From: Erin Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 7:18 PM To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Subject: horse equip. Cathy, I purchased a working saddle from you several months ago, and totally love it. Half a dozen of my clients have ‘borrowed’ it and fallen in love with your product, ordering saddles of their own. One of those clients is Jean Robertson of Morrison Colorado. Jean had purchased from you a headstall to use on her Paso but found it to be overly large on his tiny face so she wrapped the thing up and gave to me for Christmas for my horse. Unfortunately he is a large headed Friesian and though I love the piece, it is really too tight for him to wear. Wondering if I could exchange the headstall for one that would fit him. Also will need to order a flank cinch to match the saddle I got from you....please let me know what info I’d need to send you...or maybe you’ve got record of the saddle color, tooling etc....will get sizing to you on that. Not an oversized barrel on him. Hope this finds you well and busy. Can be reached at this email site or at ....................... Thanks for everything! Yours, Eryn
Hill View Farms Seconds are Superior in quality to what is considered Standard
----------------------------------------------------------------Original
Message----- From: beth curry Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 4:41
AM To: HIll VIew Farms Subject: Re: 26" contour girth
----------------------------------------------------------------------- From:
HIll VIew Farms Subject: Re: 26" contour girth To: "beth curry" Date:
Friday, December 16, 2011, 7:40 AM --------------------------------------------------------------------- ---Original
Message----- From: beth curry Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 8:52 PM
To: HIll VIew Farms Subject: Re: 26" contour girth --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From:
HIll VIew Farms Subject: Re: 26" contour girth To: "beth curry" Date:
Saturday, December 17, 2011, 7:19 AM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Original
Message----- From: beth curry Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 11:33 AM
To: HIll VIew Farms Subject: Re: 26" contour girth -----------------------------------------------------------------------------Original Message----- From: beth curry Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 4:38 PM To: HIll VIew Farms Subject: Re: 26" contour girth just wanted to let you know that we put the new girth to the test and i am very pleased with it. thanks!
From: Laurie Katayama Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2011 10:17 AM To: HIll VIew Farms Subject: sock. The saddle sock fits perfect ! I really like it, it is going to be perfect for me and my horse. Thank you - Laurie Katayama
-----Original Message----- From @bitstream.net Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 10:27 AM To: kathy t Subject: thank you Hi Kathy- I wanted to write and to say thank you for the hat and sock's! Funny I was watching Dr. Oz just yesterday and he recommends that people sleep with moisture wicking socks at night :) The saddle is awesome! I like how it has a lower profile than the old ortho-flex my trainer owns. weather is so cool that I haven't been able to ride to get a good sweat pattern yet but he has always seemed happier in the panel saddle. The saddle is also more comfortable than the older saddle as well. Good luck on your transition to the new /old store. I will send old western saddle mid-winter to swap it over to the panels. I promise to send it with a note and information :)! Thanks again-Teresa H
From: Kelsey Turriff Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 12:30 PM To: HIll VIew Farms Subject: Saddle news. :) and a thanks Hello!! I'm just shooting you an email to let you know that i love this saddle!!! :) and my horses do also!! Thank you for all your time and helping me figure this out I'm glad I came to you! I'm in the process of convincing my mom that she needs one also. She loves her saddle tho so she is thinking of maybe getting your panels on hers... we will see what comes of that. :) Thanks again! Kelsey
From: Laurel DawnFalcon Gates Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2011 1:32 AM To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Subject: Saddle conversion Hi Cathy. I bought a cutback saddle from you a few year ago, what a great saddle! I love it and have taken it everywhere. Never had a sore horse from it, just great. it is holding up really well to use, the leather is as beautiful as new, the panels seem as good as new. overall its just perfect. I use it on all the horses from my lusitano to the highland pony, I have an older American flex saddle that i am wondering if you can put system X panels on. I love this little saddle, it's not wide enough for all my horses, but the horses it fits love it. it feels like riding in nothing. I am pretty sure the panels need some help and would be better replaced. Is this an option? Or could i send you the saddle and you can see if replacing the panels in possible? Also, my mom recently purchased a duet saddle, incredibly comfy seat and great balance. But it gave her horse white spots, so no good. The company is not being helpful about any kind of refund, we bought the saddle new. Is it possible to convert this to a panel saddle? If so, what's the price? Hope you're well, Laurel
-----Original Message----- From: Jeane Anderson Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 8:37 PM To: Hill View Farms Subject: Re: Saddle fit question Thank you for getting back to me so fast! I really
appreciate it! I went riding tonight and I think I have it figured out.
I pressed my hands under the panels as I was riding and it seemed like
it was in the right place. She canters much better than she used to. She
used to hunch her back and flap her tail up and down, so something
definitely was not feeling right on her. Now she canters like a charm!
Not only is she mutton shaped, but she also has really sensitive skin
and shows every single mark from cinching or things pressing on her
unlike anything I have ever seen! Tonight when I went to do chores she
had three areas on her with welts, I'm assuming are from bug bites. She
seems to be comfortable in the saddle. I did some massage on her based
on what I read on your site and she showed no signs of discomfort, she
actually loved it and followed me around when I was finished! But...I
don't know if I was pressing hard enough. I tried though! I'm enjoying
my saddle and trying to get used to sitting western, as I have been
riding in an Aussie. I'm passing out your catalog to my riding friends!
Thanks again! Jeane Anderson
From: Laurel DawnFalcon Gates Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2011 1:32 AM To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Subject: Saddle conversion Hi Cathy. I bought a cutback saddle from you a few year ago, what a great saddle! I love it and have taken it everywhere. Never had a sore horse from it, just great. it is holding up really well to use, the leather is as beautiful as new, the panels seem as good as new. overall its just perfect. I use it on all the horses from my lusitano to the highland pony, I have an older American flex saddle that i am wondering if you can put system X panels on. I love this little saddle, it's not wide enough for all my horses, but the horses it fits love it. it feels like riding in nothing. I am pretty sure the panels need some help and would be better replaced. Is this an option? Or could i send you the saddle and you can see if replacing the panels in possible? Also, my mom recently purchased a duet saddle, incredibly comfy seat and great balance. But it gave her horse white spots, so no good. The company is not being helpful about any kind of refund, we bought the saddle new. Is it possible to convert this to a panel saddle? If so, what's the price? Hope you're well, Laurel
From: Maryam Morris Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 9:28 AM To: HIll VIew Farms Subject: Re: saddle Hi Cathy, Got my saddle yesterday... heaven! Thank you for putting everything together for me. It should be just perfect for me and my horse. I'll try it out in a few days. I just got my horse delivered 2 days ago and I'm giving him a little time to acclimate before I jump on him. Great suggestion on finding a used panel saddle for my daughter. I'll look into that and definitely will send along to you for maintenance/upgrade if I find one. I so appreciate all your help and personal attention to detail. I'm sure I will be returning to your store and I look forward to collaborating with you in the future. sincerely, mary morris
From: Virginia O'Connor Sent: Tuesday,
September 27, 2011 4:23 PM To:
HIll VIew Farms Subject: Saddle received I just wanted to let you know that I received the dressage saddle and it is fantastic. It fits me perfectly and fits all 5 of our horses and the other three that my friend has like it was custom made for each of them. 5 of those horses are quarter horses—one is 28 yrs old with an extreme sway back, one has a roach back, one is really short and stout and the other two are really long backed. We also have 3 percheron/TB crosses that range from 16.2 HH to 17.1 HH and one is tall and narrow, one is really tall and wide, and the other has a really high wither. I can’t think of another saddle that you would be able to use on all those different horses. Thanks so very much! I will definitely be purchasing a jumping saddle in the spring with my work bonus check so I look forward to talking to you again soon! Best regards, Ginny
Please
send me your free "Catabook"! I love your website for both the products
offered and for its general delight.
Hi
Cathy - Many years ago, you were very generous with your time and
helped me determine the origins of a newly purchased, used Ortho-flex
saddle. With your knowledge and guidance, I was able to identify that
my saddle .................................... With your help, I become
the very happy owner of a beautiful vintage Stitchdown that is now going
on 25 years old. I still sing praises about you for that!
Hi, Cathy! We received our saddles. They're quite nice! Our horses love them. The halter/bridle combo is very clever. I often ride without a bit and this is perfect. However, the reins are really short. Our hands are about a foot in front of the pommel. Do you have longer snap on reins? Maybe we just have big headed, long necked horses... I have the bridle set on the last holes--and it's snug. Do you make a larger size? I have a black one and a brown one... I would also like to get two more of your saddle socks--merino wool, black, for a 16 inch Freedom saddle and a 17 inch Freedom saddle. It's been a pleasure. Thanks. Ginger Grieco ----- Original Message ----- From: To: hillview@newulmtel.net Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 12:41 PM Subject: Re: SADDLES ARE ON THEIR WAY Hi, again. I will keep everything, as I oiled them... Just send two sets of split reins--one in black, the other in brown. The next halter/bridle I order will be a size larger. Any suggestions on what to do with the extra length of stirrup leathers? Is there a keeper that I can put on these? I have about two feet of extra leather... The horses love these saddles--they act like there is nothing on their backs! Truly content. You have a wonderful product. Do you still have my credit card number? Thanks for everything. Ginger
June 21, 2011: It is my pleasure to write this testimonial for the panel saddle made by Hill View Farms. I have an older Thoroughbred and my vet expressed concern that he was losing some top line. She recommended that I work on lowering his head when I rode so that his back would be rounded. However, after trying different bits, a special saddle pad and attempting to finesse his head up, my horse continued to hold his head high in the air. A friend told me about Hill View Farms’ saddle and after looking at them and getting a demonstration at the Minnesota Horse Expo, I was sold. Eventually, my friend and I visited Hill View Farms and I purchased a saddle. My first ride was a revelation – my horse carried his head down, rounded his back and clearly was more relaxed than he had been in a long time. My horse has continued to hold his head down and is definitely a happier horse – no back pinching. A bonus – the saddle is very comfortable for me too. In addition to the results for my horse, I am also impressed with the customer service by Hill View. They truly do everything possible to be sure you are satisfied with their saddle. I also was lucky enough to see where they make these saddles and the care and attention to quality is remarkable. Again, I would heartedly recommend the saddles from Hill View Farms. Nancy Johnson, PLYMOUTH, MN
-----Original Message----- From: Jane Stevenson Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 1:52 PM To: HIll VIew Farms Subject: Saddle Hi Cathy, My husband and I went for a 2 hour ride today. The saddle Is very comfortable and I am already used to the tighter feel with the soft seat. I rode my 23 year old horse today and he worked well in the saddle, it didn't move at all either going up or coming down steep hills. The sweat pattern was even with no dry spots. It seems to fit him quit well. He's walking freely as usual with is head carried in a low," I'm comfortable" position. I may not have to shim the saddle for him after all. ... The saddle fit my younger, tiny bodied saddlebred perfectly. He has a perfect back for a saddle according to your video. This is the horse I ride on our longer, more demanding rides. He was the one I was having saddle issues with. I am so, so happy that your saddle fits him so well! I do have a Stubban string girth that has no elastic that I am using for now. I'm still determining the exact size of girth I need for when I order one from you at a later date. All the best to you and your family, Jane.
From: mary Sent:
Monday, April 04, 2011 3:59 PM To: hillview@newulmtel.net
Subject: Break Out
Saddle I am the proud owner of your first Break Out
Saddle, serial number 1. I purchased it from Carl at Poetry Paints
last December. He was gracious enough to allow us to come up and
try out some saddles and I fell in love with it. I would like to purchase a set of toe stoppers and
either fleece or wool saddle socks for this saddle. It came
with the tacky saddle socks which I like but have never ridden my Arab
without a thin pad under the saddle this winter. My concern is
which type sock is the most comfortable for my horse and yet provides a
secure, non-slip fit. I feel like I never get this thing
tight enough and certainly don’t want to make my little mare into a
contortionist trying. I do a lot of trailriding and occasional fun
show but nothing serious. She is hard to fit and this is the first
saddle since I adopted her that she has not objected to. It also
fits me pretty well too. Since you would have the specs of when this saddle
was built I thought I would contact you this way rather than just order
blindly off the website. I don’t know if there was anything
different about this one and didn’t want to assume that one size fits
all. I was going to wait until June when I planned to stop
at your retail store on my way to Montana but really need to get this
stuff sooner. (I’ll probably be stopping
anyway) Thanks for any guidance and thanks for an awesome
saddle. Mary Eustice
From:
Sue Schuetz Sent: Sunday, March 27, 2011 9:26 AM To: hillview@newulmtel.net
Subject:
cinch hello
i have ordered a few things from you in the past and have been
very satisfied with the purchases and the service. what
i am looking for now is a type of western rigging that would be easier
for me to use, because of arthritis in both hands. my horse is a
champion gasbag and it is very hard for me to get him cinched up.
is there something like a winch system for assisting in tacking up?
thanks
for your help - sue schuetz
- cross plains wi From:
HIll VIew Farms [mailto:hillview@newulmtel.net] Sent: Sunday,
March 27, 2011 9:30 AM To: Sue Schuetz Subject: Re: cinch /
YES I would recommend the barney buckle. or kwick cinch.
; –) Sincerely, ~Cathy Sheets Tauer - President - Hill View Farms From: Sue Schuetz Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:57 PM To: hillview@newulmtel.net Subject: buckle / thank you so much for the kwik cinch buckle and the fast service!
----- Original Message ----- From: "Helen Mehan" To: "Hill View Farms" hillview@newulmtel.net>Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 1:14 PM Subject: Thanks Hi
Cathy!
- Hello Cathy, I received my saddle last week and have put quite a few hours on it already. It fits both my Arab and my Paso Fino from the looks of it. It is much more comfortable than I expected. I am telling anyone who will listen and that has been through a battle with saddle fitting that they should consider one for themselves. I wish I would have taken a chance years ago on one of these, I wouldn't have went through 4 saddles since then for 4 different horses. Darn it! I do have some small dry spots in a very strange spot on the Paso Fino but it doesn't look like pressure, it actually looks like it is just getting a lot of air flow. And it is very hard to get a sweat worked up on either of these horses because they are so used 100+ heat and are in really good shape. I ran my hand all over and under the saddle with someone on and there isn't a pressure change anywhere. I love how happy my Paso is in it too, a really nice smooth consistent gait! My husband eyed the sweat pattern and said the hair isn't even ruffled, plus when it dries it looks all completely even. I included a picture of her in her saddle. Now if I can just afford another one for the arab and my husband, he has loin rubs from his current saddle even though it looks like it fits. Must be his crazy long stride. Thanks! Amy
----- Original Message ----- From: Laura Schonberg To: hillview@newulmtel.net Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 5:14 PM Subject: sale item? Hello! Is the English breast collar (large – is that as big as they come) still available? And what sizes are the dressage girths available for the sale price? I have another one of your breast collars and I need another for my new horse – he’s a perchon/quarter half and half, and I need a breast collar for my treeless trail saddle as well as a girth. I love doing business with you – thanks so much! If the English breast collar is still available, I’d love to purchase it.
----- Original Message ----- From: jessi To: hillview@newulmtel.net Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 10:33 PM Subject: Saddle fit HELP Please!! Ok I am going blind looking at all the saddles out there! I was told to look no farther than you! I spent the money on a Parelli Saddle and pad system well NOT WORKING .Here are a few pictures of my Haflinger "the Don” The last time for this year I pulled his saddle off I just slid to the ground and cried! I don’t know what to do! He is my mounted police horse how can I ask him to work for me if he is in pain! Now he has white shoulder spots the size of my hands I have played with shims air pads what ever I was told would work I have spent so much money on trying to make this work! Our horses are ours so the county does not help us with equipment, this is getting a bit costly for something that is not working! I have to sell this saddle to buy a new one but I need my partner to be able to move too! I have a huge tactical mounted training and I need him to be able to move, and be able to do the work I need him too. Please tell me if you can help me! he is a haflinger a tubby haflinger on a diet. I do know my boy has a short back and I should have a round skirt I think that is all I know now! can you help Donald and I Sgt. Jessi Sheteron
----- Original Message ----- From: "Lorrie Todd" To: "Hill View Farms" <Hillview@newulmtel.net Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 6:02 PM Subject: Saddle Sox Cathy, I finally had my first ride in the saddle - it was fantastic!.............Please send a set of Merino wool ones. I will send back the stirrups and the other pads. I did not use the synthetic ones, I put a white piece of cloth down to read the pattern. Merry Christmas, Lorrie Todd
----- Original Message ----- From: JENNY To:
hillview@newulmtel.net Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010
6:36 PM Subject: cinch converter!
----- Original Message ----- From: neil wise To: Hill View Farms Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 6:46 PM Subject: Marcie's Saddle We received the saddle and Marcie loves it! She got it all rigged up and rode in it yesterday. She said it feels like bareback, so much more in tune with the horse. Thanks again. Neil & Marcie Wise
----- Original Message ----- From: customer in France that came
to the usa to find a saddle. To:
Selles Hill View Farm Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010
12:27 PM Subject: Caliente / France I had my first "Hill view ride" today with my brand new Caliente. Two words to resume it : Great and Thanks. I know that two of us where happy today : my horse (at first) and me ... Best regards, Bernard
WORDS OF ADVICE:----- Original Message ----- From: Hill View Farms To: Annette Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 6:30 AM Subject: Re: your catalog Hi Annette, Yes I know about saddle height... I sell many cutbacks to those riders who have hip issues. As for saddles and good deals.. Our RAW cost on the saddle tree is 250.00, our raw labor is 600.00, the leather is 550.00. The panels with hardware is 650.00. this does not include foams, neoprene, pads, saddle hardware or any profit to the manufacturer or retailer. So as you can see our saddle prices are LOW. If you can find anything for 1600.00 you are doing great. I know that there may be saddles out there that do not use good leather, or none at all - which cuts that cost down by 70%. Most saddles do not have much hardware on them or if they do it is not stainless - so there is virtually no cost there. Also if saddles are made with illegal workers or out of country you can cut that cost down by 80%. You can also get plastic trees and that will be 50% less from the wood/fiberglass/epoxy trees or no tree at all and so no cost there, and lastly the panels - you can get delrin, one layer and hand cut if for 100.00. So when looking for saddles, new or used really check them out as there is more to the picture than price - but I think you already know that. :-) Now with all that said, there are some good deals, from sellers not knowing the above or dumping for other reasons. Just be careful and make sure you can get some type of a return policy if you get a saddle from any retailer. Also this is the best time of year to be looking for a saddle. Check my trading post site or on ebay. Have a great holiday season and let me know how I can help further. Sincerely, ~Cathy Sheets Tauer - President Hi Cathy, Am having second thoughts about keeping the saddle as I really think that I need an endurance type saddle without such a high pommel and horn. I injured my right hip a year ago and have trouble getting my leg up and over the saddle. My Fallis had no horn and was very low and so I could manage that. I am finding that this new saddle is just so high up off the horse, plus the added height of the horn is causing me major difficulty getting on, not so much dismounting. I am sick about this as the saddle fits the horse and is so very comfortable once I am mounted. I was going to contact you and see if you had any leads on an endurance style flex saddle that I could possible trade this one in on? If not I will probably just sell this saddle or trade it locally where I can try different saddles for fit on my horse and comfort for me. I actually thought about the horn and height on this saddle before I bought it but was just so excited to be able to own a flex saddle (and it does fit my horse so well) that I just ignored the warning voice in my head and felt that I would be able to adjust to it. Not so, in fact I almost fell off the off side while mounting the last time I rode as my hip froze up on me and that scared me to death. I haven't ridden since and this is just not a good situation. If you know of any english or endurance style flex tree available I would appreciate knowing about it. I am retired and on a limited income so will have to keep that under consideration. I paid $850.00 for this saddle with girth and breast collar and would like to keep any trade or purchase under $1000.00 if possible. I will keep the address below in case I decide to send the saddle in for a check up. Thanks very much Cathy.
Sincerely, Annette :-) thanks -Sincerely,
~Cathy Sheets Tauer - President "Helping one customer at a time" Add
this link to your favorites:
www.hillviewfarms.com Good Morning, I have just purchased a used American Flex saddle from a client of my farrier and am absolutely loving it. I have a growing five year old TWH and my beloved Fallis Balanced Ride saddle was pinching him and leaving dry spots. I tried about 7 different saddles on him with no success and was pretty discouraged. My farrier brought the American Flex by for me to try and both my horse and I are delighted. I had a copy of your 2008 catalog (I had been dreaming of owning one of your saddles but as a retired person did not feel that I could afford one) and loaned it to my farrier who will not return it to me as she now wants one of your saddles for her Fresian and needs the catalog for her own dreams. Would you please sent me a new copy of your catalog for my own use? Also I would like to know if you would allow me to send this saddle to you, when the snow flies, for you to inspect for any needed repairs? I am the third owner, the saddle looks like it has been very well cared for but the lady I bought it from is very heavy and there is a click on the left when I am riding. Thank you so much for your help. Annette Huddle
Shim use with an Evolutionary Saddle. Two different backs - one owner. One is slightly roached and broad. The other is narrow and has a 7 inch dip. For the dippy back we installed (on both sides), two of the set of three center shims (omitting the smallest one). Using two-way sticky tape we attached them with the largest shim toward the horse's back. In this case the owner has two saddle sox, with one pair having the shims taped inside, the other with none, so all she needs to do is to change the pad for each. This way she can ride easily and have no issue with the saddle bottoming out on the sway backed horse. After riding we had great compression patterns as well as sweating patterns. The chestnut was more moist where there was more movement and was moving in - to be complete if rode longer. Would shims always be needed? No, if this was a light-weight rider, there would be a smaller panel size and the panel suspension alone would be adequate. What a thrill. One SADDLE - HAPPY HORSES -THRILLED OWNER. Thank you Margie for a great time!
Cathy - I love my new stirrups!!!! I feel so much more secure with the 4" depth. Thanks so much for your help with this order. Diana M.
----- Original Message ----- From: Jane Nielsen To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 7:30 AM Subject: saddle Hi
Cathy,
----- Original Message ----- From: Irene Ulset To: Tauer Cathy Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 11:58 AM Subject: Feedback on the Caliente with tooling and silver! Hi - The customer love the saddle and wanted me to give you that feedback:-)) She says its great work and the saddle is amazing! Mvh
----- Original Message ----- From: lynnTo: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Friday, September 10, 2010 2:46 PM Subject: Thank you! Wow…I received my order and I love everything I got…but even better…………..I LOVE THE CATABOOK!!! What a treasure in itself!!!! I’m carrying it with me in my trailer. It is so full of wonderful, helpful information and I have already learned so much just reading it!!! And the receipes are wonderful!!!!!! I will be ordering again. Thank you for the additional CATABOOK. I will pass it along!!!!!!! Lynn Crance
----- Original Message ----- From: Laura Schonberg To: Hill View Farms Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 12:11 PM Subject: RE: availability of a bit. Good morning – I just got my English breast collar I ordered from you, AND IT’S AMAZING. Thank you for the high quality products you carry; it is such a pleasure doing business with you. Take care -
----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith Janke " To: "Hill View Farms " <Hillview@newulmtel.net> Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 1:04 PM Subject: Saddle is awesome! Cathy, Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 8:12 PM Subject: Re: Breast collar. Thank you very much! As soon as she seen mine she went nuts! She loved it! So I had to ask. Also, I rode in my saddle today for 2 hours and it was great! Very comfortable. Thanks again Cathy! Keith Janke
Hello
Cathy,
---- Original Message ----- From: dessy To: hillview@newulmtel.net Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 9:16 PM Subject: Hi Hi
Cathy, I would like to order either your battery saddle or your cutback
saddle. I have your express and love it. I have a 15" and would like a
16" and also I would like a narrower twist. Let me know what you have
in stock and what you would suggest.
----- Original Message ----- From: kit To: Hill View Farms Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2010 11:34 AM Subject: Re: send catalog Thank you, I'm so glad you are still in the business, your rose conditioner was the best I ever had and I gave it as gifts to my barn pals, everything I have gotten from you has been great, no wonder you test it first to be sure. Love your catalog too, because of the pictures of your family and recipes too! I'm leasing a horse now, and I want all the best for her too! Kitt
----- Original Message ----- From:
Hill View Farms To:
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 5:50 PM Subject: Re: slip on
fenders ----- Original Message ----- .From: To:
Hill View Farms Sent:
Monday, June 21, 2010 10:57 AM Subject: Re: slip on fenders --- Original Message ----- From:
Hill View Farms To:
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 2:07 AM Subject: Re: slip on
fenders ----- Original Message ----- From: To:
Hill View Farms Sent:
Sunday, June 20, 2010 8:16 PM Subject: Re: slip on fenders ----- Original Message ----- From:
Hill View Farms To:
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2010 3:57 PM Subject: Re: slip on
fenders ----- Original Message ----- From:
Hill View Farms To:
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 3:46 AM Subject: Re: slip on
fenders ----- Original Message ----- From:
Hill View Farms To:
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:25 PM Subject: Re: slip on
fenders ----- Original Message ----- From: To:
Hill View Farms Sent:
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 6:02 PM Subject: Re: slip on fenders ----- Original Message ----- From:
Hill View Farms To:
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 2:17 PM Subject: Re: slip on
fenders ----- Original Message ----- From To:
hillview@newulmtel.net
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 11:06 AM Subject: slip on
fenders
----- Original
Message ----- From: "Hill View Farms" <Hillview@newulmtel.net
To: Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 5:57 PM Subject: Re: Catalog -----
Original Message ----- From: "Raymond Dessy" To: hillview@newulmtel.net
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 4:54 PM Subject: Catalog
Hello, My name is Brenda Huhta, and I am a proud owner of the Hill View Farms, New Evolution saddle. I have trained horses since I was in high school, so for 24 years I have rode horses that buck, rear, kick when you get on and bolt while being rode. This I am not proud of. Had I known or met Kathy and Don many years ago, I would not have sold a dozen good horses or had horses come back to me repeatedly for Tune ups, refreshers or what ever a person would call, the spring ride. My husband and I where up to 7 saddles at one time. First, I needed a saddle in my size. Second I needed a saddle in his size. Then there is making sure the saddle fit the horse that we were riding. Therefore, we had two saddles per horse, per person. YUCK! And EXPENSIVE! Also I had to accommodate for horses that came in for training. This was ridiculous! So at the MN, Horse expo we had Kathy give us a demonstration on her saddles. Not only did I buy one, my husband bought one! When we got home, we went straight to the barn. It was almost midnight, but I had to know! Will this saddle really do what she said? Yes it did. I put it on my mule (11 hands), I put it on my Arabian (14 hands w/a 3 inch dip in her back), I put it on our yearling Quarter horse. Last, but not least I ride in my ONE and only saddle. I ride my parents Halflingers, who are very wide, and flat backed. All the horses that come to me for their first ride, use my saddle. If they call me because they have issues after the horse returns to them, its the saddle. I have run over to their house jump on bare back put the horse through their paces and they are fine. I put my saddle on and have the owner try their own horse in it and the horse does wonderful. I have them call Kathy. Since, owning this saddle and having friends purchase this wonderful saddle we have quieter rides and a whole lot less commotion on the trails. Now we get to concentrate on the wonderful trail rides with friends and our horses. This New evolutionary saddle is worth the time its made, the money it costs, and the back that it will be on. I recommend this saddle to all my customers. There is no comparison, I have looked! Buy one and you will never need another saddle again. Live, Love, Life - Brenda Huhta -37 year old -instructor -Part time trainer This
saddle is the highest quality safety saddle on the market, all others
could put you in the hospital.
----- Original Message ----- From: Hill View Farms To: Julia Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 3:46 PM Subject: Re: Saddle is ready Call me - and SUPER :-) and Get the saddle back ASAP... I have a person who needs it! Sincerely, ~Cathy Sheets Tauer - President ----- Original Message ----- From: Julia To: hillview@newulmtel.net Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 11:58 AM Subject: RE: Saddle is ready Hi Cathy, From: Hillview@newulmtel.net To: Julia Subject: Re: Saddle is ready Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:37:44 –0500 1zw1974x031********** Sincerely, ~Cathy Sheets Tauer - President ----- Original Message ----- From: Julia To: hillview@newulmtel.net Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2010 2:52 PM,Subject: RE: Saddle is ready That would be great. Hopefully, I'll have it by
the end of the day on Friday. I'd like to try it out on a Fjord that
I'll be getting later this summer. From: Hillview@newulmtel.net To: Julia Subject: Re: Saddle is ready Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:39:01 –0500 Will do. Monday when I get to the store I'll email it to you. Sincerely, ~Cathy Sheets Tauer - President Thanks Cathy! I'm looking forward to checking it out. When you have a tracking number for the shipment, would you email me please? We live out in the toolies, so I like to keep track of things. –Julia From: Hillview@newulmtel.net To: Julia Subject: Saddle is ready Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:11:34 -0500 Hi Julia, We have the saddle ready to ship... I'll run the cc you gave me and ship it out to you so you can see how the fit is on your horse. Remember it is a new saddle, so use a thin pad under it and it also has a standard seat. - but you will get the idea on how it feels and works. All the info will be with the saddle and watch the DVD prior to using. THank you. Sincerely, ~Cathy Sheets Tauer - President
----- Original Message ----- From: Carolyn Chatterton To: Hill View Farms Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 9:00 PM Subject: Re: Great Ideas with Food Hey Cathy, Thanks for the e-mails--I'll have to put some of these ideas to the test. Thought I'd tell you I rode our 21-year old double wide paintaloosa in the Officer saddle today & he's never been happier. These saddles really are one-size fits all! Also, Bob Hackney called this morning to say he's ridden his Officer for the last 16 days in a row on 2 different horses & he just loves it. (He's had 2 hip replacements!) What a great month of March to be outdoors! We're so spoiled. Carolyn
----- Original Message ----- From: Laura Reynolds To: Hill View Farms Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 12:05 PM Subject: Re: seat shrinker for my jumping/CT saddle: Thanks Hi Cathy- The seat shrinker worked out perfectly. Ordered Sunday, made and sent Monday, arrived Thursday, test-rode Thursday and Friday, used for dressage clinic on Saturday and managed to impress dressage teacher! Thank you so much for making it so fast and sending it priorty mail. The dressage teacher noticed in last lesson that rider's leg aids were too far back on the horse's barrel. Usually this type of thing promotes a lot of hand wringing and mutterings of maybe needing a new saddle but with our Hill View Farm equipment we were able to make quick positive changes: breastplate to keep panels up on horse's shoulder, stirrup changed from back to middle bar, and seat shrinker to keep rider up front. I think the teacher was impressed with such straightforward solutions. I think many riders who use their CT saddle for both jumping and dressage will need a seat shrinker for dressage because you need room for your butt to slide back for jumping but you need to sit toward the front of your saddle for dressage. By the way, the new seat shrinker looks just like a very nice lady's handbag, sort of like "she always keeps her purse strapped to the cantle when she rides". You might have another product line there. -Laura
----- Original Message ----- From: Tracy To: Hill View Farms Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 4:14 PM Subject: Re: Saddle The saddle got here on Wednesday and it is AWESOME!!! It fits Cloud perfectly, and it is the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden, but there's my dilemma. From what I know of saddle fitting I think it's too small, but unlike other small saddles I've ridden it, it doesn't feel uncomfortable. I wanted to ask your opinion of the fit so I'm attaching some photos again. Do you think it's too small? I personally would rather have a slightly small saddle than one I'm swimming in. Would an 18.5 be too be big for Cloud? Thanks for your help and by the way AWESOME saddle! ;) Tracey On Fri, Feb 12, 2010 at 6:22 PM, Hill View Farms <Hillview@newulmtel.net> wrote: HE IS CLEAN!!!!………..Yes.. maybe a bit small looking...but.... if you lengthen your leathers - which you have the MEDIUM ones - not the long ones, you may look a bit better on the back side as far as finger room - which is sometimes a measure... but some English saddle have so much of a rise and funny seat that even with finger room you can feel to tight. …As we once mentioned...You are kinda in the middle as far as seat sizing. You do look great and will now have to do not gain any more butt size. :-) (actually that is how I look in my saddle.. I personally prefer a smaller seat with my legs long. I am more secure and NOT struggling to stay centered) let me know after you do a few more rides. Sincerely, ----- Original Message ----- From: Tracey To: Hill View Farms Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 8:49 AM Subject: Re: Saddle - Well, I couldn't lengthen the leathers (already on the last hole) so I did a few rides without stirrups, which with my leg hanging longer gave me more room. So I think I want to keep the saddle. I was wondering if I could exchange the medium leathers for the longer ones? Thanks for all your help. ; ) Tracey
----- Original Message ----- From: De Ann To: Hill View Farms Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 9:20 AM Subject: Re: Notification of payment received thanks for the quick shipment! I received this on Thursday!..It works great! The HVF Rigging CONVERTER!
