Craftsmanship,
Comfort, Fit, Balance!
Hand Made
in the USA!

The Perfect Saddle?
Answer : a Synergist Custom Saddle

To: Synergist Saddles
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 8:27 PM
Subject: Saddle adjustment

Hi,

Claudia M., Greeley, CO with Barbary Bask and Smoke

I wanted to write and tell you how pleased I have been with the minor adjustment made in my saddle this summer.  It has made all the difference.  I have always liked my saddle but rode with a gel pad because of a pain in my hip that felt like maybe the cup of the impression made for my hip bone was pushing on a nerve.  Also, I’ve always felt a little off balance in the saddle feeling like my weight was too easily shifting forward during downward transitions.  I called C.J. and she stated that moving the stirrup forward a tad might be just the thing.  I thought I’d give it a try.  Thanks for your insight C.J. it worked great!  I have taken off the gel pad and shortened the stirrup a notch and suddenly the saddle fits like a glove.  I feel glued in and riding is a real pleasure.  Dave thanks so much for your help and your custom saddle tradition.  My husband also bought a Synergist this season and he really likes his saddle as well.  We asked for longer fenders and you gave us some used ones that are working very well for us – so thanks for that too.

Sincerely,

Claudia M.
Greeley, CO
Barbary Bask and Smoke’s mom

OMG CJ,

I LOVE the saddle, couldn't get off Saturday! I have NEVER felt better/safer/more in control on a horse! You guys have an incredible product! I told my girlfriend its almost like the seats designed for a roller-coaster ride, you have maximum feel and enjoyment of the horse but the feeling of security and safety from the seat actually heightens the experience. I had a really nasty accident and haven't  ridden with the same abandon since it happened, that is until I rode in your saddle! Thanks for giving me back that level of freedom!!

Annette

Julia & Lakota

Good Afternoon:

My new Synergist saddle arrived Monday! You folks did an exceptional job putting it together. I slapped on tons of olive oil, let it sit for a few days, and today my Arabian Princess & I went for our first ride with her new saddle.

I'm happy with the fit...the wool seat was nice & comfy for my bum...especially on a cold day like today... and I believe Lakota was happy with the fit as well! Thanks again.

You guys make the best saddles! Good luck to you all at Synergist!

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,
Julia & Lakota

Karen R.
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Synergist Saddles 1087 St. James Rd. Cheyenne, WY 82009

To all the people at Synergist,

Stormy and his new Synergist Saddle

I am writing to tell you how thrilled I am with my new Synergist saddle.

I've owned horses for about five years now, and didn't have much experience with horses before that. It's been a lot of trial and error! I sure didn't know anything about saddles. But the more time I spent with horses and learning about horses, the more I became convinced that fit was probably the most important factor in choosing the right saddle. A lot of experts seemed to believe that most saddles didn't really fit their horses very well. So when I started getting serious about finding the right saddle for me and my horse, that's what I was looking for— a saddle that fit.

I looked at a lot of saddles in the shops, and talked to saddle makers and plenty of riders and trainers. I was surprised at how few people talked about fit. So, I got on the Internet and found Synergist. Fit was what you talked the most about!

Of course it wasn't just about fitting the horse's back while it was standing. You talked about the horse's anatomy, and how the animal moves, and how it was important for the saddle to be comfortable for the horse when the horse was doing what it was meant to do under saddle— move. The more I learned, the more I became convinced that Synergist was the best choice for me and my horse.

So here's my horse and his Synergist saddle. We are both very happy with the saddle! It is comfortable for me and for him, and I really appreciate the close contact between my legs and the horse that the lightweight rigging provides. This saddle feels great, and looks great too. I also appreciate the light weight of this saddle; it's so easy to tack up my horse. Surprisingly, the saddle also fits our other quarter horses quite well.

I love my Synergist saddle! The unexpected benefit of having such a great saddle, one that's easy to handle and ride, is that I ride so much more now— almost every day. That's important, since my horse is young, not yet 4, and since I want to learn to be a much better rider. That will only come with time in the saddle— and of all the great things about this saddle, getting more riding time is the very best.

