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Discussion on A new question about the Imus 4-beat saddle
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New Member:
Erinport
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Posted on Monday, Jul 19, 2004 - 1:16 pm:
Hi everyone-
I'm new to this discussion board, so forgive me if I make any blunders.
I am in the process of buying a new TWH mare. She's 15.2hh, and of average build. She hasn't been ridden in a couple years, so doesn't have a very athletic musculature at this point. She will be primarily a trial/pleasure horse, although I won't rule out local showing.
My question is about the Imus 4-beat gaited saddle, made by Gaits of Gold. Last time I checked in on the previous discussion on this saddle, there was quite a bit of talking back and forth by Brenda Imus and some others. Those posts have since been removed. I guess they were a bit too argumentative?
I've found it very difficult to get any info on this saddle from anywhere other than the Gaits of Gold website. I have the opportunity to purchase a used western-style Imus 4-beat saddle from a gentleman who has owned it for one year, and has ridden less than 4 hours in it. It has no marks on it, and he ordered the padded trail stirrups and matching breastcollar. He is willing to sell it to me for $800, because it just doesn't fit his horse. He LOVES the saddle, and says it's a very comfortable ride. And he's been hanging onto it for that reason. But it came down to a decision about what he wanted more. To ride in this saddle, or to ride on this horse? Obviously, he chose the horse.
I know, that as my horse goes through "reminder" training, and builds her musculature up through hours on the trail, her physique will change. She's naturally gaited, but there's no telling what will happen when we put a saddle on her back after so long. Will she resort to pacing or trotting? I'm hoping to avoid that, and thought that perhaps this saddle (and the right trainer) would help.
Anyway, I know what these things cost brand new, and this gentleman's price is beyond reasonable. I can't find them used anywhere else at all. But like some of you have said, a saddle is a big monetary investment. Regardless of how good the price is, I don't want to sink the money into something that, in the end, won't be right.
If any of you has personal experience riding in or even just trying out the Imus 4-beat on a gaited horse (or even non-gaited for that matter), I'd love to hear your opinion on it. I've done all the research I can, but there's nothing more valuable than a person telling you what they think from personal experience. Thank you for anything you might be able to offer!
Erin
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 - 7:29 am:
Hello Erin,
I do not know about the saddle but wanted to address your understanding of our policy on removing posts. We do not remove posts or discussions because they may be controversial. Though I have to occasionally step in and edit words in a particular posts, I cannot ever remember removing a post or discussion because of controversial content.
I suspect if you cannot find an earlier discussion it has been archived and not available through our discussion search engine. You should be able to still find it through our "Big" search engine however. Select "Search this Site and the Net" and place your key words in there.
DrO
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Member:
Erinport
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Posted on Friday, Jul 23, 2004 - 10:28 am:
Dr O-
I was mistaken about the posts. I had read that post on the Gaited Horse Forum, not on this website. They get pretty personal and heated up over there, whereas this site seems much more professional, and just people wanting to help people. There's much more debate on their forum! I'm sure a lot of people who post here also read that forum. I'm curious to find out other people's opinions. Thanks!
Erin
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Member:
Edf03
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Posted on Monday, Jul 26, 2004 - 5:15 pm:
Hi Erin,
I have the Imus 4-beat saddle for my TWH and just love it. It is comfortable for both of us. I did a little experiment for you. I went back to the standard western saddle I was using and after about 15 minutes of riding I could feel my horse stiffening up. The Imus saddle seems to make a big difference in freeing up shoulder movement. For $800. I'd say it is a steal. I wouldn't sell mine for any amount of money.
When I first got it it did take a little to get used to because it positions you a little differently but it really improved by horse's gait and comfort.
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Member:
Erinport
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Posted on Monday, Aug 2, 2004 - 2:20 pm:
Diane-
Thanks for your reply. I just traveled 170 miles on Saturday to look at this saddle. The gentleman selling it had it made with a five-inch cantle, and has the really nice padded trail stirrups on it, and everything. It is a VERY nice saddle, and in excellent to new condition. It is the standard size, and he said he'd probably need the wide for his horse. Seeing his horse, I can tell why. It's a really BIG Rocky Mountain gelding. I think I'm definitely going to buy it from him. I simply can't see any reason not to. He's holding it for me, with no deposit!
Do you use any certain type of saddle pad with yours? His has the rounded skirt, and is a very nice-looking saddle, I think in the pecan color. With all of the built-in padding, should I avoid a thick, or overly-padded blanket, or will anything work?
Again, thanks a lot for your reply!
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Member:
Edf03
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Posted on Monday, Aug 2, 2004 - 5:47 pm:
I just use a thin non-slip pad under it because you are right it is so well padded you really only need something under it to keep it clean. I did have a problem with some slipping so the non-slip pad works great for us. My horse had gained weight because of hypothyroidism and now has lost the weight again since being on thyroid medication and the saddle has fit through all of that. They told me the 5 inch cantle will fit 90% of the gaited horses. I am sure you and your horse will love the saddle.
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