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Stonewall Saddle Company

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TESTIMONIALS

What our riders have to say about their Stonewall Saddles:

HOME SADDLES SADDLE FIT SHOP FAQ BLOG ABOUT US TESTIMONIALS

....I have 2 Stonewall saddles and I LOVE THEM. When I first started riding, the woman whose horses I rode had one Stonewall and a bunch of other saddles. I'd always try to get there early enough on riding day that I could grab the Stonewall. In the Stonewall, my position was always centered and easy to maintain. In the other saddles, I felt like I used so much energy getting my feet underneath myself and staying centered. I had a custom Stonewall for the horse I used to ride, and now I have one for my current horse. I also bought a Stonewall from a friend for my other horse. Two of my riding friends also use Stonewalls. They are so comfortable and light-weight. Good luck with the business and please keep the great saddles coming!
Jane Ritter

Hi Jackie,

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner on the seat - I wanted to spend enough time in the saddle to be sure my first impression was correct.

" The seat is perfect .... This is the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden in, and I have owned and tried more saddles than I can count!

Hope you can reproduce the seat shape. I will also want to order one in the new Sport design, eventually.

I'm going to let friends try this one out to promote Stonewall saddles.

Thank you - I LOVE the saddle!

Nadine

Jean,
I have a saddle, made about 1980's for my mother. I had Jackie re-fleece and replace the memory foam last spring. My horse (an 8 year old TWH) is very comfortable in this saddle. She gaits well, racks, and we ride trail (slow walk) as well as limited distance endurance (25-35 miles).
For my comfort I'd prefer a higher cantle (the one I have is fairly flat). I have removed the stirrup fenders and wear half chaps (I am very short...5ft).
My mother loved this saddle and rode trail rides with it for nearly 30 years! It probably has another 30 left in it for me!
Ellen Rosenberg
Any questions, write back.

Hi Jackie

Have been meaning to email you.

The saddle I bought from you fits both my horses like a glove.

At the North Island Champs this year in New Zealand my appyXarab was running second in the 60km ride, we lost it by a nose at the finish but still came away with a 4th place.

The Nationals have just been and my pure bred arab qualified in his first 120km ride with a respectful 8th placing in a very top feild.

Your stonewall was used on both these mounts and I just love it!!!! No sign of soreness or white marks on their backs at all. I am using a supracore saddle blanket with the saddle = so I have this American thing going on LOL.

Just thought I would let you know.

Many thanks and regards

Annette Phillips

Wellington

New Zealand

Hi, Jackie,
I just wanted to drop you a quick note to update you on the Stonewall. I got to take it out last weekend on our first long-distance training ride of 26 miles at speed and it was just great! Sweat marks were all very even, Sunny moved well, showed no soreness post ride and the saddle stayed perfectly in place the entire time! I've got a 50 this weekend and I'm looking forward to putting it to the test there!
And an update:
...we did our 50 this weekend and the saddle worked like a dream! Perfect saddle tracks, no soreness at all, stayed in place the whole time and didn't budge. And it gave me the best seat I have ever had. I love it! :)
Thanks so much!

Kira Everhart-Valentin

Hi Jackie:

I am crazy about my new Stonewall Sport Saddle. I could feel every movement of my horse's back. I loved it - just exactly what I was hoping for = the sensation of bareback, yet with the support for both the horse's back & my seat. Even though I have only ridden in it one time, I can't get over what a great feeling I had whether walking or trotting. Can't wait to try it up & down in the hills later this week.

Well, I am sure I will have more comments, but, wanted to tell you how happy I am with the fit as well as the looks of the saddle (be-a-utiful).

Sincerely,

Mary & CACTUS CANE

Both my Stonewall saddles have done sufficient hours now that I feel I´m in a knowledgeable position to comment on them. We resolved the slight slipping with a sheepskin pad that is extra thick at the front and we know that this only happened due to both Suska and Anni having become more ´lean, mean, resistance machines´. The saddles are balanced perfectly, besides the wonderful fit for both girls and me. I do some serious hours in the saddle (sometimes 8 to 10 at a time) and am always comfortable, be it up hill or down dale - and here in the most mountainous country in Europe it is all that and more! It is so easy to stand in trot and canter without loading the horses shoulders in these saddles. Another plus on this terrain. I have another endurance saddle which was made for my Appaloosa stallion and have always sung it´s praises, but I´m over the moon with these two new babies and desperately looking for ways to justify a new Stonewall saddle for my big spotty boy.

