Here are a few of the dozens of positive comments I've gotten from Specialized Saddles customers. It's letters like these that make my job as a saddle maker and designer so rewarding.

- David Kaden, Owner

"The Trainer just cannot rave enough about the saddle, David. She agrees that it is the most comfortable saddle she has ever ever ridden, the horse moves better and attitude is better with the saddle. I will get a try at it when I go over to California next month. Janice also said that the video was such a great tool to help understand how the saddle works. She said that everyone wants info about the saddle when she rides it. Thanks again, Dave! "

Susan Gibson,editor
Trail Blazer Magazine

"I spent the evening cleaning our 4 year old Trail Masters. It inspired me to contact you to tell you that after all this time we still love our saddles. What luck to have been able to find these saddles and avoid so many problems. They have held up beautifully. Over the years we have had to deal with the usual variety of horse health problems but a sore back from the saddle has never been one! Thanks!"

Katey Kennedy
Brush Prairie WA

"Dave,

So happy with our 2 New Specialized Saddles. After many attemps to fit my troublesome Icelandic, with all different types of saddles, the Specialized Saddle fit is perfect. Our Foxtrotter says Thanks Too!"

Sincerely,
Larry and Linda, DeHesa

"Hi Dave. Did my first endurance ride in Maine in the Specialized Saddle. It was just perfect. I did the limited distance 30 and came in first. Was very happy with the comfort."

Janis McKittrick

"OMG! It's here already!! I got it in the mail on Tuesday and got a chance to put it on her and wander around the yard Wednesday and used it for my lesson on Friday - what a TREAT!! I was prepared to wait another couple of weeks and was very pleasantly surprised...then there's the actual riding! I really didn't get a chance to ride it much during my demo because Holly was out of commission at the time, but I did put it on my borrowed horse and ride it one night for Drill Team practice and knew I'd like it, but wondered how secure I'd feel in it when the Wild Child decided to romp a bit. It's my first 'real' saddle that was ordered specially for me and Holly and I had become quite attached to my little Aussie/Western cross that didn't fit her at all, but made me feel like I'd never have to worry about coming off of her. I was really reluctant to give up that secure feeling - I've bought 6 other saddles before this one (no demo on those) and ended up reselling them all because I got in them the first time and knew it was NOT the saddle. When I put this one on her Friday I knew this is THE saddle for both of us. I can see us doing LOTS of miles in comfort in this one for many years to come. Thank you so very much for responding to my plea on RC for a saddle that actually fits both me and my horse. If you want references from someone that has one, have them call me or email me...I'm one very satisfied owner. "

Suzi Maiorisi
Georgetown, TX

"Hi Dave Just got back from a ride called the Santiam Cascade ride, we did a 30 mile in 90+ heat and came in 7th and 8th and 2nd and 3rd in B.C. We had some of the vets and some of the other riders asking about your saddles. Just so you know I'm impressed with the saddles both horse and rider fit thanks "

Don Depuy

"Hi Dave I am quite pleased with my new saddle, it's beautiful and so light! I do need a set of shims for my 'hard to fit' Arab that broke her withers a couple of years ago. At the withers she doesn't flare as much as the saddle. The pads will lie flat on her back but then there is a space of about one and a half inches where the Velcro lifts from the saddle for a space of about three or four inches along her spine then it fits well. This is with the thicker pads. The saddle fits all the other horses by changing the pads. Amazing that one saddle could adjust to fit four very different horses. I also need to order a saddle pad in black and a girth. Thanks for your call and help. "

Susi Modisher
Hawaii

"I went on a trail ride Sat and the saddle was very comfortable.for me and I am especially pleased about how it fit my horse! She had very even sweat patterns and even after a long ride no more signs of discomfort.I was almost ready to give up finding a saddle that fit my mare.She is a gaited horse and seems to move out more freely now.Thanks so much for making a saddle design that is superb!"

JO Cameron
Spokane WA

"I love my new saddle more every time I ride it.When I ride at speed it makes it so much easier now.If you only knew the things I used to do to try and stay balanced, and how much I hurt after a ride...." Thanks again

Connie Hoge
Arlington WA

"I finally found a lightweight saddle that fits me and both my horses! My Paso Fino  found a "new gait" and my other horse seems like a new horse too,comfort for the horse really has made a big difference."   

BARBARA VANDEMARK
Cassatt SC

"This saddle brings the fun back to my riding,no more back pain ,the stirrup position is so balanced"

Mary DeLorry,
Equine Dentist,Port Orchard WA.

