My story is bittersweet. I purchased a Steele Mountaineer Trail Saddle about 8 years ago or so. I used it on my very HARD to fit Missouri Fox Trotter. She was tall and lean and I couldn’t get a saddle to fit. EVERY saddle I tried slid back at least 3 inches. She had a very high wither. I did 50 mile Competitive Trail Rides with NATRC and I could not afford to have this horses back rubbed or injured by poor fitting equipment. I reluctantly contacted Steele Saddles (I say reluctant because nothing ever worked!) and they were extremely kind and very encouraging.
I did everything they instructed me to do, to the letter, I received a demo saddle. I used it, testing it to the extremes of hills and hard terrain. Oh my gosh! I used it completely without a breast collar or crupper and it didn’t move an inch, then I used it with my crupper to see if it really didn’t move…it didn’t! I didn’t have to re-tighten my crupper at all! Not even an inch! I didn’t want to send the demo back I offered to pay full new price!!! But it wasn’t mine.
I actually was sick sending that demo back, but in return, weeks later I got the neatest saddle I have ever owned. I loved my saddle, I showed it off all the time! Sadly to say I decided to sell my Missouri Fox Trotter, with her went my lovely wonderful saddle. It was honestly her saddle. No other saddle ever fit, it wouldn’t be fair to my sweet horse to have a new owner with an ill fitting saddle. I love and miss my horse and my prized Steele Saddle, but there is one heck of a happy horse out there! – Rochelle Gribler, Sugar-N-Spice Kennels
Sadly to say I decided to sell my Missouri Fox Trotter, with her went my lovely wonderful saddle. It was honestly her saddle. No other saddle ever fit, it wouldn’t be fair to my sweet horse to have a new owner with an ill fitting saddle.=