Hi again, I send you these pictures just to show you what cind of horse the Dressage saddle is for. The horse is a mare and the name is Flea, her weight is 1,1 tons! :-)) (Irene is the International Dealer for Evolutionary Saddles. She is located in Norway.)
----- Original Message ----- From: rose ann cleveland To: Hill View Farms Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2009 3:47 PM Subject: Thank you Happy New Year, My girth came today and it is gorgeous...thank you...thank you...thank you. Rose Ann
Original Message ----- From: Vicki Tharp To: Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 9:08 AM Subject: Re: Notification of payment received Thank you so much! Hope your holidays have been great. My friend Shanetta was the one who bought the already made caliente from you a week or so ago for her big tenn. Walker. She loves the saddle as much as I love mine. Thank you so much for making such a terrific product! Vicki
Tharp
----- Original Message ----- From: CAROLYN To: hill view farms Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 8:49 AM Subject: Re: The Greatest Christmas Decoration Ever!!!! Cathy, Good one--definitely my kind of humor. By the way, we've been loving our saddles. We hit the trail at least 15 times after we returned home this fall & had so much fun (so did Scout & Ranger!). We started looking for steep hills to test them on & yep they stayed in place! A pair of those Cashel Kozy Toes added to the stirrups are keeping our feet warmer, too. Many thanks for all of your efforts on saddles & other equipment--you certainly saved the fall riding season for us! One of our friends moved to New Mexico with her two horses, so who knows where we'll end up riding next year. We're very excited about hitting the road starting in the spring, especially with our lightweight saddles & hopefully a new truck.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Josef Cihlar" To: "'Hill View Farms'" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net>Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2009 6:58 PMSubject: RE: stirrup dimensions and tapaderos Hi
Cathy: Just to let you know I got and installed the
tapaderos. They work great, and my problem is finally solved. You
now have one more satisfied customer.
----- Original Message ----- From: Eldon To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 6:16 PM Subject: My Experience Hello Cathy, After our conversation earlier today, I wanted to share my history with your saddle. I ride a seventeen inch Caliente. I am happy to say that I can’t imagine riding any other saddle unless it would be another one of yours. I turned eighty years young in May of this year (2009). When I was fifty-five years old, one of my hips started to cause me a lot of trouble. I had to give up walking the hills when I was hunting. One of the fellows in hunting camp rode Tennessee Walking horses and I was offered one to ride. What a change to my world! I ended up starting a herd of my own. I am down to two horses now, both Walkers that I have raised and trained. Today, following bilateral knee and hip replacement surgeries, I can ride as often as I like. This summer I have averaged two trail rides a week…the longest of which was a twenty-two mile ride in the backcountry. Both my horses and I can’t say enough good things about your saddles. I look forward to many more years “in the saddle” doing what I love: trail riding and hunting on horseback. Thank you again for supplying my tack and the saddle and for being there to answer my questions. Sincerely, Eldon (Jack) Kelley Helena, MT 406-458-5296 J_MKelley@q.com
----- Original Message ----- From: dottie To: Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 8:59 PM Subject: Pictures! Hi Cathy!! Its been awhile since I talked to you! I did promise I would send you some pictures of us and our new saddles. We havn't been able to get out much this fall at all! I did sneak out with a friend of mine and did a little riding today. I took my old mare with me. She just loves riding in this saddle! (I don't mind much either!!!) LOVE IT! For us buying new saddles was like buying a new car....... You get what you pay for! We couldn't be happier!! Thank you so so much from up here in the cold country of Minnesota!!! Dottie
----- Original Message ----- From: "Carolyn Chatterton To: <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 7:56 AM Subject: Saddles/thanks
Cathy &
Don,
----- Original Message ----- From: GENE TORNQUIST To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2009 10:51 AM Subject: Evolutionary Saddle Cathy, You probably don't remember me but I purchased an Evolutionary Saddle from you about one year ago. Up until that time my horse, a chestnut Fox Trotter had been developing white spots just below and behind her withers. You stated when I purchased the saddle that it might take several years for these spots to go away, if ever. I just wanted to let you know that after riding this summer more than ever before including a trip to Eminence, Mo. the white spots have completely disappeared. Additionally I have been using the saddle on our other horse with little required adjustment. Both horses seem to be very comfortable under the saddle. I have shown the saddle to several people so perhaps you will get some additional business. On behalf of my horses I would like to thank you. Sincerely, Gene Tornquist ...................................-----
Original Message ----- From:
Hill View Farms To: GENE TORNQUIST Sent: Saturday,
October 10, 2009 3:35 PM Subject: Re: Evolutionary
Saddle.....................HEY!!! great news!! It took us about three
seasons before our spots went away on one of our horses - but that was
years ago, and the horse (moo moo ) that my friend rode last
summer with her saddle - left white marks like banana’s on either side
of her spine in the middle of her back, are gone and have not come back
with her fall hair coat. Ya hoo... so word of advise, do not let anyone
use their saddle on your horse even for just ONE ride as that is what
happened last year when EL rode moo moo. It is wonderful that we all
have such great saddles for our super duper horses! Thank you. ~
Cathy
Sergeant CHRIS LOKKE and Officer KELLY KASEL of the Minneapolis Police Department, MN
----- Original Message ----- From: billie bradley To: Hill View Farms Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 9:22 AM Subject: Re: western style breast collar hi cathy, just a follow-up, as you requested during our recent phone conversation to facilitate the ordering of my western breast collar. i have been searching for the right breast collar for the last couple of months. i checked the local tack shops and the big name catalogues. since i wasn't finding what i wanted, my wife suggested that i look at her english style breastcollar that was ordered from hill view farms about three years ago and has had lots of use. i liked the neoprene backing as opposed to leather and fleece that gets dirty very quickly. i was impressed with the quality of leather and hardware. it had all of the attachments in the right places, even a clip on the neck strap. it certainly was durable, showing no wear after 3 years of use. i therefore called hillview farms and spoke to you, cathy to see if i could order a western style. I was pleased that you could get one for me and i also appreciate your honest cheerful manner. thanks again, peter bradley
----- Original Message ----- From:
Gary & Ann Bates To:
cathy tauer Sent:
Friday, September 11, 2009 11:21 AM Subject: saddle ad Thank you so much for all the help you gave Lauriellen regarding my saddle. She bought it and is very happy with it. She also said she received your catalog and couldn't wait to go through it and pick out everything she needed. Although I sold the saddle with the merino saddle socks and breast collar which I purchased from you, I know she will be a customer of yours. Thanks again for everything you did for me as well. I know I was probably a pain in the rear, but all is well now and I want you to know how much I appreciate the time you took to help me with the problems. Ann Bates
----- Original Message ----- From:
Julie To:
Hill View Farms Sent: Monday, September 07,
2009 3:29 PM Subject: new saddle :) We have been busy with holiday company, but I finally got around to fitting the saddle. I was afraid the girth was going to be too long, but it isn't. I adjusted the rigging all the way forward, and with the sticky pad it seems to be holding real well. The mule and I are pleased; no sign of discomfort for either one of us. I am looking forward to a good fall riding season. Attached is a picture of Sara Lee. Note the smile on her face! If we need anything we'll be happy to order from you again Sincerely, Julie Murdock
----- Original Message -----From: Minier To: Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 9:21 AM Subject: Re: your saddle (Pleasure Plantation Saddle) Cathy - I borrowed a cinch last night and went for a ride.
I LOVE IT SOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!! It is perfect!!!!! I couldn't have asked
for better!! Definitely worth the wait!! We will get you pictures
when mike and I can get together to ride!!! Dottie I received my
Battery model saddle from Hillview Farms two days ago. The shipping was
even one week faster than originally promised. As a 20-year Paso Fino
owner and rider, the McClellan style of this model appealed to me,
especially with the easy english rigging. The 15" seat was a great and
comfortable fit while keeping a short panel length of 22 1/2" for those
compact Paso backs.
would you please forward to my new address via snail mail your most recent catalog? i've told EVERYONE that the old version has more critical 'horse' information than any single source i've ever read ........ and that includes more than fifty years of reading and researching. thanks for your slave labor. mike rood
----- Original Message ----- From: April Mink To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 7:29 PM Subject: all is well, saddle is great Hi Cathy, I just came back from a horsecamping trip at Iron Mountain in the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area in Virginia. It is so beautiful there. We had 3 days of riding. The first day we just legged the horses up with a short two hour ride. The second day we were out 6 hours and the third day 8 hours---not quite by design...we became slightly lost and meant to only be out about 6 hours. My horse was not sore at all and neither was I--well, a little bit after the 3rd day!! My horse is very comfortable in your saddle and thank you so much for talking to me about testing his back for soreness too soon after riding---you are so right!! When I waited 8 hours or so, or tested the next day, there is no reaction, no soreness. Thanks again for a great saddle.
Happy Trails, April Mink ----- Original Message ----- From: "Harmon CIV
Nancy J" To: <hillview@springfield-sanborn.netSent:
Monday, July 27, 2009 3:48 PM Subject: Saddle Options
----- Original Message ----- From: Vickie Kaufman To: 'Hill View Farms' Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 2:10 PM Subject: Hi and THANK YOU Hi Cathy, Well, a great BIG THANK YOU comes from first my horse Stinger and then also from myself for a great fitting and comfortable saddle you fit us to. We have searched long and hard for a saddle to fit . We went to Brushy Creek yesterday afternoon and rode from 1:30 until 5:00 and we were both comfortable, and I , Stinger and Duane were so pleased when we took the saddle off and there were no dry spots, he was wet all over. I am so happy for my horse, and thanks to you and your kindness and helpfulness in fitting a saddle to both of us that actually fit. I have been riding our roads and fields, but with remodeling the house and working and the rain, we had not had a chance to get to Brushy yet this year. Before with my Circle Y saddle, when we would climb the hills at Brushy, Stinger would stop, turn and look at me as if to say “you want me to do what”, with this thing hurting my back. Yesterday, he just took the hills and did not labor so hard trying to climb. So we say thank you for your help. My friends that were there also were pleased to see what the result was, and just maybe you will get a new customer, Duane has been more than willing to explain how the saddle works and has shown it to many horse people. Now I think that I am interested in the wool saddle socks, a 32 inch girth and a black and brown or just a black breast collar. Would you please price these for me. Thanks again for lunch and a good conversation the day of the sale. We thoroughly enjoyed you and your husbands company. What weekend in October are you coming to ride at Brushy? Thank You, Vickie Kaufman HAPPY TRAILS.
----- Original Message ----- From: Patti Mulcahy To: Hill View Farms Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 10:37 AM Subject: RE: Order Hi Cathy – I just got my order – the breast collar is REALLY nice! I can’t wait to try it on my horse – he is a Foxtrotter – very tall and a much ‘narrower’ horse than the Quarter/Paint horse type. I was glad you mentioned in your catalog that many Western riders order the English breast collar because it is a more refined look. That’s what I did and this is going to be perfect on him. Thanks again so much! Patti Mulcahy
----- Original Message ----- From: Ellen To: 'Hill View Farms' Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 6:31 AM Subject: RE: black in size 30 Hi
Kathy:
----- Original Message ----- From: Sarah Carlson To: 'Hill View Farms' Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 7:01 PM Subject: RE: Saddle Cathy, I will send out tomorrow. ….I have to say, I’m really loving the saddle, so can’t wait to get it back! Thanks and I will recommend to my horse friends! I also LOVE the front pack, it’s perfect with the saddle. Sarah Carlson
----- Original Message ----- From: Debra Hendel To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2009 12:12 PM Subject: RE: Hello Kathy : ) needing some help with my side door : ) Thanks
Kath .. I do love my trailer .
----- Original Message ----- From: "outtachigger"
To: <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net>Sent:
Monday, June 15, 2009 9:53 AM Subject: saddles
On 6/15/09 at 10:56am, Hill View Farms <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net>
wrote: ----- Original Message ----- From: "outtachigger" To: "Hill View Farms" hillview@springfield-sanborn.net>Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 10:17 AM Subject: Re: saddles
I will
send it to you when I am done w/ work thanks for the help!!
----- Original Message ----- From: "Joanna Weinberg" To: "Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net>Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 11:40 PM Subject: It arrived! Hi
Cathy, the trailer is here, it's beautiful, Norman did a great job
delivering it and I am learning to drive my rig. Thanks; it was a
pleasure doing business with you.
----- Original Message ----- From: dessy To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 10:05 AM Subject: Express Saddle Hi!!
----- Original Message ----- From: Dottie
To:
Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: Invoice from HILL VIEW FARMS Hey!! How was your weekend of ridding? Where did you go? Did you get your Rv fixed? We took Casey out for a ride Friday night. It took us awhile to get the shims and the saddle in the right place on his back but finally got it to work!! There isn’t a whole lot of space left but it doesn't bottom out anymore. Casey was a whole different horse!! Mike was much more comfortable too, ridding in a saddle that actually fits him! After watching them ride together in their new saddle I sooooooo cant wait for mine!! Is it coming along well?? I can’t wait!!! Dottie
----- Original Message ----- From: Remmey To: HILL VIEW FARMS LLC Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 3:43 PM Subject: Re: Invoice from HILL VIEW FARMS Cathy; Just wanted to say thanks! I LOVE my stirrups!! I rode in them for the first time today and they're great, just awesome. Thank you for the fast shipping, too, allowing me to use them today! Anyway, thank you! Remey
----- Original Message ----- From: mary To: Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 12:28 PM Subject: Re: Invoice from HILL VIEW FARMS Hi Kathy, Sorry I have not let you know how the new cutback saddle is that I rec'd and I am sure you have guessed that I am happy with it. Took a little getting used to for me as it does position me better in a more balanced seat and think I have finally found the 'sweet spot' for myself after several stirrup position adjustments and learning to get used to the thigh rolls. I am glad you sent the 18.5 seat as I am 145lbs but most of it is in my thigh..;-0 so felt like I was banging into the large rolls at front and "feel" the cantle at first and this may also be because it is not as deep of a seat as I am used to with my English. It seems to fit my older, high withered, 15.2H fellow very well and he is also very happy. I am not sure with younger, lower withered, wider shoulder, 14.3 fellow but it is near perfect just seems to slip very little forward on him on the downhill's so am trying different billet placements (further back in 3/4 etc. positions. I have a couple of questions in regards to the girth placement... should the diamond shaped 'connector' on the billets be almost to the bottom of the socks pad edge? I ask as I had it about 4" up and noticed that the leather flap is rubbing pretty heavy already on the diamond and had to oil the leather to keep it from wearing on it. I have put about 150 miles in saddle to date. I love the extra rings/dees you added and the shipping went super with customs. The info and video were awesome that came with the saddle!!!!!! I would like to order another pair of the merino wool socks to have clean one on the go. (black with natural wool color). Ship as per below and if you can put on VISA as previous great and don't forget to mention on outside of box 100% USA Made that really helps. Thanks so much and look forward to recommendations as above. Mary Boulware, .................................Hi Mary. Good to hear from you and on the saddle. SUPER tip on the customs thanks!!!! As for that girth, any place is fine - as the back of the buckles on the girth are covered. Your leg placement, your horses depth of barrel, and your girth size all determine where you would like to place the length on the billets. I like to have it towards the bottom, less bulk under my leg. This will also eliminate the extra flap ware too. It really sounds like you are working the saddle over. GOOD for you ... I wish I had that many miles on already!! So far I got about 22 in. UGH May is when I start to ride as there is too much here to finish up before I get to hit the trail. I'll get those sox made up for you. :-) ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time"
----- Original Message ----- From: Kelly To: Hill View Farms Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 6:53 PM Subject: Re: saddle strings Cathy- ----- Original Message ----- From: Kelly Ankney To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 6:22 PM Subject: saddle strings Cathy-
----- Original Message ----- From: Chris Littlefield To: 'Hill View Farms' Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 10:25 AM Subject: 17.5 saddle (RETURN) Hi Cathy! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,. I was just so excited about having the saddle and now the fitter says my saddle was/is fine. I just had too much padding under it and the spring shedding was irritated. After a 2 hour ride in my old saddle, he was fine. So, I will be returning your saddle. The stirrup leathers came in yesterday. I will include them in the same box as the saddle. I of course will return the package of items including the video as well. I put the sticker on my trailer, so that item will be missing. But your web address will travel the SE J You have been wonderful to work with and the saddle is extremely well made and VERY comfortable. I will get it shipped out by Friday. Once you have inspected, please credit back my CC less the shipping of $40.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Karlsson To: "Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net>Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 7:05 PM Subject: Finally reporting back to you! Hey Cathy, well, sorry it took so
long to get back to you about riding in the upgraded saddle. It feels
great. As you know, I had that terrible problem of it being too damn hot
but now it's been nice so. I've ridden in it a dozen times and it felt
great! I hope things there are thawing soon and that you'll be back in
the saddle very soon. Thanks for making it so comfy. The other one is
holding up but will eventually have you fix it too. Bye for now! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Karlsson" To: "Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net> Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 3:05 PM Subject: do you have the new style? Hey lady, thanks for your reply email. Saw you have toe stoppers. Are they the new style? How did they better the new ones.... stitching? i just bought two pairs of english trail stirrup irons. They are 4 1/2 “ wide and I have always used the rubber band fillis stirrups but I find I spend more time worried about them busting. I wish people knew how easy it is to come off and get dragged. I'm a wuss. My sister was dragged and killed at 7 years old down at a rental stable in Palm Springs when my mom and I and her went out one weekend. Her foot caught in the stirrup. Otherwise, she most likely woulda come off. Nobody had the new stuff they offer today. Would you send me two pairs in black and just let me know anything about the new ones. You're a doll. Sue …………………….. Oh my
gosh... Yes I"ll send you some toe stoppers. YES the new style is
stitched. I'll email your invoice.
----- Original Message ----- From:
Mei-Ling Fung To:
Hill View Farms Sent:
Saturday, March 07, 2009 4:46 PM Subject: Update !! (from France) THANK
YOU !!!
Otherwise I cannot thank you enough for your efficiency, professionalism
and honesty throughout my saddle purchase.
---- Original Message
----- From: nancy To: "Hill View Farms"
hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009
5:48 PM Subject: sox, converter, girth
----- Original Message ----- From: To: "Hill View Farms" hillview@springfield-sanborn.net> Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 9:00 AM Subject: Re: Sox for Oakfield saddle Cathy,
The saddle sox & girths arrived yesterday. You are a genius! The
saddle sox fit great, and work great. A bit fussy to get on as expected
with the way the panels are but when on they are perfect. I had trouble
measuring around the rigging ring and as a result the flap there about
1.5" short. Not a problem as I will just leave the sheepskin cover on
the ring. I DEFINITELY want (2) more saddle sox ( with the flap 1.5"
longer to cover the bottom of the ring) but am sending you two of the
Seams Right flannel pads I told you about , to see if you can use their
pad material (doubles as they have it) for the bottom the saddle sox,
rather than the wool. I'll mail the pads to you today, please late a
look and see if you think using them will work. I think it would be
perfect for sweaty summers in the Deep South. Thank you so much for
making the saddle sox. The sweat patter was lovely & even, with the
extra dirt on at the furthers front & back edges of the sox, so the
panels are doing their work. The sox are absolutely the best solution
for this saddle, thank you for the time & know how to make them.
----- Original Message ----- From: dana To: HILL VIEW FARMS LLC Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 10:11 AM Subject: Re: Invoice from HILL VIEW FARMS Hi Cathy, I just wanted to thank you for your excellent and personable service regarding my order. I appreciated the time you took in sending me photos to help me with the breechings for my horse--it really helped! You were right about the girth--it does a real nice job keeping the saddle in place! It doesn't rub my horse's elbows, either. Also, thank you for the great bumber sticker! It will be going on our camper bumber for sure! Love it! Dana : )
----- Original Message ----- From: Ulset, Irene (ADP DSI) To: Hill View Farms Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 6:59 AM Subject: Good morning!
Hi Cathy
-Laura Reynolds 1. The amazing
panels. It fits every horse with no fussing, no worries, no fooling
with pads. All my horses have great backs now. 2. The adjustable stirrup bar. Back for dressage, up front for jumping, middle for trail riding. No other "all-purpose" saddle can compete. I am changing the stirrup position all the time, sometimes in the same riding session-- I start out with dressage and finish with jumping. Being able to change the stirrup position also helps a wide variety of riders fit in the saddle. It also helps with rider confidence: if I expect trouble from a horse I have the stirrups on the foreword bar to decrease the chance I will come off. 3. The very comfortable seat. Everyone seems to like it. I will round up
some photos and send them along. -Laura
Hi Cathy- Here are a few more pics. So far all the pics show me in the saddle. I am a small person only 5'2" . Here are a few pics with a taller rider, 5'10". The handsome gentleman is my husband Walter. I use this saddle for all my riding students, ranging from children smaller than me on up to some fairly large women. Seems to work well for pretty much everyone, but I would like to have an 18.5" model for those very big girls. This saddle is 17.5". -Laura
----- Original Message ----- From: Karen To: Hill View Farms Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2009 9:11 PM Subject: Re: Question Cathy,
----- Original Message ----- From: Melody To: HILL VIEW FARMS LLC Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 10:03 AM Subject: Re: Invoice from HILL VIEW FARMS Hi Cathy, I wanted to drop
you a note to tell you how pleased I am with your professional courtesy
and how fantastically the English Girth Tightener works! I have an
Australian saddle that I love riding in but could never notch up to the
proper tightness without the assistance of a muscled man. Now I am able
to cinch properly and mount without my saddle slipping all over the
place! Thanks so much, I'm sure I'll be back the next time I need
something!
----- Original Message ----- From: moen To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 2:03 PM Subject: Stall Skins Thanks for a great product! With Stall Skins I have finally found a solution to my stall floors. I have tried many other products, such as perforated rubber mats, that did not work for me. The mats got clogged over time and blocked the drainage. The Stall Skins were very easy to install and a perfect amount of material. Since I am in Florida, I use about 3" of beach sand as bedding and I cannot see where the horses are urinating anymore. It goes through very fast. I used to spend a lot of time dealing with the rubber mats that the horses kicked up and the wet sand, but not anymore. I have a very good leach system, so this was a prefect solution for me. The Stall Skins are now going into all my stalls. Thanks for your great service and prompt shipping. Best regards, L. Moen - New Smyrna Beach, Florida
---- Original Message ----- From: Leslie To: Hill View Farms Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 12:37 PM Subject: Order Dear Cathrine, I would like to order a pair of riding pants for my mom. Attached is the order form filled out. Also I would like to send in a saddle to be fitted with the flex panels. The saddle looks like it fits the requirements listed in the web site. I was wondering what time/month would be best to send it and the best way to get it too you. I also want you to know that the saddle I bought is wonderful, it does fit every horse we have. :) I hope that you are having a great Holiday season. Thank you - Leslie Rogers
----- Original Message ----- From: michelle To: Hill View Farms Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 10:54 AM Subject: RE: Invoice from HILL VIEW FARMS (corrective saddle pad with felt shims) We got the pad....sheeeee loves it! The saddle fits straight! Michelle Schimek
----- Original Message ----- From: <Nancy >To: <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net> Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 10:43 AMSubject: Thanks - Great Products I just received my order (Invoice 10996) and though I rarely do this I felt I just had to write to tell you how impressed I am with your products. The western to english girth converter & the girth are so well made, such nice leather and well designed that I'm happy to trust my safety to them as I ride. The last converter I got I never actually used because it's construction didn't make me feel safe to use it. In contrast I have riddeen several times with yours & the combination of the converter and lovely girth are so secure and also extremely comfortable for my pone. Too nice to get those Tubtrugs also, they are the best! I'm going to call to talk with you about making saddle sox for my saddle. And when my budget recovers from Christmas those slip on fenders are on my wish list too. Just wanted to say the my pony & I are so happy with everything. Nancy
----- Original Message ----- From: Cheryl To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 3:28 PM Subject: my order Hi
Cathy -I would like to thank you so much for my order. It arrived
yesterday, and am very please at everything. I was surprised at how fast
it all came.
----- Original Message ----- From: mia To: Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 3:27 PM Subject: Saddle pics Hi Cathy, Here are some pictures of the Saddle. I love it, it
looks awesome! Thank you. If you need any more pictures just let me
know.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Karlsson To: <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 9:08 PM Subject: how ya doing Cathy?? Hi Cathy, Don't know if you remember me. It's Sue Karlsson…………. I purchased two stitchdown saddles from you and my friend got a jumper saddle from you. It was when they were being made by the German company. ………………. I still have my saddles and I have enjoyed them. One is broken and I thought I'd ask you if you guys can fix it or replace it with your panel system. You were always very helpful and a great business lady. I still love getting your catalogs. ……………………Cool that you are doing Brenderups. I have a Prestige that I purchased 3 years ago …………….. I don't trailer or ride a lot but when I do it’s great and the saddles too. The trailer is great for hauling crap around too! Let me know how things are and about what I should do with the saddles. Enjoying your website! …………. Sue
----- Original Message ----- From: kitTo: Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:06 AM Subject: Re: caps Dear Cathy, got the caps and book yesterday, Thanks so much, you have the best products, and by far the best customer service. Sincerely, Kitt
----- Original Message ----- From: kit To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 8:16 PM Subject: Buying your great gear! Hi, I have enjoyed your catalog for several years, I got the Deluxe cap but lost it (pg 15) , It is TR-CAP the one with Windblock, I would like to order 2 in green. and one with the face warmer TR-CAPD also the green windblock. Can I call you during the day and use a credit card, or how shall I order? I don't think I can do it on the website. Thanks so much! Your products are really superior, I got the Rose conditioner and my horse looked fabulous! Please let me know, thanks!! Kitt
----- Original Message -----From: David To: HILL VIEW FARMS LLC Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 6:40 PM Subject: Western Rigging - Working Trail Evolutionary Saddle Cathy, I apologize for not getting back to you sooner regarding feedback on the new rigging you installed on my saddle. We were very busy over the last month sorting and loading out over a thousand head of cattle. I originally bought your saddle for my high-withered, short-backed Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse gelding, since I could never find a saddle that wouldn't sore him up - your saddle fit him nicely, and the new rigging worked well when I put him on cattle, keeping me balanced in the seat. I also used him to run my dogs in field trials, trail rides, wilderness elk hunts, and to round up cattle and check fence -since he had such a smooth gait. I have another horse,……………………………………………………………………I want to thank you for your time, patience, and very good deal on re-rigging this saddle for me. You truly are a person of high integrity. Thank you very much. David Campbell -Snake Ranch Cattle Co. LLC -Colorado Springs, CO
----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Fieldsmith"To: <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net>Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2008 8:48 AM Subject: Hi Cathy Hi
Cathy,
Original Message ----- From: andy To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2008 7:46 PM Subject: Thank You I found your website today and I just want to take a moment to thank you. I am buying 20 acres near Mt. Rainier, WA and am planning to have horses. I have never had any of my own horses but I do have a small amount of experience with friends in the past who had horses and also with my mother who has horses in Ohio. I get to be around them and even ride a little when I go there to visit her. I have been on your website for hours today looking at products and watching your videos. I have learned more about horses today than in all of my past reading !!!! Thank you for having such an informative site that I did not have to “join” or pay for. I have added your site to my favorites and will be ordering items from you as I prepare to have horses of my own. I am getting ready to build 6 stalls, 2 for me and 4 for boarders. I will be needing a lot of stuff !!!! I hope to have the stalls ready by next spring. Thanks again. Andy Sabo President
----- Original Message ----- From: Cheryl To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 2:58 PM Subject: horse boarding Kathy, I am looking for pasture………………………… .. By the way, I am really liking my officers saddle. At first I didn’t like the way it made me sit so upright, but it is growing on me. I know that it is very comfortable for my horse though. Thanks for your time, Cheryl Quist
Subject: Saddle From: Shirley Ellis" Date: Sun, October 19, 2008 12:37 pm To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Priority: Normal Hi Cathy! Bet you are enjoying the weather today. Well, I believe all roads lead back to you. The odyssey of saddles is long, and over. I sold my beloved Ortho-Flex, (so you can take it from your site-the Baron). Fit me well, but I finally realized it was not right in the shoulders for the horses I currently ride. I bought a FQHB tree barrel saddle which is comfortable and short, so improved-but still not the best in shoulders on a couple. I had my Aussie downsized when Bella lost weight-as it tipped down in front, and you guessed it-she has gained it back. Odd thing is the saddle STILL tips down, signifying it is wide, but really cuts into her developed halter-shoulder. With a large western saddle (fits, but too much leather and no leg freedom) I can fit it well with a pad that has a buildup BEHIND her shoulder bulge for comfort. But I don't like using that saddle. (Save it for the guys) Have I pretty much hit the major areas of your catalogue? Man. Anyway, I am looking at used Amera-Flex/American flex to see what I can do. I have questions about your new ones. I am reluctant to go new, as I am afraid it won't fit me, and I could not bear to return a saddle to you (regardless of your policy) as you have been a good friend. So. Here's my problem, and what do you recommend? Of your current line, the Caliente/ Liberty looks like the narrowest twist. I need a narrow twist, which is hard when you try to ride a 50 gallon drum. (That will be considered in future mounts, for sure). The flat seat would put me closer to horse (concern for me after using an OF saddle) . The extra seat padding however would push me out of the seat more, even though it would be more comfortable. It looks like you are using only 2 colors of leather now, and suede seat is not an option. (Is that the case?) I certainly understand with production costs. How many former saddles have you outfitted with suede or rough-out? No rush on answering. I am saving now for something. Also, we have a new crop of pecans coming. Do you need some? Thanks. Regards Shirley Ellis
Subject: from Nina in California who loves your stuff ------------------From: Nina LindaJane Holmes" -------------Date: Fri, October 17, 2008 12:30 pm -------------- To:hillview@springfield-sanborn.net --------------Priority: Normal Thank you so much for your wonderful products. I just returned from an overnight trip into Henry Coe State Park. It was a first experience for my two horses -- I packed on a 4 year old thoroughbred who happens to be a grandson of Secretariat. His quiet nature made him a good choice for packing, and packing makes him a better horse. I rode my 5 year old Arabian gelding. They did great on the high picket line, which worked great. They could do whatever they wanted during the night on the swivel snaps attached to the picket lines. The rope cleat and picket line tightener were easy to use. They spooked at something in the middle of the night, and everything held great. I found your directions to be easy to follow, and was able to put the line up in next to no time. I appreciate the fast shipment. I will come back for more! Thanks! Nina
-----Original Message----- From: Claire Boddaert Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2008 3:15 PM To: Claire Boddaert Subject: RE: STALL SKIN I got it! Installed it yesterday...was a holiday for us up here. It works perfectly! I am really pleased..... Thank you Cathy!
