I Can Haz Ansurz?

[Roan]

Okay, thanks to a wonderful person on this here CoTH, I now have a used Ansur saddle on trial for a couple of weeks. Just came today and I'm going to blog how it goes for my own reference, as well as for the amusement of anyone else who wants to follow the story of how a lowly dressage newbie either learns to sink or swim -- er. . . ride or fall off :D

Hah! Gonna watch the Ansur video and try it out in the morning.

Eileen

[Ajierene]

My friend has used those for years!

I love riding her horses in them and her horses go so much better in them than when she used saddles with trees. Yeah...she likes riding her horses in them also...

The only suggestion she was making (after having ansur saddles for at least 5 years) is to use the wither pad, especially for the fatter horses. She has found that without them, the saddle sits on their whithers to much.

This is what I am talking about, in case you aren't sure:
http://ansursaddle.com/store/index.php?searchStr=wither+bad&act=viewCat&x=0&y=0

[Roan]

Nod, Ajierene, I'll have to see how it fits in the morning when I try it on my mare. She might not need anything 'cause she's a Lipizzaner that has a bit more wither than most of them do.

It's the "classic" model, so there's no twist to speak of. Just looking at the seat makes my hips hurt, but I *have* been riding a haffie bareback lately. Just have to see how it goes ;)

Eileen

[SisterToSoreFoot]

I'm trying out an Ansur tonight as well...I ride with a bareback pad often and my horse goes so much better than in a saddle. I'm hoping this saddle might really be the "ansur" I can do most dressage movements I need to bareback...but the lengthened trot is a killer!

[Ambrey]

Ooh, how exciting :) Hope it works for you!

I admit that the narrower twist of the Schleese feels a lot better than the super wide Duett, but since you're already used to the Duett who needs a twist? LOL!

[Here Comes Luther]

My trainer has one, and I loove it. But I'm a poor college student and it is far, far out of my budget. I have a perfectly suitable Wintec for now. And I'm sure you know this, but use a mounting block :)

[Roan]

My trainer has one, and I loove it. But I'm a poor college student and it is far, far out of my budget. I have a perfectly suitable Wintec for now. And I'm sure you know this, but use a mounting block :)

Hah! I wouldn't not use one even with a treed saddle. I ain't the svelte thing I was when I was 20ish :D

Gotta love that little video. They even included some bloopers on the end that were pretty cute. One was a heavy woman saying, "I'm X tall and X pounds and use the Small size Ansur". Then beside her is a skinny thing that states her height and weight and that she uses the Petite size. Heavy looks at her laughs and it sounds like she says, "bitch"

Too funny :D

Eileen

[Roan]

Ansur Trial, Day 1

Funny looking thing it is :D

My First Impressions: looks WIDE on my mare and I'll probably have to turn my leather buckles to the bottom. OMG the billets are loooooooooooooong

Saddled up the girl. Set saddle three fingers back from the point of the shoulder as per video and literature. Fits pretty darn good.

I didn't turn my leathers. Wanted to try without doing that because my buckles are flat.

Okay, so then I got on via mounting block. Huh. Feels WEIRD -- but I don't know how to describe it. Started walking and immediately I noticed that I was sitting PROPERLY. My feet were UNDER me automatically and I was on my seat bones. I didn't have to consciously adjust anything or fight gravity. Couldn't feel leather buckles at all.

I tightened my lower back, my pelvis dropped and my mare dropped her head and stretched into the bit. WOW -- I mean *immediately*. Usually it takes us at least a circuit of the ring before she will respond to me.

Okay, so overall impression so I don't bore everyone to death:

1. I could feel EVERYTHING she was doing and she could feel me
2. I had no balance issues whatsoever. In fact, my balance was FAR better in this Ansur than in the other two saddles I have been using -- Duett and Ortho Flex
3. Yep, I am SORE. But the reason for that is because I was using aids more effectively, and therefore using them more and getting a better response from my girl

So, my Day 1 impressions are extremely positive. I spoke to my trainer later on and told her how it felt and we both agree that she needs to see me ride in it. I think she will be pleased :D

Eileen

[Ambrey]

Awesome! I totally know how you feel about fighting gravity and a saddle with good balance. It's an amazing feeling!

Sounds like she was more comfortable too!

[Roan]

She was definitely more comfortable and was more into working with me than letting her brain wander all over.

