Am I crazy to consider a custom saddle?

[cleo570]

I am a very petite adult re-rider (5’1, <100 lbs.)… I have a lovely 14 year old, 15’2 mare on lease with whom I am hoping to start low-level eventing in the next year.

She was a former children’s jumper, and I’ve never been very competitive, so this is new territory for both of us.

The biggest issue for me and maresy has been saddle fit. Nothing in the barn fits both me and her, and the hunt seat saddles that she does tolerate I don’t consider a great fit. The jump saddles are fine except for when we do a lot of dressage work, as she clearly gets wiggly and uncomfortable after a while. I started out looking for a dressage saddle, but now am thinking I should just bite the bullet and look into a custom saddle. Finding a small (16in or smaller) dressage saddle has proven to be quite a challenge - there aren’t many, and I’ve not had much success with the several I’ve tried. Frustrating!!

My budget won’t allow for me to buy TWO custom saddles, but I can probably swing one AP saddle to be used for dressage and jumping/XC.

Thoughts? Recommendations? Should I keep looking for 2 used saddles? There is some controversy about how “all purpose” AP saddles really are, but I suspect most models are fine for the riding I intend to do. I can afford to spend some money on this, but am kind of hesitant to drop 2-4K on a saddle if I can’t use it for everything… and I’d rather buy used and save my money if possible!

[TBHunterPrincess]

I would not buy a custom saddle for a leased horse. Also, I knew a woman who bought a custom AP saddle, and loved it when she was just hacking as a beginner. However, when she got serious about riding (mainly dressage, but also some jumping) she found that the saddle wasn’t really good for either. She sold the AP and bought close contact and dressage saddles. I have never ridden in an AP, but that was her experience.

[arlosmine]

Don’t do it. Haunt eBay, Fine Used Saddles, Trumble Mt… I am petite and just found a 16" Swiss Made Saddle on EBay for under 1K delivered. By a miracle, it fits my pony…but I knew what I was looking for.

You do have to get a good idea of what brands you like and what type of tree the mare needs. Borrow everything you can for a test ride, and ask saddle fitters to bring everything they can for you to test ride also.

I’ve known several people who bought a custom saddle only to discover that it didn’t fit. Or the horse goes lame right after you buy the gazillion dollar saddle. Don’t do it unless you absolutely have to.

[Rainier]

FWIW, I have a 16 3/4 niedersuss dressage saddle for sale for under $1000. I’m a bit bigger at 5’3" 125 lbs, but it is too small for me.

[SuzieQNutter]

You have to try the saddles on before you buy them and just because one doesn’t fit. That doesn’t mean the next one of the same style and brand won’t.

I wanted an old style county dressage saddle. I bought second hand. The first saddle fitted me but not my mare. The second one fitted my mare but not me. The third one fitted both of us and I kept it.

I am now using it again on the mare I am riding now.

[yellowbritches]

I would not get a custom saddle for a leased horse. If YOU are a funny fit, it may be worth it for you and get the saddle in a fairly generic tree size (M or MW, usually). I also would not go AP, but get a decent jump saddle. Most AP saddles just are not balanced right to put the rider in a good position for jumping. Try are nice for trail riding and basic ring work and occasional jumping, but if I can only have one saddle and I am eventing, I’d want a true jumping saddle.

There are a lot of decent used saddles out there that aren’t expensive. Figure out what you need, do some wither tracings on the leased horse, and just start shopping.

[arapaloosa_lady]

Yes :lol:

I don’t think it would be a smart financial decision to purchase a custom saddle for a leased horse. It also doesn’t sound like you’ve tried on enough saddles to actually be sure that’s necessary. What I don’t think would be crazy is to hire a saddle fitter out to your barn - it sounds like you need a special fit, so you just need to emphasize that you want a versatile saddle that will fit multiple horses.

And a close contact saddle can be used for all phases of eventing. You’ll want a dressage saddle at the higher levels, apparently, but I’ve never gotten that far ;).

