Ansur Excel pics

[liberty3]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41573013@N05/

I put up pics of the treeless Ansur Excel on Flickr. I really hope this works, testing 1,2,3

The horse is my 7yo Wb, but I use the saddle on 4 horses in Aug.[/url]

[BaroqueBoy]

After reading your review, I thought this might just be the saddle that would work for my three guys and me. Now I really want it! Alas, my pocketbook says "no" at this time.

[susamorg]

Beautiful surroundings and not a bad looking horse/rider pair either .

Do you use a regular pad with the seam down the middle?

I had a Classic but sold it as no matter how hard I tried, I had a terrible time balancing. My meaty thighs on a round horse just were a wonderful pivot point and I was always pitching forward. In fairness to the horse, I switched back to a treed saddle. Now, gosh darnit, something has got my tailbone inflamed and my treed saddle isn't helping at all so I'm thinking of trying the Excel. Thanks for the pictures.

Susan

[liberty3]

I use regular pads with the seam; the gullet doesn't touch the seam. Pads don't seem to be shifting at all either. I really want to get a limpet though, the big horse is 2" uphill, but being broad and big shoulders most saddles slide too far back on him.

There were a few I figured "fit", as in didn't need a rear lift of 3", but my spur would be literally at his flank. And the tree would rock or bridge, you name it. Not kool on a youngster.

I like this Ansur, it stays put ok, but every centimeter forward I can get I will take. Thats why (me thinks) I lean forward a little- this horse is coming thru some sore back downtime, and instinctively I get off his back. Or is it cuz I ride too many 3yo! Anyhow I pop a little and swear to sit better next time . The balance of the Excel feels *right on* on other normal horses.

Oh I do remember the meaty thigh feeling- no seat, no sit. I taught someone who had a perpetual TB spooker- and when I used my saddles, (narrower twist) he couldn't "unsit' me, and no more gawking.

I ride so many youngsters that seat security is #1 for me- and not cuz of big thigh rolls- I mean it- sitting well. I had 3 babies take their first canters last week- very calm and easy!

[lyn rj]

Thank You for the lovely photo's
You both look great
Cheers
Lyn

[Mike Matson]

Thanks for the great photos and describing your results. I've ridden in an Ansur Classic for years with my warmbloods and have been giving serious consideration to getting an Excel.

[lyn rj]

I have just put my order in ,can not wait to get it ,soooooo exciting.

[lyn rj]

Hi Liberty,
The photo's are lovely.
Have you some BEFORE PHOTO's of your horse ,so maybe we see a comparison of how your horse was going before the Excel.
Cheers
Lyn.

[liberty3]

thanks everybody; really its my pleasure to share about it, because I know my horse is such a happy fun guy and sadly we have really REALLY struggled with saddle fitting. I think he's looking more himself in the Treeless pics.

Lyn, as you wish! I posted a few pics from May, when I had big trouble in his measured, custom fit, adjustable tree, FLAIR saddle. It cost me OVER $6000, and within a week he wasn't going well.

I only rode him again to get pics and sweat marks for them. They wanted to do exchange/ warranty or new order...but I'd already exchanged 2 other saddles that spring that didn't work either. I lost money in restocking, shipping, putting in FLAIR. Anyhow, it was nearly that DAY he was so sore and I rode him anyways...that I fould the new EXCEL at Ansur. I didn't get to try it: I asked some good questions and sounded like it had what I needed. A Twist, feel like a real dressage saddle (not a bareback pad) Fits every horse, flexible, not rigid, looks good... so I got it that day.

Disclaimer:
I know somehow- someway- Olympians are riding in Treed saddles and their horses are comfortable. This has not been my experience. If nothing else, I won't need a saddle maintenance like flocking or tree adjustment, aymore...and I can use the same saddle on different horses without thinking twice.
So this stuff is entirely my own experience, and I would help anyone I can to avoid what I've been thru!

[Mike Matson]

If nothing else, I won't need a saddle maintenance

Actually you will. The Ansur folks do recommend you talk to them about a saddle re-inspection after several years have gone by. In my case it was six years and I sent it in for a "renovation". Give them a call for details.

Now back to counting my loose change bucket to see if the Excel is in the budget.

[liberty3]

good point Mike,
I'm thinking more of the 2x yr $400 visits we are used to.
My impression is the new models have even better layering system...its what they replaced into those original classics. Correct me if you know more!

[Mike Matson]

You are correct about the layering system. That's what I had renovated in my Classic.

Now back to counting the loose change for that Excel.

[liberty3]

I have added pics to Flickr ...a 3yo friesian filly I had 3 mos, but worked 4x week, and first 2 wks is all ground work. ( so, 40 rides?)
anyways, she graduated, went home... and I got some pics of her in the Ansur Excel.
She's 16h, long angled shoulder, shorter scoopy "swayed" back...the higher the head the lower the saddle area!

Totally opposite of my 7yo Wb . He's 2" uphill, broad flat-top back that rounds up ALOT.

[mjwrides]

I arranged for the Mid Atlantic reps to come to the barn where my mare is because I'm looking at this saddle for my 4 year old that is just getting started. My mare is hard to fit so I determined if she went well in it, it should work for him.

I mentioned it to some of my barn mates so they too, could give it a try. Four of us tried the various saddles. The horses were a table backed Haflinger, a wide but withered TB/Percheron X, a relatively flat APHA and my conformationally challenged Art Deco daughter.

We all rode in the same saddles and ALL of the horses moved SIGNIFICANTLY better than they did in their own saddles without any shimming or correction. All of the riders felt secure and confident.

It was a productive day for Ansur as 3 of the 4 bought the Excel and the other is doing as Mike is...figuring out how to come up with the $$$