Oh, and when I removed the saddle I was very happy with the sweat marks on my pad. Very uniform with no dry spots.

I do think I may have to get the dorsal supplement pad. She is round, but has a bit of a dip in the whithers. I'm going to buy a new pad or use one that is newer and really get a good idea of the sweat pattern at the front. It didn't seem to be putting pressure at the front, but I want to be careful with that.

Eileen

[Melissa.Hare.Jones]

Glad it's working out for you! You pretty much described my initial experience with an Ansur and one of my TB geldings. He was a horse who always took at least 20 minutes to loosen over the back, and the first five minutes in the Classic felt like the end of a very good ride!

I use the Fleeceworks half pad with memory foam in the forward pockets on both of my TBs and they are very comfortable with that arrangement. Never tried the Ansur pads because I thought they were overpriced.

[Roan]

Melissa,

Oodles of thankees to you, btw, for putting your student with the Ansur for sale in touch with me :yes:

You're correct in that it felt like the end of a good ride after 5 mins. I could not believe how well it helped me to "listen" to her body and the improvement in my timing was tenfold.

I was also impressed with how secure I felt. It didn't feel like a "non saddle" at all, but just different in the seat area.

Wish I could explain better how it felt :D

Eileen

[Roan]

Oh, before I forget . . . up above I said that the Ansur "looks WIDE on my mare". I did not mean that the saddle looked too wide for my horse, but that the seat area looked wide. My Duett is a medium twist and the Ansur looked way wider than that, but once you sit on it and it molds to the horse and you, it's only as wide as your horse is. In fact, I found the "twist" to be mid-way between my trainer's narrow Ortho Flex and the medium Duett, which wasn't uncomfortable for me at all.

Eileen

[SapeloApp]

LOVE my Ansur! Horses LOVE my Ansur! What I have found is that I make my own saddle pads, designed specifically with NO center seam AND to be about the weight of light schooling pads since I want to feel my horse, not a wad of padding.

For those of you who sew and may be interested, I cut set-in darts on each side of each set of fabric/padding/fabric, lined up horizontally and staggered just below where the flap emerges. The lining side dart is about 1 inch above the padding dart (which is cut out and zig-zagged together), and the top fabric dart is about 1-inch lower than that. I use a variety of cutesy fabrics, like one pad has wild-colored chickens all over it, and the horse-side has fried eggs.

Since I ride in the "medium" (big butt) Ansur, I also find the commercially available pads not quite large enough to fit. By making my own I can have the the size I want. AND they are totally washable and dryer-able.

I am working on some sort of presentation on how I make these pads, so if anyone is interested in further information, feel free to PM me. (I just REALLY hate the center wads of seams on the commercial pads! HATE them!)

Candace

[SisterToSoreFoot]

I tried the ansur and was very impressed...my 19 year old TB often gives me problems when I ask him to stretch down...he willingly worked on the buckle, collected up when I picked up the reins, and did a beutiful canter-walk just from my body. I felt far back on his back and I did bounce at the sitting trot, but bouncing did not seem to bother him like it does in my Kiefer. I need to buy one of these saddles.

P.S. I used a custom made "skito" pad under the ansur and it worked great.

[Ajierene]

Yep - your first impressions were the same 'wow' as my friend's. I love it to - I describe it as a bareback saddle.... I have the feel of riding bareback but the seat and ability to sit correctly that I have in a saddle. If I had the money, I would get one for my mare....if I had the money....

[Roan]

I've been looking about and it seems that secondhand Classics in great condition go for about 1200-1500$ -- pretty darn good, IMO, since they are 2500$ new. A new Duett runs about the same as the used Ansur.

As for pads -- I really need a couple of new ones as the ones I have aren't really long enough. They're standard sizes, so I dunno what gives.

I really like the swallowtails that DressageExtensions carries.

Eileen

[Ambrey]

As for pads -- I really need a couple of new ones as the ones I have aren't really long enough. They're standard sizes, so I dunno what gives.


A wider horse needs a longer pad to get the same drop. I ended up with some nice ones from MWS.

http://stores.ebay.com/mwsaddleryinc_For-Your-Horses_Saddle-Pads_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ6356532QQftidZ2QQtZkm

The ones I got from Dover had like a 21" drop, the extra 2" did the trick for me.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Um, I've gone out on trails in my Ansur. And I am by no means gifted!