[pheasantknoll]

I would suggest looking at a thorowgood. There are some recent threads about this saddle and it would give you some chance of fitting other horses. You can trial one through Trumbull mtn, I think.

[Equibrit]

Consider this; http://www.laserequestrian.com/?p=14

[Auburn]

Several BNT’s, with whom I have ridden, have said that, “All purpose = No purpose.”

I agree with the other posters who said that a custom saddle would be a waste of money on a leased horse.

I believe that Pelham Saddlery has a “how to fit a saddle” section. Or, find a saddle fitter in your area that will come out and fit both of you.

PM Kate Wooten. She is a saddle fitter and can give you good advice, too.

I wish you luck in your saddle quest.

[Equibrit]

A well made, well fitting AP is a treaure,

[HiHopes]

An Ap saddle is fine for basic schooling and 2ft jumps but you will struggle as you progress and also custom fit only fits the day you buy it! What about after the horse has muscled up or dropped off or goes to a new home. They are a waste of money IMO unless you have a horse that truly is a nightmare shape.
Personally I would try as many saddles as you can, find what suits and then purchase a dressage or jump version second hand or a nice synthetic new on .
I had a lovely AP but I couldn’t keep my position in it over 3ft plus jumps and tbh dressage even at training and first level it’s hard to have the lovely long legged position a dressage saddle naturally puts you in.
As an AP saddle rider for many years honestly they are a jack of all trades but masters of none.

[cleo570]

Thank you thank you thank you all for your input!

And my bank account thanks you too!

I appreciate all the helpful comments and will keep shopping used. I think I’m just getting frustrated after trying a bunch of saddles that just make me sloppy and mare angry! She is not a hard fit, but she is a very hot/reactive ride, so she gets twitchy and giraffe-y if I’m not exactly where we both need me to be, especially for dressage work at the canter :lol:

Sounds like the AP plan won’t work for us - she takes nearly everything like its a 3’3 coop… I definitely don’t need a custom AP saddle only to get jumped out of the tack:eek:

At least if I buy used I can afford a nice used jump saddle AND a dressage saddle! :yes:

[FLeventer]

@Auburn;8045793

Several BNT’s, with whom I have ridden, have said that, “All purpose = No purpose.”

This right here. Check eBay like others have said. Sometimes they come up. Have you had the fitter out? What do they say she needs panel wise. They might be able to give you some options

[asterix]

Also, if you get a good fitter out (make sure it’s not one who only reps one brand), have them look at you for sizing. I have found I can easily ride in a bigger dressage saddle than jumping - the twist has to be narrow, but my current saddles are an inch different. You may be able to ride in a 17 on the flat.

[jaybird660]

I talked about this on another thread. Ordering a saddle doesn’t make it custom. Having a saddle such as Black Country, Baines, Albion and so on that can have some options such as wither gussets doesn’t make it a custom saddle. It is a saddle that might have some options added to make it work for your horse. Many saddles that have those basic options make them very versatile with good resale potential and the possibility of fitting many similar type horses. When a saddle is truly customized with highly specific fit options to only one horse and rider, you are much more limited down the road.

I have seem many “aha” moments when a rider and horse finally have a saddle that works for them. If the horse is a long term lease then it might be worth getting something that allows for growth or even being fitted to a good used saddle. Keep in mind that many of these saddles can also be widened or narrowed a size by an adept fitter.

[Pixie_R]

I’m also a very petite rider - when I was competing in my teens and 20s, I was barely 5’1" (long legs for my height) and under 85 lbs. I tried out dozens of saddles. My first was a hand-me-down 16.5" Collegiate plain flap close contact jumping saddle from my best friend who was 4’10" and under 100 lbs. I wanted something softer, though, then found a 16.5" Pessoa A/O close contact jumping saddle that was PERFECT for me & almost every horse I’ve ridden. I’ve gained weight (finally!!!), and at 102 lbs (still barely 5’1" though), the saddle still fits me perfectly. Since you’re small, you’ll want one with a narrow twist. I’ve found that’s almost more important than the seat size.