Though made for me (height and butt size), my little 9 year-old step-son also rode Anni out on the trail a couple of times, and he felt perfectly secure in the saddle despite not being able to shorten the stirrups enough for him. Hey, who needs stirrups if you´ve got a perfectly balanced seat!

with warm regards from Tracey at

Espíritu del Viento

The Home of Endurance and The Barefoot Horse

http://www.espiritu-del-viento.com

Life is a Journey - Enjoy the Ride

Hi Jakie

The saddle is arrived on last Monday and I have set it on my horse without a pad to check the fit , I think it fits properly.

Than, on Tuesday and Wednesday, I made a light work with my Adelaide: about 1 hour training in the field and a little trail near home (to see how the saddle is up and down hills). Swet marks were uniform, it’s the first time I find a so uniform swet pattern on my horse’s back! I’ m so happy J !!!

Up and down hills the saddle stayed in his place, just with a breastplate, even with a loose girth and I feel safe and confortable in it.

The saddle looks very confortable for my Adelaide too, but the big test will be after a 1 day trail on mountain to be sure it doesn't make her back sore.

I’ll send you photos soon.

Thank you very much for this beautyful saddle!

Manuela and Adelaide, Italy

Hi Jackie,

Just back from my first ride on Lucita's Stonewall saddle and loved it. Good even sweat marks and dry spine and withers and she seemed very comfortable, so I'm very pleased. The trainer, a die hard peruvian saddle user, gave it a whirl too and liked how close the leg contact was and that Lucita responded well, so he gave it the nod too. Thanks so much!

I'd like to go ahead and get a Stonewall for Aristocrat as well. Do you have anything used that matches her measurements?

Jean Munro

British Columbia, Canada

The saddle arrived in great shape. I just got back from riding in it. Absolutely love it. Jac does too. He moves very freely in it--almost too freely he was so charged up and light! :)

I think the rock is going to be fine. It's probably going to take a few rides for me to tweak the girth and get all the settings just right. Slipped back and forth on the hills a little, but nothing particularily worrisome.

Thanks again for your help.

Valerie

Hi Jackie,

I got my saddle yesterday :) I took my horse out, cleaned her up, and set the saddle on her without a pad to check the fit, it looked perfect, so I took it off and put on a pad and off we went. We went up and down hills, just about 4 miles, and it didn't slip at all. I even gone on and off twice with it staying in place. It is stiff and squeaky, but I feel like it will be perfect after we get it broke in, of course the big test will be after a 50 mile endurance ride or multi day rides to make sure it doesn't make her back sore. I love how light weight it is and I do like the pommel backs. Thank you very much for making Breezy such a nice saddle. Oh yes, it fits me perfect too and it is comfortable. Hope I can be good advertising for you in the future. Happy Trails!

Kellie Holsey

Hi Jackie,
Picked up the saddle on Tuesday from the post office and spent a few hours last evening working conditioning goo into it (a gift from my friend, Jane, who also has a Stonewall and it's all her fault I got into this horsey business in the first place ;).
Cowgirl, the main "target" horse, is currently shoeless so I rode Sophie today. While Cowgirl is a fair sized quarter horse (15-1 and a little beefy), Sophie is a Morgan/Arab with a *very* similar shape where it counts (she's about 14-5 or so), though Sophie has less "shoulders" and little withers compared to Cowgirl. Sophie's custom saddle fits Cowgirl perfectly. Anyway, this saddle fit Sophie beautifully, settled right on her where it should and it *never* shifted forward, which can be a problem with Sophie. After a nice challenging two hour ride (Sophie can be a bit of a "challenge" which is fun, and will make me a better rider, especially when I touch her "buck button" on her butt ;) I discovered the cinch was very, very loose after dismounting. And it STAYED perfect on her. Wonderful. Sweat marks were also perfect.

