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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Tack Discussion > Imus 4-Beat™ Saddle Discussion > The Most Common FAQ's about the Imus 4-Beat™ Saddle |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Tack Discussion > Imus 4-Beat™ Saddle Discussion > The Most Common FAQ's about the Imus 4-Beat™ Saddle |
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| The Most Common FAQ's about the Imus 4-Beat™ Saddle | Rate Topic |
| Author | Post |
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| Posted: Mon Jul 31st, 2006 02:03 pm |
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1st Post |
zacharyimus
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Q. What type of leather is used on the Imus 4-Beat™ Saddle? A. ALL FULL GRAIN LEATHER! We have written a full article explaining everything you need to know about the leather used to build our saddles. http://www.gaitsofgold.net/content/view/50/14/ Q. What are the weight and measurements of the 4-Beat™ Saddle? My Horse has a very short back. A. The 4-Beat™, 15" seat, weighs 24 lbs. It's about 1 lb. more per added seat size. Length of saddle on a 15" seat, would be 23", front to back, with an additional inch of length for each additional length of seat. However, the saddle fits over the TOP of the wither and shoulder, which means it will not be too long even for an extremely short backed horse. Our cantle is 4" deep. Q. What colors and styles are available? What does it look like? A. We've designed the Imus 4-Beat™ to be as beautiful as it is functional and comfortable. It is available with or without a horn, with stirrup fenders or leathers, in rich two-tone pecan, or deep black. It boasts simple but classic signature 4-Beat tooling and free swinging rounded skirt leathers. We use full grain leathers throughout (no inexpensive nylon girth rigging or stirrup straps) that is heavy enough to guarantee decades of trouble free wear, but light enough to be easy to handle, and to give a relatively short 'break in' period. Q. What type of stirrups come with the Imus 4-Beat™ Saddle? Can I choose a different style? A. Our Saddles come equipped with simple plastic stirrups. We offer optional matching 4-Beat padded Bell stirrups, as well as wide padded endurance trail stirrup. Q. How do I know if I need a wide tree or a standard tree? A. Unless your horse is very barrel-shaped and/or has mutton-withers or has broad/flat back (like a quarter horse), a standard tree should suffice. As for fitting your horse you may always send pictures if you aren't sure and we can study them and let you know if your horse would be better suited for a standard or wide tree. We do not ask for measurements because typical measurements do not apply with our saddle due to the non-traditional angles and placement of our saddle. I ask to see a picture of your horse from both sides, from the front, and from behind slightly above looking towards the wither. This gives me an idea of the topline and overall conformation of your horse. Just make sure that the head is at a natural angle (not parked out and not grazing, but standing comfortably and square). Send Photos To jamieimus@yahoo.com Q. Does your saddle have a flexible tree? A. We utilize a tree system that has truly flexible bars--think of a material like a hard rubber tire, with enough body to offer support, and enough flexibility for comfortable movement. The pommel and cantle of the tree consist of wood, to give the saddle stability from side to side. This prevents the saddle from rolling too freely back and forth, pinching the horse, or from allowing the saddle bars to collapse under the rider's weight. Q. What kind of padding do you use under the bars of the tree and in the seat? A. We use a resilient layer of non-pressure open honeycomb padding between the fleece and the tree bars, to enable the saddle to conform perfectly to your horse's back, even when the horse's shape has changed due to maturing, foaling, gaining or losing condition, etc. This padding may cause the saddle to appear to sit high on the horse's wither and back when it is first placed on the horse, but will compress to precisely fit the animal's unique contours once the rider is mounted. Unlike the closed cell foam sometimes used in saddles, our material will not deteriorate even over many years. It also does not compress too severely under weight and warmth. Rather, it acts something like bubble wrap, eliminating the possibility of pressure points and soreness. We utilize the same material in our suspended, hand crafted leather ground seat, as well as in the wide pad of our optional matching stirrups. This material is so superior at preventing pressure points that it is used in wheel chairs, as mattress toppers for severely compromised bed-ridden patients and in the captain's seats in the planes of virtually every major airline. Q. Where should the 4-Beat ™ Saddle rest on the horse? A.The Imus 4-Beat™ Saddle is designed to fit forward over the horse's wither and shoulder, rather than in the spot just behind the back of the scapula, and places the rider in a slightly less vertical seat position (more 'back in the saddle,') than what is common today. Because of this positioning and our flexible bars, the saddle cannot interfere with the action of the shoulder, a common saddle fitting problem often not recognized. Q. How does the rider sit in the 4-Beat™ Saddle? A. To further enhance the correct seat position and to take pressure off the rider's knees-the free swinging stirrups are placed an inch more forward than usual. This riding position has long been promoted by some equestrians as being superior to the typical head/hips/ankles alignment that is currently in vogue. The classic John Fallis saddle is one popular example of a stock horse saddle that uses this type of seat. The 4-Beat's overall design and positioning places the rider exactly over the horse's center of gravity, in spite of the less rigidly upright seat position. Though it sometimes requires a short ride or two to adjust to this position, it is a fun and unique riding experience when both horse and rider are comfortable, and the rider experiences the pleasure (often for the first time) of being truly with' their horse. Q. What type of rigging does the 4-Beat™ Saddle have? A. The rigging on the Imus 4-Beat™ is 3/4 fired, and can be rigged in the usual way, or in the more utilitarian 3-point manner common with endurance riders. The more set back position of the front rigging allows for greater action at the girth right behind the elbow. This is an important consideration for gaited horses, since they often have more reach and/or lift than do trotters. It also permits the more forward positioning of the saddle directly over the wither and shoulder that is so important to maintaining freedom of action and correct gaited riding seat position. Rigging steps here - http://www.gaitsofgold.net/content/view/51/60/ Q. What if I get my saddle and it doesn't work out for my horse? A. We are so confident that the Imus 4-Beat is the best saddle on the market today, especially for gaited horses, that we offer a 14 day return policy guarantee. Ride your saddle carefully a time or two, and you'll quickly discover that your horse is more willing to move forward, and much looser and more fluid in all of his actions. Many horses begin to gait for the first time during their first ride under a 4-Beat saddle! However, there is no one saddle in the world that is right for all horses. If you're not happy with your saddle for any reason, return it to us in new condition within 14 days. We will happily refund your purchase price. Q. Is there a Warranty on the Imus 4-Beat™ Saddle? A. Yes - http://www.gaitsofgold.net/content/view/53/60/ Last edited on Wed Dec 6th, 2006 06:58 pm by |
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