Subject: Question From:"LESLIE ROGERS" Date:Wed, October 1, 2008 8:28 pm To:"Hill View Farms" Priority:Normal Hello, I bought a flex saddle earlier this summer, and of course, if I am not riding the saddle my mother is on one of her horses. She loves it and it fits her horse great. She was wondering how much it would cost to fit her dressage saddle with the flex panels and if I you do this service at your shop? Thank you very much. Leslie Rogers
"Stanovich, Frances N." october 1 Wed, 9:18 am Kathy, just wanted to tell you how pleased I was with the products I ordered from you. The Picket line tightener was wonderful! I've never been able to get my tether line to stay tight for the whole weekend. And thank you for sending my order out so fast. Attached is a picture of my mare, Endora attached to her tether line with my new items. Of course I had no problems and she did wonderful for her first time being tied out. She is a 3 year old Paso Fino. I had to give one of my tighteners to my girlfriend after she saw it! So now I'll have to order another for me! Thanks again, and I'll be ordering again soon! Fran Stanovich
"Georgia Ray"Sun, 9:18 pm ............... Could you let me know the price. I did not see it on your web site. By the way I have purchased items from you in the past also and I have always been very pleased with your quality. Thanks again. Georgia Perry Ray
----- Original Message ----- From: To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 4:45 PM Subject: Hackamore Hi
Cathy, I need another one of your $85.00 H-Hacks, Medium. Love 'em.
JULIE SUHR is an author of the book 10 feet tall (if you don’t have it buy it – we sell it) she has competed in the Tevis Cup 100 mile endurance race over 27 times. She was born in 1924, which makes Julie 84 years old and LOOK what she is up to! When I grow up I want to be Julie. She is a gift and a treasure to all. Stand up and be active, ride your horse – no excuses!
----- Original Message ----- From: Dean Ankney To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 2:27 PM Subject: My testimony Cathy- Just wanted to drop you a line and thank you for your help! I wanted to let your customers know how great you are! As you know, I emailed you once this spring regarding my new Caliente saddle. After a long ride, my horse was sore, and had acted sore soon after the beginning of the ride. So I emailed you to try to figure out the cause. You told me that you didn’t normally have that problem, and that you wanted me to send some pictures of my horse tacked up so you could see a possible cause. I had some of him from that specific day, and after viewing them, you told me that everything looked adjusted correctly, and that possibly my issue was because he was still shedding out and it was irritating him. I clipped his saddle area before our next ride, and he was fine, and has been fine since! So I believe that you were correct. I loved how you immediately wanted to get to the bottom of the problem, and took the time for emails back and forth, and took the time to view my pictures. You truly believe in what you do, and so involved are you that you WANT to know possible good AND bad scenarios so that you can continue to upgrade your products. But I don’t think they NEED it! This saddle is truly the only saddle that has ever been comfortable to my horse. For the readers info., he’s a TWH with a sharp backbone, medium withers, and slight build. He would throw back his ears and swing his head with any other saddle I would tack him up with. Now he stands contentedly while I tack him up. I can tell on rides that he’s perfectly comfortable, too. I, also, find my saddle super comfortable! I can’t imagine riding in any other saddle. He always has perfect sweat marks on his back, with a stripe of dry hair down his backbone! I always palpate him after a ride, and he is never sore. I spent lots of money on a chiropractor for him before….now I never have to call him out! I also know that whatever horse I swing my saddle onto, it’s going to fit that horse. That alone makes this saddle worth it! All the years I spent worrying about saddle fit, and your saddles are the perfect solution! On top of all that, your saddles TRULY are beautiful. And I LOVE the saddle sox! SO easy to wash (I have the merino wool), comfortable for the horse, and the fact that I don’t have to EVER worry about my saddle pad slipping around is just awesome! All I have to do is lift my saddle and throw it on my horse! I truly love my saddle, and I am so glad that my search is over. I couldn’t even of dreamed up a saddle this great….I am glad that YOU DID!!!! Thanks again! Kelly Ankney
From: "Joni" Date: Mon, September 8, 2008 4:33 pm To: "Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net> Priority: Normal Love the girth, thanks! Joni
Subject: Re: saddle From: hillview@newulmtel.net Date: Sun, September 7, 2008 1:37 pm To: "Gary & Ann Bates" Priority: Normal Just use 3 in one oil. once a year. then treat the leather with olive oil. Hi Cathy, The saddle arrived yesterday, just in time for our camping trip. Thanks so much for the very quick service. The entire panel replacement, including shipping from California and back again, was only 2 weeks. Unbelievable. I'm sure looking forward to riding in it. Since I practically have a new saddle, I'd like to maintain it the best way possible. What would you lube the bolt mechanisms with. My husband is a mechanic, and I have always used the heavy duty bearing grease. Is that ok, or would you recommend something different? Thanks again, Ann
----- Original Message -----
From: Diana
To:
Hill View Farms Sent:
Thursday, August 14, 2008 8:27 PM Subject: Colina's New Saddle
Has Arrived
----- Original Message
----- From:
Diana
To:
Hill View Farms Sent:
Saturday, August 16, 2008 7:54 PM Subject: Colina's New Saddle
-----
Original Message ----- From:
Diana
To:
Hill View Farms
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 4:22 PM Subject: Re:
Colina's New Saddle
----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Helmes" To: <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net> Sent: Friday, August 08, 2008 12:02 PM Subject: 16.5 " cutback Let
me just say- I love it!! And more importantly- Norman loves it. He
always did this twitching thing whenever I cinched him and hunched
his back when I got on. The second time I put the saddle on him he did
nothing- no twitching. I still have to ride him with a crupper, because
he is built downhill (breeding stock paint). It was worth the wait,
even though I wish it had gotten here faster.
From: ir-ul@online.no Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 12:08 AM Subject: agent Dealer for Evolutionary saddles - location in Norway, serving Scandinavia and Europe. "Totally committed to serving the Horse and Rider." Irene Ulset.
----- Original Message ----- From: Leslie To: Hill View Farms Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2008 12:38 PM Subject: New girth needed Dear Cathy, Well we saddled up the horses and I tested the new saddle today for a 1.5 hour ride which was very hilly. It was very comfortable and my 4 year old , Stryder, seemed to do fine with it. The old saddle that I was riding him with this summer seemed to pinch his shoulders going down the hills and at the first hill he was a little jumpy until he figured out that it was not going to pinch him. He did get a little irritated when the saddle slid a little bit forward going down the steepest hill, so I probably could have tightened the girth a little more on him. …………………………………Thank you, Leslie Rogers ----- Original Message ----- From: Hill View Farms To: Nancy Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2008 2:51 PM Subject: Re: Thank you!!!! Hey super Nancy. I laugh at the pot holder... cause it is something so little that can make such a huge difference! and it is a multi purpose object. HA. You can always try another pot holder but not sure how that will stick- make sure there will be no shifting and after a month with riding and horse exercises, remove them or one, so you can see if you need it any longer, - as shims can be the cause of trouble with panels saddles too. But go for it as you now know what you need to do to balance the saddle. Try always to fit the pot holder the best way, which may be the shape of the panel in your case and or fill in the low spots. Yes I know the rigging was to the end. but if you can get it a 1/2 inch more the better. But if you are doing OK then leave it. I'm
so happy that I could help.
~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" ----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy To: Hill View Farms Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 11:05 PM Subject: Re: Thank you!!!! The pot holder really helped! My balance was much better and Ringo was able to move much easier. He was way more relaxed. The saddle was still slightly to the right but I was able to adjust while in the saddle and then it pretty much stayed put, so I am not sure if I should use one more pot holder. Also the pot holder was slightly rectangle and I put it horizontally, but maybe I should have put it vertical?? Thank you so much for all your help! I am going to keep this saddle I felt so much better today. It is truly amazing how much better you can feel the horse with your saddle. You said to shorten up the front rigging strap to the end. I am confused because it is almost to the end and I think that makes it longer? Thanks again and let me know if you think I should adjust the pad, use one more or work as is for a while. Also please clarify what I should do with the front rigging.
A
very satisfied customer, Nancy ----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy To: Hill View Farms Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 7:07 PM Subject: Re: Pictures of Ringo's back and saddle THANK YOU! If I
use the saddle sox do you think I can just put the pot holder or shim in
the saddle sox? Nancy Thank you so much for your quick response and your help! Do you think that his shoulder will eventually even out? YES Should I ride and lunge him to the left more to build up the left shoulder? HAVE HIM TAKE THAT LEAD AND POST ON THAT DIANGLE Funny thing is he prefers to go to the left when I am riding him. Do you think it will help having your saddle that allows more freedom? TOTALLY Will I have to continue to use the shims or pot holder? NO- ABOUT A MONTH AND YOU START TO SEE A DIFFERENCE, BUT YOU MAY ALSO GET SOME ROANING OF HAIR How big of a pot holder and were do I put it? A 8 TO 10 INCH SQUARE One last question, will it hurt him if I do not use the shim or potholder and just continue to work on building up his shoulder? NOPE... JUST YOU MAY GET SOME ROANING. Sorry for all the questions, but I really want to make sure he is comfortable with his saddle. I really think your saddle is the best for him since I am sure he is going to fill out more (he is only 4). OH HE WILL TOTALLY FILL OUT. ALSO SEE IF YOU CAN NOT SHORTEN UP THE FRONT RIGGING STRAP TO THE END. AS IT IS ALMOST THERE ALREADY. KEEP ME POSTED. ~ CATHY Thanks again,
Nancy The saddle looks OK on the rigging and position on the horses back - but had to see how the saddle sits over all as there is no side photo with the horses hip in the photo. Tell me how it goes. ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" ----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 7:33 PM Subject: Pictures of Ringo's back and saddle Hello Cathy, This is probably to many pictures and I don't think the one down his back is to great. I did not have anyone there to hold him so it was a little difficult. I also put the saddle on so you can see how it fits. The pad is on crooked but you can see the fit. Is the saddle to far forward? His shoulders do not look as much off as I thought. Please let me know what you think and if I need more pictures of his back. Thank you, Nancy Tabachki Sounds
good and your smaller saddle should be ready some time next week.
~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" ----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy To: Hill View Farms Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 9:35 AM Subject: Re: Saddle Welcome back. Hope you had a great time. Now that you had me adjust the cinch the saddle is even better. I have only been able to ride one time since the adjustment. I have been out of town , my sister is having some medical issues. I will be able to ride tomorrow and Sat and will let you know if I still want to try smaller seat. Thanks again,
Nancy Tabachki ----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy To: Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 10:11 AM Subject: Saddle Hi Cathy, Thank you for taking the time to help me with my saddle. Also thank you for allowing me to keep the saddle with the 17" seat past my trial period until you can ship me the one with the 16" seat to try. I was just looking at the return policy and it says any saddle in used condition will be charged a 25% restocking fee??? Of course the saddle will be used i have been trying it out. I have been careful with it, and even have it covered but you can still tell I have been riding in it. Your guarantee says try for 30 days and if you are not completely satisfied return for a full money back guarantee.. I am a little confused and want to make sure I can still ride in my saddle during this trial period. I am almost positive one of the saddles will work but do not want to be charged a 25% restocking fee for the one that does not, Thanks again and have a great trip! Nancy Tabachki ----- Original Message ----- From: Hill View Farms To: Nancy Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 6:14 AM Subject: Re: saddle Not a problem on the return, Also YES take a photo from up over his rump and to his shoulder. ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" ----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy To: Hill View Farms Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 12:15 AM Subject: saddle Hi Kathy, I forgot to mention that I am 1 day away from my 30 day trial period. I want to make sure the saddle will fit my horse, but hate to send it back until I have tried everything. I think you make an excellent saddle and really want to make it work. I have read all your saddling info a few times and am not sure I would be able to figure out the shims. Maybe I need to send you pictures. I will re-size a few pictures I have of him from about 2-3 months ago and send under separate e-mail. I think his back does not have as big of a dip in it anymore. Should I take a picture down his back so you can see his shoulders. Maybe one with the saddle on so you can see if I am putting it in the right place. Thank you, Nancy Tabachki ----- Original Message ----- From: Hill View Farms To: Nancy Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 6:21 AM Subject: Re: Saddle fit Yes an asymmetrical horse can be adjusted for saddle fit. You will need to have front shims on the low side to balance the saddle. The saddle YES the System X can fit all shapes and sizes of horses, but due to that, it will show all the back forms, weather symmetrical or not. The white hair maybe due to you continually shifting the saddle, sliding it over so that you can stay centered. that friction will go away., and not turning to the right is normal, as I too had that happen with a mare of mine, You will also notice that he will not care to pick up his left lead. You will need to work on him for symmetry. Make sure you post off of the shoulder that is smaller. That is rise and fall with that front leg at the trot. And you will need to attempt to, as it will be hard as your horse develops muscle, to take the lead at a canter or lope on that smaller side, That is he must take the lead with the front leading leg on the left side. OK... What pad do you have currently? or that you are using? Then also I need some over the rump photo's showing his shoulder area. Make sure he is Squared up. THANKS
~Cathy "Helping one customer at a
time" ----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy To: Hill View Farms Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2008 11:51 PM Subject: Saddle fit Hi Kathy, I think I have figured it out. The seat size is o.k. but I am not balanced because the saddle sits off to my horses left side. I tried evening out the girth and that helped some but it is still off to his left side. He is starting to get white hair on the right side from pressure right below his withers near the top of his shoulder. He is also starting to not like me putting the saddle on him. I think it is putting pressure on his right shoulder. He does not like go go around on a right circle anymore and has bucked a few times while going to the right. I did look down his back and his right shoulder is bigger then his left and I think that is why the saddle is leaning to the left. Can this be corrected? I got this saddle because I thought it would fit my horse so well and have only been concerned with how it felt to me. Now I understand the problem is with how it is fitting him and that is what is affecting my balance. Please let me know what I need to do. Thank you, Nancy Tabachki ----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy To: Hill View Farms Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 10:12 AM Subject: Thank you I received my saddle yesterday afternoon. It is beautiful, the workmanship is outstanding. I cannot wait to ride in it. I have family in town so I do not think I can get out until tomorrow. I have it sitting in my kitchen on a saddle rack so I can keep admiring it and sitting in it. It is very comfortable on the saddle tree can't wait to try it on my horse. I am not sure if it is to big, I definitely have more room in it then my current saddle, but maybe that is a good thing?? When sitting in the saddle there is about 4-5" from the front of my body to the pommel, is there any standard measurement that is right? Also, do you have any suggestions on what is the best way to try it out without getting the fleece a little dirty? I was thinking maybe I should keep the saddle sock on and use a very thin pad. I think I read that is not a good idea. Do the saddle socks fit all of your saddles? Thanks again, Nancy Tabachki ----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 5:00 PM Subject: 8 pictures for you Hi Cathy, Here are some photo's of Ringo. I was lunging him today with my Broken Horn Saddle on him and it was completely falling to one side even with the girth really tight. No wonder he bucked and I flew off! It is pretty hard to stay in a saddle when it shifts to one side! I'm not going to ride much until I get my new saddle. I was looking at the pictures of the saddles again. Since I am between sizes, maybe the Liberty would be a better choice since there is no blocking and it will give me a little more room. I know they are the same tree. What do you think? Hope you had a great ride. Nancy Tabachki You have been sent 8 pictures. ----- Original Message ----- From: Hill View Farms To: Zoe Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 6:55 PM Subject: Re: IN CAPS BELOW ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" ----- Original Message ----- From: Zoe To: Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 2:22 PM Hi Cathy-- A little while ago I ordered some items from your catalog--the Brenderup hi-tie and the plastic manger. The hi-tie is being installed in my trailer now down in MD, and I love the manger. I want to thank you for the prompt shipment and the care you took to annotate the instructions on the hi-tie mount. Your website and catalog are great and I love perusing them. THANKS I have a question about a used saddle for sale on your site. It's an American-Flex, made in Germany with a wooden tree, used once and on sale for $1300. I really can't afford a new saddle, but that price is too good to just pass up. I've received photos of the saddle and it looks great--it's the cutback model with stitched padding. I'm hoping the buyer will send it to me on trial (I am in NJ, she's in CA). JUST ASK MOST OF THE FOLKS ARE REAL PEOPLE AND PASS ON HOW THEY WERE TREATED SO YOUR CHANCES ARE GOOD. I know nothing about flex saddles other than what I've read on the net. I don't personally know anyone who rides in one. I do endurance, and my mare is Arab, 5 years old, somewhat short-backed, and my Wintec AP 2000 just doesn't fit her that well. It seems there are a LOT of different flex saddles around. Is the Reactor Panel a flex saddle? I've heard they're hard to adjust, but I think the Ameriflex, American-Flex, etc. are a little different. REACTOR PANEL IS A FLEXIBLE DELRIN PANEL AND YES IT REQUIRES FITTING. THE AMERI OR AMERA FLEX (ELDORADO) IS DIFFERENT THAN THE AMERICAN FLEX, BUT BY SLIDE PLATE AND RIVETS ONLY. IF AN AMERICAN - FLEX HAS BEEN REWORKED IT SHOULD HAVE NEW RIVETS. I just don't know what to look for if this saddle comes on trial, how to adjust it to my mare, how to tell if there is something wonky about it. The current rider did one 50-miler in it and was very sore in her seat and with something digging into her upper inner thighs afterwards. She thinks it was because the saddle was too small for her (it's a 17 1/2). I am about five four and 115 pounds and they say the saddle will fit me fine. NOT SURE ON WHAT WAS DIGGING IN... MY GUESS IS THE STIRRUP BUCKLE, WHICH SHOULD BE BY THE RIDERS ANKLE, NOT UNDER THEIR LEG... IF SO YOU WILL TOTALLY LUCK OUT ON THE PURCHASE AS NO ONE TOLD HER HOW TO PROPERLY AVOID THAT. Could you give me a quick idea of what red flags I should watch out for? If the saddle needs adjustment or maintenance, could I send it to you? What kind of maintenance would I have to do myself regularly? (I am looking at your "Safety Check" page and I have no idea what "System" this saddle might be, or how to find out. It is at least three years old.) The woman I spoke to, a friend of the seller's who has 2 Ameriflex saddles and loves them, says she just checks that the nuts are tightened twice a year and oils it occasionally. YOU CAN HAVE IT SENT TO ME, BUT IF SOMETHING IS WRONG WHAT SHOULD I DO... FIX IT AT WHO'S EXPENSE??? ASK THE SELLER. Thanks for your help, Cathy. Hope you are having a good summer with your family and ponies! Zoe Kharpertian SUMMER IS WHIZZING BY.... AND I'M STILL BEHIND. THE SADDLE - EVEN IF IT NEEDS WORK IS STEEL. CATH
Dear Ms. Cathy, Thank you for your swift transaction and mailing of your merchandise; I look forward to using the picket line. Additionally, being a father of three children, I wanted to compliment the manners and efficiency your daughter Rhea used during our phone conversation yesterday. She did great. Again, thanks for the prompt action. Respectfully, H. Fred Kane "Kane Quarters" Sunnybrooke Farm
Wonderful! ~ Cathy
----- Original Message ----- From: Lorrie To: 'Hill View Farms' Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2008 1:23 PM Subject: thanks for the ride on Friday Hello Cathy, It was great riding with you and Irene and Raven on Friday at Hay Creek. If I ever get to ride with you again, I am going to sit and have a cocktail with you. I took Calahan out today again. Saddle is working great. But I really do think I need to get some of the saddle socks and a breast collar that matches. Could I put an order in for the wool saddle socks and one breast collar like the one I was using. thanks and have a great day. Lorrie Beyl and Coco
----- Original Message ----- From: Kyris To: 'Hill View Farms' Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 7:36 PM Subject: RE: Invoice from HILL VIEW FARMS OK, so I went out to the barn yesterday to try the saddle on my Tbred – Ara. I got out there, got her groomed, put the saddle on her without any pads to see how it fit, grabbed the girth and… You sent me a western girth. :0( Luckily my girlfriend had a dressage girth I could use. A little longer than I needed but it worked. :0) Rode around the barn for a few minutes. LOVE the way the saddle fits my horse. Unsaddled, put a towel down, resaddled and went on a nice long trail ride. No soreness noticed at all on the ride and she seems to be fine today as well. I’m still working on getting the saddle adjusted properly to me. Stirrups were too short yesterday and I ended up moving the leathers forward after the ride as I grew up riding feet forward a bit. I’ll keep working on that. Tried the saddle on my big wide withered pinto today. It looks funny but seems to fit him and he seems very comfortable. I ended up buying a girth here so I’ll just send this one back to you with the black sox. Can’t wait for my sox so I can try the saddle with them. Kyris
----- Original Message ----- From:
Patti Mulcahy To:
Hill View Farms Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 12:14 PM
Subject: Saddle Hi Cathy – I just wanted to drop you an email and tell you how much I LOVE my new saddle! It is absolutely the nicest, most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden. And my horse likes it, too! He is gaiting so much better and behaving better and everything since I started using the new one. It is unbelievable what a difference it has made! And those saddle sox! Why would anyone ever want to use anything else ever again???? They are the answer to at least half the world’s problems! OK, maybe that is a stretch, but everyone who has seen my saddle with those sox on it thinks it is the best idea that anyone ever had. Anyone who will stand still long enough to listen gets to hear how wonderful I think your new saddle is – I’ve had many people ask me where I got it and I pass out your website address and name left and right. I have three friends who bought saddles this spring – two are Circle Ys and the other is a Tucker. All are similar-looking trail saddles, but of course, mine is much nicer! These girls all thought I was nuts buying my saddle, sight unseen or sat in but I was confident it was going to be awesome. Now they are wishing they had waited and seen mine before they bought what they did – they don’t think I am so nuts now…. I’ve attached a pic of my horse, Doc, and me at
If you have anyone who wants to talk to someone who is riding in one of your saddles, feel free to give them my email address. I will be happy to give them a glowing report on it. I am so happy with mine and you made me such a phenomenal deal on it – I couldn’t be happier that I scraped together the $$ to get it. Thanks again – Patti
Mulcahy Green Bay,
Original Message ----- From: Natalie To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 10:56 AM Subject: Saddle Hi
Cathy,
----- Original Message ----- From: Michelle To: Hill View Farms Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 8:26 AM Subject: Re: Toe Stoppers Cathy, I'm definitely ready to order the toe stoppers! There was an 8-year-old girl who was dragged to death at a local stables here in Fort Worth on an experienced 20+ year old pony that was regularly used for trail rides and lessons. Makes me so sad that they hadn't installed something like that on the saddle. I went ahead and purchased a helmet at Tractor Supply ….. Please let me know what I need to do.,,,,,: Michelle Reichert -Azle, TX 76020
Hello Cathy, Thanks for returning my call the other day. I did try the DVD in my computer and it would not play at all. Husband was able to get snippet of it on his laptop but it kept freezing up. He tried various windows to view it in also. If you have another I would love to watch it!! I tried the Liberty saddle yesterday. Love it!!! However the girth is to large and saddle was tipping a bit. (Could not tighten anytmore) Can I return this girth? My horse was moving freely in this saddle and I found it comfortable on my knees and really like the more narrow twist. It is not a bulky saddle at all! I have a port lewis impression pad that I am going to ride it in probably tomorrow (vet on his way here for routine shots other horses). I know to remove the socks when using this pad. I think I have a smaller girth and if I do not, maybe can exchange the one you sent for smaller one? I just wanted to let you know so far I LOVE the saddle! Workmanship is A+!! I included a picture from last week of my horse for you. (That is my mom holding him). Not a "saddle" picture, but I will send this once I get eveything squared ;-) Carole Watts Quakertown, PA >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: Hill View Farms To: carole Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 3:39 PM Subject: Re: Liberty saddle Oh MY GOSH what a horse!! Super on the saddle and yes we can exchange the girth. Just send that one back and tell me the size you will need. And Keep me posted. Yes... I'm having trouble with that DVD not playing... correctly... ARHG.... I'm waiting for a good day to do a remake. I'll get it done in the next weeks. :-) ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" ----- Original Message ----- From: CAROLE To: Hill View Farms Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 7:44 AM Subject: Liberty saddle Hi Cathy, I rode in this saddle 2 times and a friend rode yesterday. I used my impression pad one time. Didn't ride long or strenuous because you are not supposed to use these pads on panel saddles. However I am happy to report there were no obvious pressure points! This saddle did tip slightly to the right all 3 rides. Now I do know it is horse's shoulder. EVERY western saddle I have used did this. (But my English Wintec saddle does not). I think I need some sort of shim for this side. I may also consider a breast collar if this will help. Do I need to give you a measurement of some sort for horse? He has very nice BIG shoulder. I also have your girth to return. I guess the address is on my invoice? I used a 34" on him and it was much better...could even go down to 32 but like 34. So I guess my question is: do you know what kind of shim to send me when I say it dips slightly to RIGHT (when sitting on horse.) Will a breast collar help with this? I will be leaving on vacation Thursday and return Sunday June 15th so let's not ship anything out until I return. Would like to hear your thoughts. I also am anxious to view your video to verify I have done everything properly. Regards, Carole Watts Black Horse Farm ----- Original Message ----- From: Hill View Farms To: CAROLE Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 10:29 AM Subject: Re: Liberty saddle Hi Carole, I popped a new video in the post... you should have it today?? Can you take a photo' from the rear over his rump to show me his shoulder? Then I will know what shims to send. Yes return the girth - to the address on the invoice, and let me know if you want credit or an exchange. And state on any order your ship date as we are so busy... unless it is written down it is not remembered. 10-4 on the impression pad. It is hard to tell people that these panels really do fit. As you MUST have a rider in the saddle to test the fit. Good job and thanks. Oh... no a breast collar will not help. We need to use shims. I'll wait for your photo's or call so we can figure out how low his low side is. :-)
----- Original Message ----- From: LISA To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 7:34 AM Subject: (no subject) I saw this catalog on a trail ride and was totally submersed in it when the people knocking on the bathroom door caused me to put it down so they could get their turn.lol I would like my own copy please. I was very interested in a saddle I saw in the book. I'll be happy to send some money for it just let me know. Lisa Irvin ----- Original Message ----- From: RONDA To: Hill View Farms Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 7:49 PM Subject: Great products!!!! Cathy Clete and I went riding to day and I used by new EVOLUTIONARY saddle for the first time and I absolutely love it. It was so comfortable and it held me in position, I did not feel like I was falling out of the saddle at a trot or canter. I should have brought one sooner, now when I am trying to sell a saddle I can talk from experience…………………… Clete was impressed with the cantle and pommel bags--now he wants one for the back of his saddle, and he really likes his new helmet. You have great products. I also took some cata books and trail pass holders to pass out when we are on the trail--do a little promoting. Talk to you later, Ronda ----- Original Message ----- From: STARK To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9:48 AM Subject: breastcollar Hi, I just rec'd your 1" breastcollar that I had ordered recently. I have to tell you that it is the nicest piece of work I have seen in a long long time. The quality is excellent, and I appreciate that. Every part of it is made for the comfort of the horse. Keep up the great work. I have a saddle pad coming and am looking forward to that. Thanks. Jiordana Stark
----- Original Message ----- From: Kelly Ankney To: 'Hill View Farms' Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 9:59 PM Subject: Your products EVOLUTIONARY SADDLES TM SYSTEM X Cathy- Just an update for you! I've been getting more hours in my Caliente (SYSTEM X) saddle finally! Just wanted to tell you that my TWH Rebel is gaiting up a storm in it. It fits him perfectly, and he seems so comfortable in it. I LOVE the saddle sox! ANYONE who buys a saddle from you should purchase your saddle sox. They are just the best invention next to your saddles! I bought the merino wool ones, and they were a breeze to fit to my saddle. Rebel is shedding quite a bit right now, and even after getting all sweaty during a ride, the sox look really clean and don't attract hair. And it is SO easy to just throw my saddle on and go, instead of messing around with a saddle blanket/pad, making sure it's sitting evenly on the horse, making sure it doesn't move when I place the saddle on it. And of course no pad slipping around during a ride! I also recently bought the toestoppers from you, too. They are great, also! They are so easy to put on, and are a great safety addition. (I snuck them onto my hubby's saddle....he doesn't know about them yet! Gotta keep him safe, too!) I love how you can easily take them off and use them on another saddle if necessary, which gives you no excuse to not be safe always! Thanks for bringing all the great products that you use to all of us! Thanks again! Kelly Ankney
----- Original Message ----- From: Diane Freese To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 8:56 PM Hi Cathy Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed your clinic here last week. I have heard nothing but good things from those who attended. I can’t believe how much information you covered in one day. The opportunity to watch you and then practice on our own horses is the best way to learn and I came home with so much good information to use. Hope to meet you on the trail sometimes this summer. Thanks again. Diane Freese The Equestrian Connection Horse Club
----- Original Message ----- From: "kelly schwartz"
<kelly@jksfinancial.biz>
To: "'Hill View Farms'" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net>
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 7:18 PM Subject: RE: Saddle Measurement ........next......... ----- Original Message ----- From: Karra Markley To: kelly@jksfinancial.biz Cc: Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:05 AM Subject: personal reference for Hillview Hello, I am a Happy Hillview farms customer. In my experience, Cathy stands behind her products and has an excellent return policy. I have bought things from her for about a year. For example, you can buy multiple sizes of the same product, try them all on your horse, then send back what doesn't fit and get refunded for those items. All it costs me is shipping in the end (and the cost of what I keep of course), which is only fair. I have ridden in multiple models of the system 7 saddles. And have ridden in at least 100 other saddle brands and types over the years. I love saddles and try any I can get a chance to, english, western, endurance, sidesaddle, bullfight, spanish vaquero, potrera, peruvian, antiques, you name it - I love them all. In my opinion, measuring across the width of the saddle has very little value in determining whether you'll be happy with the twist. So much depends on the rise, overall shape of the seat, where you sit in the saddle (some push you towards the back, some you land more in the middle), padding, twist (overall width and angle both important), stirrup placement, etc. The only way to know for sure is order what you think you want, and then try it out. Measurements and pics give a vague estimate at best, I have been surprised many times by what I though I would hate but felt great when I sat on it, and what I was sure I would love by pics that was awful when I tried it out. I have never figured out a way to tell besides sitting in it for myself. I have never had any complaint with Hillview farms sales or returns. Hope this helps, Karra in Rochester, MN ........next.........