The fenders are quite a bit longer than the three other Stonewall saddles I've used, but then I'm 4"-8" taller than the owners of those saddles ;) I like the longer fenders, though my very short friend may not be able to get the stirrups short enough (we switch horses sometimes). We'll see how that goes. Being the tall person, it's easy enough for me to switch saddles, too.
And it was comfortable on my butt, too. As I expected ;)
In a nutshell - I'm very, very happy and very, very excited.
I'll get photos soon. Maybe on Sunday when Sophie and I have another go at it ;) The two other women where we trailer for riding gave it lots of admiration. Hmm, maybe I'll saddle up Cowgirl and ride her around in the pasture... (we typically ride on grassy/gravel roads and dirt trails in the local hills).

Best present I've ever given myself.

Thanks again,
lauradel

Georges Chauvin of France

Hi Jackie,

I rode in the new saddle for two long, technical rides on Friday and Saturday and it fits great! Scooter is very comfortable in it and so am I. The sweat pattern is perfectly even and no back tenderness after 5 hours of lots of uphill/downhill. The saddle stayed in place perfectly with just a breastplate. I'm delighted! I also love how lightweight it is!! Thanks so much for making such a wonderful saddle!

Please let me know when the SnugPax Pommel and Cantle gear is available and keep me posted on any new things you design for it.

Mindy and Scooter

Just thought I'd let you know that the saddle fits my boy like a dream.

Cynthis Rogers

Thanks.

Greetings –

I’m a happy user of your product. You made one for my horse about 10 years ago and we both love it.

David Kazanjian

Thanks.

Kathy Norton and Blaze, a ‘Funquest’ Morgan

I've been riding in my old Stonewall for 15 years, now. It's the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden in. It stays put on my horse's back and has never slid or rolled even with a loose girth. Jackie just refurbished my saddle and it looks like new! I'm looking forward to another 15 years in it, at least.

Kathy Norton

Sheri Krueger on Jolie, 2009 Tevis sweep Crew

...I Have a Stonewall, rode over 11000 miles in competition, will say I had it recovered about 15 years ago, rode it several years after . Never had a sore back horse, I bought it in 1984 for 300.00, still have it.
It is the most comfortable saddle I ever rode.
I did the Tevis three times in it.
A saddle maker in Roseville did a copy of it, with a few of his own changes, I bought one, later sold it, wasn't like the original....
Ellen

... I am glad to hear that the Stonewall saddles will still exist! I have had two of them and I love them.....I look forward to hearing good things about Stonewall saddles again!
Pam

I've had pretty much the same experience as a lot of others, treeless worked good for 10 miles or so but on longer rides the horse would get sore. More padding didn't seem to do anything but get me further from the horse. I've been using Stonewalls for going on 30 years now, keep trying to buy a fancier more trendy saddle, but always end up going back to the Stonewall, light weight, lots of rings to tie stuff off with, centered stirrups, secure seat, shock foam between you and the tree and the horse and the tree.
Gary

Please email your comments regarding your Stonewall Saddle for inclusion on this web page. We’d love to show a picture of you and your horse too! Jackie@stonewallsaddles.com

Curtis Merritt and Raven, Ontario Peak CA

Tamara Baysinger and Aaruba, conditioning ride

...I have been riding in my Stonewall since 1986 and absolutely LOVE my saddle. I have probably logged 15,000-20,000 miles in my Stonewall between Competitive Trail Riding, conditioning and just plain for pleasure, and still use it exclusively on almost a daily basis. It has fit just about every horse I have put it on, keeps the rider in a good position, and you never get tired no matter how long or far you ride. I have introduced many friends to Stonewall that were having problems fitting their horse, and they fell in love too.... I was afraid I was going to have to start looking for a new saddle somewhere down the road, and can't imagine finding anything as good. Keep up the good work on a great saddle...IF my Stonewall ever wears out, you will definitely have a repeat customer.

Curtis Merritt, Ontario CA, July 14, 2008.

I have two Stonewall saddles, the first I brought back from the States in 1991 and am still riding Endurance in it today. Always good on horses backs. I ride Heavyweight at 100kg (220lbs) and have no back issues. I have recommended them to Aussie riders over the years and know of seven saddles that have been bought as a result.