Thank you,

Karen R (and Stormy)

Hello C. J.,

This is Joshua Bryant writing to you. Em and I had saddles made by you folks earlier this year and are very happy with them. So happy, in fact, that we'd like to offer our endorsements for you to use any time and in any way they might be of value to you. Both of us are actors (largely retired these days but occasionally appearing in a thing or two and still doing voice-over work out of our studio in Taos). You can visit Em's website at melindamullins.com (Melinda Mullins is her professional name). I don't maintain a website but you can Google Joshua Bryant and see at least a partial bio.

We also have a suggestion: since your wonderful saddles are custom made for the horse and rider, you might acknowledge that somewhere on the saddle. Example: This saddle made by Synergist especially for Em, Bryant and Hokahei.

That's it. Thanks again. We think of you all every time we ride.

And, yes, our horses do thank you, too.

Josh

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Hi, CJ -
 

Time has passed and I have gotten enough riding time on Copper to know that I like the saddle. Consider it sold! What I would like at this time, is some tips on proper care of the saddle and leather. Can you please recommend some products and the steps to use them in, i.e. glycerin soap bar vs. something else, etc.! I would appreciate your input.

 

Also, I will pass on what was said today in regards to the saddle ... Copper had a training ride today - it's been several weeks because of his down time. I had been taking quite a few lessons on him before he got hurt but Meghan (trainer) had only ridden him about 3-4 times in the saddle. So today, she sat on him. Long story short - she was "amazed at the horse she had under her!" Maybe I'll bullet the sequence of events:

 

1. She began the training ride and I said, "Meghan, he looks a lot taller. His legs appear longer or something."

2. She said " he is so high in his back I don't know if something is bothering him ... give me a few minutes."

3. The ride went on and she stopped and said, "Copper has never been like this before. His back is up and he is really putting his back end under himself."

4. I said, "I can't figure out if he looks like he's going to blow."

5. She continued to ride and commented that she would see how the canter goes.

5. After the canter, she stopped again and said, "We have seen saddles make a difference in him in terms of showing us what he dislikes or dislikes more. But this is totally different. The difference this saddle is making in him, is amazing. Do they make English saddles?"

 

She said .... "This is not just a better riding horse - this is a completely different horse." She has put almost 2 years of training rides on Copper and said, "I have never ridden the horse that is under me now." Isn't that cool?!!!!!!!!!!

 

I am so happy for you as the saddle maker. These kinds of comments are priceless - your saddle is definitely standing out in the barn. I am proud of myself for making the decision, even under skepticism from fellow horse friends. Everything you do made sense to me - I just continued to plug along and go with my gut feeling.

 

I am leaving tomorrow for a trail ride in Iowa. I know I'll be comfortable!

 

One last note - I lost my father in January of this year. This saddle came to me because of some proceeds of his estate. I was convinced that I would have this saddle for a long time and that it would be something very special to me. A gift from my dad. It is a saddle that I want to take good care of and keep as long as possible. Thank you for making this saddle for Copper and for me.

 

God bless - Judy

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CJ:

I just wanted to let you know I received the saddle last week. I absolutely love it and so does my horse!!

You folks have built exactly what I wanted in a saddle and the quality is first rate.

I am so pleased someone has developed a saddle with all the features it has. I can't say enough good.

Best wishes for your future success and I will promote you in every respect.

Thanks very much.

Respectfully,

Mickey L

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Hi CJ & Dave,

 

Yesterday was the 3rd time I rode in the saddle. I went on a two hour trail ride. This saddle is the most comfortable I've ever ridden. My other saddle is a Big Horn saddle & I used to think that one was a great saddle, but not now compared to the Synergist! It is also a great fit to my mare.

 

I will be taking it & displaying it in my booth & handing out brochures at a small local show/fund raiser for the mounted police on Sept. 17th.
Talk to you soon,

 

Tom P

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Wow!