----- Original Message ----- From: Diana Reed To: kelly@jksfinancial.biz Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:10 AM Subject: Doing Business with Hillview Farms Hi
Kelly.... ........next......... From: gullicph@peoplepc.com [mailto:gullicph@peoplepc.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 8:15 AM To: kelly@jksfinancial.biz Subject: Hillview Farms Hello, Cathy asked me to write to you. I have known Cathy for 10 years and have done business with her. As a matter of fact odered tack from her last week. She has been in business for many years. Your money is safe. I ride a flex panel saddle on my mules. Paul Gullickson Wickenburg, AZ ........next......... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Maria Donovan" <m-trstudio@kmtel.com>To: <kelly@jksfinancial.biz> Cc: "Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 1:14 PM Subject: cathy and hillview farm To whom it may concern, I would
like to give a confidence vote for Cathy and her business ,she tells it
like it is . I honestly don't know anyone more knowledgeable ,helpful
and honest .I have bought two saddles from her plus other stuff ,I am
one satisfied customer . She really does every thing she promises on
her website. A most ----- Original Message ----- From: Harley Madden To: kelly@jksfinancial.biz Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 2:12 PMSubject: Hill View Farm. Kellly: Cathy from Hill View Farms gave me an email with your concerns on Hill View Farms integrity. I have done business with Hill View Farms for several years. When I buy from Cathy I have found that she stands by all claims associated with the product. I have on occasion had to return items to her and she is always accepting to the return. There is no questions asked, she always says ship it back. I have never had any trouble getting credit for purchases returned. Her only concern is if she can assist in getting an item to substitute to satisfy my need. My confidence in Hill View Farms and their products is 100%, no reservations. If you have any questions call me. Harley Madden Phone: 712 - 866
- 0942 ........next......... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mary Curry" <mpcurry@earthlink.net> To: <kelly@jksfinancial.biz> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 5:20 PM Subject: Cathy Sheets-Tauer' Credentials Hi Kelly, ........next......... ----- Original Message ----- From: Sharon Winsness To: kelly@jksfinancial.biz Cc: Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 6:17 PM Subject: Hill View Farms
Hi Kelly, ----- Original Message ----- From: "chuck.hauser" <chuck.hauser@earthlink.net>To: <kelly@jksfinancial.biz> Cc: "'Hill View Farms'" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 9:23 PM Subject: FW: NEED OUTSIDE HELP Kelly, ........next......... ----- Original Message ----- From: Outfit To: Hillview Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 7:35 AM Subject: Hillview Farms Cathy this is a copy of the email I sent. They are the BEST. We have known Cathy for 10 years and have never been disappointed with their business or wonderful friendship. Cathy's knowledge have given us happy horses and happy bodies. My husband has hip problems and would not be riding if Cathy had not helped us find the saddle that worked for him and his horse. Go with Cathy and you'll be on the right trail! Judy & Art Melvin outfit@myclearwave.net ........next......... ----- Original Message ----- From: Irene Ulset To: kelly@jksfinancial.biz Cc: Tauer Cathy Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2008 3:49 AM Subject: Saddle Measurement - Hill View Farms! Hi Kelly! My name is Irene and I live in Norway with my two horses and my husband David. I bought my first western saddle from Cathy 8 years ago.She new what cand of saddle I needed from the pictures of my horse, and when I came back to Norway the saddle fit. Not only my horse but several others. Since then, my first horse died, I have one Thorougbred and one norwegian coldblood. To very different horses but they can use the same saddle! My best buy ever! It will stay with me forever. I have once again ordered a saddle from Cathy. A Black Caliente. I live in Norway but have no problems to order from Cathy in the states and trust that the saddle I get will fit my horses. Here in Norway we don`t have this quality in saddles so therefor I have to buy from USA. Kelly, you can trust Cathy and her experience through the years. I don`t know any other person who knows that much about saddles and horses, then she do! I wish we had one "Cathy" here in Norway:-)) Irene:-))
----- Original Message ----- From: W. E Atkinson To: Cathy Sheets Tauer Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 6:10 PM Subject: Saddles and horses.....what else is there? Cathy, I am not certain where to begin this email so let me first qualify myself, so that what I have to say herein does not sound like it was bought and paid for. I am a chiropractic physician with 32 years of practice behind me, and I am standing on the cusp of retirement to to into my second life and do something special....work with troubled horses and do equine chiropractic work. Horses are my life and passion. I have a herd of 11 of all different breeds, with a few of them being throw aways that had no future because humans had ruined them. I have turned them around and they have become some of the nicest horses, with the gamest hearts, that have made the best partners for me and would do anything for me. The latest is a Peruvian that was a kite and dangerous, and was going nowhere. I am her 4th owner in her 6 years and she came to me shattered and frightened beyond belief. I have been working Parelli groundwork with her for the last 6 months and she is slowly healing and trusting now, and I think she will be a beautiful partner with a beautiful ride. Another Peruvian breeder/trainer says she has magnificent brio and termino and sees nobility in her. Needing a saddle that will not interfere with her, I have been looking into the flex panel saddle concept for a couple months now. I ride a lot in just a bareback pad, but would like something that would give me a little more security plus fit a broader range of my horses backs....from a Shire to a mule! Your website was highly recommended by Nancy and I looked it up. I was not ready for the amount of information and detail contained therein. It is the most detailed and technical treatise I have found on saddles to date, and my hat is off to you for what had to take tremendous time and effort, and such demanding knowledge of the dynamics of the horse/saddle/human interfaces. Very difficult to do correctly. I know, since I have to know how anatomy and physiology interact in my technical application to the human. I was also caught off guard by your enthusiasm for what you do. It was not an enthusiasm borne out of salesmanship, but rather representative of how thoroughly you know your theories and art form of the saddle making craft. More than anything, I heard through your comments, that the horse comes first. This attitude showed a virtuous regard for the horse who throughout the centuries has really had no voice in things, and few people to speak on their behalf. It is so reassuring to find someone that treats them as the center of the conversation rather than an incidental object through which flows money. People like you are few and far between. For all of those reasons, along with the fact that you sound so honest, how could anyone who cares about their horse not be your customer? I can only hope, and look forward, to one day cross paths with you. Bless your horse spirit.....May the Horse be With You Best Regards, Will
----- Original Message ----- From: gwyn To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 2:50 PMSubject: catabook! Hey guys! My silly husband was cleaning and threw away my catabook! please send another! If you have changed it much, can you send me an old one too? The recipies are awesome! Esp.the yellow rhubarb cake! Thank you! P.S I am hoping to order a saddle soon. What is the wait time after placing an order? ~gwyn~
----- Original Message ----- From: deb To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 9:53 PM Subject: (no subject) HI I would like a catalog sent to me…. I was at the horse clinic at TurnCrest near Rochster MN on April 5. I found you to be very educational. I am glad to see safety is being explained. I will be looking for more of your clinics. Thank you This is a much needed service. God Bless Debk
----- Original Message ----- From: "Debbie K To: "Hill View Farms" hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:15 PM Subject: Great Clinic Hey
Cathy, I really enjoyed your clinic... Thanks for making this pad
too!!! I hope you sell a ton of them, cause as you know I had been
hunting for one for Dan for some time... In fact, I may have even
mentioned it to you at some point... or your a great mind reader!!!
Honestly, there was a huge need for this type of pad, and I am so glad
that you filled it!!!! I will let you know how Dan and Duke like it...
Thanks for bringing all my goodies... and the state pass holders for
Raven...
----- Original Message ----- From Kathy To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 4:44 PM Subject: Brenderup Hi Cathy, I have viewed and enjoyed your website on several occasions. It provided me with some valuable information. I recently purchased my first horsetrailer - a Brenderup Prestige HB. Unfortunately, I couldn't purchase it from you due to our locations. I live in Pittsburgh, PA. I have some questions about the B, and am looking for some suggestions on a couple of things. Unfortunately, the dealer where I purchased the trailer hasn't been very helpful. Would you be willing and have the time for a couple of questions/suggestions? I would very much appreciate it. As you would expect, this trailer experience is very new and somewhat overwhelming to me. Since I'm fortunate enough to have the Mercedes of horse trailers, I want to make the most of it. I certainly will understand if you are unable to help me. Thanks, Kathy --------------
Original message -------------- From: "Hill View Farms" ----- Original Message ----- From: kathy To: Hill View Farms Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:04 PM Subject: Re: Brenderup Cathy, For the most part, I will be using my Prestige HB to trailer one horse. I would like to carry tack, etc. in the trailer. I'm looking for suggestions/ideas on ways to setup the inside to safely utilize the unused space. I have a groomer's door on each side of the Trailer. I am considering the Instabox, but want to still use the extra space. Any ideas? What's the best way to order Brenderup accessories - through a dealer or from the factory? I would very much appreciate your input. Thanks, Kathy ----- Original Message ----- From: Hill View Farms To: Kathy Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2008 7:10 AM Subject: Re: Brenderup Hi Kathy, Go to my web site and you can see how I set up the inside of my trailer - You can order stuff through me. The tidy pockets are a must. :-) ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time"
----- Original Message ----- From: Hill View Farms To: Wendy Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 4:36 PM Subject: Re: english saddles by raleigh Hi Wendy... I'm so
sorry about your purchase. Keep working with the dealer whom you
purchased the product through and see what can be done. ~Cathy "Helping
one customer at a time" ----- Original Message ----- From: wendy To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 9:51 AM Subject: english saddles by raleigh I have been duped! I bought an 'all leather multipurpose deep seated' english saddle for a catalog that IS NOT all leather, plus it was made in India. It is about 75%plastic and 25% leather. Pain ordinary gylcerin soap totally stripped the coating and most of the dye. Do Not buy a Raleigh They are 100% garbage and no money back. Wendy Curran
----- Original Message ----- From: Hill View Farms To: Justin Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 7:15 AM Subject: Re: Justin Rierson Yes I have those
girths – Hill View Farms Makes them, in all sizes. You purchased a 30
last time. :-) ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" ----- Original Message ----- From: Justin Rierson To: 'hillview@springfield-sanborn.net' Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 9:13 PM Subject: Justin Rierson Kathy, Hi I bought a Calienta Saddle last year and was wondering if you still have any leather girths made by Ameri-flex. You probably have the size on record that I bought from you. Email me or call 320-296-3442. Thanks! By the way I love my saddle and so does my Horse "Cowboy". Justin
----- Original Message ----- From: Kelly To: 'Hill View Farms' Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 9:21 AM Subject: saddle sox? Hi Cathy! Just writing to check up on the status of the backordered saddle sox I ordered for my Caliente. Hope all is going well with all your saddle building! I continue to check out your site and your new saddle designs. It all looks great! I love the step-by-step pictures of how you build the saddles. It's really neat to be able to see how you do it, and how much time goes into each saddle! I've been able to go on a few rides recently that have been a bit longer, as the weather has been cooperating a bit more! Still pretty muddy though. My Caliente is very comfortable, and Rebel hasn't complained once! I love how well it fits him. He was always a bit cinchy with the Barefoot saddle, even though I cinch slowly and in stages, but has been much better with the Caliente. And the size of the saddle is perfect. Nothing hits him in the hips when he's moving, nothing slides around....and it just plain looks great on him! I am getting more and more comfortable with the different feel of this saddle. Still can't wait to be able to put some more time on it! Thanks again! Happy Trails, Kelly Ankney ................................................................... From: Hill View Farms [mailto:hillview@springfield-sanborn.net] Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 7:08 PM To: Kelly Ankney Subject: Re: saddle sox? Importance: High Hi Kelly, THANK YOU for telling me about the sox.…………..THANKS. And great to here about Rebel. SUPER! ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" .............................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- From: Kelly To: 'Hill View Farms' Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 11:05 PM Subject: RE: saddle sox? Cathy- Here I just thought you got busy making saddles! As for the order maybe being sent to my husband's office, he oversees all packages, so he would've known if it had arrived there. Not a big deal at all, and thank you so much for responding so quickly and getting the sox out to me this week. I have just been using a thin Navajo blanket and it works fine, but the sox sound so perfect and convenient! Actually got to go on a 2 and 1/2 hour trail ride tonight! (Finally more of a ride to test my saddle...not an all day trip, but better than nothing!) First I rode in the arena, where I could tell he was quite happy to gait in his new saddle. (He likes to gait, but would break gait more in his other saddle.) We are trying to blaze some new trails on the property where I board at, and the mud has let up some so we could ride further. It's very wooded with big hills, gulleys, and lots of creek crossings, so I really got to test out my new saddle! The other two horses I was with both had their saddle blankets/saddles slip, and lucky Rebel's blanket stayed put! I watched for any signs of discomfort as we scrambled up and down hills, and he acted perfectly comfortable with his saddle the whole time. After we got back, I tested his back for any soreness, and found none. I can tell a difference in his comfort level, as well as in mine with this saddle! Your saddle concept truly makes perfect sense, and there were several times on the trail that I thought about how lucky Rebel and I were to have someone like you put so much work into this saddle design. I finally feel like someone GETS IT! None of the people I ride with even consider saddle fit for their horses, and it's always been an issue with me. To have a saddle that I KNOW will fit my horse, and any horses in my future, is such a HUGE relief to me! And not only is it perfectly comfortable for my horse, it's perfectly comfortable for me, also. (Those two things don't go hand-in-hand that often!) I am almost giddy tonight, feeling like I FINALLY have the right equipment for my chosen sport (and for my "horse-partner")! I really love the 3 point rigging....never had that before in any of my other saddles. I could see it being almost a bad thing with a regular saddle, but it works perfectly for your flex panel saddle. Okay, enough of my raving tonight! :) Really Cathy, I just wanted you to know how grateful I am for your saddle, and to let you know that the more I use it, the more I love it! Rebel thanks you, too! Kelly
----- Original Message ----- From: Jennifer To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 1:29 AM Subject: Product Mailing Cost Hello Cathy, Just wanted you to know I love my new saddle (The Caliente System X) and have decided to purchase saddle socks for it. Please tell me how much shipping will be before I fax you my order. Thanks much! Jennifer Anderson P.S Email
#Cathy…I love my new saddle!!! Thank you so much, my horse thanks you
too! You're doing a FANTASTIC
job with your website. I so appreciate the informational links
with videos explaining how your panel system works, saddling info.,
etc., etc. I look forward to purchasing more saddles from you in the
future and can't wait to see what your plantation saddle looks like.
:) ----- Original Message ----- From: Rita To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2008 8:46 PM Subject: Conditioning seminar Hi Cathy, I didn't get a chance to talk with
you today, but want to thank you for taking time to give the
conditioning seminar for the Northern Lights Club. It was really good
information, and I am sure we all learned things that were important. We
are looking forward to doing more trail riding in the next year, so this
was very timely for us.
Best regards, and "happy trails," Rita Simon
----- Original Message ----- From: Sue To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 1:50 PM Cathy, I’ve had the opportunity to ride in my new saddle 3
times. I love the way the flexible panels work……
Sue Jacobson College
of Veterinary Medicine - Washington State University ---- Original Message ----- From: "Teresa Ruth" To:
"Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 1:50 PM Subject: plantation prototype
saddle ...................................................................... -----Original Message----- From: Hill View Farms <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net
Sent: Feb 29, 2008 6:27 PM To: Teresa Ruth Subject: Re: plantation
prototype saddle
----- Original Message ----- From: maribeth To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 1:07 PM Subject: re: apparel question Hi Kathy, Quick question for you – I have always wanted a pair of riding tights/breeches, but am very hard to fit. I’m built like a pear and have a very long inseam – I prefer about 35-36” for riding. If I were to order a pair of riding pants, what is the turn policy? We are starting to increase the length & difficulty of our trail rides when we camp, and I’m wondering if riding pants/breeches would be more comfortable than jeans. Also, I ordered a breast collar last fall – thank you for getting it to me before our camping weekend, I appreciate it. I just love the quality! It was almost too big for my horse (he’s tall but I guess more narrow than I had thought), but I’m pretty sure we have it adjusted for a good fit. Thanks and I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Maribeth
----- Original Message ----- From: "Vicki Weiper" To: "Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 2:00 PM Subject: response
Cathy,
EVOLUTIONARY SADDLES TM SYSTEM X ----- Original Message ----- From: Erich To: Cat Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 9:52 PM Subject: Testimonial When my wife
first got her Caliente' saddle for Christmas, she was so excited. She
had forgone the comfort of a saddle that she fit in, to satisfy me and
my son. So when she came home and sat in it, she just loved it. At first
she wasn't sure that she liked the thigh blocking. I told her it really
made for a snug fit and helped in case of a run away. We put it on our
pony, which she rides quite often, and she took him out for a ride. He
was being a bit stubborn that day and she was having trouble getting him
to move. Our neighbors ride their dirtbikes on a frozen pond behind
their house every Sunday and of course this is the day we chose to ride.
After a bit of tug-of-war with him he finally gave in a bit. As they
rode in the street, he kept trying to get to the snow where I guess he
felt safer, footing wise. I told my wife that it was a good idea and so
she went along with it. Well wouldn't you know it. As he got about 6
steps into the snow, he made a mad dash for the barn. He took off down
the hill right at the fence, reared as if he were going to jump it and
then turned thinking better of that idea. He zig-zagged through the
neighbors trees and after a few tense moments finally came to a stand
still about half way to the barn. A bit frazzled, my wife got off and
walked him back to the street. Without her saddle, she would have been
thrown and probably pretty badly hurt. I think she is really happy she
had the thigh blocking now. erich, patricia, ayden and ayla fritz erich fritz fine art cambridge, mn
EVOLUTIONARY SADDLES TM- SYSTEM X ----- Original Message ----- From: Kelly To: 'Hill View Farms' Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 11:21 AM Subject: Caliente saddle Kathy- Thanks so much for the beautiful saddle! I was able to ride for just a few minutes last night. Our weather has been crazy, and everything has flooded and there's mud everywhere. Rebel was in quite the fiery mood so I have to say I tested the saddle's security! HA! I didn't ride as long as I wanted to because of time constraints, but did get some time in. It really feels a lot different than my Barefoot Cheyenne, of course! It's true that while you are up off the back of the horse when you compare it to the Barefoot, you can easily feel his movement. I was concerned about that, as that's what I love about my Barefoot saddle. I thought a treed saddle would not let me feel him as well, but those flex panels really do change the way a treed saddle feels. I still felt like I could easily move with him. I am not used to having a horn, either, and the Caliente's horn was not at all in my way. I can't wait to really put some hours on my new saddle! Plus, it is truly beautiful. I love the silver accents you chose for me....just perfect, and the leather is so soft! My cowboy friend who thought my Barefoot saddle was ridiculous, said simply that it was a nice looking saddle, and it certainly looked a lot more secure! (That's a huge compliment from him, by the way!) Thanks so much!
Kelly
Ankney THANK YOU for your feedback! I just try to do what
is right and what is best. I will call you on the differences between
the systems. But in a nutshell, they are a similar panel, other than
the padding and backer layers are fingered. The difference is mostly
noticeable in the western saddles. As for pictures of the System 10 it
is on our description of the system. You can see everything up close
there. ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" ----- Original Message ----- From: robert To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2007 6:29 AM Subject: 9 ver 10? Hi , I was looking at your site and noticed that you don't have pictures of the ver 10s What is the major differace between 9 and 10. The answer may be there, just didn't find it. Does the 9 that I am looking at have the fingers/ slits on the bars next to the withers? I love your site. It has to be the best I have ever seen. You keep doing what you are and don't let anyone influence you different. It may not make you the biggest co but you will stay the BEST!!!!! Robert Land
----- Original Message ----- From: Catherine To: HILL VIEW FARMS LLC Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:10 PM Subject: RE: Invoice from HILL VIEW FARMS Hi Cathy: Hurrah, my package came today and I LOVE those great juice glasses. They are so pretty ! I Love them so much that I am hoping that you still have 6 more! I am checking because my kids are already pestering me for one or two. If you can ship me 6, I can give them mine for Christmas! Hope that you are better organized than I am, I am just cleaning the house now, no tree or decorations up at all. I am trying but there does not seem to be enough time in the day. Happy Holidays to you and a huge thank-you for the speedy shipping. Catherine
 FROM
Rain Tree Tack -
SYSTEM X -
A winner!
The
beginning of the 2007 National Peruvian Horse Show seemed pretty dismal
for us when our gelding Otoño de mi Vida wouldn't perform at his best
because the Peruvian saddle had made him sore. We knew we didn't want to
ride him in his usual saddle, a plantation style flex panel, because we
would stick out like a sore thumb. We approached Cheryl to see if we
could try out her Peruvian flex panel saddle. It did the trick to say
the least. Railview Peruvians Ranch with Otoño de mi Vida went on to win
two blue ribbons, Champion amateur performance gelding and
Champion of
Champions amateur performance gelding!
We are sending Cheryl,
Otoño's Peruvian saddle to convert it to have flex panels. What a great
ending to a poor start of the show! Thanks Cheryl!
----- Original Message ----- From: Steve
To:
'HILL VIEW FARMS LLC' Sent:
Thursday, December 13, 2007 9:00 PM Subject: RE: Invoice from
HILL VIEW FARMS
Why a 30 day - money BACK, TEST ride is so important. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom & Vicky
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 3:58 PM Subject: saddle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hill View
Farms To: "Tom & Vicky” Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 1:44 PM
Subject: Re: saddle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom & Vicky"
To: "Hill View Farms" Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 6:52 PM
Subject: Re: saddle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hill View
Farms To: "Tom & Vicky" Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 6:31 PM
Subject: Re: saddle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom & Vicky"
To: "Hill View Farms" Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 7:53 PM
Subject: Re: saddle -----
Original Message ----- From: "Hill View Farms" When you sell your
saddle you will have to try ours... I think you will be blown away..
AND you have 30 days to get your money back. ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: Kristine Nichols To: HILL VIEW FARMS LLC Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 3:39 PM Subject: Caliente saddle Hi Cathy, Better late than never! I have had my Caliente saddle for just over a year now and thought I would let you know how much I and my horses love it. I have been riding most of my life (pushin 50) and have always been sore somewhere when done with a ride. I thought that was a fact of life in the saddle. Not anymore, I am very comfortable now during and after any length ride! Also, this saddle FITS my Tennessee Walkers and also my 17.3 hand Percheron mare. I am petite and had a hard time riding my draft because of saddle issues and am so happy to have a great fit for both of us and enjoy riding her. My Walkers are built quite different from each other, but the flex panel really works for them all (3 of them). I am looking forward to saddle #2! Sincerely, Kris Nichols ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: Lynn Frierson To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 5:20 PM Subject: Grazer questions .....I think I assembled it correctly, I hope!…..Okay, those are my questions. Thanks. BTW, I have had a
Brenderup for 11 years and love it as do my horses. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: "JMMS" To: "Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 007 7:27 PM Subject: (no subject) Dear Cathy -- Hello
again -- this is Mary Olson down here in …………………… ...........................................................................................
Happy Fall! I was looking at your site, and saw all the great Brenderup shots! I wanted to mention, in case anyone asks, that the plate that braces the HiTie on mine is ¼-in. aluminum that is glued on (steel was too heavy). Then HiTie is mounted normally. Also, I thought the B Box was too pricey, so I purchased an aluminum hitch rack ($99) from www.Target.com that is supposed to go into the vehicle hitch hole, but I turned it around and had my friend who worked at U-Haul mount it to the tongue of the B trailer. (drilled a couple of holes in the tongue arms and bolted it down using 2-in. washers) It fits perfect and does not interfere with the car when I jackknife :-P. It holds a whole bale of hay, or a partial bale plus a box of stuff. (photos attached). ALSO, I love the saddle
rack in Your BrenderUP! Please tell me more about it! I want one! Terry Cathy why do you like Brenderup Trailers? Video for slow internet connections lower quality / Video for fast internet connections great quality.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
How are you? Here is a pic of the jr and one of my Shagya with an American Flex Saddle. I talked with a dealer yesterday about your saddles. YOURS. She wants to sell them when they are ready. I said I thought they were about a year out still….. I Need to be your sales manager. I already go to all the shows and have the booth, and I do love the saddles…… I can’t wait myself. Kelly .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: Shannah To: Cathy Hillview Farms Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 12:11 PM Subject: hi Hi Cathy hope this finds you doing well………………….. p.s. Still love my saddle..... went from my 24 yr old Arab to being used on my young my 4 yr old Morab, and once you and I figured out the rigging last winter, I have had not one problem since. Shannah Wojciak ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- From: Dianna To: Hill View Farms Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 12:14 AM Subject: Your Horse-Buying Information ………………… Fundador doing
well with the new panels on his saddle, now. He isn't afraid of them
anymore. Actually, he's moving-out much better. He's softer in the
mouth, carries his head higher, and is gaiting, and even walking better.
He actually seems happier! I'm so lucky to now have two terrific
Peruvian Horses. .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- From: JANET
To:
Hill View Farms Sent: Monday, October 01, 2007 9:30 AM
Subject: Saddle's First Season Hi Cathy: I just wanted to write a quickie to you to tell you a few things about my saddle. First, I love it. It's so comfortable for me. But more importantly, it seems to be very comfortable for my horses. I've spent most of this summer riding the horse in the picture. She's my three year old Friesian (3/4) cross. She's got very wide withers already, and she's still growing. When this picture was taken, we had just returned from about a 15 mile ride in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve - most of which was up and down. When I've gone on long rides like this in the past, my horses were almost always girth sore, and usually sore in the withers. She's had none of that this summer, and I'm grateful. The other thing that I absolutely love about my saddle is it's stability. All my horses have very wide "padded" withers, and all the saddles in my past have spun to the side when I mounted. I was always trying to find natural mounting blocks while out riding to mount without spinning my saddle. This saddle stays put when I mount from the ground. Even on my widest Friesian cross mare who is 16 hands. It's a struggle for me to mount her from the ground, but when I do, this saddle stays right where it belongs. That's real treat! My first summer with the saddle has been wonderful. I'm looking forward to many, many summers on it. Thanks! Janet Alexander ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Hi Kathy, Just a follow up on how the saddle is going. I sent it with my horse (a Peruvian Paso) when he was being started by Carlos and he got him used to it and the first time Carlos got in it he said it was 10 out of 10 for comfort. Today I got to ride Chappy with the Caliente and I have to say that it was a very special moment for me. I have not long been out of hospital with my back and I must admit I was concerned how it was all going to go. I did not have a long ride but I have to say the saddle and the horse were so comfortable, that I was not hurt in any way and came off with a big smile on my face. Thank you soooo much for all your help with the saddle and the DVD was excellent and I am looking forwards to lots of rides in the future. People have already started asking where the saddle has come from. Take care and thanks again for your help. Carol Riebeling Victoria, Australia ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ----- Original Message ----- From: Kimberli To: Hill View Farms Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 5:15 PM Subject: Re: Invoice from HILL VIEW FARMS HI Cathy! Just got the jacket, it's great and fits awesome, just big enough to layer underneath without the heaviness of a bigger outback! Also love the buper sticker, it's going on my trailer! Thanks again, and I'm going to go through your catalog now! kimberli fish .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- From: Ranone To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 12:21 AM Subject: Just wanted to say good job Hello I met you at Fort Ridgley the week-end of Sept 6,7 and 8. We camped next to you and visited a bit as well (I'm sure that you don't remember me as you meet alot of people as much as you ride). I just got sometime to sit down and take a look at the book you gave me. I just wanted to say thank you, I can see that you have put alot of time in putting that together and it has great information, and I'm sure that most people don't realize how much work it takes to try all of the things that you have in there out and then take the time to put it in a book so others can just go out and enjoy the ride. I have alot of little tabs on my book now (my wish list). I'm not real sure if people take the time to thank you for a job well done, as I'm in the service business as well and if they are not having a problem they do not take the time to say THANK YOU. I hope you keep up the good work and I hope to see you on the trails soon!!!! Thank you again. Ranone Thompson - South Haven, MN ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... -----Original Message ----- From: David To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 4:23 PM Subject: Thanks You have performed a valuable service. My wife and
I are city folk, now in the country. We've been thinking about getting
a couple of horses...they seemed so easy to keep and take care of, and
all our neighbors have them! After reading some of you website, I
realize that we'd be in WAY over our head if we got horses. There is a
LOT more to know than we ever dreamed of, and we don't want to hurt a
horse or ourselves. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: Diana To: Hill View Farms Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2007 12:28 PM Subject: Fw: The Grazer Has Arrived! Hey,
Cathy... To: Diana From:
Hill View Farms ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Duane Pelerine" To: "Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net> Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 9:33 AM Subject: RE: Pelerine Saddle Order? Pelerine saddle received! Thank you for your prompt service. You have yet another satisfied customer. I hope your vacation was wonderful.
...........................................................................................
08/11/07: The Brender up is GREAT! It pulls like a dream. Perfect for my weekend horse shows. Thanks a million! Bobby and Rhea.