A mate and I just completed a 50 mile endurance ride yesterday riding in Stonewall's and another friend came second in the same event riding in a Stonewall.

Anyway cheers and keep up the good work,

Matthew Walker BVSc, Austrailia, July 27, 2008

TRANSLATED from French

It's on '94 Outlaw Trail in Utah than Trilby Pederson talk me about the Stonewall saddle. I have imported one and since 15 years I rode many miles for pleasure, training and endurance rides.

In USA, I rode '95 and '96 Outlaw Trail, '97 the Rocky Mountain, Colorado (all 5 days endurance rides), '99 I attempt the Tevis, each time on a different horse without horse back pain (I am an heavyweight).

The Stonewall is for me (and apparently for horses) a very useful, comfortable and safe saddle. I take care of it...

Georges Chauvin of France, Sept 2008

At left is 9 year old Austin Shaffer and his Arabian gelding Pearl Jam on their way a FIRST PLACE JUNIOR 50 MILE at the 2008 AERC National Championships in Henryville IN.

GO Austin!

Austin was also the recipient of the STONEWALL’S 2008 RISING STAR AWARD for best up and coming junior rider.

April 2010

Hi Jackie,

The saddle arrived in great shape. I just got back from riding in it. Absolutely love it. Jac does too. He moves very freely in it--almost too freely he was so charged up and light! :)

Thanks again for your help.

Valerie

Thanks for the info. We have just become owners of two Stonewall saddles from ebay. Hope to receive them in early December. Sounds like we bought the correct seat size; what remains to be seen is how well they'll fit our horses. One thing that really impressed me about your website was your commitment to owners of your saddles, whether purchased used or new. The fact that you also purchase used Stonewalls also gave me the courage to take a calculated risk on these saddles. Everything I have read about them impresses me, from the construction of the tree to the means of adjusting where the stirrups hang in relation to the rider's leg. I am seeking a comfortable saddle for both me and my horse that offers a truly balanced riding position, as well as the ability to feel the horse under my seat. From what I've read, we've just bought two such saddles. Thank you for producing a well designed, innovative saddle. I'll be in touch with you again once we actually try them on our horses.
Regards,
Susan Kidney

Hi Jackie! Long time no talk, how are you?

I just wanted to let you know our summer finally gave way, and we have finally been able to get in shape for our first 25 of the season last weekend.

We had our fastest time ever, taking 19th place out of 65 finishers. This ride was the most technical ride our area offers, with constant up and down hills, deep sand, and tight trails. Holly got all A's at our hold, and at our final check. She ate well, drank well, and felt fantastic for the entire ride. She was able move out better than ever before, didn't tire towards the end, was relaxed, and seemed very happy. Honestly she was so fresh after we completed that I think she could have gone out on another loop! Possible 50's in our future with the help of our Stonewall? =)
I've found that the Stonewall isn't the most comfortable for slow, walking trail rides, but for long distance, fast paced rides, it can't be beat. We (Holly and I) really love our saddle, and really thank you for all the time and hard work you put into finding our match.

--Denise--

Jackie.
I just took my 'virgin' ride on the refurbished Stonewall.
What can I say except that my young mule and I both thought it was awesome.
It is light, it fits her perfectly, even while 'brush busting' I felt comfy in it.

Look out ... my other saddles ... this will be my absolute favorite from now on.
Siera [Peruvian Paso Molly Mule] and I will be in training for LD rides come spring.

Thank you for putting out such an incredible product that lasts and lasts...

Yours truly,
Val

Hi Jackie,

I just wrote up a great review for you at the website “horse tack review” Previously no Stonewall saddles had been reviewed.

http://www.horsetackreview.com/results-reader-reviews/Barrel%20Saddles

I see that it is not posted yet, but should be soon!

Love the seat – very comfy!

Sarah Kemerling,

Hi Jackie, I have received the saddle last week.I have rode both the girls with it.It works really well on both of them,I REALLY LOVE it!I think I wille ordering another one. Thank you very much, Linda