 

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE SADDLE.  ONLY RIDDEN IN IT A FEW TIMES SO FAR, BUT REALLY LOVE IT.

I'M GOING TO SEND YOU SOME OF THE BEST SNICKERDOODLE COOKIES THAT MY DAUGHTER MAKES, ONCE I CAN GET HER TO COOK THEM!!!

HOPE YOU ARE RECUPERATED FROM THE HOSPITAL STAY!

 

THANKS SO MUCH, 

 

ERIN

 

ONCE I HAVE SOME MORE MONEY I WILL ORDER THE REG SHEEPSKIN PAD - THIS SADDLE ABSOLUTELY STAYS PUT - WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED!

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Dear CJ,

I thought I would email my thoughts on my Synergist endurance saddle that I purchased a year ago. As you know, fitting a 16H Paso Fino was a challenge.

At the last race, the final vet check included a test of the horses' backs. Some horses were buckling to their knees from soreness however when the vet checked my horse she was amazed at how pain free he was and in the vet's words -" your saddle must be working very well as your horse has absolutely no soreness anywhere. He is one of the few horses that I have checked today that is pain free".

A year ago, just before I bought the Synergist, I had my horse massaged and then a laser treatment. The laser treatment showed several areas along the spine that were very tight and tender. This year, almost one year to the day after I started using the Synergist, I had my horse massaged and another laser treatment. There were absolutely no tight or tender areas and the equine therapist commented on the huge improvement in my horse's back.
Once again, many thanks from my horse and myself on a saddle that truly performs.

Tessa S.
Sandpoint, Idaho

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Dear  CJ,

 

I have had the pleasure of working with you and Dave on three separate occasions...when I originally purchased my Synergist saddle (which fit both me and my mare perfectly), and when I had the saddle refit for two subsequent horses. 

 

Each time I worked with y'all, my needs were handled courteously, promptly, and expertly.  My custom saddle arrived quickly, and was expertly made, using quality materials.  My subsequent dealings with you have always been handled perfectly, often strictly through instructions left on late night phone messages to you. 

 

In my "previous life" I used to travel internationally giving seminars to convention and travel associations on how to provide outstanding customer service.  One of my speeches was even incorporated into the American Society of Travel Agents curriculum.

 

I provide this historical info only to explain that I know great customer service, and I know that great customer service is RARE!!!!  Your company provides both a quality product, and a wonderful buying experience.  I would recommend your products and company WITHOUT RESERVATION!

 

Sincerely, Nancy S.

"I purchased a Synergist saddle for my almost 16H Paso Fino who truly needed a custom saddle - any production saddle was not going to fit him and rather than make mistake after mistake purchasing off the rack saddles, I bit the bullet and ordered a custom one from Synergist. However,,,,that was after months of research, driving myself and everyone around me crazy, I decided on Synergist as they will refit your saddle if your horse's back changes. I went onto the Endurance Net web site and checked out rider comments about saddles and honestly, after checking out the myriads of saddles available, I wanted to throw myself off something tall onto something sharp. However, there was nothing negative written about Synergist which also helped me in my decision.

It took exactly 7 weeks from the time I placed my order until I received the saddle - the quality of workmanship is excellent and it fits my horse very well.  The company is small and very easy to work with.  You can order a free video of the saddle from them at synergistsaddles.com which is quite informative about saddle fit, etc.  I also have the video that I can mail to you. 

When I took the saddle out of the box, the seat looked uncomfortable (after the gel seat on my Tucker anything appeared uncomfortable) so I took my Tucker saddle to the endurance ride so I could switch midway if necessary. The Synergist was so comfy that I did not even notice it which is always a good sign. The best feature of the saddle was that it got my legs in the correct position and I have never had to fight to stay in the 2 point position.

All in all, I am extremely pleased with my Synergist and very relieved that the quest for the "perfect" saddle is over. If you do talk to CJ at Synergist mention my name and she can tell you about the fit for the 16H Paso Fino."

- Tessa

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