Bobbies words when going on another trip. Video .................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: Rick Glewwe To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 10:14 AM Subject: saddle for sale Hi Cathy, Please post this on your website. I have been riding in my American-Flex saddle since August 2003. I cannot tell you how strongly I feel about these saddles and how horse friendly and also rider friendly they are. Our theory is- HAPPY HORSE-HAPPY RIDE!! We ride on average 7-9 hours a day and our horses have not had dry spots, wear spots or sore backs when checked after riding. After 3 years of my husband watching the difference between his saddle and horse, and trouble fitting his horse for a saddle he joined the club and ordered a saddle like mine. He has been happy with how it fits his horse with no worries about pressure points on his horse. However, after a season of riding, I started paying attention to his comments about his groin being uncomfortable and that the padding in the front between his legs was too much for him. Had we paid attention after the first few rides we could have exchanged it for a different seat, but I just thought it was a guy thing-oops! We are selling his saddle, it is a AMERA-FLEX ELDORADO CALIENTE, HORN, SYSTEM 7 PANELS, ADJUSTABLE RIGGING, BORDER TOOLING BROWN. We will be buying him another one. I was selling these saddles with Cathy at the Horse Expo because I believe in them so much. I also want to say that, when I called Cathy, as usual she had the best customer service you can find you there. While waiting for our new saddle to be made, she has offered us a saddle to use for the season, CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? Last year when out in South Dakota, we were having a problem with a pad from another company, I called Cathy, she mailed me a pad so we could finish our 2 weeks of riding with no problems. I don't know of any other saddle company that has that kind of service or knowledge of how to fix problems. Here's the sales pitch again, not only can my horses move their shoulders under saddle and not be feeling pressure points, but when switching horses, I know my saddle will fit any horse better than the traditional rigid saddles and that makes me happy. YAHOO!!! Becky Glewwe ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: mary To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, June 25, 2007 10:12 PM Subject: Hanson saddle Hi, I just wanted to let you know that the saddle I received last Tuesday is great! We were rode two days at Hoosier National Forest with lots of steep trails. The saddle was comfortable for both of us and I really liked it going up steep hills. The girth came while we were gone. I will give it a try tomorrow. Thanks, Mary ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message
----- From: Alexandra
To:
HILLVIEW@SPRINGFIELD-SANBORN.NET
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 1:55 PM Hello Cathy, I just wanted to tell you that my horse and I both LOVE the Contoured Leather Girth that we ordered from you and wanted to thank you for your helpfulness in placing our order and making the changes as needed. The Billet Converters works great as well on my endurance saddle to eliminate the bulk of the western latigo, etc. We will be trying out the hackamore this weekend, and are looking forward to many great rides with our new gear. Thank you kindly, Alexandra Schluter P.S. you are welcome to post this email if you wish ;) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: Leah To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 3:13 PM Subject: comments Kathy, just wanted to let you know how much I like the Premier Shampoo. I bought it because my horse's skin peels off like a snake from shampoos, and also I only have cold water at my barn. Anyway, my horse has really bad dandruff/scruff on his tail dock. I had tried many products including MTG,betadine shampoo, Microtek spray, hydrocortisone, tea tree,and antibacterial shampoo. I used the Premier one time, and the scruff totally cleared up immediately. Now I use the shampoo once a month or so. I do not have to use any other product !! Also, I LOVE my universal snugpax saddle bag. You said it would fit my Orthoflex cutback, and it really does......and it is so much easier to use than my older snugpax.My horse is very spooky ans skittish, and I need a saddle paxk that would absolutely stay put.....if it ever slipped he would bolt, and I totally trust the pack you sold me. It is VERY secure and does not bounce or budge even when we gallop and jump logs on the trail. I really appreciate all your items, everything I have purchased from you has been useful and durable (and unique!!) Also, many thanks for helping my friend Doris Whitworth with her saddle. I ride in an OrthoFlex, and I told her to contact you about your new line of saddles. She loves her new saddle, and I Iook forward to trying it out since I want to get one, too !!
Leah Urben ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: Carol To: 'Hill View Farms' Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 3:46 PM Subject: RE: Invoice from HILL VIEW FARMS Hi Cathy, First of all I want to let you know that I love the saddle I bought from you. My horses do too but since they don't email, I will speak for all of us. Horses are gaiting better and in the young one's case, gaiting!! I need to purchase an extra saddle pad - always good to have a clean/dry one ready to go. It would be for the American Flex versatile 18.5". If I have a choice of colors I would prefer black. Also, I would like to purchase the Eucalyptus oil (4 oz) and try your recipe for fly spray. Bugs are bad and I hate using chemical fly spray. Don't know if you have my cc on file, if not, let me know and I'll call with the info. Thank you, Carol Di Tirro .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank Kooger" To: "Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 10:15 AM Subject: Received the saddle Hey
Cathy, ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: ann
To:
Cathy Tauer Sent:
Wednesday, June 06, 2007 5:37 PM Subject: Order Hi Cathy, I received the wonderful merino booties Monday, which completed my order. The breast collar is perfect and the tacky tack pad sure keeps the saddle from slipping going up and down those steep hills. I will be ordering another breast collar and pad in the very near future for a different horse. It is nice to finally have the proper equipment for my saddle. Thanks again, ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: stephanie To: Cathy Hillview Farms Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 8:41 PM Subject: equipment order Hi Cathy, I want to take a moment to tell you how impressed I am with the way in which my order was handled...first off you knew exactly what I needed and what size and shipped it out ASAP. Now I have an Eldorado Caliente that I bought used on your trading post site and the quality of the saddle is remarkable and the converters and girth I added to it are just top of the line and worth every penny! I have a LOT of items on my wish list from your catalog and I look forward to crossing them off one at a time! Thank You for really being their for your customers, having the answers and putting all of your knowledge out there for us with such honesty. I finally feel like I can stop looking to find the best saddle out their for my horses. The caliente fits EVERY one my five horses! Now the hard part is 'how do you stop with just one?' Sincerely, stephanie cirasa ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Yes, I went home Sunday night at read what was in
the folder and the gaiting explanations were great. Some people keep
telling me there are so more gaits then just the one per horse. I don't
know how important that is or not for me. Yes, the clinic was excellent
I love to learn.. Once he is certified he is certified. I've never heard of them taking certification away once given. Also I forgot about Julie Neidert in Wausau, WI. She is also a examiner. She is so close to you that you could have her there to do the starting. Look on Cathy's website for places we'll be trail riding. It is all listed there. It was great meeting you at the clinic. I hope we helped. Susan --- msilverconcho@aol.com wrote: HI Susan, I hope your trip home was safe. Both Jean and I were kicking ourselves for not asking to ride your mare you had there. I called Ruth and she said that I only need to ride for a total of 2 minutes in each direction for the certification ride and they can only be 16 hands high. So I will be working on this. Once he is certified and would grow to be bigger which he most likely will is the certification still good? I would also like to know in the future if you plan on camping trips that we could join you and/or Cathy on. We would love to if possible. thanks Michelle and Spirit.
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hey there Cathy - just a little HELLO from me and Sunny on our first big trail ride last Sunday at Wild River State Park... showing off our wonderful saddle!!! people always ask about it! Hope you have a great Memorial Day Weekend! Brad ----- Original Message ----- Hi- I received my order last week. The tack (bridle and breastcollar) are beautiful. It is some of the nicest stuff I've ever bought. The leather is soo soft and supple. The Premier mane and tail conditioner has worked wonderfully as well. Thanks for the great service and great products- Andrea Weiss ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- Cathy just wanted to give you an update on the test stirrup pads you sent me to try on my "crooked" stirrups. I got them glued in and they work great. My feet aren't slipping out of my stirrups like they use to and the sticky grip the pads have is great. I've included a couple pictures of the stirrups, plus a couple pictures of the saddles Kathy and I bought from you for our big draft crosses. Both are German made, mine is the Caliente and Kathy's is the Cutback. Love the saddles!!! Thanks again for the stirrup pads! Walt Perry (hi from Kathy) .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message
----- We love the fenders we ordered last month from you. No more pitched leg calves. Pat .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- ....................................... Hill View Farms wrote: ............................................................ ----- Original Message ----- Not covered??? They took care of the other
customers. The warrantee does say quality and workmanship for a year.
To my understanding they used a thinner vinyl and have since switched to
a heavier one because they knew of this problem.... very odd that they
will not cover this... terrible. .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ---- Original Message ----- Fast forward to April of 2007, when I discovered that one of those aforementioned washers had worked its way halfway underneath the panel on the front. The only way this could happen is if the wrong size washer was installed. This also caused a large white spot on my horse's back under that area of the saddle. I sent it back to him, and asked him to repair this, and to go thru it again and "tune it up". He did this and upon receiving it, I immediately noticed that one panel was considerably looser than the other. I called him, and he said he may have forgotten to tighten it up before he sent it back. He told me to send it back, so I did. I included a note telling him what was wrong, and also that I hoped he was going to reimburse me my shipping costs, since it was his mistake. I didn't hear anything from him for a week, so I called him, and he was very short with me, and told me that the saddle was on its way back to me. Upon receiving it, there was a note inside telling me that he had fixed the problem, and that Eldorado Saddle "NO LONGER REPAIRS AMERICAN FLEX SADDLES!" (I think he just means he won't repair MY saddle!) I find his behavior quite childish, between being short with me on the phone, and including that note. I only wanted my shipping cost back because it was his mistake, not mine, and the saddle was in for the repair that he forgot to check! I've decided that his attitude and poor quality
control is just not worth it, and will use a different repair outlet
next time I need one. Darcy Strasman I have weekly contact with them and also am very close by that I can also swing in and check the work progress. All the best, Cathy Hill View Farms. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: B CAPS BELOW by ~Cathy "Helping one
customer at a time" From: B From: B From: B From: B From: B
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 7:30 PM From: S From: S .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. From: JULIE I
really like the saddle. It was on my porch when I got home so I went out
and rode it for about 45 minutes. I really like it and it is night and
day how it sits for me compared to the ELDorado. I will defiantly keep
it and make it my first new saddle in 25 years………… Thank you again and
your assistance, web site and emails sold the saddle. Julie ----- Original Message ----- Hi, I had to write and tell you this little story on the epiphany I had while cleaning and safety checking all my saddles today. It started with peanut oiling the red bordeaux saddle flaps on the Premier, (where red came in I have not a clue because they were more sort of hot pink than any red i know) I remembered Harold telling me that food oils were good to use but some would darken the leather, peanut oil was at the top of the list. It worked and now the flaps are a nice color and the saddle does not look like it was made for a hooker parade!!! 1st problem solved. I figured if I was sending it out I better do something or everyone at Eldorado would be killing themselves laughing at the color. Then I thought I best check the O.F. Brazos It was made about the time the change over was happening. This brought me to the epiphany, if I had never seen your web sight and talked to you so intently on flex panels, I would never had known to check the panels never mind oil them. The Brazos is a beautiful saddle and fits my mare like a glove, its kind of heavy so it is not the 1st saddle I pick when I am alone, as I hate carrying it. So, anyway I checked the panels and had the CATA-BOOK with me as I was doing it. If I didn't have the CATA-BOOK I would not have known exactly what I needed to see. Yes, I would have flexed the panels etc, but would have questioned what I was seeing. Since the Brazos has not been ridden in alot I thought well it has not had abuse or heavy use so it should be fine. NOT, from sitting along time it sort of seized up. It is covered but it still was stiff I'm sure the sitting and some dust still infiltrated it. I oil it moved it around and a little more oil and moved it around. It didn't seem to move the way it should, it was clicking. I read more in the CATA-BOOK on this. Well I have come to the conclusion that something may be wrong. So tomorrow I will take my CATA-BOOK and see if the mount may be too tight, I will not attempt to try and fix something that I feel is beyond what I can handle. So, Harold may be getting 2 saddles sent to him instead of 1. So, if it weren’t for you and your CATA-BOOK I would not know good from bad. The last thought I had as I cleaned my 7th and last saddle of the day was, do I want to keep my non flex panel saddle. It is a beautiful black Tucker saddle with gorgeous tooling, and brass fittings. It is not the most comfortable saddle I have sat in, as it does have a wide twist and I don't. My legs get fatigued and I find the fork and horn a little high. Again, I was thinking back to a paragraph in the CATA-BOOK. Flex panel saddles are the best saddle for your horse. So this and the fact that I feel like a wish bone being pulled apart and not quite breaking, convinced me that it would not be in my best interest to even have flex panels put on it or put that money into it. Now a year ago I knew about all the advantages of the flex panel saddle, I knew that O.F. was no longer the company of yester year and not someone I was going to continue to do business with.( not that Len was easy, but the saddles were good quality). I wanted to stay with the flex panel, so I went online and there you were. I learned the good the bad the ugly, the dos and the don'ts, and all the things that no ever tells you about care and maintenance of the mechanical parts. I learned stuff I didn't even know I didn't know. So the moral of this story is, because of 1 woman’s knowledge and her mission to help the horse world do what is right for their animals, she in turn has made another woman more confident in the choices she makes to keep her horses as physically and mentally healthy under tack and moving freely. So, now out of 7 saddles all but 2 are not flex panels and soon it will be 6 and only 1 non flex panel. (which is not mine)!!!!! So I had to share this with you Cathy, as it meant so much to me today to know that I knew how to maintain my saddles and tell if something was wrong that may potentially be detrimental to my horses well being. The best part its fixable either by myself or Eldorado, and I don't have to by a new saddle. I now have the power to know the difference. Nice feeling!!! So you are helping one person at a time but sometimes you help 1 person more than 1 time. THANKS Diane (sorry this was longer written than in my head) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Sunday, December 31, 2006 12:26 AM I have your English girth tightener and just love it. I've recommended it to and given your name to many people. I'm 56 years old and find it harder each year to tighten my own darn cinch! Arthritic hands, you know…. Thanks again, you are a life-saver, when my husband was not around I literally worried myself sick that my saddle would turn because I couldn't get my girth tight enough. I just learned to ride English this past year after riding Western for all of my 56 years so I suppose that makes me more nervous. Roni Kelley ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message -----
Hi there Cathy,
Catherine Mack ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... -----
Original Message ----- The people in the stable like the look of the saddle and they ask about the saddle maker and for some other informations. But when I tell them that the saddle flexes with the horse 's back movements, most of them they shake of their heads and say: "Why do you need a flexing saddle? All horse backs are the same and my horse has never had a sour back." or "You have to contact a saddler who fits your saddle. How can you buy a saddle without the advice of a saddler?" It 's a pity that people are so bullheaded, but it is useless to discuss with them. All you have to do is to look at their horses' backs, then you know their opinion. Anyway, I am very happy with the Caliente saddle and I think the horse is happy too. :-) Hope your saddle concept can convince more people to help their horses to keep well and fit and maybe to have fun with their riders... Ulrike ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, Thanks for the up-date on my saddle to be. I can hardly wait to try it out ! And here is an update on the Tacky-tack pad you sent ----------an absolute miracle pad ! It arrived last Friday and I have been riding up and down every mountain I could find since then. Not once have I had to get off and re-position my saddle ! Usually I have to do that every 15 minutes or so and sometimes my currant saddle just rolls on its own and dumps me off if I try to go downhill too fast. With the new Tacky pad now I can even get off and on again to open gates----------nothing short of fabulous ! Thank-you so much for rounding those up. I like the material so much I wondered if it might be possible to get some made in a slightly smaller size that would better fit my smaller Connemaras who wear my currant traditionally sized English s addles ? I could send a pattern if that would be helpful. Of course, I won't complain if the smaller sized pads are more expensive as I understand that it is a big pain to customize products. Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you for offering such a functional and much needed product. Catherine Mack . Aladdin Connemaras/Aluinn Ponies ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
--- In MidwestHorseCampersCorner@yahoogroups.com, "Jody" <goinggaited@... wrote: Hi cathy, my name is Jody and I wanted to thank you for the opportunity you presented at the horse expo. I purchased an Eldorado from you and it has changed my horse. I bought a MFT this spring that is the sweetest thing but she was trippy and didn't like going down hills. She also wouldn’t gait very well, only a running walk. When I put her under your saddle, she instantly went into gait and very rarely does she trip. We rode in Madora for 3 days and I was getting sore, I wondered why I would get sore with all that padding so I tried a regular saddle... I was even more sore after 3 hours! I just wanted to thank you as I plan to go to Custer this next spring and I am looking forward to using that saddle! Jody ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Just wanted to say I got the undies and I really like the feel. Like you are not wearing anything!! lol I can wear them to Tennessee. Joan
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Mounted Posse, Kelly Krueger Baudette, MN Hi Cathy. The Ranch Hand saddle
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----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, I just wanted to tell you that the Ad I placed in your "Trading Post" received amazing response & I have SOLD my Ortho-flex UKCT Swain saddle! You can update that my saddle has been sold....thank you. Thank you so much for your amazing site! Lauren Appleby .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, the saddle arrived yesterday... and it is much more beautiful than on the photo you sent me. :-) I've never seen such a beautiful high quality saddle before - wow! It is really gorgeous and comfortable for the rider. I will test the saddle on my young horse in 1 or 2 weeks - because the horse is moving to an new stable with a new herd tomorrow. I think this will be very exciting for the horse so I will give him the time he needs to settle in and to find new friends before riding with the new saddle in the new place. Besides he is very young (4.5 years) and we try to do everything in his pace. I think I will not have a problem with a different
sense of riding in this saddle (compared with a traditional saddle)
because I 'm used to ride with a treeless saddle, I think this is
similar... Thanks again for your very good, informative and unimpeachable customer service. It was nice to deal with you. :-) Ulrike ............................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- I'm SOOooooo happy you approve of the saddle, it is unbelievable. But then again that is my opinion and so I worry that others may have even a higher standard than I. :-) Yes you can lounge the horse with the saddle on. It is true that there is no weight in the saddle, so the saddle is just resting there on his back and he can move freely. But because of this the saddle will be more bouncy since there is weight in the seat, and the horse may act more friskier, but I look at it this way. That extra movement the saddle demonstrates desensitizes the horse to extra commotion from the saddle and so in an event where you are putting on a rain coat, carrying an extra rider or what ever from the saddle the horse handles all those situations better. It is my pleasure to serve you and your horse, Horses and riding are my passion and I want everyone to enjoy the beauty of it all. I wish more riders were as enlighten as you. Keep me posted on the ride of the saddle and how you all are getting along. :-) ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original
Message ----- From:
Hill View Farms [mailto:hillview@springfield-sanborn.net] ----- Original
Message ----- From:
Hill View Farms [mailto:hillview@springfield-sanborn.net] (the i should be a ONE) ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" ----- Original
Message ----- Thanks again. I am riding at the Rez ride this weekend and I will probably be trying it out. Judie ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Well! I don't know what they did (Ortho-Flex –Saddle Works) to the saddle when they reworked it but I got to thinking about my ride this aftn. I took the saddle back out and threw it on her for another ride. The first ride she was tossing her head, but her strides were fine. The second time I tried a few more things with her bending her more and she was tossing her head like mad. I tried to put her into a canter and she really did not want to do it. I took the saddle off and really looked at the saddle and the saddle pad. It seems to me that the panels are not flexing the way they should. I do know it is different now. I can't even tell you how disappointed I am. My mare is very wide and I will call it flat backed, I don't have this problem in my western saddle she goes great. I honestly don't think the panels are moving with the horse properly. I would really like to cry, but it won't do anything to make the saddle better. I know Acie did HIS best to rectify the situation. I think it lies with the workers. I see a huge difference with the panels on the cutback, also I have the cutback on a saddle rack above the Premier (Ortho-Flex – Saddle Works) and I can see a difference in the way the panels are set up from the back too. I think the OF is a beautiful saddle and would be good for someone else, but it isn't working for me all the way around. I think I am going to call you tomorrow and I probably will try the Versatile. I will probably put the OF on your traders site to sell. I could make it a decoration in my living room, but too expensive just to look at. I will talk to you later. Diane .................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- OH MY GOD!!!! WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! the cutback is soooo much better. Why it took me two days to figure this all out is beyond me, as I am usually much better than that. I think it is called denial. I really did not want to believe that the other saddle was almost perching on her back. I had not ridden the cutback in her more than 2x and for only minutes, I rode one of the geldings in it most. The cutback fits like a glove on her, it does everything it is supposed to do. She did not shake her head or fuss at all, in fact she seemed quite happy. If the Versatile is built like the cutback (flex panels etc.) It would be great. Please hold it if you don't mind. I will be able to get out a deposit the end of next week. I am just speechless how the cutback conformed to her shape. I cannot believe the stuff I have learned from you and the whole saddle thing over the summer. I have to tell you this one thing, my mare usually will not stand still under saddle, I made her stop and she stood still for 5 minutes while I fixed my stirrups. This proves to me that she was comfortable. I am so pleased!!!! I will be calling soon. Thanks - Diane Cassidy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9/10/06 This is why I LOVE my customers and especially Kay - who owns and rides the sweetest donkeys on earth. Just a heads up after you pull out the lacing, use needle-nose pliers and jam the nose into the holes and twist them hard around stretching open the hole so you can better thread the lacing.
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- I purchased one of your saddles a year ago and really like it. It is everything you said it would be. However, I have lost my catalog and would very much like to get another. I will be placing an order for another saddle sox, so if possible, would you send me one with my order? Thanking you in advance. Angela Difasi .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- I love my saddle. Thank you for spending so much time with me to make sure I found a saddle to meet my many different needs. It is beautiful just as you said; now I have to get over getting it dirty and enjoy it. I do want to order your sticky pad for it, the one for a western saddle. Thank you!!! Lisa ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rich & Mary
Goldy" Hill View Farms wrote: Oh did that turn out
nice with the brass.... He looks great. (even
Actually
he is very easy to keep clean most of the time. He is not stalled and
has free run of the barn and pasture along with his buddies the donkeys
and the 2 boarded horses. I get a lot of compliments on the saddle but
most people around here are not willing to put that kind of money into a
high quality saddle. Even though it would solve a lot of their horses
problems. Clancy has never had a sore back after I got this saddle, even
after some long rides. Plus not a lot of hard core trail riders around
here. Mostly speed event queens and western pleasure princess's who have
to have the latest trends.
p.s. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Dear Cathy, 8/14/06 Here is your loaner pad that I promised to get back ASAP. I’m very happy with my saddle so far (purchased 6/21/06) I showed my cutback to my bare foot specialist she was very impressed with the delrin system although she would be more interested in a western style. I gave her your number. She is currently trying to sell a saddle she had custom made that is NOT working for her, as she will need that money to a new purchase. Her name is Sabrina. By the way Fernando did order that ortho- flex saddle, it came in the mail yesterday, the workmanship was poor quality. We were very disappointed. Who knows how long it will take to get this worked out with their no return policy. Happy Tails,
Donna
Mendez ----- Original Message ----- Hello...I just received my western to English
converter that I ordered a couple of days ago and just wanted to tell
you how impressed I am with the product and the shipping time and the
catalog!!! I'm actually reading every item just to see what you have to
say about it! I'm not sure if it was you I spoke to on the phone when I
called to place my order but whomever it was, they were sure pleasant
and cheerful (so it must of been you!) anyway's...keep up the great job
your doing and may God bless you and your family! I will definitely be
back to order more items! We made it to the hills and back!! Hot but we rode in the morning before it got too warm! How was your trip to ND?? Just sending you an email to let you know I am returning the larger of the two boa boots - I'm also returning the two sets of gaiters - there was a set of gaiters in with the boots. The smaller ones worked out GREAT! We rode all types of terrain and went up and down rocks, through water and mudd - I was a bit paranoid at first I kept checking to see if they were still on - but the most we had to do was tighten them a few clicks after riding for a bit. I think they're better than shoes actually as it protects the entire foot - our tender foot boy was leading the pack and doing so willingly!! Also, out in the dry grass horses with shoes on were actually sliding because the grass was so dry and with the boa boots he didn't slide a bit - same goes for when we had to cross the pavement road - others were sliding and he just walked right over it with out missing a beat. Thanks a bunch - you saved the day!! Pepper
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message -----
Hello Cathy - I saw your ad on the website for Peruvian saddles with a flex tree (flexible panel) and just bought one. Love it. I'm using a Skito pad with it which is working out but I was interested in the booties or socks. Do you sell socks that would fit a Peruvian Performance saddle? I've enclosed a pic. Thanks. Tara Dorn................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Thanks so much for the quality product - the english breast collar is really really great! And your catalog is very special. I'll show it to my friends! Thanks again, - Lola Blevins .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, Mailed out the breast collar and flank cinch today with a check for the additional leather. They should have it in a couple/three days. Thanks! Mary
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Cathy, Just a short note to let you know that Cletus and I finally used the picket line and it worked great. We did watch your video prior to setting it up and it was very helpful. You did a good job. Also just to let you know that I have been using the boa boots on my mule "Jules" and so far she has not been sore in the bulb part of her hoof since. It was great meeting you and your husband and hopefully we will meet again on the trails. Ronda and Clete Goblirsch ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ----- Original Message ----- Hi, I just bought an endurance model Amera-flex saddle with the thought that this would be for demo only. However, not only do I love it but my horses love it. I couldn't possibly send it back I'm keeping it! It's so easy to have the saddle sox attached - only one thing to put on the horse! My mare really hated the entire saddling/mounting process - always tried to bite me. When I swing this saddle on she looks back like she's ready to get mad but then it lands so softly and politely she just blinks her eyes and turns her head forward again. She also moves much bigger now because her shoulders can move. I'm hoping to see some conformation changes over the next weeks as a result of a better fitting saddle too. I really appreciate the fact that you've done this research and come up with a great idea for a comfortable saddle. Tina Jenkins .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. -----
Original Message ----- I used my girth converters today on my western saddle and my foxtrotter gelding wasn't girthy or nippy. Thanks. Sue Wetzel .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- Cathy, Who are the people that will change a saddle from the way it is and put the panels on it. I have a Peruvian show saddle that I would like them to take a look at. I know Cheryl is selling them, but do you know if they are legal in the show ring? I can't wait to get my saddle from you. John has been riding in his that he got changed over and he says he can feel the difference in his horse. I am going to try it on mine today and go for a ride and see if her wonderful gait comes back. She's lost it and I think it's because of the saddle fit with the one that I have now. Thanks, CONTINUED ----- Original Message ----- HI Kathy, YES the saddles are legal - according to Cheryl and others. As long as it is a Peruvian saddle. Call Cheryl for the upgrade information or you can call Eldorado Direct Let me know how your mare reacts to Johns new saddle. :-) ~Cathy "Helping one customer at a time" CONTINUED ----- Original Message ----- Cathy, Just got back from a ride and I used John's saddle. Man, what a difference. She gaited so much better and brought her head up higher than she ever has. When I ride her in that other saddle that I have, her head is practically on the ground and I can never get her to put it up. I really hate to ride her in that now. I've heard of another person that got a saddle from you and her Missouri Fox Trotter is totally different also. She just loves her saddle. She got the same one that I am getting. Can't wait to get it. If I can just get my bill down to $1000 I will be able to take some money out of savings and pay it off. Kathy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy: I stumbled across your web site sort of by accident, which led me to Cindy's Eldorado site. I am very very impressed with all you have done and do. I did e mail Cindy with some questions. I am a true believer in the flex panel system. I was a true believer in Ortho-Flex until my last saddle. I will tell you the story only because I have had it with spending tons of money on a saddle and being treated like I know nothing. As I told Cindy I have been riding since I was 2yrs old, with my grandmother and then went on to ride professionally and for pleasure. I have put this butt of mine in MANY saddles. I am 51 now. So as I say I have been there and done that. I'm not done yet. I guess I just want the story out there. I purchased a Premier saddle from OF last year, mind you not my first OF saddle. The Premier came and the first thing was the panels would not bend AT ALL, 2nd the leather on the skirt (flaps) was of the poorest quality leather and they had doubled it so the flaps were like wood. I had some other minor issues too! So, the saddle went back 3X no less. The last time I got the saddle back, I still had issues with the poor quality of leather. I called and told them I would be dead along time before this leather ever softened up. I also told them the panels still were stiffer than I liked. I was told to ride in the saddle for a while and everything would work in. YA RIGHT!!! OK, well its been quite awhile now and nothing has worked in. I called and they said to rework the saddle it would be 700.00 to 1,000.00 $ to do it. I just gave them 3000.00 for the saddle. OH I don't mean I wanted them to do it for nothing but not that much. This is how I came to yours and Cindy's sites. I was totally amazed. WOW I said to myself these people have it, they know, they understand. I read everything on both sites, over and over and over! I wish I came upon you sooner. I would like to talk to you or Cindy as I think I would like to try one of your saddles, and I asked Cindy if he can rework my Premier new leather and panels. I will be giving your web address to everyone of my friends. Everything you have to say and do, are things I have thought for along time. I am excited. I read all the letters from your customers, I could relate. So CUDOS to you guys! My name is Diane Cassidy and I live in Ipswich Massachusetts. I have 4 horses, 2QH paints 1QH/draft paint/ and an Arab who I have had since he was weaned he is now 21. My phone number is ********. I will be calling you,or you can call me. But, Thanks anyway, you have helped many and that's a great thing. Truly D.C. ----- Original Message ----- Dear DC THANK YOU for your feedback. This is the THIRD call (email in your case) that I have received regarding saddle makers not helping as they should (my opinion) for customers. I too feel your anguish. I will wait to hear from you, but in the time being I will post your email on my testimonial page. I sincerely hope by having comments like yours posted on my web site will change how business is done. And by having our priorities right, will insure that both the horse and customer are put first. Talk to you soon. ~Cathy
"Helping one customer at a time" UPDATE ----- Original Message
----- Hi Cathy; I am writing in regards to the e mail of mine you have posted. Some of it I must retract, as the saddle company is going to stand behind the saddle. I even asked them if I could keep it for a while as this is excellent riding weather. They did not think that this was a problem. I am to send it back in the fall and they will rework the flaps. THIS however DOES bring up another issue. I first called the dealership of where I purchased the saddle, I explained the whole issue with the saddle and that when the saddle was received by them 1st her co-worker also questioned the issue. The saddle was sent to me and I called the manufacturer, the person in charge at that time told me to use it for a while and it should break in. It hasn't. So I call the dealership back and told them the story so that when they called the company they could relate the WHOLE story. This did not happen. So the manufacturer says they want big money to fix the problem, the saddle was no longer under warranty. As you know I decided to call the company myself. I explained everything from the start. Well, the in short, YES they will stand by the product and fix it under warranty. This brings me to communication and caring!!! Would it have taken too much time for the person at the dealership to relay the WHOLE story. ( i was a very good customer of theirs) , I think NOT. What it comes down to is treating people with respect, especially if it is someone you have done business with. I not only think this was disrespectful but very poor business. What I have learned is whenever possible do not trust anyone to plead your case plead it yourself. Not every one REALLY cares, especially if they aren't going to make the money they thought they could. I THANK YOU CATHY FOR REALLY CARING!!!! You are one in a million!!! You were the inspiration for me pushing this and it all came out for the better. I also met a new friend who understands the true meaning of Loving Horses and caring for people!!!!, with a great sense of humor to boot! Truly Diane ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Original Message -----
I've been trying to get a picture showing you how well your saddles fit all horses. I'm starting to break my 3 y.o. Belgian, who's already 17+ HH -- and he looks gorgeous in the saddle. But, it's been turning out that when I do saddle him up, I don't have the camera, and of course, when I do have the camera, I don't have enough time to work with him. Oh well. I'll keep trying. Mara ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: RichJudyKirsten@aol.com To: hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2006 9:33 PM Subject: Saddle Pads Hi Cathy, We got our saddle pads last week and they fit fine. Do you want me to wash your saddle pads before I send them back to you? They have hair on them but they are not too sweaty. If you want me to wash them would you please e-mail me on how; cold water regular laundry soap, regular cycle or gentle cycle, lay flat to dry? Rich really likes the saddle now. Nevada's white hair spots are getting smaller and back to his dun color. He tried the saddle on our other horse a few days back and it fit him even better. That horse has regular whithers. He was surprised that the saddle fit him that good. Judy Underwood ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
----- Original Message ----- Hey, Cathy, Well, well, well. I plan to keep this saddle. Yes. Love it. My instructor likes it very much. She was so pleased that I went and purchased a dressage saddle. The stitchdown would not have allowed me to sit & ride like I need to for dressage. I know I can never go back to the Stitchdown after riding in this one. Gayle, my instructor, was so impressed, she wanted to know more about these saddles, i.e., Do they make a western one? Well, I happened to have the DVD that you sent; therefore, I left it with her to watch. I may have found you a new customer and perhaps more forthcoming if she promotes it to her students. She teaches western also. Hope my Stitchdown sells quickly. Thanks for your help, Cathy! Deb ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hey Cathy, I am writing the story about Misty and the stall skins.Misty's New Stall: We ordered a stall skin for one stall. In preparation, we dug out the dirt. David dug a pit in the center, along with shallow trenches running from the pit. It looked like a drawing of the sun with the sunrays. We put gravel in the pit and trenches. Covered all of that with a layer of sand. (Poor Misty. Before the sand was added, when she stepped into her stall at that stage of construction, her hind-end would tremble and hunker when she felt the gravel because the ground felt unsteady.) Last step after the sand -- Hurray! -- the actual skin. Put the coving around to hold the skin, trimmed the skin, attached with screws with washers. We completed the stall with fresh clean shavings. The first time Misty was in her new stall, she did not want to leave. Normally she is turned out first because she gets antsy being left. (I have begun leaving the horses out due to the time of year,) Well, when the stall door was opened for her to exit, she would not budge. The evening feeding was the same. The next morning it took putting a lead rope around her neck to get her out of her new stall! Tell me our animals do not appreciate having plush homes! She must finally realize that she can return to her nice stall again because she is now back in the routine of exiting when asked. Misty has pooped & peed in her stall. It is easy to scoop out the manure, although a bit like finding Easter eggs (I put too much bedding in – won’t do that again). LOL. And the stall is very dry. And most of all, no dust!!! Of course the long-term is yet to come but we love the concept and after what we have seen in these few days we are definitely going to do the other two stalls. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Last, but certainly not least, I wanted you to know that your Hill
View Farms Catabook is easily the MOST INFORMATIVE COLLECTION OF
INFORMATION ON EVERYTHING HORSE that I have ever read. It is written in
plain English and covers every possible topic imaginable. For example, I
never knew that the only girth to be used with any saddle with a
flex-panel system should be NON-ELASTIC! Anyway, this book has been SO
useful. I recommend it to everyone and anyone who needs horse info. You are too funny and naturally I know who you are. Thank you for
your most gracious and glowing letter. All I do is try my best and share
with other what I know. I thank you again and you are most welcome. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi, The saddle has been declared a success by my husband, Rich. He has ridden in it twice now, and is getting the hang of it. At first he didn't cinch it up tight enough and it would slide when he got on. He has since learned to tighten it up more. He also said because the saddle spreads you need to tighten the cinch again after 15 min of riding. Anyway we would like to order a new pad for our saddle. Rich likes the color,(brown), of the demo pad. He was wondering if it could be made longer where the cinch ring is. He is not sure if it will matter but right now there isn't any padding there. Is there anyway we can get padding there without it looking funny. Nevada, (our gelding), declared the saddle a success right away. It is amazing what a calm horse he is when he isn't being killed off by pain from the saddle. Horses must think us humans are really dumb. He tried to tell us in about 50 ways that the saddle hurt him really bad. I am just glade we did not give up on him, and write him off as a psycho horse. Thank-you so much for helping us, it was worth the long wait. Will wait to here from you on the pad. Oh can we use the demo pad until the new one gets here? I think you also had a pad that had saddle bags made into it. I am interested in one of those too. Rich's birthday is in April. How much $ would I be looking at for the two pads? Judy Underwood ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, I watched your video, very good! Is it alright if I copy it to show it to some of my friends whom are VERY interested in how this saddle works out for me? If not, could you send me out a couple? Do you ever do workshops on these saddles, and saddle theory and fit? I know the Parellis' have a workshop at the Savvy Conference on "saddle fitting".I think yours is much better. Anyway, a friend of mine here is putting on a series of workshops. Last week it was about Equine nutrition and Natural Hoof Care, she's going to do them every couple of months. She is very interested in my new saddle also, but before I suggest she contact you regarding a class on it, I thought I'd ask you if you even do that sort of thing............
