Trail Saddles Testimonials

Hi Staci and company! I’ve had my saddle almost a month and I love it! It fits my hard to fit horse very well, and it fits me, too. It was easy to ride in right from the first day, but as it breaks in, it is getting even better. I have never had a saddle as comfortable as my dressage saddle until my AMTS. I can put my legs where ever I want them with ease. I can ride in a dressage position or a western position and it doesn’t hurt my knees or hips. As I have gotten older (now 62) my body has a harder time adjusting to a new saddle but the ATMS has been a piece of cake! Really. I would recommend your saddles to anyone, especially older people. The light weight makes a big difference when throwing it up on a horse, and the suede seat and jockeys give me enough security that I don’t slip when my mare does the occasional Arab spook. The picture I’ve attached was taken after the first ride and the saddle had slipped a little forward, but only because the whole thing, including pad needed some time to break in. Now it stays where I put it AND doesn’t slip from side to side like ALL of the other western type saddles I’ve tried on this mare. Thanks!

What a difference my saddle has made in my horse!!! His back swings Ike never before!!! He stands still to be mounted instead of trying to quickly move off. My horse was impossible to fit in any ready made saddles! I took him to local fitter with many western saddles none fit! He is 1/2 Arab 1/2 TWH the dip behind his ample withers and the big shoulder of the TWH made saddle fit very difficult! then add a short back to the problem. All solved! I LOVE my new saddle and so does my horse!!!! Plenary of places to tie things on. I love the girthing system 3 point keeps saddle secure. Very comfortable. I have standard seat padding.quality workmanship. Staci,was awesome to work with. Thank You!

Saddle arrived and it is fabulous! This saddle fits my horse like a glove. I have had horses for over 50 years and many, many, saddles. Some four times the amount of money that this one was. None of them could compare in rider comfort, quality, fitting the horse, craftsmanship, and appearance. Thanks for a great product. I love my Allegany Mountain Trail Saddle :)

Hi Staci- I have had my new saddle for a little over a month now and have had many opportunities to put some miles in it. I want to let you know just how pleased I am with it! It is by far the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden in! I am really glad that I listened to your suggestion to add the Texas Twist to my stirrups. Amazing what a difference that has made in my knee and hip comfort. The fit to my horse is great- no more dry spots after a long ride. Using the Fit to Be Seen Forms is truly an enlightening experience on the importance of good saddle fit-its no wonder I've tried so many saddles. The quality of workmanship is second to none-such attention to detail! Thank you for all the extra little "bling" you added- it is really a ladies saddle. I couldn't be happier- Richell

Hi Staci, You did a wonderful job on my Cascade Wade saddle! I really appreciate the extra time you took in the fitting process. Thanks to your guidance I finally have a saddle that fits both my horse & me. It's hard to believe you did it from the other side of the country without seeing either one of us.This saddle is secure, light, comfortable, beautiful & more than meets everything I asked for. I cannot recommend you & your saddles highly enough.

Alexa Mercedes here. You probably thought I've fallen off the earth since I got my saddle in May and I'm so sorry for not emailing you sooner. I LOVE MY SADDLE!!! I've wanted to email you for so long and just never got to it it seems but it's important that you know. Your saddle is amazingly comfortable and excellent quality. It fits Atlas like a glove. I got a great saddle pad that is rounded at the back as well and it looks great. I've given your site to so many people who admire my saddle! I don't think I'd get another saddle anywhere else after having this one. The fitting process is perfect and it really works for my big boy's back which is so flat you can place 12 plates on there and have a sit-down dinner. LOL! Thanks again Staci and Happy New Year to you for 2013. Alexa (and Atlas)

My purchase of my trail saddle, matching bridle and gear from Staci is one of my most satisfying. Although the final touches were decided together in person much of our discussions were conducted by email given the distance between my horse in NZ and Staci's expertise. My horse is a cob type clyde cross and obtaining good quality well fitting gear for her became a major mission. Together Staci and I 'invented' a solution to what is a perfect fit for horse and rider and the most glamorous saddle ever! I am impressed with Staci's knowledge, ability to think outside the square and endless patience. She listens to the client's desires and needs then combines artistic interpretation with wild ideas and turns it all into beautiful practical saddles. The workmanship on my gear is wonderful - nothing has been sewn just OK; it has been done properly with skill and passion. From the richness of the colour to the precise placement of my many conchos, the saddle demonstrates the experience of the maker with great finess. Riding in this work of art has stopped the pain previously experienced in my spine and knees; it is a breeze to tack up and a joy to behold. I took a punt dealing with an unknown lady somewhere in New York State - ended up going to meet her, ordered my new gear and as a consequence am so delighted with my first purchase I am organising another. Thanks Staci.

Dear Staci, Now that I am a customer and not an owner , I feel compelled to send you my thoughts. About seven yrs ago I started AMTS. I had visions of what I wanted it to become. When we talked a little over a year ago about you "taking the reins", I new that u were the perfect fit to continue what I had started. I had no idea you would take it to the level it has grown too. In a little less than a year you have fine tuned AMTS. Your horsemanship skills and knowledge has shown. Your enthusiasm and customer relations skills shine . I have enjoyed following it all on Facebook which I would have never thought of at all. Keep up the fantastic work! Now to my saddle. Most everyone knows I am a die hard gaited horse guy. When I retired I gave you my order as to what I wanted in my retirement saddle, all I gave you was the tree configurations and some basics. Then I told u to surprise me .....well u did . It is flawless....to say the least. Every time I pic it up to put on my horse I am so proud. You have taken a excellent saddle and made it a SUPERIOR saddle. Keep up the good work thanks again, John Rettig

Can you be in love with a saddle?? Oh, why YES YOU CAN! After researching saddles (4 months!) I finally came across trailridingsaddles.com and was convinced. After looking at the different models I chose the Cascade Wade saddle. Picked out the leather colors, tooling, strings, wraps, amount of skirting, etc... even got the extra back girth with more latigo strings and hoof pick holders. Staci is a doll to work with (and very patient, even if you're extremely fussy and keep changing your mind on colors and suede versus smooth seats!) I love everything about my new saddle, and the best part is knowing that it fits my horse. Prior to building, Staci sent out the Steele fit-to-be-seen forms for me to try on him. This only made me feel more comfortable knowing the saddle wouldn't just be aesthetically pleasing for me, but perfect for my horse's back. How could all horses either be FQHB or SQHB? Having the forms sent out to FIT your horse only makes sense!! The seat is extremely comfortable and secure feeling—yes, even without the suede seat I feel very secure-at every pace. My new Cascade Wade is a hit at the barn, it’s a miracle if I can get it on him and through the gates without being stopped by everyone in sight! But I won’t lie, I like talking about it, how it was custom made for me and my horse, who made it, what kind of leather it is, the Fit-to-be-seen forms and Staci (of course!). To anyone wondering if this is the way to go or the saddle to buy, believe me, it is!! I’m riding in my dream saddle!! Thank you so very much Staci and Allegany Mountain Trail Saddle team!! Your forever customer, Kristin W. (& Dandy!)