[Roan]

A wider horse needs a longer pad to get the same drop. I ended up with some nice ones from MWS.

http://stores.ebay.com/mwsaddleryinc_For-Your-Horses_Saddle-Pads_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ6356532QQftidZ2QQtZkm

The ones I got from Dover had like a 21" drop, the extra 2" did the trick for me.

It's actually the length that's too short, not the drop. She has a longish back and regular pads just look funny on her.

Eileen

[Roan]

Um, I've gone out on trails in my Ansur. And I am by no means gifted!

Hah! Be that as it may, but I bet a dozen Timbits that you have better balance than I do :D

Eileen

[Ambrey]

It's actually the length that's too short, not the drop. She has a longish back and regular pads just look funny on her.

Eileen

OHHH.

Well, also, some of us need... ahem, slightly longer saddles than others ;)

I just buy pads with measurements, because you really never know what you're going to get. My guy being so big, he needs a big pad to not look like he's wearing a kiddie saddle.

[Daatje]

After two years of saddle trouble on my wide shoulder, no wither mare, I finally found a used Ansur Chic I could afford! :) We LOFF it. :)

Here's a pic or two of us riding in it last Saturday:
http://www.freewebs.com/daatje2008/IMG_0952sm.JPG
http://www.freewebs.com/daatje2008/IMG_0954sm.JPG
http://www.freewebs.com/daatje2008/IMG_0956sm.JPG

I couldn't be happier to have it!

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

We have the Careleton. And I will say when I ride on someone's horse using their regular (treed) saddle, I feel like I'm "deaf" because I can't feel the horse's back. In a way, it's like cheating? Because it is so much easier to feel their hind end and where they stand when they halt and how their back is moving.

Of course, on the trails that means you have that split second advance warning if the hind end is about to come up unexpectedly...

[JeanM]

I have an '01 model Classic. I've used it on many horses, never had one complain & I think most even went better than usual in it. I love it for flatwork, trails and jumping.

However, yesterday for the first time ever, I found bone-dry spots on either side of the spine where the pressure from the stirrups would be. :eek: I rode in the ring for ~ 40 minutes, did a little trail ride, and talked to a neighbor for ~15 minutes. I'm perturbed. Ansur used to have a forum, but it seems they've dispensed with it. Too bad, as I probably would've found an answer to why this suddenly has happened. I only recently got "serious" about dressage work with my mare & spending more time on ringwork; the only other new thing since the many other horses I've used the saddle on is that I started using a Limpet pad with my Ansur. Hmm. What think, experts?

[Roan]

Ansur Trial, Day 2

Went to Dover and bought a 22" Thorowgood girth 'cause my 26" is just too long. Hubby also bought bought me a pair of those nifty MDC Ultimate Stirrup Irons, in black. My old ones were crapola and I couldn't even run them up in the new leathers I bought a couple of months ago.

'Nuff o'that!

Got to barn, saddled girl and off I went. Still impressed with saddle. Trainer was outside and just finishing up a lesson, so she told me to 'get to work'. She watched for a bit, said I looked really good in the saddle and if I liked it then BUY IT. Yay! THAT was what I really needed to hear 'cause even though a saddle might feel good, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are sitting correctly in it. Yay!

It is REALLY helping me to correct the tense lower back problem I have because Fionna will respond immediately if I relax it. She didn't react as quickly with the treed saddles.

Happy with sweat pattern, but I noticed some hair "ruffling" on the top of the withers. I don't think it's rubbing or putting pressure, though. What do you guys think?

Eileen

[Roan]

OHHH.

Well, also, some of us need... ahem, slightly longer saddles than others ;)

I just buy pads with measurements, because you really never know what you're going to get. My guy being so big, he needs a big pad to not look like he's wearing a kiddie saddle.

Well, I took a tape out to the barn and that bloody dressage pad I have is only 22" long!!!!! No WONDER it looked so short on her and it barely clears the saddle. A standard dressage is 25-26" long. So, you're right -- measure!

I'm gonna order a new pad -- probably the black swallowtail from Dressage Extensions. If I buy this saddle, and it looks like I am, I'm going to trade my Cloud 9 to my Trainer for some lessons. We have quite the barter system going now, her and I :D

Eileen

[Melissa.Hare.Jones]

I have an '01 model Classic. I've used it on many horses, never had one complain & I think most even went better than usual in it. I love it for flatwork, trails and jumping.

