comfort – Trail Saddles by Steele

Best Photo Non-Gaited, Michael Murray

My Steele Classic, what I love about it. Well, just about everything. I have had it now for about ten years or so. With a couple of different pads I have had no problem fitting it to any horse I put it on. I train horses and have 12 of my own, so that is saying something. I have had clients with horses that had bucking issues that were caused by the saddle they had and or the fit. I put mine on placing it correctly and all of a sudden, no more bucking.

I love the way it fits me. I have a rule, and that is I do not ride in any other saddle. Period. Ever. It is like an old friend or a pair of jeans. It fits perfectly and has since day one.

It looks good, and I look good in it. I am not one who is into flash and carving. There is nothing wrong with it, but it isn’t me. When I ordered my Steele Classic, I got to choose the color combination and hardware, and have never regretted my choice. Mine is starting to show some wear, and I like that. It has easily been on over 100 horses and seen some hard rides and use. I get a lot of compliments on how it looks. I will be the first to admit it makes me look good when I ride, or helps.

It is tough. It had to be made out of the best stuff, because in ten plus years I haven’t had to fix anything. I am still using the original cinch strap, and it is still in good shape. All of it is. I dust my saddle off when I ride and when I am done and about once a year or so I oil it lightly. I like minimal maintenance.

It is versatile. I use mine for trail riding, playing cowboy and used in in Cowboy Mounted Shooting. In my experience and opinion, if a saddle fits you and the horse, you only need one, not one for every type of riding that you do. Oh, I also use it to give my 4 year old grandson riding lessons.

Last, I like the life time warranty on the tree. I doubt that I will ever have to use it, but it is a real comfort knowing that it is there.

Anytime anyone asks me for a saddle recommendation, the only one I can give is to get a Steele Saddle. I knew as soon as I sat down in the demo Classic that Steele sent to me over ten years ago that I was going to buy one, and since then it has been the only saddle I use. I really have no interest in trying any other saddles as I am still completely happy with mine. If you want to buy the best and last saddle that you will ever buy, get a Steele.

– Michael Murray

8 Second Ride, No Problem.

Got my beautiful new Steele Trail Saddle…. first ride out I got a “8 Second Ride” after my Ariabian was spooked by a deer coming from under a bush…. without a doubt I believe I didn’t come off the horse mainly due to this saddles amazing seat!!! Worth it’s weight in gold! Lisa Driscoll Bone in Auburn CA

– Glad to hear you are enjoying the saddle and feel both safe and comfortable in your new Steele Trail Saddle. Our saddle seats are designed for both comfort and safety with a deep pocket that keeps you anchored in case you need it. Eric & Fred at Steele Saddle

Thank you Fred & Eric

I realized today that I take my Steele Saddle comfort & safety for granted and I shouldn’t. I shared my story with other riders on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/HorseTrailsAcrossAmerica) and even though I called to thank you today. I felt that I should share it on the website.

I started with an Aussie saddle from China that was great 20+ years ago then went to buy a new one from Australia as I liked it so well but it made my horse walk on her tip toes, a different fit and not well worn like the one I had. That is when I got my first Steele Trail Saddle 17+ years ago. I found a leather worker in Hopkinsville Kentucky who used their trees for his saddles back when there were a few of the trees out there via their other division. I knew what I needed based on how I liked the Australian saddle safety features and had him build one for me. The actual Platinum model is made after my original saddle design and is new to the trail series line. I told them they needed to add the girlie tooling, sewn leather seat, large Plantation Saddle based fenders, and a short horn – just enough to hang my horn bags off of but not enough to catch the front of my shirt when I am riding up an aggressive hill. Saved my butt literally when we had our trail emergency. One of our riders was thrown in a creek bed in Little Lusk – Shawnee National Forrest 5/24/14 knocked unconscious and had to be life flighted out. We did not realize that in the Wilderness Areas they do not evacuate you via motorized vehicles and were waiting at the campground for us to make it out. I came out of the woods ponying her horse at a dead run on my walking horse to get our truck as the helicopter was still a mile away and did not know we had come out of the woods into the fields behind Little Lusk. We waited more than 5 hours for rescue then had to get her up and take the chance of further injury to walk her out.

A rabbit jumped out and my mare is solid but jumped 3 feet to the left, I thought it was a hiccup in my stride and didn’t really notice the difference. Stayed in the pocket the whole time. My husband made me aware of how aggressive the jump was. Called Eric & Fred today to thank them. I do their website and marketing and take their saddles for granted as I am used to riding them. It is when you really think about what comfort and safety you have that you realize they make phenomenal saddles and are grateful for it. Really grateful. You’ll love the Platinum.