"I received my custom tooled saddle today and it is so beautiful.The matching hoof pick and leatherman holders are just what I wanted!Your detail and quality second to none!"

John Walker,
Vallejo CA

"I AM REALLY HAPPY WITH THE SADDLE,IT FITS SCOUT AND ME BOTH REALLY WELL.I LOVE THE ENGLISH TYPE STIRRUP LEATHERS ,THEY ARE GREAT FOR MY ANKLES.THE WESTERN FENDERS ON MY OLD SADDLE HURT MY ANKLES NO MATTER HOW I TRIED TO GET THEM SET TO THE ANGLE OF MY FEET".

Marilyn Wiese
San Angelo TX

Just got my new saddle and it looks great. I like the edge tooling and tell your saddle maker the workmanship is outstanding! (Second Saddle)

"Dave, I was pleasantly surprised and very much reassured by your cooperative spirit, on the phone. I had been waiting with much anticipation to see if your 15" TrailMaster would work for me. I love the way the saddle feels and how effortless it is to set to any gait. Thanks for working with me on the custom changes." (First Saddle)

Sue Neff
Jamestown Tenn

Sandi and I got our new International saddles and we love them! WE are very pleased with the quality and appearance of these saddles and can't wait to start showing them off!

Kathey Sugrue-Richards
Douglas MA

Got the saddle while I was in Spain, and it fits perfectly on the mare I wanted it for. It's a nice looking saddle too!

Cia Reis
USA World team endurance member, 2002

"The saddle is working wonderfully!! Chivas (my horse) is moving very nicely and is a happier boy. I absolutely adore the removable endurance fenders. There is no stress on my ankles and knees since the stirrups move so freely.

Dawn Carrie
Huntsville, TX

"The saddle has some REALLY WONDERFUL features. It has a narrow twist, and my horse is really moving out freely, his trot too big! I love the close contact feel, the fact it is so light weight, and the ability to adjust fit to the horse is invaluable."

Cindy Crane
Houston, TX

"I received the saddle last week I took it with me on a three-day ride this past weekend. It was by far the most comfortable saddle I have ridden in to date. This includes a Sharon Saare, sport saddle, Synergist, and another I have forgotten."

Julia Weens
Superior, CO

"Just got back from a long ride in the woods on the new TrailMaster I got and was wondering how to express my feelings about this incredible saddle. Words like balance, oneness, unity, freedom, passion, comfort, pleasure, happiness, flying lead changes, dance, but the word that seemed to sum it up... magic."

Dawn Perrine, Equine Consultant
Boulder Creek, CA

"As I told you, Bill and Brenda Kuehl have literally had their horses-lives saved by changing to Specialized Saddles. Neither of them would probably be riding at all now had they not acted on my suggestion to get a saddle that would fit their horses back. Both of their foxtrotters are now different horses!"

Jamie Tate, Riding Instructor
Sunland Park, NM

"...Did get it on my horse and ride for a few minutes this morning... think it is going to be great. Seems comfortable, "twist" not too wide, sits better than my English saddle on the horse and doesn't seem to shift as much.... also like the bottom padding.... seems to give very good protection to the back...."

Susan Schoenfield
Short Creek Ranch
Coaldale, CO

"Duane used my TrailMaster today and he told me to sell the ortho-flex! So I guess we will be getting another one of your saddles, but he would have to have a horn, know anyone who might want a Tempi all around ortho-flex?"

Linda Jones, Boswell
OK

"I just wanted to let you know that I went on two training rides using my new saddles and was very happy with it. The horse's back was not sore after either ride and it was a good fit for me too. I've entered in an endurance race next weekend and I'll let you know how we do. That will be a real test."

"Dear Dave,
"I was in the ride the past weekend, and the saddle and horse did great - we came in 9th place. The best part for me was that horse did not have a sore back! Finally, after almost two years, he finished out without a sore anything! I am so happy, Thank you Thank you."

Kristen Loft
Camarillo. CA

"...The close contact feel of the TrailMaster, let's me use leg cues to turn my horse so much more effectively. I like to use the bit to slow and position my horses head for balance and collection, but use my legs to cue turns. Now I can manage him better at speed in tight woods. I knew this horse had it in him and now with your saddle, and two years conditioning, it's coming together."

Vonita Bowers
Hughes Springs, TX
1st Place Winner Old Glory 50, June 2000

"I am extremely happy with my saddle and so is my horse. With the stirrups set in the rear setting I am so balanced I could ride 2 point forever!"

Susan Brewer
Auburn, CA