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Dear Cathy, I enjoyed our phone visit last Monday. The BOA boots I ordered then, arrived yesterday, and I'm very pleased with them. Misty, my 26 year old sweetheart, began walking almost normally as soon as I put them on, and this afternoon we had a very short ride, our first since November. The boots were very easy to put on, as you'd said. I was afraid that might be a problem, but it wasn't. Attached is a picture. My el cheapo WalMart camera doesn't do very well on cloudy snowy days like today, but it was such a treat to me, to see her saddled and moving more or less normally, that I couldn't resist. Thanks again. Lynn Hall.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- From: Maureen Hi Cathy, Just wanted to let you know how much I love my new dressage saddle. It is awesome! I use it not only for dressage but it is SO comfortable that I can go on trail rides with it and never get sore. Did 2 1/2 hrs. of trail riding and even some sitting trot as my horse was round and moving smoothly and freely. Every horse and rider deserve to be this comfortable! My horse is so much more willing. The girth is great, too. My horse used to be cinchy but not anymore. Thanks for your patience with me finally getting the right size girth. I have mailed the other 2 back to you. Best regards, Maureen R., Redmond, WA. .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- From: Molly Hi Cathy, I purchased a stitchdown from you almost two years ago. I love the saddle and have put many miles on it - pleasure and competitive. Unfortunately my horse injured himself early last summer and it looks as though his riding days are over. (punctured coronary band - he survived two weeks at the MSU vet hospital but too much arthritis has set in). I would like to list my saddle on your site if possible. I didn't see on the trading post page where to go about making my listing. Perhaps I missed something. My saddle is in very good condition and I hate to see it go but sometimes you have to put the horse before the cart... So, I can give you all the gory details on the saddle when I hear back about listing.Thanks for all your help in purchasing this saddle. I can honestly say that to this day in many arenas, your customer service is the best I have come to know. Molly in Michigan ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: Cornerhouse Cathy, ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Dear Cathy, I just had to write this testimonial since I can't remember ever meeting such a wonderful, helpful business owner like you in a very very long time! First off, the saddles are amazing. This is the only saddle that doesn't hurt my mare's back. She has had some hip problems since birth and endures terrible pain from saddles when ridden. I have ridden 6 to 7 hours at 12,000' ,up and down steep mountains and her back is virtually pain free when I take off her saddle at the end of the day! The bonus is that I can use it on my other horses that have back completely different shape than hers. We love the saddle! Secondly the saddles that I purchased were used that you help me find out of the goodness of your heart. I could not afford new ones at the time. You did not profit financial from all the help you gave me. But you have profited by word of mouth because I have told everyone I know what an incredible dealer and person that you are! And some of those people have bought saddles from you! So good things do happen to good people! Regards, Hi Cathy, Hope life has been treating you well! I still tell everyone I know what an amazing dealer and person that you are. I've never had anyone be so helpful. To refresh your memory I'm the gal that you helped find 2 used saddles- one was from Lore Mozey. I love them both but I'm selling my other horse and prefer the Caliente over the endurance model. I'll have to write a testimonial because this is the only saddle that has given my horse relief from back pain. She loves her saddle! Thanks for your help. Regards, Cindy Arellanes in Colorado ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Cathy, Amy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 
----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, I received my saddle yesterday and I am totally thrilled with it. Although I had not a chance to try it out yet, I love the color! It matches my show tack (Bridle, breast collar - do you believe that, what are the odds?) at least inside in the house, have to take it outside to really see. I wanted it mostly for trail riding but now that it matches so nicely my other tack I defiantly will be showing in it too. I may have to wait until Thursday until I be able to find time to actually ride in it. I am burning to finally trying it out! But it sure looks nice and the workmanship is great too. I am a tack-a-holic anyway now I am thinking about maybe another, just for trailriding....but that will be sometime down the road....ha ha. Just wanted to drop your a quick line and let you know that you have another happy customer. Thanks again for all your help! mady
Hi Cathy, look at that it matches perfectly. The saddle is great, my horse doesn't seem to have any objections either. If I could I would get another one (I know, now I am getting greedy). Thanks again. mady This customer is a prior owner of a Delrin panel saddle. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message -----
From: candy Hi Kathy-- I had Harold & Cindy of Eldorado Saddle & Tack retrofit my Courbette DeKunffy dressage saddle last year. When they returned it to me, it didn't quite fit right - I was getting a "recoil" effect in the back of the saddle that was very disconcerting. They were very gracious about it & had me return it to them for further adjustment at no additional charge. We moved last summer (and so did they) so there was a long delay in my returning the saddle to them due to BOTH our moves - but when I did, they fixed it & returned it very promptly. My husband & I have been so busy ever since OUR move (remodeling an old house, building horse facilities etc.) that I never got around to TRYING the dressage saddle after the second repair. The girth, leathers, stirrups etc. were scattered about following the move & it took me a while to get my act together. FINALLY last night I got a chance to ride in it and I wanted to let you know that it is GREAT. I wish I hadn't waited so long to try it. Harold & Cindy had retrofitted my McCall (western) saddle before that - a couple or maybe even three years ago - and it continues to fit my horse, Frisco, really well. Another reason I had not been that motivated to try my dressage saddle until recently is because that's the one I bucked OFF in when I first bought Frisco - he was three then & is now a nice sane & secure SIX. My recovery has taken a LONG time & I've been a much less confident rider than I was before my wreck. While I was learning to ride all over again, I preferred the security of a nice big western saddle - with a HORN - to that little postage-stamp dressage saddle. But since Cindy & Harold took the "sproing" out of the dressage saddle - by moving the panels further apart under the cantle - it fits the horse perfectly and I feel like my position is as balanced & correct & secure as it was "in the olden days" before I hit the dirt. What a relief - and a joy. Cindy & Harold are terrific & I just wanted to express my appreciation to them (which I have done separately) and to you too for referring me to them in the first place. Someday - when I have time! - I will send you pics of handsome Frisco with both his handsome - retrofitted with flex panels - saddles. The Creaky Old Cowgirl Wannabe, Candy Odiorne Star, ID .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Original Message ----- Cathy, I can't say enough about my new ( Easy-Slide Amera-Flex) western saddle - both horses love it, in particular my older mare. Both horses have very different whithers and backs, of course, and it has been increasingly difficult to fit our older mare as her spine has been aging. The younger gelding's whithers are much more "square" than hers, and his spinal musculature hasn't sunken like hers. When we untack, both horses' whithers and backs are uniformly wet and she walks out like a youngster again. And I am very, very pleased with the quality of the leather. I was a bit concerned that I'd find leather in an American product of lesser quality than a European saddle, but this is not the case at all. Even after hours in the saddle my knees don't hurt because the stirrup leathers are so flexible. It must give you great pleasure to anticipate bringing quality like this to your customers for a even better value in the coming months with your new supplier. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, Was wondering if anyone has ever sent back an American -flex saddle? I'm convinced they are the best that can be bought. The price was staggering for me with the need to buy two but every time I get up in the saddle I melt! And I don't think any horse would send back one either. I suppose you do get what you pay for. Thank you, Warren ----- Original Message ----- Hi Warren, YES that price is a stinker and I had them on SPECIAL! But if you look at it as an investment that it will go from horse to horse you have spent money well in the long run. Yes I have had people for reasons other than them fitting the horse return the saddles. But that is why I give the 20 day ride time. I want the customer and the horse to be totally happy. :-) ~ Cathy Sheets Tauer "Helping one customer at a time" ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Cathy, thank you so much to take time with me when you were busy with the corn this afternoon. I had never been on your site, so after we rang off (with girth conversion stuff in hand), I looked around to find Peruvian horses! We've had Peruvians only three years now; in that time, gradually, we've placed our other gaited horses with good homes other than ours. We think they are the most interesting horses on the planet. Lots of great info on your site; thanks for sharing... ...and for hustling to get that order out for us. Carolyn is so frustrated with her current saddle and rigging; we have only the weekend to try another saddle, and I wanted to experiment with the girth conversion. I"m grateful. Randy Lawrence
----- Original Message ----- You are MOST welcome!! ;-) ~ Cathy Sheets Tauer "Helping one customer at a time"Add this link to your favorites: www.american-flex.com If you want a catalog of Proven Products for Horse and Rider" or to place an order call, fax and / or email your address. 507-723-5937 or toll free 866-723-5937 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... -------Original Message------- Dear Adrian, My daughter was at a riding school and had a horrific experience when the pony she was riding shied and she fell off to the side and was hung up in the iron and dragged around the arena. The saddle had those stirrups with the rubber bands on them but the band didn’t break off, and the pony finally stopped when it got to the gate. Luckily she was only bruised and scared half to death. God only knows what would have happened if the pony had tried to jump the gate! Anyhow my point is someone gave me a pair of toe stoppers to use and they are fantastic, they stop the riders foot from going forward on the iron and stop the foot from getting hooked up in the iron. I wish i had them before for my daughter. When she felt able to go back to riding she was really nervous but now with her toe stoppers she's jumping and her seat has improved and she is going great guns. I feel so much better knowing this cant ever happen again to her. I think all riding schools should have to have them on their saddles just as they have to provide proper helmets. I just wanted to share this little bit of information with all of you. I looked up their website and they have lots of information on other top riders who are using them, check it out http://www.toestoppers.com/ I would love to know if anyone else is using them. Oh yeah Megan Jones the top Eventer in Australia uses them and I saw her web site pics with them on check this site out too1 http://www.kirbypark.com/ and go to the gallery pages for Melbourne Int 3DE or Warwick World Cup or Reynella Horse Trials ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- Dear Teresa, The biggest problem with the "S" Type safety iron, is that the foot can still be hooked up in the iron from the bar to the top of the iron (top to bottom). We have attached some more trial reports from other jockeys for you to look at. The Jockey trial gives you an indication of the Stats there were 68 mentioned dragging incidents out of 70 reports they all were using the S Bend so called safety iron. With the Toe Stopper your foot can’t go any further forward and it is only as deep as the stirrup is wide. Your rider members will find their balance and confidence will improve 100% with the Toe Stoppers and their heels automatically go down. I have just mailed Cathy the latest DVD on Toe Stoppers it is very impressive and compelling just ask Cathy to give you a copy to show your riders. You can also direct your rider members to our web site www.toestoppers.com and the video clip link http://www.toestoppers.com/testimonials_videos.html Also there are a few more trial reports we have about 150 of them. Kindest regards, ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- Dear Teresa…………… These TOE STOPPERS are FANTASTIC! Just yesterday I
was testing a saddle that had safety irons - on a shit horse, and I
could not keep my foot in the proper position! I am at the point that I
will have to take them with me as I do my helmet! They are that good!
~ Cathy Sheets Tauer "Helping one customer at a time" .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
WONDERFUL! and too funny! The weather broke here last night and today is cool and beautiful - and I'm off riding. We too had rain - thank goodness. And I too have a mare that is so clean.... but she is dark, however her PIG -SWINE baby "Colina" is a very light roan and can find a shit hole in the driest of conditions and now since our rain, she looks like one of those African elephants after a mud bath.... Horses.... you just gotta love them. I'm going to post your photo's and email on the testimony page if that is ok? ~ Cathy Sheets Tauer "Helping one customer at a time"
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Talk with you soon, ~ Cathy Sheets Tauer "Helping one customer at a time" If you want a catalog of Proven Products for Horse and Rider" or to place an order call, fax and / or email your address. 507-723-5937 or toll free 866-723-5937 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, I love my Shot Gun saddle that I bought from you last year. It rides like a dream, and it is so beautiful that it is the envy of the barn. I am writing to ask about a breast collar. My horse Califa, has no withers, and I have some trouble with saddle slippage. My ferrier suggested a breast collar. Do you have one to match my brown Shot Gun? I am more interested in the English version, as it is smaller. Does the English version have the ring attachment on the chest? It is hard to see from the photos. What is the cost? Thanks for your help. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... SYSTEM 7 PANELS!! Ursprüngliche Nachricht--- ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Kathy: I hope all is going well for you. I’m busy trying to get all my nomination papers in order. It would be so exciting to make it on the US Equestrian Team! I think I have a pretty good chance. I have two very good horses that are doing very well. I’m really nervous about getting the saddle hardware and the pads in time. I’m sorry to bother you but could you give me an update on how things are going? How is your saddle pad maker feeling? I wouldn’t be so worried, but this is such a big race for me. It is the selection ride for making the team, so I’d like to make sure everything is perfect. I haven’t received anything yet. Thanks! Cheryl From: Hill View Farms [mailto:hillview@springfield-sanborn.net]
I just spoke with the seamstress. Your soxs will go out in three days. You will have them next week. :-) ~ Cathy Sheets Tauer "Helping one customer at a time" ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy THANKS SO MUCH!! One less thing to worry about! Now if I can just pay the entry fee, the AERC fee, the USEF fee, the nomination fee, and it goes on and on!!!! I’ll let you know how it all goes. Thanks so much for your awesome saddles. We both love them; Stewart rides with me now and has for 7 months! Its so fun to ride with a buddy. He’s becoming very good. Both horses have happy backs because of your saddle. I’m back to my first saddle (the heavy one) since for FEI rides I have to ride at a weight of 165. This is all becoming very exciting! Take care, Cheryl ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Cathy, I just got my new Countour Leather Girth (a contoured all leather HVF girth) this weekend and absolutely love it! It is truly a quality product made with beautiful craftsmanship. Thanks for sending it so quickly so I could use it before my 50-mile ride next weekend! Happy Trails, ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Well, end of an era... Thanks for listing my saddle on your site -- it's a wonderful, generous service you're providing. My saddle is on its way to a woman in Utah, who sounds like she understands completely why horses should be ridden in a saddle that flexes when they flex. Your Web site made it easy to sell the saddle, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your trading post page. Our kind, patient veterinarian euthanized our mule on June 22 at about 9:30 in the morning. Ulysses was tough in life, and even tougher as he approached death. The vet had to give him double doses of everything. He died with a mouthful of clover. What makes this so comforting to me is that this mule was never, in the more than six years that I worked with him, relaxed enough to just stand and eat while on a lead line. He always circled. The veterinarian gave him that double dose of tranquilizer, followed by a single dose of anesthetic, and Ulysses was not only calm, he was free of pain. We all stood there and watched for a while. He tore up mouthfuls of grass and was just as happy as could be. He didn't even stop eating for the second dose of anesthetic. When he finally went down, he had that huge mouthful of clover -- and looked so wonderfully relaxed. He taught me a lot, and because of him I met some very interesting people -- yourself, for example. Thanks again -- Kay Kruse-Stanton ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
----- Original Message ----- I have a Caliente western saddle. I've been using a regular breast collar from an old regular saddle and it's not really working right. After looking at the ones you carry, I like the English breast collar better than your Western one, primarily because of the color shown for the western one. The photo shows like a light oil color and the saddle is more of the dark brown like the English one. Can you interchange between they types of saddles? Will the English one fit my western saddle? If so, can you let me know what the price is in US dollars? By the way, had an interesting experience on the trail. I used a wool show pad under this saddle without the normal felt liner I usually used. My horse went insane until the third time she rolled me and I figured out the only thing different was the pad. So I pulled the wool blanket off her and put just the saddle on her with no pad and rode another 2 hours that way. Can't get away with that with my old saddle! It would have rubbed her raw. Thanks! Cindy Trane ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
----- Original Message ----- ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message -----
Cathy, My new saddle is PERFECT…we love it! Thanks for the recommendation and all of your help. Barb ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Got my new stitchdown and am glad I
didn't keep the older model. This one is so comfortable and even looks
better on my horse. I have ridden a couple of trail rides with it and am
very happy. HEY! I was just thinking about you! No, it is NOT necessary to cover the scapula. You can - but on longer backed horses no. So you are JUST fine!! PERFECT! My daughter sat in the new saddle and NOW she wants to sell her old one and get this one!! UGH! :-) ~ Cathy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, I just wanted to let you know I love the saddle I got from you, so you can count it sold. It will be staying here. I was going to call, but your line was busy the couple times I thought about it at a normal hour, so I thought I'd just drop you a quick note. Actually it sold itself the first day we used it. My gelding hurt his shoulder right before it came, so my mom got to ride in it for the first few days. She is rather new to being around the horses and just learning to ride. She has been using a real docile mare of mine, but something spooked her, causing her to jump sideways and then canter across the corral before stopping. Amazingly in the new saddle Mom stayed on and did not even really loose her balance. I love the comfort and security it provides for both me and my horses. I'm hoping it won't be too long before I can afford to purchase a second saddle for my little mare when Mom rides her. ……………………………thanks again for a super saddle, and best wishes to you in all you do. Jenny Barwick ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy! I am thrilled with how the horses like the new saddles and honestly can NOT believe how well they are going! A few of them have had their withers come up about an inch and their willingness to work through their backs has increased ten fold. A horse I started working with in February 2004 has finally developed a level back - yesterday I had the ride of my life. His reactions and balance have improved beyond belief! I have never ridden such a sensitive and responsive animal - mind you when we began working together, it was my job to hold this horse up! In reality, he was quite sore behind and up front and he had _no_ push from behind. Now I am sitting on the horse I sensed he could be! It is one of the most satisfying things that I have ever experienced! I feel like I have a new horse! I can not wait to go and compete! And the brown saddle is FABULOUS! If I get photos next week, I will send some to you. It is amazing - what a difference! Thank YOU! Here is what Ellie wrote with nothing changed. Hi Cathy! I began competing at the FEI level (in Dressage) at age twelve. Now 17 years later, I am so grateful that the technology of the American Flex saddles exists, not only for the comfort of me (the rider) but also for that of my horses! Being able to move a saddle directly from one horse to another is a luxury especially when I know that the saddle will fit each horse correctly. I had been a loyal OF customer for over 15 years. With multiple National Championships and Year End Awards behind me, I am a firm believer in the flexible panel systems of saddling. The excellent craftsmanship and improved technology of the panels made the American Flex UK Dressage saddle the logical choice when I began to look for a new saddle. The open discussions with Cathy of HVF helped me to come to terms with the decision to invest heavily in the future comforts of both my horses and me. The first time I sat in my UKD I felt like I was in perfect balance with my horse. I truly felt like I had come home to a safe and secure position. My most difficult horse is more obedient and responsive my new saddle. The tendency to see ‘imaginary’ boogies and goblins is greatly reduced – in the identical settings to where they were everywhere. Since the only change is the saddle in which I am sitting, the credit must be given to American Flex. All of my horses are firmly backing the change of equipment! While they come in 6 different shapes and sizes, all of them are making excellent progress in their training in the same saddle. I can only thank American Flex for assisting them in the education process. My only regret is that I hesitated for so long to purchase a new saddle! The exercises that can be sometimes difficult are becoming easier on a daily basis. The horses’ anticipation of back pain can limit the quality of the performance – thereby affecting the judge’s marks and overall impression. My new saddles have given me much hope for the 2005 show season and the ones that will follow! Thank you Cathy and American Flex for helping me to train my horses better and ensure their long-term comfort and soundness!
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Cathy, Thanks for your call Monday. I received my order Weds. evening March 2. I thought that the straps should have been in pairs - I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with a single strap. However, I did not have time to check on it as I was leaving early the next morning on a 10 day riding trip to Florida. I appreciate you catching the error and calling me about it. That is excellent customer service, and I can see why your business is successful. I look forward to receiving the second strap. Cecil Watkins - Hartsville, South Carolina ----- Original Message ----- Your strap went out yesterday! We do make mistakes, but from now on, when I add new items to our line-up of "Proven Products for Horse and Rider", I will now make a point to educate our order-fillers. i.e., my husband! I hope you had a great riding trip, and again thank you for your understanding.:-) ~ Cathy Add this link to your favorites: www.american-flex.com If you want a catalog or to place and offer send me your address by email, phone or fax 507-723-5937 or 866-723-5937 toll free in US .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................  ----- Original
Message -----  From: "Ellen" To: "Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 2:13 PM Subject: saddle arrived Just to let you know that the saddle arrived. Rode in it and am very
happy with it. Nokkvi tolts beautifully under it and I feel secure again
with a saddle that gives me more grip, after my confidence was shattered
for a while, (after I lost my balance and tone after my third pregnancy
and then fell off a few times in a row) and I felt insecure in the flat
seat icelandic saddles. Also I have to say I am very impressed with your
catalogue and the DVD, it shows that you have lots of
Anyways, just wanted to let you know we got it, love it, and give you some praise for all the work you put into your business. Here are a few pics of the Icelandic Model on our stallion - he came
from Iceland with a hurting loin area and improved slowly under the
American Flex system. He has incredibly big movement, as you can maybe
see on some of the pics. We have none of him tolting in the American
Flex, unfortunately. ...I do enjoy the many pictures you have on your
website and catalogue! ----- Original Message ----- HI! I got the toe stoppers, they are all I expected them to be and more, what a great invention!, thanks so much, Lynne ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- My boss's brother & sister-in-law are going to DU BAI to crew for an American endurance team - my boss sent me a link to the "Endurance Net" website of which I was heretofore unaware. When I got there, I noticed how many leading-edge saddle companies are listed on the "Endurance Net" website - you should be too, as these riders are always seeking the very best for their precious athletic babies. Since we have learned the superiority of American-Flex & I have been talking it up (and demonstrating it) to anyone who will listen, it pained me greatly to see you guys unrepresented on this site!!! http://www.endurance.net/ Candy O. in Idaho (my before-and-after pictures of my Western saddle conversion are on your website RESPONSE ----- Original Message ----- Got it done!! We will now be posted on the vender list , we are already on the links page and the saddles page. THANK YOU ~Cathy RESPONSE ----- Original Message ----- ....since you weren't on the FRONT page it was troubling. Now see if they will list you where you belong - AT THE TOP OF THE LIST. I have heard so many complaints about "treeless" saddles...it is frustrating to think how much money people are spending on saddles they will soon regret. Are you guys going to be represented at either of the trade show in the Boise area this year? Here are the links: http://www.horseaffairs.com/ (Feb. 18-20, Fairgrounds, Boise w/John Lyons & Rick Lamb of "The Horse Show" among others) http://www.idahohorsecouncil.com/expo/ (April 15-17, Idaho Center, Nampa - with CLINTON ANDERSON, my horse-training hero) RESPONSE ----- Original Message ----- You made me laugh out loud!!! No we will not be at either of those two shows. :-( . But some time this year I'll be out to the western part of Nebraska, the Ft. Robinson area. And yes I agree, Clinton Anderson has great down to earth - approachable techniques!! Shoot... still laughing. I love it! THANK YOU. ~Cathy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Barb has 2 Am-F saddles - one she bought in 03 and one in 04. ----- Original Message ----- Cathy, I rode in the saddle again and I love it. By the way the old saddle has stopped slipping to the left. I believe with these better saddles her back and shoulder muscles are developing evenly finally. Hooray. I don't have to use the breast collar or the crupper. I'm am very pleased. Thanks, Barb ----- Original Message ----- HEY there!! I just got the stirrups back today - thanks. Great news on the slipping! and yes her back will change shape!! But don's toss aside the breast collar or crupper yet, you may decide to climb up one of those mountains next to you and then you'll need your breast collar and crupper ! :-) Thank you. ~Cathy .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Terry is a competitive rider in southern California, riding 50 and 100 miles weekly. She also is an independent field tester who tests products for manufactures and magazines, reporting back on her findings. She has been riding American-flex saddles for several years now and just got her new system 7, Carbon tree, American-flex saddle. ----- Original Message ----- I was going to post my old saddle (wood tree – american-flex cutback saddle) on your site, but asked my friend to ride it because I wanted to see how she fit in it (She's a bit larger than me) and also how it fit her two horses, because I wanted to take pictures and put it up for sale. Well, it fit both her horses and when she rode it, my horse had to canter to keep up with her horse's trot! She couldn't stop smiling! And, afterward, she hugged me and said she wanted to buy it, and she was going to throw her RP in the trash! (well, OK, sell the RP). She kept saying thank you! So I guess it is sold :-)) Also, I think I might like the leather girth better for my new saddle? When I finish riding, the only thing wet on my horse is where the Neoprene girth was. I am wondering if it will be hot for him in the summer? Otherwise, everything is great on the new one. I think those stirrup bars are ingenious. Not sure I like the tacky leather seat as well as my old shiny leather seat, but I am getting used to it (not a big deal). Beautiful saddle! Terry "May the Horse be with you" To Terry: super! Say if you want a smoother seat I sell those bick weaver wipes - shine. They work great! I do not know what girth would be cooler. They all cover up that area. I would think the coolest, if sweating would be one that would let the sweat easily run away from the horses body, for it is sweat that is the way the body cools it self. Great news for the saddle. I just may post that! To Cathy: Yes, I have the Weaver Wipes and also thought that I might oil the seat a bit. I think I will keep the girth and use it more to know what the differences are for competition use, then I can be able to advise others. I know the leather one worked perfectly, so now I will test the Neoprene. I still can't believe how Brooke's horse moved yesterday. I have been riding with her for two years, so I know her norm. And Brooke has been so perplexed about the mare's mincing steps going down hills and yesterday, her mare just used her hind end so well on the hills and extended her hind legs at the trot and had such spring in her step that she just exuded happiness. I still cannot stop smiling! What fun to be validated! Terry ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy! Just a quick hello and thank you. Being a Monday I thought you might like some good news to start off your week. I purchased an Am-Flex black stitchdown saddle from you almost a year ago for my young Walker. He had hollows behind his shoulders and I was having some trouble finding a short saddle with enough flair to accommodate his "scopey" front end. This saddle was intended to be used mainly for pleasure with my eye on competitive trail riding. Well...after spending all spring and summer conditioning and preparing, we entered our first ride on our own in October. With the intent of entering to see if Nemo and I were cut out for such an event, we were pleased with the outcome. Although the ride was only 20 miles, they were a fast twenty miles! The day was perfect with mild temps and low humidity. Nemo took it all in stride camping overnite in a small pen of temporary electric fence. We weighed in and got a lot of looks for the breed Nemo was and our saddle - your Am-Flex. My goals were to finish healthy and see if this type of riding was for us. We met some super people along the way. We had three hours to finish the ride and thanks to a gal more experienced than I we finished on time! The trail was quite challenging only in its surface, very rooty and rocky. My first thought was if Nemo finished with four shoes on, we'd done something right! Well, he did just that and barely broke a sweat. His typical Walker demeanor brought his pulse down well into criteria and the vets palpation was excellent - all A's. I was pleased with this as horses were pulling all around us for various things that I thought could have been preventable with sensible riding and preparation. So, the ending to the story is an excellent one! We really like your saddle and believe the proof is in a "lot" of riding and a healthy, happy horse. This makes for a happy rider! I've had a number of people sit in, and try my saddle. Many are intimidated by the price but I tell them that I saved money in time and effort by buying my Am-Flex. (and asking lots of questions!) I am also glad I purchased the breast plate, it has been excellent insurance on more that one ride. I hope to make it up to see you someday while judging in MN. I just got back from our national rabbit convention in RI. Our show rabbits did fantastic and I was the only female judge selected to pick a group winner headed to best in show (similar to dog shows but only 4 group winners). On my drive home, all I could think about was getting out to ride! Thanks again and I hope that someday our paths will cross! Molly Covert in MI and Nemo ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, ...I just want to say that we are quite happy with our new saddles. You have been so wonderful to work with. Thank you for seeing all of this through with us! Thanks again, Kathy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... OK my response will be in italics. ~Cathy From: BB . Hi Cathy! Thanks so much for the response! My comments in red below! Hi BB,
Answer in bold below
~Cathy ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, BB: I saw info on the AF saddles in the April issue of Equus, and have a
couple of questions! Under "number of tree sizes" the article
indicated "one per model" and I wasn't quite sure what that means! BB: Now that you have explained things, I
understand better. I was talking about different tree sizes/shapes for
the horse, but you don't measure the horse, you select a tree for size
and shape of the rider and depend on the flexible panels to conform to
the horse. BB: I know you have started using the new Carbon trees--do they come in
different "styles" for the different model of saddle (English tree
versus western tree?). One question I have not been able to have
answered is why the horse is not measured for saddle tree
fit--especially wide vs narrow in the withers/shoulder area, flat versus
dipped backs, etc. BB: Also, can you explain to me how the panels are attached to the saddle
(I am not terribly mechanical or technical), and how that is done
without creating pressure points? BB: Got it! Thanks--great illustration. Can you
explain how the tree and saddle are connected--I can't quite tell from
the pictures on the web site. How do the panels flex in three
directions? BB: Just thought of another question
regarding tree sizes/shapes for the horse--using same illustration, if
you try to put a chair with very wide legs on my back, but the legs go
completely over my back, not touching my back and rest instead on the
ground, or a chair with very narrow legs, that sit right on top of the
middle of my back, would that not affect your position sitting in the
chair, and the position of the chair on/over my back? BB: Additional question--how is the AF different
than other flexible panel saddles on the market, and why/how do these
differences make it a better saddle? Cathy: I personally have experience with the "others" out there and I put our name on the American-flex saddle, for the company service, quality, construction, ease of fit, and the versatility from going to horse to horse without a lot of messing around with the saddle. Cathy: You can also, look at how the manufacture sell their product. American-Flex is a MONEY back test policy for customer satisfaction. - using the REAL saddle not a test one. THAT tells the customer that the company has complete confidence in their product. BB: I have recently started doing Sports Massage (Maegher's work) on my
horses with great success and I totally believe in it! BB: I also currently have the most comfortable dressage saddle for me,
with a wide, flat place for my sit-bones and seat, and am looking for
something equally as comfortable for me and of course, for the horse. I
find that a narrow twist, and a rise in the pommel area wreck havoc with
me--my pommel is very very low, and the saddle has a wide twist--it's
made specifically with a woman's anatomy in mind. But, I now have an
assymetrical horse and the saddle does not fit either of my two horses
so I am interested in a flexible panel saddle to fit the horses better,
especially my younger one. He has lost weight (dieting worked!), and I
think the fat made the saddle fit better. BB: So this saddle can go from one horse to
another without any adjustment because the panels flex that much? How
about from a very short-backed Arab to a MFT with a nice back lenght
(not long, but certainly not short) to a VERY short-backed Kentucky Mtn.