However, yesterday for the first time ever, I found bone-dry spots on either side of the spine where the pressure from the stirrups would be. :eek: I rode in the ring for ~ 40 minutes, did a little trail ride, and talked to a neighbor for ~15 minutes. I'm perturbed. Ansur used to have a forum, but it seems they've dispensed with it. Too bad, as I probably would've found an answer to why this suddenly has happened. I only recently got "serious" about dressage work with my mare & spending more time on ringwork; the only other new thing since the many other horses I've used the saddle on is that I started using a Limpet pad with my Ansur. Hmm. What think, experts?

If you use leathers with the buckles in the "normal" position under the thigh... perhaps the padding in that area has become compressed and is not absorbing well any more. Try changing the position of the leathers so the buckles are close to the stirrup. (You can use a little electrical tape to secure the strap end.)

[Melissa.Hare.Jones]

Ansur Trial, Day 2

I noticed some hair "ruffling" on the top of the withers. I don't think it's rubbing or putting pressure, though. What do you guys think?

Eileen

There's nothing but fur and skin between the top of the dorsal processes (withers) and whatever sits on top of them. If your saddle pad has a center seam, as most do, the "ruffles" are probably from friction. I automatically used a sheepskin pad because my guys all have withers. I'd recommend the same for your mare (or some other pad - Cashel, Skito, etc. that doesn't have a seam and does provide a bit more cushion).

[Roan]

There's nothing but fur and skin between the top of the dorsal processes (withers) and whatever sits on top of them. If your saddle pad has a center seam, as most do, the "ruffles" are probably from friction. I automatically used a sheepskin pad because my guys all have withers. I'd recommend the same for your mare (or some other pad - Cashel, Skito, etc. that doesn't have a seam and does provide a bit more cushion).

I REALLY wish the Cloud Nine wasn't a foamy wonder or I would just use that :D

I went around the web looking at Cashel, Skito and others -- and there are so many types that I'm getting confuzzled! What do you think of this one:

http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=25631

Or perhaps you could throw me a link to one that you use? I think I just need to see an example.

What about the Ansur dorsal pad? Have you ever seen/tried one? It looks like it gives some clearance to the withers.

Thanks for all your help, Melissa!

Eileen

[Roan]

Small Addendum to Ansur Trial, Day 2

I HURT!!!! All the body parts that hurt in the treed saddle when I worked hard on using my core now hurt in the treeless without trying. You don't think about this and that -- raising the pelvis, relaxing and tightening this muscle and that muscle -- you just DO it because . . . you just do. Automatically. No thought involved. Just pain when yer done :D

This is good pain, though. This is the pain I need to feel to get that "seat" I so desperately want.

Right? Sigh. My poor back! ADVIL!

Eileen

[Ambrey]

I guess I can't really commiserate, since all I did was toodle around the barn for 15 minutes in a regular old saddle. But I need advil too!

Actually, there is a good reason :) I figured out what's happening with my leg position (super tight muscle at the front of my hip/pelvis) and walked around making a friend re-set my leg every round ;) Unfortunately, she also made me keep my heels down until my toes went numb.

So you do your pretty riding in your ansur and be sore, I'll do my ugly riding in my wintec and be sore, and we'll both get somewhere someday!

[Roan]

I guess I can't really commiserate, since all I did was toodle around the barn for 15 minutes in a regular old saddle. But I need advil too!

Ambrey . . . that's all I was doing was toodling around!!!! I rode for what. . . 20 mins? . . . mostly walking and a few circuits trotting both ways for trainer to see me in the saddle, then I walked around outside with her to get some air and relaxation. That's it!

And don't forget you are coming back from a nasty injury, girl!

If I did that toodling around in a regular saddle I'd be a wee, wee tad sore, but in this treeless OMG it felt like I had been trotting for an hour. I think that, because it is treeless, your body automatically makes the "corrections" it needs to keep in balance with your horse. In treed saddle you have to consciously work the core to do stuff because the saddle keeps you balanced and you don't have to make balance adjustments.

At least, that's how it seems to me? Maybe another Ansur rider can shed some light on what I'm thinking here.

All I know is that even with just walking around the arena a few times, when I get off I feel that those muscles have been used.

Dunno!

