle is really nice quality, comfortable, and looks sharp. The panels are lined with conformal (memory) foam and fleece, and the seat is shock foam. They are built for endurance riding, so you know that fit and comfort is a high priority.

The adjustable rigging is also a great feature.

I love my Stonewall and it fits my horse like a glove. I have their felt saddle pad, but it also works great with a Yancey pad (for a more traditional paso fino look) and I like my Skito stonewall pad for trail riding.

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--Kali Teufel
and
Nena de la Esperanza
Portland, OR
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v191/kteufel/nena/

I just got a Kuda Junior saddle and I love it. They were wonderful to work with and answered all my questions.

After going through MULTIPLE saddles, I finally got a Bob Marshall 4-5 years ago...and never looked back. I sold all of my saddles except one (Wintec western, as an "extra"), and bought a second BM saddle for demos, shows, and parades.

They are the ONLY type of saddle that has never let me, or my horses, down.

I also only use the ContourPedic saddle pads. They are AWESOME.

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White horse good. Mmmmm. Me like white.

I totally LOVE my merino sheepskin "seatsaver". It makes a huge difference on a long ride. Mine is the western with the longer sides but not the really long western. They make a really long one and a medium long one. The synthetic are useless by the way. Get the real thing and be sure you get the industrial type velcro attachments as well as the ties because if it comes loose you have a MAJOR problem. Ask Steph Dunkin sp? about that story.

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One can disagree without being disagreeable

Riding a paso fino is like being strapped to a bullet you can guide with your mind

I received my CTK saddle from Sycamore Creek late last week. I went for a ride and loved the comfort and fit. After the ride, I removed the pad and re-strapped the saddle to carefully check out the fit to Cohete's back. I noted that the tree touches evenly all the way around and that it does not contact his spine anywhere. The gullet leaves about three fingers space above his withers.

I videotaped it and here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTmLmrTgM4s

What do you all think? Good fit? I know the seat looks big but that is because I am relatively big. Cohete is 14h, the saddle seat is 17". This saddle is completely hand-made out of high-quality leather for only $625.

Beauty's saddle did not fit as well, but Tony has been wonderful about the return and guarantee policy. We are going to try again to get a proper fit for her.

My biggest problem with Tony has been the incredible selection. I'm getting ready to order today and finally settled on a hornless trail saddle, but looked hard at the one you selected. Add in color and seat size and I'm totally baffled. Tony has been great though and answered loads of questions. Today he is sending me out to remeasure to make sure that my measurements are correct.

Nancy Creel

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Nancy from Montana

Make sure you do the "parallel hands" test too. The Columbian saddles do tend to run a little narrow. Tony is very patient and helpful so ask him any questions. Take good photos too of your horse, especially the ones from front and back. The CTK people look them over carefully when picking your tree. For the price I don't think anyone else can touch Sycamore Creek for quality and customer service.

I haven't been online in a while.

My Wintec is the all purpose. I'm not planning on showing, so no worries. So far, it has fit Lio quite well. I like the interchangeable gullet because I also have QH's and they are much wider than Lio. I would have had to buy a new saddle to be able ride him, but with hubby still in school, my saddle buying days will have to be post-poned.

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Valorie Johnson

He usually knows when you're happy,
He usually knows when you're sad...
And he always knows when you have carrots.
-- Unknown