Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you fit the horse?
We don't need to fit the horse. With Living Bar® patent pending technology morphs to match the horse automatically and in real-time so you can use the saddle on multiple equines. Each saddle ordered comes with a 30 day trial period so that you can verify that claim over multiple rides and miles.
We don't need to fit the horse. With Living Bar® patent pending technology morphs to match the horse automatically and in real-time so you can use the saddle on multiple equines. Each saddle ordered comes with a 30 day trial period so that you can verify that claim over multiple rides and miles.
Q. Does the saddle fit every horse?
Living Bar® Fit Technology will self adjust to fit about 80% of horses, mules and donkeys and a remaining 15% can typically be fit with manual shimming. The only horses we can't fit at the moment are the truly long backed horse, and when droop with sway back becomes excessive.
Living Bar® Fit Technology will self adjust to fit about 80% of horses, mules and donkeys and a remaining 15% can typically be fit with manual shimming. The only horses we can't fit at the moment are the truly long backed horse, and when droop with sway back becomes excessive.
Q. Where are the saddles made?
They are made here in California starting with Carbon Fiber components molded by Benchmark Racing in Hawaiian Gardens. Stan is proud of the quality of the Living Bar® Chassis' and Cantles he makes for us with advanced aerospace techniques.
Q. Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Q. How much does the saddle weigh? About 12-1/2 pounds without stirrups. |
Q. What is the warranty on the saddle?
Our testing shows the Carbon Fiber Chassis is very strong and we warrant it for the life of the saddle. Leather components and strapping do weather and can be replaced as time or discipline dictates, and new style designs become available. Q. How and why does the Stabilized Stirrup System work?
It's easier for the rider to balance when the platform they are standing upon, the stirrup, has reduced swing. That can be achieved by triangulating from a simple pendulum type hanging to hanging stirrups on a sling and retarding the axle from sliding. A stabilized platform will give the rider something to push against in case of sudden stop or spook. A trail rider tries them out for the first time on her forward mare. |
Q. How long are the Living Bars® and will they work on short backed horses?
The Living Bars® are 20" tip to tip. Allowing for bar tips to flair away from the horses back, actual bearing length is about 17" to 18" which works well for shortbacked horses.
Q. What pad should I use with the Living Bar Saddle?
Choose your pad thickness based on equine body type (narrow, average, or well fleshed in the wither area) to adjust for wither clearance. Use a 3/4" (~2 cm) thick pad for an average horse, and thicken the pad for a narrow bodied equine and use less pad for the well fleshed kind. A pad with half inch layer of foam seems to work well for a big population of average horses.
For Heavy weights, wither Clearance will be more robust with a solid padding like wool felt as the dominate material.
Q. What type of cinch can I use? Can I use an English girth?
All types of cinches can be accommodated - options include English billets or western latigos. We are recommending Nicker's Common Sense Cinch line which eliminates typical latigo/billets and becomes integrated into the saddle's rigging system. The advanced SRX Cinch of that line further anchors the saddle by molding the central Heart Shield to the horses sternum reducing any roll.
Q. What length cinch should I get?
An average horse typically needs a 24 to 26” cinch measured tip to tip.
Q. How wide is the stirrup strap?
The standard stirrup strap is 1½” wide. Other aftermarket leathers can be hung from the velcro'd Hanger plate with square dees - and that seems to be part of the fun to be found with a Stonewall Saddles - you can Outfit it to suit your tastes.
Q. Are you still making the Stonewall Classic and Sport Saddles? I have a Classic/Sport saddle I want refurbished.
We are no longer making our Sport and Classic models. We still provide replacement parts for them and support our traditional riders.
Q. Is this a flexible bar or treeless saddle?
No. There is no flexing or bending in the patent pending technology. The Living Bar® is a segmented and each rigid segment teeter totters independent of its neighbor until it lays against the horse and distributes its shared load.
The Living Bars® are 20" tip to tip. Allowing for bar tips to flair away from the horses back, actual bearing length is about 17" to 18" which works well for shortbacked horses.
Q. What pad should I use with the Living Bar Saddle?
Choose your pad thickness based on equine body type (narrow, average, or well fleshed in the wither area) to adjust for wither clearance. Use a 3/4" (~2 cm) thick pad for an average horse, and thicken the pad for a narrow bodied equine and use less pad for the well fleshed kind. A pad with half inch layer of foam seems to work well for a big population of average horses.
For Heavy weights, wither Clearance will be more robust with a solid padding like wool felt as the dominate material.
Q. What type of cinch can I use? Can I use an English girth?
All types of cinches can be accommodated - options include English billets or western latigos. We are recommending Nicker's Common Sense Cinch line which eliminates typical latigo/billets and becomes integrated into the saddle's rigging system. The advanced SRX Cinch of that line further anchors the saddle by molding the central Heart Shield to the horses sternum reducing any roll.
Q. What length cinch should I get?
An average horse typically needs a 24 to 26” cinch measured tip to tip.
Q. How wide is the stirrup strap?
The standard stirrup strap is 1½” wide. Other aftermarket leathers can be hung from the velcro'd Hanger plate with square dees - and that seems to be part of the fun to be found with a Stonewall Saddles - you can Outfit it to suit your tastes.
Q. Are you still making the Stonewall Classic and Sport Saddles? I have a Classic/Sport saddle I want refurbished.
We are no longer making our Sport and Classic models. We still provide replacement parts for them and support our traditional riders.
Q. Is this a flexible bar or treeless saddle?
No. There is no flexing or bending in the patent pending technology. The Living Bar® is a segmented and each rigid segment teeter totters independent of its neighbor until it lays against the horse and distributes its shared load.