I doubt I will get anywhere before anyone else, though. My goal is to get the seat, but it's not for me, it's for my girl. She needs me to be perfect and she's such a willing girl and she tries SO hard, I HAVE to work to meet her halfway. It's only fair and I think she knows . . . no, I know she knows . . . that I try hard for her.

Eileen

[Ambrey]

I doubt I will get anywhere before anyone else, though. My goal is to get the seat, but it's not for me, it's for my girl. She needs me to be perfect and she's such a willing girl and she tries SO hard, I HAVE to work to meet her halfway. It's only fair and I think she knows . . . no, I know she knows . . . that I try hard for her.

Eileen

Yep, me too. My big guy wants to be ridden every day, and I'm still not strong enough to manage his antics. So I must persevere so he can have his human back.

I also need to build up my stamina- today I was so exhausted after tacking up and riding 15 minutes that I couldn't give Smokey a bath like I planned. Bleh.

[Roan]

Yep, me too. My big guy wants to be ridden every day, and I'm still not strong enough to manage his antics. So I must persevere so he can have his human back.

I also need to build up my stamina- today I was so exhausted after tacking up and riding 15 minutes that I couldn't give Smokey a bath like I planned. Bleh.

Just keep at it and it will come back to you. Sometimes I'm so tired when I'm done I just want to crawl into a hole and die.

Trainer is a sadist, too! She firmly believes that the more tired you are, the more your body will give and learn. She's right, too, but that doesn't make it a pleasant experience :D

Just keep fighting the good fight, Ambrey. Think of how happy Smokey will be once you are fit and with him!

Eileen

[Ambrey]

Just keep fighting the good fight, Ambrey. Think of how happy Smokey will be once you are fit and with him!


:)

My trainer has been pretty good to me. I am sure he will get more sadistic as time goes on :)

My physical therapist, on the other hand, hurts me :( He's a bad, bad man.

[MidlifeCrisis]

My physical therapist, on the other hand, hurts me :( He's a bad, bad man.

What's the difference between a physical therapist and a terrorist?





You can negotiate with a terrorist:D

[Ambrey]

You can negotiate with a terrorist:D

And if you get lucky, you will have a quick painless death rather than a slow, painful death by theraband constriction.

[Roan]

Hah! You two crack me up :D

I've been wanting to make a t-shirt, and I probably will, that says:

One case of Advil - $351
Two cases of Ben Gay - $300
One month of weekly chiropractic adjustments - $600

Dressage training at X X Farm, PRICELESS!


Eileen

[Melissa.Hare.Jones]

This is the pad I use, with memory foam inserts at front.

http://www.bobmicklers.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=FWXK-6BRG!FLE

You're correct - you're simply using muscles you haven't needed before. They'll catch up. :winkgrin:

[Roan]

This is the pad I use, with memory foam inserts at front.

http://www.bobmicklers.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=FWXK-6BRG!FLE
Awesome! That's exactly what I needed to see and it's the same one I was asking about.

You're correct - you're simply using muscles you haven't needed before. They'll catch up. :winkgrin:*groan*

:lol:

Eileen

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Roan - the first time I went outside in an Ansur, I tried to walk a straight line and COULD NOT. Which told me how bad my balance was, how crooked I was, and how I depended on a saddle that "put" me in a place to keep me straight. Not fair to my horse, eh?

So as crooked and unbalanced as I may be now, I'm far, far better thanks to the treeless!

[Roan]

Roan - the first time I went outside in an Ansur, I tried to walk a straight line and COULD NOT. Which told me how bad my balance was, how crooked I was, and how I depended on a saddle that "put" me in a place to keep me straight. Not fair to my horse, eh? Exactly!

So as crooked and unbalanced as I may be now, I'm far, far better thanks to the treeless!I do find it very enlightening that your core can get such a workout in something as intangible as this saddle, and with little conscious effort.

Gotta talk Trainer into getting on the mare and trying it :D

Eileen

[Ambrey]

Roan, mattes pads are on TOTD today. Not sure if they have the one with the inserts, but thought I'd let you know :)

(yes, I know, I'm a shopping addict. But... I haven't bought anything in WEEKS!)

http://www.tackoftheday.com/extra/default.aspx

[Roan]

All gone :D

'Tis okay. I think Mattes are overpriced, even on sale, and the Fleeceworks are just as good.

BUT. . . I have installed their nifty little TOTD popup so that I'm alerted at noon during the week and can see what they have.