My advice is DO NOT buy a saddle to fit a leased horse. Buy a saddle to fit you with a medium or medium-wide gullet, and pads can make it fit most other horses. Also, I’ve never found an a/p saddle that put me in a good position. I’d decide which I’m going to do more of - dressage or jumping - and buy my first saddle to match the discipline. HOWEVER, I’ve found that performing dressage in a close contact jumping saddle is easier than jumping in a dressage saddle, at least for me. My two-point is simply wrong for comfortable jumping in my dressage saddle. Yes, I have a jumping saddle and a dressage saddle. I’ve ridden in enough a/p saddles to know they aren’t really good for ANY discipline except maybe trail riding…maybe.

Believe it or not, my dressage saddle is a 17" yet it fits little me wonderfully.

I think Dressage saddles can be bigger than close contact saddles while still fitting a person, based on my experience, so don’t get too concerned by the measurement. While it’s best to start looking based on a certain size, don’t give up on something without trying it out first just based on it being a 17" rather than a 16".

Good luck! And have fun!

[anmoro]

I have to agree with everyone else. Custom is not wise for a leased horse. I wouldn’t do it for a horse unless they were a forever horse. That being said, semi customs like Jack from Trumbull Mtn mentioned are great.

I’m petite as well. 5’1 1/2" (on a good day), but around 110 lbs. I have short legs and a long torso. My hip to knee ratio is a little long for my inseam so saddles are a PIA. Take the fact that my TB has huge shoulders, is built like a tank, has shark fin withers and a flat back like a picnic table and you have one heck of a combo.

I made the decision to work with a saddle fitter and it was by far the best money I ever spent. We tried several types of saddles (new and used). Eventually, I found an older (2006) used County Stabilizer. I looked at several Stabilizers, but the one that worked came from Patricia at Fine a Used Saddles. I got a 16.5" (I have a bit too much junk in the trunk. Anywho, this saddle fit him incredibly well. It fits me but took getting used to. I was used to forward point of balance hunt seat saddles. Now that I am used to this one, I LOVE it and would not trade it.

I’d suggest the saddle fitter route. Post where you are and there are enough of us on here that can suggest great fitters.

[cleo570]

Well, I guess I’m on the right track! Hothead mare is a long-term lease - she’s not going anywhere, and neither am I… besides, nobody else wants her!! Other than BM (her owner), who has too many other horses to ride, and is delighted that someone else enjoys her spiciness.

BM and I are planning to have an independent saddle fitter come out. The closest independent fitter I can find is about 4 hours away (I’m in the Tampa area), so we are hoping at least one other person in the barn is interested in having them come out to make a trip worth their while. Any recommendations for someone closer are welcome. It seems like there are some fitters in this area (not as many as I would have expected), but all are associated with a specific brand.

I’ve been riding in a hand-me-down old-skool kids Crosby jump saddle, 15in, which fits me great… and her as well, until we start doing a lot of canter dressage work, then it seems to get low over her withers and she gets tight in the back. In a 17in dressage saddle, the canter issues go away, but the seat is very big for me and less secure than the Crosby, so its trading one issue for another. <sigh>

As someone who has never owned her own horse (or her own saddle, for that matter), this saddle shopping business is a whole new world. In my younger days I’d ride any equine offered to me in whatever tack was available for said equine. How things have changed…fifteen years later, mare and I are a pair of crabby biddies who don’t like shoes that pinch :lol:!

[Thoroughbred_in_Colo]

The Stubben Juventus saddles might be worth a look. They are technically a “youth” saddle, but they also fit us small adults well.

Saddle fit is more about femur length than butt size, but a deep 17" dressage seat will fit smaller than a shallow 17". My dressage saddle (Kieffer Lech Profi) is a medium deep seat with short flaps, and at 17" it is a bit big, but since it fits everywhere else I can deal with the slightly big seat.

My jump saddle (Courbette Alpina) is a 17", with regular flaps, and since I rarely sit in my jump saddle the seat size is less important than the flap length.