I’m excited to present to you my Martha Josey Ultimate Cash barrel saddle review. This beautiful saddle is made by Circle Y. So throughout this Martha Josey Ultimate Cash barrel saddle review, I’ll sometimes refer to it as a Circle Y Josey Ultimate Cash barrel saddle. Or, simply, Josey Ultimate Cash barrel saddle.
Martha Josey Ultimate Cash Barrel Saddle
DURAhide Tree – Regular and Wide – Seat Sizes – 13.5″ to 17″
The Martha Josey Ultimate Cash Barrel saddle is made from DURAhide tree. DuraHideâ„¢ is a polyurea elastomer that is specifically formulated as a high-performance coating. It’s designed to guard against corrosion, abrasion, weather, wear and tear. DURAhide is an effective sealant. It also gives strength to the tree. DURAhide can withstand temperatures from -50° to 350°F
This saddle comes in a wide range of seat sizes – from 13.5″ to 17″
Free-Swing Forward Hung Stirrups
What makes this Martha Josey Ultimate Cash barrel saddle so special? Like all of the Ultimate saddles collection, this saddle features free-swing forward hung stirrups. The benefit of this feature is that it helps you going into your turn around the cloverleaf pattern.
Free-swing forward hung stirrups give you the balance you need so that your legs don’t go behind you. Free-swing forward-hung stirrups also ensure that you keep your legs under you and helps your core. In barrel racing, timing is everything. Ultimately, this feature really helps your timing during a sharp turn.
Martha Josey Ultimate Cash Barrel Saddle
Horn Size – Sturdy 4″ Neck, 2-1/4″ Cap
The height and sturdiness of a horn in barrel racing cannot be understated. With this extra sturdy horn, you can wrap your hand around it to push yourself down during a turn and then pull yourself back up.
Martha Josey Ultimate Cash Barrel Saddle Swell Width 13″
This Martha Josey Ultimate Cash Barrel saddle’s swell stops you from “kissing your horse’s ears”. A big problem during barrel racing is that riders tend to get thrown forward. So you want this wide swell to keep you from being thrown over your horse’s shoulders.
Martha Josey Ultimate Cash Barrel Saddle
All Roughout Deep Pocket Hard Seat
The all roughout hard seat gives you a nice little cup. The cupped, deep pocket seat really helps you to feel your horse. A lot of saddles are so wide, you can’t feel your horse. If you can’t feel your horse, you can’t communicate with it. The cantel is 5″ so you get a deep seat while staying snug and secure during your competition.
Vintage Color or Chocolate Color & Tooling
Specifications
- Color:Â Chocolate Leather Finish
- Tooling:Â 1/2 Floral Tooled with Full Border
- Tree:Â Ultimate DURAhide Regular and Wide
- Hardware:Â Copper Swirl
- Rigging:Â 3-Way Adjustable In-Skirt
- Swell Width:Â 13″
- Cantle Height:Â 5″
- Horn Size:Â 4″ Neck, 2-1/4″ Cap
- Skirt Size:Â 13.5″ D x 24.5″ L
- Weight:Â 30 lbs
This Martha Josey Ultimate Cash Barrel saddle comes in either chocolate or vintage color. 1/2 Floral Tooled with Full Border. It also comes in Chocolate Suede with Turquoise Stitching, Chocolate Suede with White Stitching, or Black Suede with White Stitching.
3-Way Adjustable In-Skirt Rigging
The 3-Way Rigging eliminates the need for a rear cinch because it distributes the rigging pressure over a greater area on the horse’s back – thereby eliminating the chance of your horse developing sore spots.
Did you enjoy reading this review? I’d love your feedback in the comments below. If you want to read more Circle Y Barrel Saddle Reviews, click here.
Is it safe to ride on a horse? I am scared of getting kicked by one of them haha. I will be sure to start taking lessons on riding and get myself one of these products. I just want to know, is it expensive? I do not want to spend too much money on this.
Hi Daniel. Thanks for your questions. As long as you follow safety precautions, it’s relatively safe to ride a horse. But like everything, including traveling on an airplane, there could be accidents. One rule is to never stand directly behind a horse (in case he decides to kick you). Yes, this particular saddle is expensive. However, we also carry saddles that cost as little as $650. If budget is an issue for you, we recommend buying a used saddle from us. Our used saddles look like new because we hand clean and oil them. Also, we only accept high-quality buy-backs. I hope you’ll stop by again and purchase one of our saddles, whether it be new, or old.
Very interesting! I think that I still have the saddles from my youth in mind, and that is some decades ago! At a younger age, I adored horses, and riding was much fun, even I didn’t do it well.
However, the saddles seem much lighter today than they used to be. In America, you are so spoiled with nature and can ride for a long time just being outside. I am jealous! 😉
I admit that I needed to look up what a barrel saddle is because I had never heard about it, but now I know! It is like art; the way it is made, wonderful. Do you ride horses for fun as a hobby, or are you a professional?
Hi Sylvia. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, technology is rapid, especially in the horse saddle industry. The saddles are lighter today than they were 20 years ago. I don’t know where you live, but I’m sure there are pastures where you can ride horses. Hope you’ll ride again. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Shalisha,
Wow that is a nice looking saddle! I have only rode horses for pleasure riding, never in competition. But, I can easily imagine how important a well made saddle would be in competition. The sturdy frame around the horn of the saddle would certainly make those sudden stops easier to deal with and keep you in the saddle.
I also like the fact that they make the horse more comfortable. That fur underneath the saddle is probably much more comfortable than a blanket under the saddle.
I learned a lot from reading your informative review, thank you.