You never know :D

Eileen

[JeanM]

I just checked the link, and it looks like this gal who makes saddle pads especially for Ansurs is still in business (geez, I ordered mine 9-10 years ago!!)
http://www.nsmouw.hostned.com/saddlepads.htm

I am thinking my dry spot problem might have been the expensive Limpet pad I recently got to use with the Ansur (and my sidesaddle, talk about going from one extreme to another!). I'll try just a regular saddle pad (actually, the one I bought from the above, ages ago!) and see what happens next time. But, interesting idea re: stirrup leather buckles ... that would be another alternative for still using the Limpet. I need to play with ideas and think outside of the box a bit more.

[Ajierene]

Roan - my friend has the whither pad and uses it to keep the saddle off the whither. It works great. I looked it up, and it is expensive! I am sure there are other options out there.

[Roan]

I just checked the link, and it looks like this gal who makes saddle pads especially for Ansurs is still in business (geez, I ordered mine 9-10 years ago!!)
http://www.nsmouw.hostned.com/saddlepads.htm

I am thinking my dry spot problem might have been the expensive Limpet pad I recently got to use with the Ansur (and my sidesaddle, talk about going from one extreme to another!). I'll try just a regular saddle pad (actually, the one I bought from the above, ages ago!) and see what happens next time. But, interesting idea re: stirrup leather buckles ... that would be another alternative for still using the Limpet. I need to play with ideas and think outside of the box a bit more.
OOoooo awesome! Danke, JeanM. Inexpensive, too. I wonder if she can make me a swallowtail -- gonna email and ask her.

Thanks!
Eileen

[Roan]

Roan - my friend has the whither pad and uses it to keep the saddle off the whither. It works great. I looked it up, and it is expensive! I am sure there are other options out there.

Nod, but it's cheaper than buying a Mattes and some Fleeceworks and probably not as hot. Sheepskin is cool, yah, but it's still going to add bulk and heat in 100* weather.

I also can't see dumping money into something that may possibly be temporary. She's going to fill in around the withers with work and I've only been working her lightly . . .

Eileen

[AliBus]

How's the Ansur treating you? I rode in a friend's last week, and I now have a used one coming on trial....I would love to hear more from you!

[SisterToSoreFoot]

I'm not the original poster, but I tried the ansur at the same time. Loved it. It was a little tough getting used to it because I felt farther back and lower since there's less between me and the horse. BUT, I felt like he worked much freer over his back and I liked feeling "around" my horse. My horse is 16.2 and I'm 5'3 and a bit stumpy legged so having more leg dropped down feels great. I too am expecting my very own ebay ansur this week...

[Roan]

Ansur Trial, Day 3, 4, 5 & Conclusion

My apologies . . . I totally forgot about this thread.

Day 3

In an attempt to save money, I tried out my Cloud 9 pad with the Ansur. For those that don't know what it is: it's a custom pad made locally -- TO DIE FOR! -- hard to get and cost $160. Can you see why I wanted to try it? :winkgrin:

Synopsis: too thick. No feeling and I felt like my legs had gotten shorter. She started acting like a bonehead, too. I ended up dismounting, pulling the darn thing off, and throwing my dressage pad on her. Once I did, her attitude changed completely and she started listening better. Going to trade my Cloud 9 with Trainer for some lessons or girl tune-ups.

Still very impressed with saddle -- sans big poofy memory foam pad.

Day 4

Bit the bullet and went to Dover and bought a Fleeceworks pad, same as what Melissa uses. Works great, however I still think there is not quite enough wither clearance. Went to the Ansur site and ordered two wither shims for ~$17. They should lift the saddle up just enough to be safe while she builds muscle and didn't cost very much.

In reference to SisterToSoreFoot's post: Exactly. One thing I noticed that I forgot to mention is that because of how the Ansur sits on the horse, you have a LOT more leg available. You are down, right on the horse's back, and in my case I had at least 4" more leg I could apply. I'm short, too (5' 4") and I've short, stubby legs. The mare is wide barreled and 15.3hh, so I need all the leg I can get. When I had the poofy pad on her everything was lifted up and I could tell I had less leg available. Did not feel as good, that's for sure.