Horse? How difficult is it to adjust the saddle to each horse? I notice
that there are not a lot of distributors/saddle fitters in
California--is it necessary/advisable to use one? Do the shorter back
require shorter panels and shorter trees/smaller seat sizes? Cathy: That is why the Am-F panels are made the way they are, in length, with layers, various thickness, and strategically cut, to maximize this distribution. Regardless of the horse's size, the weight from the same rider will be distributed the same. Now, if the rider needs a LARGE saddle due to their personal size, then that rider would not be - or should not be riding a 800 lb small horse with that short back. For they are over mounted. So the size of the actual animal will limit the larger sized panel saddles - but also remember the reverse, if that rider has a small non-paneled or inferior panel saddle, just think of the pounds per square inch that they are putting on their horses back!! YEOW! Cathy: The hardest part in fitting the American-Flex saddle, is getting the right girth size! That is from personal experience. BB: So, to sum up, I am asking about tree sizes/shapes for the horse, and
seat sizes and shape for me. I do competitive trail, so need something
secure for the really steep mountains here in California! I also am
learning some classical dressage and do not want a horned western
saddle! (Those number bibs get caught on the horn all too easily--it's
no fun getting off with it caught around the horn!). BB: I notice that several of your testimonial
letters feature the cutback--is that a good model for endurance/distance
trail riding, and if so, why? BB: What does the trail blocking consist
of--both thigh and calf blocks, and is there any flexibility in where
they are located? Are they permanent or moveable? The Endurance Lite
caught my eye as well--I like the absence of the fenders. Why do you
suggest no extra padding? BB: This is not the best time of year for saddle testing--seems we are in
for an early and wet winter--it's already started with several storms! BB: I have heard such wonderful things about you and your business--how
wonderful you were able to get your husband and family to share in your
love of horses and riding. I have a granddaughter who rode on her second
birthday--she had loved just sitting on the horses for several
month--and she loved the movement even more, and didn't want to stop!
She'll be three in March. BB: That is the scary part for me--the concern
about her getting hurt. Almost would be good to teach them to fall off
the right way--then when it happens, it is no big deal. We will just
take it really slow. I think the child really has to have that ingrained
or inborn desire to ride, or they can get permanently discouraged when
the inevitable happens. I know adults who are afraid of horses because
of a bad experience earlier in life, and those that have had really
serious accidents and still "live to ride"--I put myself in the second
category, tho mine was only 12 years ago! Cathy: :-) BB: Thanks again, Cathy! Are we keeping count of
the number of questions? I may exceed 100! Thanks, Cathy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy. Mark and I visited you in Springfield last spring and got a Versatile from you. (We loved your place.) My big (fat) q-horse loves the saddle - he moves out so nice now and easily breaks into a canter, whereas before it was a struggle to get him out of a quirky-jog he'd do. I did go to a clinic a few months ago, and unfortunately, the clinician thought that the flex panel saddles (in general) were bad for the horses because of the pressure points at the locations where the panels connect to the sockets, and she straight out said don't get one (and told me to get rid of it). However, I won't. I don't agree with her, and Dakota loves it. Now, on to new business. I saw that you now have a hand-made fly wisk in your catalog. Would the maker of those be agreeable to using material supplied to him/her? Here's the details: a friend put her horse down (many years ago now) but saved his tail. She has been hoping to make a fly wisk out of it, but has never found anyone who is willing to do it. Would this be something your supplier could do? Does the supplier make other horse hair products (belts, bracelets)? Mara E. Liepa Hi Mara, I tried calling twice and left a message. So I will answer your email here and try later to get a hold of you. I remember you! I'm so happy your horse is doing well. So on with the questions. As for the clinician, I hear that a lot. Unfortunately this may be a case of the following.
The first issue I can deal with and address. The second I can not. The clinician must first know how the various brands of saddles fit to make such a comment. True some may have more pressure in certain areas than others. The clinician if they make such a statement, must be able to help the customer in performing a safety check on their equipment. As shown on my web site, some brands of saddles, when used a lot and not properly maintained can actually have pressure spots. Or the panel in the way that it is mounted, the bolt can actually come off and through the panel creating a pressure point. Fortunately this is not possible with the American-Flex saddle or with the reactor panel saddle. The only way to know if any saddle is fitting correctly is to PALPATE your horse prior to riding to establish a base line. From there the rider can ride to their hearts content. The following day palpate (you need to wait 24 hours to test for soreness, because just like us your muscles do not tell you right their condition but the day after and after). From this you can ascertain with a great deal of confidence your horses condition. Also you must listen to what your horse says to you through the non-verbal communication of ears, eyes, nostrils, teeth and ground manners. To have any clinician - regardless who they are make such broad statements is total ignorance. And we all MUST make sure we educate their ignorance. The Second issue, I can not change. Just remember if they have a second agenda you must take their whole clinic with a grain of salt and hope that you did not pay to much to hear slanted advertising. On to the hair... My supplier has the hair swishes assembled in Mexico. We must have a solid 1/2 inch diameter of hair that is 20 inches long. Then we can see what they can do for us. Yes, the supplier is Austin Accents and they make a variety of horsehair items. I'll try calling you now to find out who that clinician is... but I think I may already know. I get complains each time a clinic is held. ~Cathy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi, I am writing to request a catalog of saddles. I have a tack shop in PA. I also own an American Flex Dressage saddle. I sometimes have people interested in saddles and I show them mine. I would love to have a catalog and information to pass along to them. I often refer them to the website. I hope you've gotten more business from it. At least maybe a few people. THANKS! ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi, Cathy - ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi there I'm writing to let you know how pleased I was with the snug pax slimline on my Italian riding holiday. It was everything you promised and more, it held more than I thought it would which was great. One of the other riders had bought a pommel bag as well, and, like me, was using it for the first time on this holiday. She didn't use it after the first day because it was a darn nuisance, flapping about and sliding down one side or the other. She's asked for the details of your product which I shall certainly send to her. Anne Lester ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy: I received the booties, or sox, for my saddle. Although I buy what I need and want for my horses, my friends comment that I am more conservative than a couple of them. If something is fitting and working ok, I don't replace it. SO, after I ordered the booties for my OF Patriot, I was questioning my own good judgment for spending so much -- and hoping they would fit. With some anxiety, and wondering how I was going to handle it if they didn't work, I put them on my saddle today. I am very pleased with them!! The are easy use, and fit perfectly. I just wanted to let you know that!! Thanks for your good advice. Mary K. Church PS: I left the shipping carton in my tack room. I was so excited at the fit, I forgot to check to see if there are washing instructions included. If not, are there any special instructions?? ----- Original Message ----- To: Mary Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 7:55 AM Subject: Re: booties for my Patriot Hi Mary, I am so pleased that your are happy. As for washing we do the following. We use a fantastic product called Forever New, this is a product that all, if not most professional seamstresses have either heard of or use. It is for fine washables. We sell it for 12.00 economy size. We wash our saddle sox in regular wash - warm water and then put them in the drier on fluff dry for several minutes then remove laying flat to dry. Our saddle sox look like new and have lasted for YEARS and THOUSANDS of miles. Enjoy! ~Cathy If you want a catalog or to place an order send me your address by email, phone or fax. 507-723-5937 or (866) 723-5937 toll free in US. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ---- Thanks Cathy for your quick reply. I will put in an order as soon as I figure out how many and what size we need. I am just waiting on the arrival of some new saddles. Thanks again. By the way you guys carry my ultimate fantasy saddle (your western Montana) Is it true that your saddle will fit almost any size horse without too much adjustment? We have mostly quarter horses and draft crosses. Laura ----- Original Message ----- Hi Laura, Yes, the Montana and the other Am-F saddle will fit nearly ALL horses with VERY little - if at all adjusting. The biggest adjustment is the girth size. The same saddle will fit a horse that takes a 20 inch girth up to the largest girth of 54 (and remember that is with dropped rigging -long billets). These saddles consistently amaze even me. I will look for your up coming toe stopper order. :-) ~Cathy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hello Cathy, I got the 2005 catalog today and decided that, since I wouldn't likely be in the market for much equipment this year, I would put it in my new barn's office for other people to see and order from. I've moved my horse into a barn that specializes in "natural" horsemanship (we have one Monty Roberts trained trainer, and one Parelli trainer, as well as a "natural" horsemanship-friendly dressage trainer). There are a HUGE number of horses there (60 or more?) and lots and lots of people just trail ride. Most people ride in just a halter. I thought you and your product lines would be a good match for them. And just in case they've never heard of you, I added the attached letter to the front of the catalog. Hope all is well with you. Sincerely, Jenneane Jansen October 8, 2004 Folks, This is a barn full of people who obviously place a very high priority on their horses’ comfort. There are a lot of companies out there making products that purport to make horses more comfortable. Hill View Farms sells products from several of those companies. In my experience, it isn’t the products that make the difference. It’s the people behind them. And that’s why I want to recommend Hill View Farms. Cathy Tauer and her husband are incredible people. Their family (humans, horses, dogs and cats) would fit in very well with the families I’ve had the pleasure of meeting here. And they really test their products thoroughly, as the photos in their catalog show. Here’s a little story that explains why I am such a huge fan of Hill View Farms. I bought my Ortho-Flex saddle from a tack shop that didn’t tell me that it had lost its distributorship of Ortho-Flex saddles. So when I eventually discovered that the saddle didn’t actually fit my horse the way it was supposed to, the tack shop wouldn’t help me work with the company to make it fit. Depressed that I had a fairly expensive saddle (the second brand-spanking-new saddle that I had tried) that didn’t fit, I went to an auction looking for yet another saddle, and happened to bump into Cathy, who was there selling a bunch of Ortho-Flexes at the time. I asked Cathy some questions. And, as anyone who ever meets Cathy could tell you: once you get her talking, she doesn’t stop. (Mind you, this is from me; so that’s a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black.) Cathy was appalled that my Ortho-Flex wasn’t fitting. And she therefore set out on a mission to make it fit, despite the fact that she didn’t sell the thing to me. She actually came out to my barn (a several hour drive for her), checked to see why it wasn’t fitting and how it might be modified to fit. She then transported the saddle to the Ortho-Flex factory in Kansas or Missouri (wherever it was) when next she traveled there. The company modified it according to her recommendations. And she then brought the saddle back up to my barn and made sure that it fit my horse. In the process, she swapped out my girth, stirrups and stirrup leathers because they were from an old model and not as good as the new stuff. She did all of this at no charge. I couldn’t talk her into letting me pay for anything. So if you want to deal with a really fantastic saleswoman, by all means, call Hill View Farms. Regardless of the product line they are selling, you will not be disappointed. I guarantee it. Sincerely, Jenneane Jansen (Tie Creek Desirea’s mom) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 10:08 AM Subject: American-Flex Saddle Hi Cathy, Yes, I hear you. Good news, on all models made 2003 and on all the saddles come now with a protective leg flap! If you need I can send you a set at no charge to put on. But I too on one of our saddles, just turned that Conway over and all is happy. 2. Due to the placement of the adjustable rigging the cinch straps and the lower ring get a lot of wear where they go over the ring. This seems to be caused by the bulk of the fender straps from the underneath side. Since I do a lot of training rides getting ready for endurance rides, I put a lot of miles on a saddle. Any movement in the leg whether you are moving your leg for a cue or getting out of the way of a tree the bottom of the fender adjustments rub on the lower cinch ring and they will have to be replace sooner than they should. I was also having trouble with the upper ring to the front of the saddle sticking out so far that it was pressing on the front of the fender and leaving an indentation in the fender. I tried shifting the location of the stirrups but they keep coming back to the same place. I have also tried different location for the adjustable rigging and that was no help either. I have given up on that. You can fix this too. Rotate your fender around the bar of the saddle, so that the Blevins buckle is lower than the ring. If your leather is broke in, it will try to move back, so to keep it in this position until the new spot is broke in do the following. At the top of the fender, where the strap goes over the bar, take some electrical tape and wrap that closed, as you put new weight in this position, your leather will get broke into this new spot and you will be good to go. I have had this concern on all makes of saddles from all different manufactures. 3. On the fender itself where the actual stirrup hangs, it needs to be made where it will fit a standard 2" endurance stirrup. The strap where the Blevins buckles attaches is 2" but the top part of the fender where all the pretty tooling is, is some odd ball size that does not fit any standard "2" or "3" stirrup. I just hated to cut the outside leather fender down on a saddle I paid this much money for, but I am going to have to do this so my special 2" "Specialized Stirrups" will fit this saddle. I wear a size 11 shoe and the "Specialized Stirrups are taller than the e-z ride stirrups. I am less likely to get my foot hung up. Yes, there are SO MANY different widths of fenders and so MANY different neck sizes on stirrups. I wish all manufactures would use a standard size! I deal with neck widths on stirrups from 3.5 inches to 1 inch! And every size in-between. I have all of the stirrups I sell are custom, even the easy ride. So I can get you exactly what you need. But that doesn't help if you already own your stirrups. You can have them re-worked. Call Cindy at eldorado Saddle and tack, and she will be able to get your stirrups perfect for a VERY nominal price. I have a question. If I removed the western fenders from the endurance model saddle that I have, can they be replaced with the biothane camlock stirrup straps? If I did this, would I have a problem then with the adjustable rigging rubbing my inner thigh. Just a thought to keep from cutting on my fenders. Heaven forbid, but if I tried to sell this saddle at some point, I am afraid this might be a sticking point for someone else. OH YES! You can do that. I have many riders do this, or will even run English leathers in. Works GREAT. I also have received my sox's and I went with the upgrade of the merino wool panels. I was a little disappointed in the quality of the wool. For a $100 upgrade It should have been thicker. You might want to investigate the use of the woolback product like used on the toklat pads. It is very durable and launders well. After one ride the wool on the lower flap has matted and is shedding. Not sure how well it will stand up to long term use for endurance riding. This is not at all the case with the saddle sox!! I have had mine for years and I use them HARD. There could be a flaw in the manufacturing of the material, please send the one side back that is bad to have it replaced. As for the thickness, the saddle sox are just only 1/2 thick. The American-flex easy pad only 1/4 inch thick. We do not want them thicker. A thicker pad in most cases will not perform as well under the American-flex saddles. There are MANY wonderful pads on the market. Which ever you use, make sure you can get clearance over the spine and use care if using a pad thicker than 1/2 inch. Again, thanks for all your help, and I have a friend who is buying a cutback from you after riding in my saddle. She is Patty Gail. Happy Trails Jane Larrimore -Georgia THANK YOU. I will look for you saddle sox in the mail. ~ Cathy----- Original Message ----- From: "Jane J Larrimore" To: "Hill View Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 8:54 AM Subject: Re: American-Flex Saddle Cathy, thanks for your quick response. I would love the protective leg flap. I have tried sliding the fender strap to different location. Part of the problem is my gelding has a big barrel (not fat but very round through the middle) and where he seems to be the widest is where everything meets. This probably causes this area to rub more than someone with a thinner bodied horse. Its is not so much the blevins buckle that rubs but the underside of the fender strap on the leather. You can only get the strap so high because of the placement of the topside of the decorative fender. Yes, there are many width necks for stirrups but I have found that 1", 2" and 3" are the most common to purchase off the shelf items for saddles. Because of the top side length of the fender itself you can only get a 1 to an 1 1/2 movement without doing major trimming on the flap. I am going to hold off sending my sox back. Where I experienced the most matting is also where my horse is the widest and that might not be a flaw in the sox. I have only used them one time and lets see if this problem continues to happen. I am off to a three day ride and I should have a better feel for what's going on. You caution about the thickness of pads used with the American-Flex saddles. Can I use the western tacky tack pad you offer under my sox's as a protector or is this to much thickness? Thanks again for your help. Jane Larrimore ----- Original Message ----- To: "Jane J Larrimore" <JJLarrimore@armstrong.com Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 9:32 AM Subject: Re: American-Flex Saddle Hi Jane, ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
9/9/04 Cathy, I can not thank you enough for doing what you do. I have been struggling with trying to find a saddle to fit my 7 year old T-bred since I got him as a 2 yr. old. I finally found it! He has an even sweat mark! I can't believe it. He is going better as well. I had my 1st lesson in the classic and for the first time, he was balanced, collected and happy on his left side (both of our 3 weak sides). It was a blessing to find the article in equus on alternative saddles and after researching all of them I found your website and it sold me, and after talking to you I was sure this was the brand of saddle for me. Anyway I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your passion for making horses comfortable. Enclosed is a check for the extra pad and girth. I am sending the 40" back to exchange for a 36". Hopefully in a yu3ar I will be able to get the Swain CT I originally wanted, but for now I want to concentrate on dressage so our jumping will be better when I get back to it. Thanks for everything! E. Jones DVM , Alabama ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hey there! Couple of questions. Will American Flex make the Grand Prix jumping on a special order basis. how long to make it? I want a brown one to show in hunters and need another in the barn. Also, would like to try the Cutback and the Grand Premier as they look interesting. Send me the info on dealership too, I am getting to a point I might be able to do it. Lei
One of the Friesians I'm training in your American Flex saddles... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Cathy, I thought you might want to know how well the Cutback performed on my first endurance ride. My horse came through like a dream and was judged for 'Best Condition' with the top ten riders. The thing that I found amazing is how many horses were eliminated because of sore backs. These horse completed ahead of me, but at least three of them looked like they had been put through a ringer. My Arab mare, Holly, got A's and one A+ on all of her vet checks including the BC vet check. She got the A+ for her attitude or free way of moving at the end of the ride. She trotted out for the vet like an Afghan hound at a dog show, head high, tail up, and proud of herself. The vet was so impressed with how her back came out of the ride he asked about the saddle, so I showed it to him. It was sad to see so many people upset and one who actually yelled at the vet, denying that her horse had a sore back. But, it was obvious to all of us waiting in line that when the horse was palpated on the back, he really hurt. I have no doubt whatsoever that my Cutback saddle along with good conditioning was the reason my mare did so well. I wanted to tell the woman about the saddle, but decided it was a bad time..( : Many people did ask about the saddle though and I showed it like I was a salesman. Thank-you for having such a wonderful product and your customer service. Monica ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- RESPONSE ----- Original Message ----- ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, Have been enjoying my saddle so much...you were right on the money when you recommended the cutback. The security is fantastic and the comfort matchless. Thanks so much for the apple treats you sent with Linda's saddle...Starri and Jasper have been enjoying them very much! I'm the one who asked a million and one questions and then my riding partner ordered one of your saddles too. There are others out here in CA who are very interested as well and I have directed them to your website which is chock full of good info. I am interested in ordering the Tush Cush and leather comforters in black. Will the tush cush fit on the cutback saddle? Hope you have been enjoying yourself riding. We were in Minnesota the first weekend in June (Duluth) and the weather was so changeable...pouring rain in the 40's on Saturday, sunny and in the 80's on Sunday, lightning bolt thunderstorms and 40 when we left Duluth and 80 by the time we reached the airport in Minneapolis on Monday! Trish ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy! ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- ----- Original Message ----- My name is Wendy Harris, I live near Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have a
16’ 2 hand very big Quarter Horse that seems to be forever changing
shape on me – thus my quest to find a saddle that fits him. I currently
ride in a Tucker Endurance saddle and have had issues with it ever since
I bought it. Its comfortable for me, but continually leaves dry spots
here and there on Bo. In the last month or so every time I go to saddle
him he tries to run away from me, bite me etc. All sure signs that he’s
not a happy camper about his saddle. Thanks for your time – sincerely appreciate it. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- I need to order a neoprene girth. I saw you had some on sale, but I'm not sure which one will fit my horse. The girth you sent me with my saddle is the correct size, but I don't see the size on it. I need it for the cutback saddle, so an english girth is the type I need. I was wondering if you could look up my order and check the size girth on that, and then figure out what size neoprene I need. If the neoprene is a little shorter that will be ok. Call and I will give my credit card info. thanks, P.S. My cutback is without a doubt the best saddle I have ever ridden in. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... This email is from a customer to The Authorized Rebuild and Repair Center for Hill View Farms. They are FANTASTIC for repairing and rebuilding all manufactures saddles and tack!! ----- Original Message ----- Hey you two !!! I have over 20 hours in my tempe-all-around that you two fitted with the built-up stitch down seat. All is well. I'm sure glad you two could make it right for me. Thank you both for taking on the project. Great job !! Al Anderson ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, this has to be quick as I am at work. Got the saddle and it's beautiful!!! More about that later!! Thanks for all your help! I'll probably be calling soon with some questions, but in the meantime, the saddle fits Muffin well, and for the first time, she didn't buck on the longe line at the canter when under saddle! Can't wait to try it out some more today. Right now it's perfectly OK to e-mail or phone me here at work: Cora Baulke, ----- Original Message ----- Hi, Cathy - I finally got to ride several times with the saddle (the first couple of weeks I had it, there was nothing but RAIN here and I was scared to expose it to the weather in case I was going to send it back!!) I obviously want it! I've decided to keep both the 34'" neoprene and the 36" western leather contoured girths and return the 30" American-Flex soft touch that you sent along as a sample. I believe I'm due a refund for it, right? (or maybe a comparably priced accessory - any suggestions?) Thanks for helping me find a saddle solution for my big, round barrelled, mutton withered, short backed, very cinchy Percheron/cross mare. She now calmly stands to be saddled and appears to feel comfortable when ridden. I also am glad that, after this $$ initial investment, I should be set to ride not only her but other horses with this nice saddle for a long, long, time. Best wishes, Cora Baulke ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Would it be possible to have one sent to me? A friend of mine just purchased a Shotgun. Wow. What an awesome saddle. And she said the customer service is exceptional. Pat Wagner ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Cathy: ----- Original Message ----- Hi Liz, I've copied in Germany and our repair department in Missouri, so they can hear this rumor as well. NO is the answer! It is so poor that other manufactures or their dealers have to run down other companies as to scare customers so they can get business. It is unfortunate that they can not stand on their products own merits to sell their product. I know of only one saddle ever sent to Germany, from another dealer to have it inspected. The customer said that the leather was falling off and the saddle did not sit right so that the saddle was faulty and wanted a new one. With this odd allegation, Germany wanted to see the saddle (as is standard operating procedure on "ODD" allegations) and paid to have the dealer send it in. (that dealer is no long in business). Well upon inspection, Germany called the customer - who was trying to pull a fast one off on Germany. They told a bold face lie to Germany to get a new saddle. Apparently horse ran off under some low branches under a tree and ripped the saddle off or apart which tore the leather and also cracked the saddles tree. This incident was not under warrantee and happened 4 years ago or so. At any rate a long time ago and I do not know the final out come. I do know that the customer did not pay the shipping of the saddle to Germany but I do not know if they had to pay to get it back. For the record I have NEVER dealt with a more honest and credible company and believe me I have dealt with MANY manufacturers. Who was this O-F dealer? Germany will want to report this incident to the home office of Ortho-flex so the president can follow up on his end. No company wants shitty dealers. For your second question, will the booties fit? They may but it depends upon what saddle you are changing. All of ours fit but I do know of others that did not. ~Cathy If you want a catalogue, send me your address or call (507) 723-5937 ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 4:24 PM Subject: Re: (no subject) Hey Cathy: ----- Original Message ----- I have never heard of the panels wearing out with heavier weight, only due to lack of care. The panels for the larger saddles are built larger to accommodate this greater weight. A rider must select the correct size saddle to insure the correct size panel for their weight. But technically that maybe possible due to the greater forces moving in the rear of the panel or so I would think, especially if they should be in a size larger saddle with the larger panels but then choose to be squashed into a smaller saddle that would not have the panel design for their weight. In any case, one must take care to keep the rear mounts greased with white lithium as per the manufactures instructions. As for that dealer, we always call and confront any allegations directly with the president of the company and dealer who represents them. No one wants anyone to be slandering another's product. We want the industry to be clean and honest. We all sell products based on the products merits. So if we want to clean up this industry, we must address those individuals directly who use scare tactics to intimidate customers. As an industry we can not allow that to keep happening. Any more questions please feel free to keep asking :-) ~Cathy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... In BOLD below Cathy ----- Original Message ----- From: trish To: Hill View Farms Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 1:03 AM Subject: Cutback saddle Hi Cathy, It was so nice to speak to you live yesterday - thanks for your advice with the cutback. I went for a longer ride today to test the cutback out on our trails (lots of hills) and it was great - did not slip at all. I used a thin Weatherbeeta pad underneath. I really like this saddle...I feel secure and when my horse tried to turn around quickly because he wanted to go back to the barn, I stayed right with him and felt pretty secure. I ride with another woman who rides in a Reactor Panel and we switched horses so I could feel the RP and th AF was so much more comfortable and the twist was more comfortable as well. The woman I ride with is very interested in an AF of her own and I passed my catalog onto her. She sat in the AF and just said "Oh, wow...now I know why you wanted one of these." I do have a few more questions (maybe I'll be known as your most questioning customer (!): too funny... but I think you and 100 others are fighting for first place. HA. but your questions are so good that I will post them on the web site. :-) 1) We went down a particularly steep hill and while I like the knee
rolls in the cutback very much, it felt odd not to have a pommel in
front for more "brace" ability...do you feel a stitchback would provide
that extra brace - it does not seem to have as high as a knee roll. Or
the Aussie saddle? 2) Bolts - I can feel a harder area under my hand when I put my hand under the panel and push down on the top of the saddle where the bolts are - does this affect the horse and will it become an issue as the saddle is used and compressed? no not really, for the moving part of the horses shoulder is moving under the front of the panel area where is it softer and not under the fulcrum point where the panel attaches to the hard saddle tree. 3) When I girth my horse, the front billet is one hole higher than the back billet and the Y-rigging is angled a bit forward - should it be straight up and down like traditional billets? no. that is what is so nice about that rigging, your horse will have the saddle fitted to him and not make him fit into the set mold of a saddles rigging. 4) Girth - when you say the girth should be able to be pulled about 2" away from the horse - do you mean at the side of the girth by the elbow or in the sternal area? the girth, when the rider is in the saddle should NOT be able to be pulled more than an inch way from the horses body. You check this fit in the heart girth area, behind the elbow. BUT on some slab sided horses, those who do not have a nice spring to their rib cage, this will be looser for the pull is coming direct from the sternum. This also applies for the contoured leather girths, so do make an 1/4 or 1/2 inch allocation for this. 5) How do I get to the mounts and washers in the panel to maintain
them? Do I unzip the panel covers or is it through the little holes in
the panel covers? How do I get to the Delrin panel itself to oil the
rear-mounts? The picture is a bit unclear. Do both the front and rear
mounts need to be greased monthly? In your video, while in the tack
room, you mentioned you would be going over the maintenance but I did
not see it on the tape...I may have missed it, do you remember what area
you were in when you went over it? The question handout I received says
to grease monthly but on your website in your answer to Nancy Treadwell,
you say to do it three times a season? 6) Lastly, I am so surprised that the warranty on both the panels and
the tree is only two years...this is an expensive saddle - is there a
reason the warranty is not longer, especially if the saddle will last a
lifetime with proper care? Less expensive saddles I have owned have had
lifetime warranties on their trees (this is not a criticism but it does
surprise me). I was surprised too..YES the saddles will last a
life time!!!!! But for the most part, German manufactures do not play
games with warrantees... Once again, Cathy, thank you for your outstanding customer service
and patience. You are most welcome. I just tell the truth and
tell it as I know it to be. Trish ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Just would like to say I love the Spanish Dressage saddle. After
looking over many, many different saddles, I found this one to be the
best! Hi Shari,
----- Original Message -----
From:
Debbie Bruce
To:
hillview@springfield-sanborn.net
Cc:
real@brenderuprealtrailers.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 1:23 PM Cathy Thanks for telling me about Brenderup trailers! My budget wouldn't allow me to get a new one from you so I looked for a used one. I found my trailer ('98 Royal) about 6 hours away from me and when I pulled it home there was some pretty bad wind and rain. I hardly noticed the wind affecting my towing (driving a Chevy Tahoe). When I stopped in the night to sleep in my truck I could feel the wind gusts shaking my parked truck. The Brenderup pulled so easily that I would be driving along and check to make sure it was still behind me. What a pleasant experience! My old trailer (2-horse with dressing room) is a nightmare to pull even with sway bars, I would try to avoid major highways because the trailer has a fatal attraction to semis. I am looking forward to riding more now that I can travel safely. And it only takes about 2 min. to hook up. No more endless backing and adjusting to get right under the hitch, I can just pick up the tongue and put it on the ball. I needed a few new small parts from Brenderup and have gotten great advise (from Simon) and prompt shipping from the factory in Texas. Debbie
Bruce ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, I apologize for not calling last night. When I got home, I noticed on my calendar that I am leaving for Denver next Thursday (I got my weeks crossed up in my mind), so wouldn't home for most of the trial period for the saddle. Not to mention that it's raining for the next 3 days here, so it will take another 4-5 days to dry out, and the horse came in gimpy last night (working through some pedal osteitis right now). What a mess! Would it be possible to arrange a trial after all of this is over? I return on the 10th, and hopefully the weather will be dry and the horse sound by then. I suppose I could try the saddle on my other horse, but he's not the problem child where saddle fit is concerned.:o) Please let me know if this will be an option. Thank you for your time yesterday. Dawn -----Original Message----- No problem,,, when you are ready to purchase and try a saddle, I'll
be here. I'll take the hold off the saddle until I hear from
you. ----- Original Message ----- Thanks so much. I will probably give you a call mid-May when
everything settles down here. Hopefully the rain stops, too, or it falls
up there.:o) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Hi Nancy, In bold below.----- Original Message ----- Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 8:29 PM Subject: saddles I requested, and have received, your catalog. I am looking for a new saddle for my 15 year old Morgan/Quarter Horse. She stands 14.2 and has a broad back and wide withers. I ride English and have been showing Hunter/Jumper in small local shows. We are starting to change our focus of riding and I am looking for a saddle that I can ride in for the country side for Hunt or trail riding. Although my mare was not expensive (no papers), she is my "million dollar" horse and my best friend. I want a saddle that is comfortable for both of us. However, with the cost of the American-Flex, I want a saddle that may be used by different horses when I am able to purchase another horse. Completely understood. I have ridden in many different English Trail and Endurance saddles and am not satisfied with the fit or feel. I keep coming back to what I read about the American Flex Saddle. I also have 2 friends who are riding in an original Ortho-Flex Cutback and American-Flex Stitchdown. They love them! I have several questions.... Funny.... the cutback is what I was planning on suggesting for you to try in the prior paragraph. A great saddle!! 1) I'm in Georgia. Is there someone around that can help me fit the saddle correctly? No, we have no dealer currently there, but the saddle comes with an awesome saddling video and I'm here nearly 24-7 but now our riding season has started and I'm gone riding every weekend Friday - Sunday, (when the kids are out of school Thursday -Sunday). I do however return calls and emails promptly or someone here at the farm, will return calls. 2) What about maintenance of the saddle? How often do you check/repair/replace the panels and/or the rivets(?) that connect the panels to the seat? Once a year we do a complete go over - safety check. But you should check you pad each time you ride and wash your saddle pad as needed. At your discretion, you may spray white lithium into the saddle mounts to keep things sliding freely, this too depends on how hard you ride. We do this about three times throughout our riding season. 3) If I order a saddle, what is the return policy? We offer a 10 day ride time, but if you need more time due to circumstances beyond your control, let me know and I'll work with you. When customers purchase 2 or even 3 to 4 saddles at a time to try, I give 20-30 days. WE WANT THE CUSTOMER to be totally happy, and the ONLY way to achieve that is when you are allowed to RIDE. 4) If I have problems, who do I call? Us, or Eldorado Saddle and Tack another dealer or home office Germany. WE ARE ALL 100% Committed and that is why there are SO FEW dealers. That bar is very HIGH and only those who are 100% committed are allowed to sell the saddles. If not, they are quietly dismissed. Thank you for your time to read and respond to my questions! I look forward to hearing back from you. Sincerely, Nancy Treadwell My Pleasure! .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Dear Cathy, Thanks so much for your help. Julie Lane .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy!! I got my two trial saddles on Friday and wasted no time starting out. I viewed the entire video, which was excellent. Over the weekend I put the Cutback through it's paces. I was VERY impressed with the craftsmanship, the balance and comfort of the saddle. My horse totally loved it...you could tell by the way she moved and actually expressed herself under saddle. I found the saddle to be excellent at the walk, up and down hills either walking, trotting or cantering. It is incredible how balanced and workable the saddle is during hard climbs or difficult terrain.............. Monica Quinn .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Cathy, My name is Mary Jaekels and I ordered an American-flex western breast collar from you about 2 weeks ago. I received it today and I have to tell you it is absolutely beautiful! I have never come across a breast collar made of such quality. I just got home from a barrel race to find it had arrived! I can't wait to use it. Haven't tried it on yet. Got home kind of late! Looks like it should fit. I'll let you know if there are any problems. Otherwise, thanks so much and have a happy Easter! Sincerely, Mary Jaekels .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Re-typed from letter 4/9/04 Be well, .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Joyce Smith From: Brenda
Jo, King of Prussia, PA (re-written by permission from hand written
card. Brenda Jo DID NOT buy a saddle through Hill View Farms, but
we were here to help) .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- I love your saddle!!!!! The horse worked great and I felt very safe and secure and was able to concentrate on the gait…….I would like to buy another saddle for my other horse, but it is not a must have at this moment. If you have any scratched and dent sales, let me know. What a wonderful piece of equipment. I loved your tape and feel that I have met you…….Carolyn AFTER A FEW WEEKS ----- Original Message ----- Not a problem. (Can you afford to pay me back $6.00?) Don't worry about. I'm sending it back to your address. It was worth it to find someone as professional as you. Love'd the article in Equus. I'll let you know what my friend wants to do about representing you as an agent. She probably is overwhelmed and won't be able to. I'm in the middle of re-zoning 275 acres in the middle of Dade County and am up to my ass in alligators. Thanks. Carolyn ----- Original Message ----- To: carolyn Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 7:00 PM Subject: Re: Shoot... I figured that would happen... Can you return it and I'll
reimburse you for the shipping. ----- Original Message ----- I got the second saddle and it is wonderful!. You sent me a girth with the saddle and another (34") from El Dorado. What shall I do with the second girth. Carolyn .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... From: Jimmy & Barb HI CATHY & SONIA WE THOUGHT OF YOU OFTEN DURING YOUR MANY HOURS OF TRAVEL HOME…..T H A N K Y O U FOR THE HORSE POSITIONERS, THE BICK CLEANER & CONDITIONER AND THE WONDERFUL HAY AND GRAIN FEEDER. SMOKY JO CAN TELL HIS BUDDIES HE IS GOING CAMPING "FIRST CLASS" AND SMOKY CAN TELL ALL THE OTHER HORSES THAT HIS "MOM" LOVES HIM BECAUSE SHE BOUGHT HIM AN AMER. FLEX SADDLE. WE BOTH LOVE OUR NEW SADDLE…..THANK YOU AND SONIA FOR GIVING US WONDERFUL MEMORIES……….. HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU, JIMMY & BARB .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Hi Molly, ----- Original Message ----- Again, it has been a pleasure working with you. You remind me that there are indeed still some people who rightfully stand behind their products 100%! Tally Ho! Molly Covert .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... YOU ARE SO MOST WELCOME!!!!!!! I just can't believe you found a saddle that cheep!! It is like some one finding a diamond and saying... oh... just a rock...(well I guess it is...) HA! :-) ~Cathy Hill View Farms "Proven Products for Horse and Rider" Add this link to your favorites: www.american-flex.com Need a catalogue? Call 507-723-5937 or send me your address ----- Original Message ----- .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Hi Kristen, ----- Original Message ----- ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- From: Anonymous ----- Original Message ----- .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Shakespeare " Little Brown Pony " A world class Frisian with his mom.
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Thank you for your quick reply. I am very impressed with the level of customer service I am receiving. I am looking forward to receiving the cinch. I will send the other back once I know the status of the saddle. I will watch your video again prior to this weekend so I ensure that I am doing everything properly because I really want this to work. Thanks again. Carolyn .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Cathy - I though you might be interested in your friend Lisa's
comments on american-flex panels (on the gaited horse list
-yahoo) I would warn people against doing this. An Ortho-flex saddle is NOT
an American Flex saddle and if you have your Ortho-flex altered this way
it voids your lifetime warranty on the tree. Many people are having
problems with American Flex inserts and panels cracking because they are
"too" flexible. They don’t offer the horse enough support. By the nature
of the material the inserts are made of, called Delron, they have a
certain degree of thinness and flex that when taken beyond that makes
them brittle. I would sure hate to see people lose their warranties or
the stability that the original manufacturer intended. JMHO ............................................................................. ----- Original Message ----- HA! Lisa was an old dealer for O-F, like me and now dealer for the
new company ... apparently one person in the whole USA (little ol' me)
bothers her??? I wonder why?? That is great, Now she will be sending
even more business my way... I'm swamped as it is! ......................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- I found a comment you gave on American-Flex saddles. Date: Sun Feb 1, 2004 11:08 am I think, they are two possibilities for making statements like this: ............................................................................................................ ---Ursprüngliche Nachricht--- (Original Message) ----- Original Message ----- Hi Kathy, Hi Cathy.....Catherine from Tucson here. Walter just called me with the exciting news that he had ordered one of your saddles. He came out yesterday to try my "versatile" and was HUGELY impressed. He's an older man, a veterinarian, who is not easily impressed!!! I'm so happy for him. Anyway.... I was telling him about the video that will come with the saddle and then I realised I had never heard from you that you received the one that I returned to you. In fact, I mailed it the day after I received my saddle. Did it ever arrive? If it did, (and I sure hope so!) please hold on to my $5 refund, because I know I will be ordering another pad in the future and you can just apply it! I love my "versatile" to death and SO DOES MY FRIESIAN. Also, I wanted to tell you that I'm using the saddle on my appendix/quarterhorse mare who is 20 years old, and since under my American Flex, she is riding more like she did 12 years ago when I first bought her! She's got so much more spring in her step and so much more freedom in movement. I rave to everyone who stops to admire my horse AND my saddle....! And I can't thank you enough!!! Sincerely, Catherine McCallister, Tucson .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- TOO COOL, I'm so happy that
you are happy... and yes... I do know how you feel about not having this
saddle sooner in your career. And boy how I know about movement... It
took me about 30 min until I understood when I first got my saddle, and
when I went to try my old saddle... (just to compare) Oh my god... NEVER
again was that saddle ever ridden in! ----- Original Message ----- ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
---- Original Message -----
From: "Hillview Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net
To: "Shaffer, Karen M"
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 8:06 AM
Subject: Re:
Hi Karen, Both of these saddles are new. Not demo saddles. Just like with new cars, you do not buy a car that has zero miles on it and tires without dirt. All the saddles- I tell people: to take of the pad on the english saddles and put the saddle bare on the horses back and ride! if you ride for longer than an hour put a thin (no more than 1/2 inch) pad, pillow case or towel under the saddle to protect the horse against friction. For the western saddles, use a thin pad to keep the saddles fleece clean. When you do this make sure that you draw up the material so that it does not bind the horses spine. THEN when you fall in love with the saddle and it is a keeper, use the pad that you purchased. I totally expect the stirrups to show marks or dirt, that
the stirrup leather or fender will show where the stirrup was
adjusted to, also that the billets, ladigo or off billet will
to have marks. And as a consumer you may see this on the
saddle you get to try. Try to use common sense and go for a ride. It is your right and our
privilege to provide you with the chance to really try a saddle for it
will be, for the benefit of your horse, yourself and
American-flex, to have satisfied customers. (that is why there
are so very few "used" saddles out there for sale or unhappy
customers) .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- Thanks again! Candy Eagle, ID
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- ----- Original Message ----- ----- Original Message ----- ----- Original Message ----- ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... From: Roger Karlsson On: Tuesday, December 9, 2003, at 10:45 AM, terry banister wrote: .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
----- Original Message ----- Sounds great! The pad is going out today. ~Cathy From: "Pat "
----- Original Message ----- Cathy: All I can do is try :-) ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 9:24 AM Subject: Re: Cathy... aloha! Cathy... Thanks for sharing more of your thoughts with me...you are so very selfless about your time, and you are to be commended for your generosity. Your time is such a precious commodity, and you give from the heart. Thank you! aloha, pat ----- Original Message ----- To: "Pat " Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 12:12 AM Subject: Re: Cathy... aloha! Cathy: Super, I'll get that pad in the mail today. Your trainer is right, if no one is in the saddle, the front and rear will be snugger than the center. But as you said, it will flex down - in the center, when the rider is in the seat. What I do as a test to show people, is to have them put their own saddle on - their horse, bare-no pads, put their hand under -all over. Then have a rider in the saddle and put hand all over -front-center-rear, and WALK with the horse with their hand under-all over. Compare this test with the same test repeated with the panel saddle. Then do this same test on a different horse - but using the same saddles, and repeat. Question is... how many saddles does she want to buy? Or does she ride just one horse? Or as a trainer does she ride the owners saddles when training stock? You are right, more people need to get educated, and as a trainer I go out of my way to look at new products, ideas and methods. I find the older I get the less I know. But I'm happy to share what I've learned with others, for I find that I learn so much back. Also... remember, that not all panels saddles fit the same, - your O-F remember... so we still need to fit these saddles to some degree. A wire fence too! Your horse is lucky. You know.... it is amazing to me how these creatures can find the slightest of anything and manage to hurt themselves. I go out in the morning and wonder just how they got this scuff and that, and know that if I put them in a rubber -padded room, I bet they would find a way to rub hair off or get a scratch. The best part though is how you can have them all nice, clean and beautiful and they find the only pile of shit in the paddock to wallow in!--- gotta love it. ~Cathy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat " To: "Hillview Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, December 15, 2003 4:48 PM Subject: Re: Cathy... aloha! Wow...thanks for the offer. I'll take the demo'd one! And...also appreciated your advice on the diaper rash ointment with A/D. I'll look around. No one was in the saddle when she ran her hand under the panel. She mumbled under her breath that if it were any "snugger" she'd be concerned...but then said she supposed the panel flexed as needed...and that's when I talked about putting the saddle on a dining room table, or on the ground. She has a huge 17.1 horse, and I said I swore it would flex to fit him! She let it go at that. I sure hope she swings around and admits the panel concept is the only way to go. We need more trainers to foster the panels so we can save the horses who have to have those rigid trees on their backs... :) Loaned trainer the video, but she "hasn't had the time to watch it"!! I'm anxious, too, to give it a real trail test...but that's several weeks away... ----- Original Message ----- To: "Pat " Sent: Monday, December 15, 2003 3:25 AM Subject: Re: Cathy... aloha! Cathy: say Pat, I noticed that I have a pad that was demo'd once - that has some horse hair on it... I can discount it for you if you are interested... Or I can send a spanking bran new one. ;-) ~Cathy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat " To: "Hillview Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Monday, December 15, 2003 9:34 AM Subject: Re: Cathy... aloha! Cathy... Saddle fits just fine. Pepper didn't flinch and it was ridden with "smooth sailing." Only did circle pen work as Pepper is still hurting a bit on his right because of the rope burn. Please remember, I have a Doubting Thomas (trainer) when it comes to new concept of panels for saddles. She (finally) said after riding for 15 minutes...that this was the best of the three panel saddles she's ridden in. And says I'll like it when I'm able to ride in the next month or so. She likes the deep seat for me and the knee rolls and said the stirrup rigging is just great as you can move them forward, if necessary. Hooray! She's still concerned as she slipped her hand under the saddle where her weight would be that the panels didn't seem to flex as much as portended. I assured her that if we placed the saddle on the ground, it would flex practically flat open. Since she's expressed this concern, I won't use the synthetic pad on her next ride Tuesday. Can you wrap up another black Easy Pad for me and send via priority/delivery confirm? Charge on my VISA, please. Thanks again, Cathy! pat ----- Original Message ----- To: "Pat " Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2003 2:33 AM Subject: Re: Cathy... aloha! SUPER. Do let me know. ~Cathy ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2003 9:12 AM Subject: Re: Cathy... aloha! Kathy... I apologize for my lack of response. Have not put the new saddle on Pepper yet and hope to this Saturday if it doesn't rain. If you have a buyer for the Stitchdown, please sell it. Forecast is it'll be rainy off and on for the next week. It's been rainy and muddy since the saddle arrived and the circle pen is like a wet sponge and so are the paddocks so we haven't tested the saddle out yet. Can you believe all this rain in sunny Hawaii? We were all crabbing in August about how we needed rain, and has God responded to our cries. We've cried "uncle", but we're really getting an overdose! We had two days of decent weather where we could have at least done a saddle fitting no riding because of slush, but Pepper got a rope burn on his hind leg above the fetlock and was gimpy for the two days...then it started pouring again, and hasn't let up! I have viewed your video many times and hope my trainer reviews it before we fit the saddle. Holly's insisted on using the neoprene girth with elastic on one end, so maybe she'll switch to the non-elastic. Have to admit I was surprised to see how tight you cinch up right from the get go. I generally girth looser and spend little time dawdling before I mount up because it's loose. I'm counting on Holly to get the billets lined up right and the saddle not too far forward as you've counseled can be the tricky part. Thanks a lot for the time and energy you put into your products!! Have a great holiday season. I'll be in touch when "D-Day" comes...hopefully this Saturday. aloha, pat ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hillview Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net To: Pat Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2003 2:12 AM Subject: Fw: Cathy... aloha! Cathy: Pat, I have not heard back since your phone call?? Did it stop raining?? How did it go?? Any questions?? I have an inquiry on the Stitichdown saddle that I have on hold, are you still interested in that saddle?? Talk to you soon. ~Cathy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hillview Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net To: Pat Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2003 7:01 AM Subject: Fw: Cathy... aloha! Cathy: Super and have a great T-day feast. And I hope you love that deep seat as much as we do. It is VERY secure, so when the "refrigerators" Jump out from the bushes, your rear should stay put! ~Cathy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat " To: "Hillview Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2003 7:36 PM Subject: Re: Cathy... aloha! Cathy: The beautiful saddle arrived and the craftsmanship is outstanding compared to Ortho-Flex! The attention to detail is so readily apparent. The picture of the saddle didn't do it much justice...as it's breathtaking and the seat is way deeper than I imagined. I'll contact you after I've viewed your video...trainer is taking the balance of the week off so I won't see her until next week Tuesday. So this'll get me lots of time to digest your instructions so I can sound like I know what we're supposed to do for the fitting. Rather than tinker around as it'll be "light work" with two people vs. me by myself, I'll probably wait and admire the saddle until then <in my dining area. I am just blown away by the German craftsmanship. The combination of black and brown are really tastefully matched. Thank you so much, Cathy. aloha, pat ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hillview Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net To: "Pat " Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 10:46 AM Subject: Re: Cathy... aloha! Cathy: Hi Pat, A follow up: You should get your saddle tomorrow...Let me know how it goes and call if you have any questions. Say, I called Germany to ask them the question you asked me on "Why are there so few Am-F saddles for resale - eBay" They have been in business since 1993, so what is the deal? Kai told me that he has only had about 5 or so come back, (cause the rider is changing discipline such as, going from western to English and can you believe that there in Germany they offer the rider up to 30 days to test ride a saddle! )... he says because the American-flex saddles fit so many horses, that there is no reason why someone would want to dump it. Also there in Europe they do much a better job of educating the consumer on the care of and fitting of their product, as well as, having only top shelf dealers who properly service their customers. So the bottom line is a quality product with very high customer satisfaction. Do not worry...I still have the stitchdown here for you.... But I want you to try the saddle I sent you first, before you consider purchasing another... I will not move this saddle until I hear from you. Also....no... I'm sure that I do have a bigger cup size...But you know...Women like us have it so much easier than those who carry a chest! Especially if they are riding trotting horses! HA! Last note...Thank you for your feedback on the article... I was not so sure I wanted to post that...I really do not like braggers... and I kinda feel like that is what that article was doing... but as I try to look at things objectively, what that article really does, is share with others who we really are here at Hill View Farms, and let people know that we too are real people who care. Well Kiddo, have a good T-day and a good ride. Remember that 4-strap rigging is tricky but very excellent, once you have figured out how to position the saddle. ~Cathy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat " To: "Hillview Farms" <hillview@springfield-sanborn.net Sent: Friday, November 21, 2003 7:43 PM Subject: Cathy... aloha! And...thank you so much for your time today! I am so grateful you are there...a real live body with a brain. Certainly the antithesis of the service I'm getting from O-F. The people are extremely nice people, patient and gracious, but their follow through leaves a lot to be desired. My saddle has been there for the change out of the 20"panel for five weeks already, and I was promised it would be expedited upon receipt. :) My email address for home is ******** and for work ********* I should have given you my toll-free number at the office: *********. I'm at work Monday-Friday Hawaii time from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., thereafter you'll have to reach me at cell ********. The reason I'm writing is two fold: (1) to let you know that I really liked the article and web post on "who we are"! It adds alot and shows that you people are true professionals. Thank you thank you;(2) I am happy with your recommendation on the special edition...and look forward to receiving it. But...to add frosting to the cake, please make me an offer I can't refuse for the Stitchdown 16.5...so I'd be purchasing two saddles. That is...if you think the Stitchdown is a fit. That saddle will be used for flat work only (not on roads or trails). Incidentally, our body frames are about the same, except you've got me beat on a full cup size :)!! It's so good to see pics of people with whom we're talking to...that's why I was so complimentary about your catalog with lots of great family photos. Let me know your thoughts, time permitting. There's no fire, other than the usual excitement of the real McCoy American-Flex. Another question: Why are there few or no American-Flex saddles listed on Ebay? I think O-F is overrated...and proof of the pudding will be when I get the A-F saddle. :) Again...thanks for your help and guidance. much aloha, pat ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message -----
----- Original Message -----
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... SUPER! Glad I
can help ----- Original Message -----
I am Cathy of Hill View Farms. Paul forwarded me your email. We can make a saddle for you, but I will need to talk to you in person. May I have your phone number.Thank you. Cathy " I would want a
square skirt, if it would be okay on shorter backs and arabs, light
color would be preferred. Also, I am having trouble seeing if the
stirrups are broad enough to look proper in a show ring. I do not
show much anymore, but would like to sell my big, old, heavy,
silver-laden monster and move to one of these flexible type tree saddles
that I could use outside of the ring. There is a budget involved,
just so you know! Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!
Oh, seat size would be 15 or 16" ----- Original
Message -----
From: "terry banister" <terrybanister@hotmail.com YIKES!
:-) I am not, you know. -- Original Message -----
---- Original Message -----
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original
Message ----- Oh SUPER!
Thank you for choosing Hill View Farms for your saddling needs.
You are a such a neat bunch. Your conditioner went out today. ----- Original Message -----
----- Original Message -----
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----- Original Message ----- .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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----- Original Message ----- hi- Here's another pro American-Flex
post - this one came offo the Paso Affiction2 list. She said .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- As many of you know, I own a Orthoflex caliente saddle. The only saddle that will fit my PP gelding. Recently sent it to an American Flex rep and had the panels re-done. The "nuts and bolts" part that does the flexing had worn out. I purchased this used, but nearly choked at the USED price. But was well worth the money in the long run. What an excellant job was done by these folks. I am really impressed with the quality of the Am flex panels. Like getting a brand new saddle back.... Only share this with all of you, that if you need repairs done to your OF saddle, I would highly consider the couple that re-did mine. Contact me privately if needing the info. Judy-PA ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ----- Original
Message ----- Susie... I just got
a call from a lady who wants to change models of saddles. She has
an AM-F caliente and now wants the Karbon. So, she left a message
, I have yet to return her call... just got back from riding... but she
may want to sell it... ----- Original
Message ----- ---- Original Message ----- .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original
Message ----- Just wanted you to know how happy I am
with the Outback saddle. A testimony to the great fit of the saddle
with different horses: I have used it with 3 completely different
backed horses ( one with high & sharp withers; one with average
withers, round barrel and wider back; and the other with mutton
withers, wider back). Fits all of them very well and the appear to
be very comfortable and happy. I've sold all but one of my saddles
and am still waiting for a buyer for that one - it's great being
able to use one saddle for a variety of horses and not having to
worry about soring them. Thanks again. ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... May 16th 2003.
(additions for reader ) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ -----Original Message----- Well, the Pro Reiner stays on my mare better than anything else I've tried, and my gelding relaxes under it, so it's a keeper. Thanks -- it's really comfy for me, too. Now I'm looking for a dressage saddle that I can use on both horses as well -- preferably the UK Classic Dressage in a size 18.5" (My Steubben is an 18", so I assume the larger is better -- right?) Can you get one of those? Also, what's the "trail blocking" on the saddle, as I'll use it on the trail as well. And since I'm asking, I'll probably add a few D rings on each side behind the thigh to tie on things for longer trail rides, if possible. I've got fittings -- is it possible to just get the saddle? Let me know -- and thanks again for the Reiner. It's one of the nicest Western saddles I've ridden in -- makes it virtually impossible to sit incorrectly, which will be perfect for my new-to-riding boyfriend. Laurie Sain ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ---- Original Message
----- ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... From: The Crutcher's .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... In September, 2002 I logged 100 miles packing groceries for boys trying to recover from drug and alcohol abuse who are helping the Bob Marshall Foundation repair and maintain trails in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. I volunteer my time, mules and transportation for this great cause. When riding in extreme conditions you wonder what will fail first: Your Tack? Your Mount? or You? So you and your mount better be fit and your tack AMERICAN-FLEX . Muddy Creek Mules & Tack -Paul Gullickson.
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Hi Cathy, ----- Original Message ----- ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... From: Debbie Kirchner ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ----- Original Message ----- .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... April 24 2002 - Minnesota Horse Exposition Susan and Gibraltar modeling their new American-Flex Gran Primer.
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... From: Dawn Michael |
.jpg)
From an 11 hand welsh pony Max can
ride his dad's 17 hand mule, all with the SAME saddle. In fact the
whole Kennedy Family rides in the Evolutionary saddle just so they can go
from horse to horse or horse to mule when they want to get the whole
heard ridden.
They do this easily using the Evolutionary Saddle, without any saddle fitting concerns
with exception of the girth.
Looking great Max! THANK YOU for
the photo's
Kelly!! (who, by the way is 5.10) .jpg)
---- Original Message -----
From: amy swanson
To:
These are all the critters Brenda Huhta rides with her
ONE Evolutionary Saddle. She is a Perilli trainer and avid rider.
All she does is pick the right size girth and she is good to go.
not as much as my horsies of course .. the Namster will be working on
trailer loading class with Bubbles . Do you think it helps having one
who will get in there like nobodies biz , or is it wishful thinking on
my part ... 
--
--- Original
Message ----- From:
BOUGHT SADDLE 5/7/2007……..This is the best
saddle I have ever had. I will never go back to ordinary fixed tree
saddles. I am a riding instructor. I teach the English riding
disciplines: dressage, jumping, eventing. I train horses and I go trail
riding. There are 3 great things about this saddle:
----- Original Message
----- 
-----
Original Message ----- From: "Dale Miller" To: "'Hill View Farms'" <
.jpg)
----- Original
Message ----- From: carole To:
----- Original Message ----- From: Kelly
To:
----- Original Message ----- From: Carol
Riebeling To:
2006
EBEY and Too many Egg Nogs 
though there is a lot of white to keep clean between the spots!)
----- Original
Message ----- 
American-Flex does
100 miles in 15 hours and
E-Bey scored A’s for the condition of his back.
experience and are
willing to educate people. I would have been tempted to order a few
items out of your catalogue, if it wouldn't have to cross the border,
They charge me an arm and a leg for customs, brokerage and tax. ($ 570
for the saddle alone). 
Hill
View Farms riding and pulling (skijoring) with the AMERICAN-FLEX
System! Way COOL.