Hi Chas. Thanks for your input. Yes, it’s important, especially in competitive disciplines, that saddles are well made. Saddles have come a long way in terms of technology. I’m so glad saddle makers take into account the horse’s comfort along with the rider’s comfort and safety. Thanks again.
My niece rides in competition, and I’ve been looking for a nice saddle for her. This is a gorgeous saddle, and I’m certain that she would feel the same. The special stirrups would give her an edge in her competition, and the saddle looks to be designed with safety in mind as well. I worry about her at times, as I have seen others injured in the sport.
I don’t know a lot about the special equipment that she needs, but I am going to show this saddle to her father, if he hasn’t already seen it. It may be just the present we’ve been looking for her.
Hi Willow. Thanks for your comment. Yes, this is a beautiful saddle and wonderfully made. I’m guessing your niece is into barrel racing? This specific saddle is made with rider safety in mind as it ensures the rider stays firmly planted in the seat – especially during sharp turns. The only equipment your niece will need is a well-made barrel saddle (if that’s her discipline), a helmet, boots, riding pants and gloves. Thanks for stopping by.
I have read several of your saddle reviews and I think that this saddle is my favorite. I have never heard of durahide before. Does it really come from a tree? I love that!
This saddle looks strong and durable, and I agree that the horn is important to have. I don’t ride horses now but I used to ride them years ago and I remember how practical it was to be able to hold on to the horn sometimes. I love both colors of this model, they both look beautiful. If I had to choose, I think I’d go with the vintage one.
Hi Christine! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. DURAhide is what the tree is covered with to protect the wood from moisture. This ensures that the saddle will maintain its strength and have an extra-long life. Circle Y’s roping saddles are built on rawhide-covered trees to make them heavier. Other saddles are built on Ralide trees. These are made of molded polyethylene, giving you a quality saddle that is lightweight and cost-efficient.
Unfortunately, I know nothing about saddles for horses. Nevertheless, your article was an interesting read. I love the way these saddles look. I had a few lessons when I was much younger. I guess the saddles for absolute beginners look different from the ones for more experienced riders?
Something completely different: I do have saddle pain at the moment, LOL. But that happened because I was on a bike after 4 years of not cycling. I had completely forgotten how that feels. Do horse riders get saddle pain as well?
Hi Hannie. Thanks for commenting. Saddles for beginners don’t necessarily look different in terms of style. What determines the kind of saddle one needs (beginner or advanced) is the size and what discipline the rider is engaging in. Sorry about the soreness from riding bikes. Yes, you can get sore from riding on a horse saddle as well. Thanks again for your comment.
Wow, so much work has gone into making these saddles. They are definitely an upgrade from the saddles I was using while doing farm work 40 years ago.
I like how they are rigged to be as comfortable as possible for the horses. After all, it is the horse doing all the hard work, so if we can make their lives more comfortable, it’s a better experience for everyone.
I’ll pass this on to my sister for a review, as she is still actively riding horses.
Cheers
Hi Andrew. Thanks for your feedback. Yes, saddles keep evolving all the time. There was a time when saddles were only made with the rider’s comfort in mind. Now that we’ve become more conscious, saddles are taking into account the horse’s comfort. Yes, if your horse is comfortable, he’s more likely to listen to the rider’s cues. Please come back and refer your family and friends.
Hi
I do not ride horses, but this product sounds like the real deal. It does look like a piece of art that is well made. It made me think about what I would look for when buying some products because of the way you have reviewed this product. I did enjoy reading this and learning a bit about horses.
Cheers
Hi Angee. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Yes, this Martha Josey Ultimate Cash Barrel saddle is a gem! I hope you stop back by again.
I love the artwork that has gone into this saddle. I must admit I’m not a horse person, but I do love the different styles of saddles that one could buy that is suitable for their needs. I’m also not a fan of using animal leather and wondered if saddles can be made without skin.
You have explained the concept of using the saddle very well, and I love the description of chocolate suede, turquoise for stitching with white stitching; it sounds almost like dessert.
Hi Yvonne. Thanks for your comment. Yes, there are certain saddles that can be made without the use of animal skins. Those would be synthetic saddles – and they don’t last as long as the leather that’s used to wrap around a tree. Then again, we use animals to eat, right? LOL. Intricate details went into making this Martha Josey saddle. Saddle riders appreciate it. Please stop by again.
A concise review of the Martha Josey Ultimate Cash Barrel saddle!
From the things you highlighted, feels like this is a durable saddle to have. Also, like that its 3-way rigging design can reduce or eliminate the horse from having sore spots. That’s a major plus point for me.
This saddle seems to be movement efficient while caring for the horse too.
Cheers,
SAM
Hi Sam. Thanks for your comment. Yes, the 3 way rigging is a plus for this saddle. So many riders are unaware of the pain a horse endures because of sore spots on their underbellies. Martha Josey designs her saddles so that the rider and the horse are comfortable. Thanks again for stopping by and do come back.
I never knew there was so much involved in saddles. It sounds like this saddle is a very useful one with many good features. You very thoroughly explained the saddle’s specifications. I used to horse-back ride when I was younger and I really enjoyed it. My daughter took lessons for a few years and would like to get back into it. Thanks so much for this review. If she is ever in the need of purchasing a saddle, I will certainly suggest this site to her.
Nina
Hi Nina! Thanks for your feedback. Yes, a lot of detail goes into making horse saddles. Remember, every saddle is made for a specific riding type. This barrel saddle is very high end, and ensures that the rider stays snug in their seat, shaves seconds off their time during competition, and allows the horse and rider to have close contact. What kind of riding discipline is your daughter engaged in? I’m happy to recommend a saddle.