Day 5

Today was the day that decided everything. Fionna, my mare, is a spookmonster and if I don't have her brain in sync with me or my brain in sync with her, she can and will find things to jump sideways at -- just to get my attention. Since my balance isn't all that great and I don't have my seat yet, this has been something I've been worried about with the Ansur. I haven't fallen off her yet -- come close a couple of times! -- and I don't want to come off her because of a saddle change.

So, normally I longe Fionna for about 10 - 15 minutes before I ride her in order to get her focused and working with me. If I do this, the chances of her spooking are negligible. Today I was rushed and did not longe her. So there I am in a posting trot going to the right -- her favorite time to spook and she times it perfectly so I'm on the rising part of posting -- and Fionna gives a snort and LEAPS to the right.

HAH! I barely moved! My weight shifted a bit, but the saddle did NOT slip at all! I was able to keep my leg on her and I got her pushed forward the minute her feet touched the ground. That was the FIRST time I have ever been able to get her back on the aids immediately following a spook and it blew her away. I could tell by the way she was moving that I took her totally by surprise. Muhahahah!

So, no worries for me about the Ansur getting me dumped from a spook. I now believe I'm more likely to get dumped when not in the Ansur than when I am.

Conclusion

Just sent the payment for the saddle via PayPal. Signed, sealed and delivered!

MINE! Happy happy me!

And again, thank you Melissa for putting Carol in touch with me!

Eileen

[Ambrey]

I am so glad it worked for you! Having a saddle that fits makes such a huge difference in your balance and seat!

Today I took Smokey on the trails (first trail ride since my accident, lol, bit of nail biting!) in my big Aussie saddle. I spent the entire time wishing I was in my Schleese, since I think I feel even more secure in it!

[Roan]

I am so glad it worked for you! Having a saddle that fits makes such a huge difference in your balance and seat!Agreed! Oh, and I failed to mention that I found it fit my long femur fabulously! That alone was a huge improvement. The saddle also has removable small? thigh blocks that I will most likely be taking off. There's enough padding in the flap for me, I think, that I don't need them.

Today I took Smokey on the trails (first trail ride since my accident, lol, bit of nail biting!) in my big Aussie saddle. I spent the entire time wishing I was in my Schleese, since I think I feel even more secure in it!I'm wondering if I'll have the same reaction as you did. I'd like to take Fionna out in the fields and had asked Trainer if I could use the western saddle I saw in one of her tack rooms (this woman has more saddles than Kellogg's has Corn Flakes -- I swear!) for this, but I'm starting to think that I may just feel better using the Ansur.

Heh, one thing I did do is add an "Oh, shyte" strap to the front dees of the Ansur. Trainer laughed when she saw it and said, "you do NOT need that, Eileen.". Made me feel good that she thinks that, but I'm leaving it on for now :D

Eileen

[Ambrey]

I'll be honest, the strap never did much good for me, LOL! The times I came off, he had a spook big enough to have me half-on from the start, and it was a matter of recovery. I was never able to find the strap when I needed it!

If she's had big spooks and you haven't come off, I think you're good! Smokey had a couple of decent ones today and I was fine- but my trainer (from here on out known as "the miracle worker") seems to have eliminated the bolts and bucks that came along with the spooks. Funny how much easier they are to handle now!

[Rt66Kix]

I've had my Ansur Chic for a little over 2 years. It has made a HUGE difference in my riding. When I went to Europe last year for a riding vacation, it went along with me. The Dutch and French riders were fascinated with it. It fit everything from a Gypsy Vanner to a Norman Cob to a Suisse Montagne to a French Trotter. I felt secure and comfortable in it.

This last season I foxhunted for the first time. And yes, I rode in my Ansur! We actually ended up jumping some trees that had fallen across the paths, and even without any jumping lessons, I managed to stay in the middle of the movement. Didn't slam Buddy in the mouth or on his back.

Love it love it love it! I dragged it along to Delaware 2 weeks ago for a visit with my friend, and it worked out great on her rotund QH. It's well-traveled. :)

Equine Couture makes great pads that work well under them, and will even make custom pads if you send your own fabric. They are machine wash and dry as well.

[seabreeze]

I used to have an Ansur and then decided to go to a treed dressage saddle because I needed a saddle to 'educate' me about the dressage seat (former hunt seat rider...no clue about the dressage seat...very easy to just ride like I used to in the Ansur).

