Our Speed Event Saddle
Our Custom Speed Saddle with Turned Stirrups
The rawhide covered special tree has been designed by Wayne Sandberg with Pole Bending and Barrel Racing as its purpose. We started with a proven barrel horse tree that had bars with a reputation of not making a horse's back sore. We know that horses are all different and a few horses need a tree with special measurements to fit properly. We offer a choice in Gullet height and/or width, plus the angle of the bars may be changed if necessary. We have found in the last few years that the popular blood lines of today, are producing an increasing number of colts that seem to have more prominent shoulders with flatter and wider backs. This can make fitting a tree a little more specialized than with the high withered horses. The custom saddle starts with the tree, because that is where we may need specific measurements for the individual horse.
The swells have leg cuts that are designed to fit the rider when up in speed position and serve as rider support rather than cause bruises. The leg cuts enable the rider to move up into a forward speed position and maintain that position as the horse accelerates out of a high-speed turn. The swells are undercut a bit like a bucking saddle to give more stay-ability when you find yourself aboard a green colt that wants to buck.
The fender is attached with a flat, rotary swivel invented by Sandberg Saddle & Bit. The swivel is located under the riders’ knee, this allows the fender to move in symmetry with and maintain the same angle as the rider’s leg. This harmony of motion of the fender and the riders’ leg reduces excessive foot movement and minimizes the loss of stirrups in a run. The position of the swivel allows the rider to push vigorously out of a turn, with the outside leg. This power push off is imperative if a driving ‘with’ the horse turn is to be a part of the competitive run. This under the knee swivel position also eliminates the problem of fly back. Fly back can cause the rider to fall forward, this can result in the spurring of the horse’s flank area. Important benefits of the swiveled fender are superior rider position and balance at top speed.
The Saddle Rigging is extended beyond full, about an inch in both front and back to accommodate a wide fastening “Y” shaped nylon cinch tie. The wide base not only increases the stability of the saddle it enhances the ride-ability. Eliminating unnecessary “stuff”, under the rider’s leg, allows maximum closeness because of the deep rider’s groove this provides. The “Y” rigging does away with any need for a back cinch, which seems to frequently get in the way of the rider’s active outside leg. Reducing the effectiveness of the outside leg can result in a horse not using good balance and drive out of a turn. The front of the saddle skirting is extended about 4 inches in front of the bars. The breast collar slot placed forward of the bars of the tree will allow the breast collar to lie on the flat of the horse's shoulder and not on the point of shoulder. The 4 inch extension of the front skirt combined with the holding down action of the rear rigging slot eliminates any forward tipping of the saddle.
HOW TO SADDLE A HORSE WITH THE "Y" RIGGING
Position the pad and saddle on the horse.
Start by threading the nylon tie through the cinch ring, then go right back up through the rear rigging slot, then back down through the cinch ring again. Lightly adjust and tighten the nylon tie so the cinch ring is fairly near the final preferred position.
Run the nylon tie up through the front rigging slot of the saddle, then back down through the cinch ring. Now, use the cinch tongue and holes in the nylon tie to adjust and tighten to the desired position and tension.
Any tie left over can be stored out of the way, in either the front or the rear rigging slots.
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Please contact us for information on how to order:
Bruce Sandberg
Sandberg Saddlery
3847 W. Yorkshire Dr.
Glendale, AZ 85308
Phone: 623-640-8144