A/P English Saddle

[RemiRoo]

Hi all,

I am in the market for a new A/P English Saddle and while I have done a lot of research on my own I am in the need of some advice. I am 5’0" (so pretty short) and last year went through a spinal fusion. I got the OK to ride from my physician, so all is well there. My horse, or rather pony, is a Welsh/Morgan cross mare standing 14 hands and requires a medium tree. She has a nice topline to her and is very athletic. I do some jumping, but not like I use to in my 20’s. Mostly now I just hack around and do trail rides. I have an old Stubben that I love, but it is a wide tree and therefore does not fit my mare.

I am in the market for a used saddle. I would like one that is good for shorter riders, has a deep seat, and provides a comfortable seat. Obviously I would like it to also be comfortable for my girl as well.

Any suggestions are appreicated. Thank you in advance!

[Dewey]

Look for a Stubben Roxane VSS with a Biomex seat (not the Roxane S; that is a jumping saddle with big, forward flaps). The VSS is the all-purpose model. It has short flaps, is extremely comfortable, very suitable for jumping or trail riding, and has a deep seat. The Biomex seat is perfect for someone with back problems. I don’t know what width to recommend; talk to a Stubben saddle fitter.

The problem will be finding one like this used. You can find the Roxane VSS used, but the ones with Biomex are less common. I bought one recently just like this (I am also 5’0") but broke down and bought a brand new one through my Stubben fitter. I couldn’t be happier with it. If you want to see pictures of my saddle, look on the “newer Stubben” thread.

[ladyj79]

County eventer, hands down. Maybe I’m just weird, but I’ve never found any Stubben particularly comfortable. Now even with a fancy bio-mex seat.

[RemiRoo]

Thank you both. I do love a Stubben saddle and I have looked into the Country saddles as well. Have either of you had any experience with a Berney Brothers saddle?

[Dewey]

No, sorry. Good luck in your saddle search!

[GoForAGallop]

The Thorowgood T8 Compact GP would probably be a great option, if you’d consider partial synthetic: http://www.thorowgood.com/t8-saddles/item/21-t8-compact-gp#.VZJ0j63BzGc

They actually market it quite a bit to short riders.

[supaflyskye]

[QUOTE=RemiRoo;8209319]
Thank you both. I do love a Stubben saddle and I have looked into the Country saddles as well. Have either of you had any experience with a Berney Brothers saddle?[/QUOTE]

I don’t have personal experience, but have heard through the grapevine the Berney Bros do not have the most comfortable seats, so perhaps not the best for someone w/ back problems. Could be mistaken though.

[jaybird660]

It would be helpful to have photos of your horse side and top and price range before offering advice on what saddle might work.