After a few treed dressage saddles, including the latest Duett that really fits my horse well...I'm going back to an Ansur. Just ordered it Friday. With the treed saddles, I just can't seem to get it *right*. I have chronic back problems that have turned into serious back pain, and I really think the treed saddles are part of the problem...dunno...we'll find out soon. Also, my horse simply is not as comfortable. He's been girthy and resistant (and I've been careful to use a master saddlefitter), and I just don't see the sense in fighting it. He was brought along in the Ansur, so it stands to reason that he resents the treed saddles.

Also, I feel so insecure in the treed saddles. In the Ansur, I could ride through all sorts of antics, but I have no confidence when riding in the treed saddles (due in part to knowing that the saddle is going to stab my back during a spook or naughty movement).

Anyway, I've always been a believer in the Ansur for me and my horse, and, after this year-long divergence, will never wander away again.

[Twisting]

I love my Ansur. I chose to get it because I was riding a variety of horses, and I felt nervous about using my trainers fancy saddle. It was her personal saddle and her livelyhood. I would have hated to damage it. I also didn't own a horse and wanted to get a saddle that had a good chance of fitting whatever horse I chose to buy down the road.

I started out using a pad with a built in sheepskin half pad, and shims to fit whatever horse I was on. Now I just use a suber pad and a baby pad. It was pricey, but I love the pad almost as much as I love the saddle. It molds itself to fit (almost) any horses back and the pressure from the saddle settles the cork and locks it in shape. It's cooler than sheepskin or memory foam and wicks sweat away from the horses back. I got the close contact one as it's thinner than the regular one.

[AliBus]

And got one in today on trial -- it was just as dreamy as my friends (that I tried)-- and my beast seemed to like it too! I think I am a convert!

[Merle]

Well, I now realize that I bought the wrong size Ansur. So, if anyone wants to trade me my Petite for a Junior ... I'm all for it. ;) I'm so bummed about it. It's SO comfortable but it's too big for me so it puts me in more of a chair seat. If I scootch forward onto the pommel more then it's better! The sizing chart actually puts me in a Junior - I don't know why on earth I got a Petite.

[SapeloApp]

Sizing chart puts me in a small, but I opted for the medium because I had been riding quite nicely in my coach's small EXCEPT I had to keep working to keep my seat bones in the little seat bone ovals...while just sitting and not readjusting my seat bones teetered on the back of the small's ovals. Got a medium (geez, I LOVE Ansur's sizing! It's the only thing "medium" I own!) and my seat bones sit nicely in the ovals where they belong. It took me awhile to comprehend the sizing based on something other than butt size, or what size I'd take in a tree saddle. ... Lesson last Tuesday my drafter mare shied a wee bit, with one of those 6-feet-down-6-feet-over swoopy deals that leaves your eyeballs at the point of departure until they catch up with the rest of the body. Instructor said, "You have velcro on that saddle seat?" (Obviously not, said I, it is just my incredibly good seat! LOL)

Candace

[Roan]

Sizing chart puts me in a small, but I opted for the medium because I had been riding quite nicely in my coach's small EXCEPT I had to keep working to keep my seat bones in the little seat bone ovals...while just sitting and not readjusting my seat bones teetered on the back of the small's ovals. Got a medium (geez, I LOVE Ansur's sizing! It's the only thing "medium" I own!) and my seat bones sit nicely in the ovals where they belong. It took me awhile to comprehend the sizing based on something other than butt size, or what size I'd take in a tree saddle. ... Lesson last . . .
Candace

I think mine is a medium as well, but I'm not sure. I'll have to check the paperwork that was sent with it. I'm supposed to be in the small size, according to Ansur, but my big butt sticks out back to front, not side to side.

Tuesday my drafter mare shied a wee bit, with one of those 6-feet-down-6-feet-over swoopy deals that leaves your eyeballs at the point of departure until they catch up with the rest of the body. Instructor said, "You have velcro on that saddle seat?" (Obviously not, said I, it is just my incredibly good seat! LOL)

Don't you LOVE that seat? Last night I was trotting around the outside of the outdoor jumping arena and I had no idea that BO's husband was in the bushes putting up some hot wire. SHE sure knew it though! He was right ahead of us and I felt her tense up so I pushed my heels down as far as I could so I'd have a lot of leg. She did a 360*, but the only movement I got was to be thrown forward a bit. SI doesn't do much when the object of fear is dead ahead :D

I feel SO secure in this dang saddle!

Eileen