I have a 2007 Antares that has been a workhorse of a saddle. Alas, it doesn’t fit my new young horse. It is a too wide. It is stamped
SC 3 N 17 L
From my research it’s a basic 1/3 deep, normal flap size and flap position with the L either being “normal” or a smidge wide in the seat.
Does Antares build on one tree and I need to move to another brand? Or recs in other brands that would work?
I need a starting point in the sea of options. I ride my older horse in a TC so I’m pretty adaptable. The English brands are a bit “too much saddle” but beyond that I’m down with Beval, Prestige, Butet, and the popular French options or a second TC. The mare is young and this won’t be her “forever saddle” so I really prefer to avoid the wait, hassle and $$ of a custom “adventure”.
TIA for any recs.
The different models have different tree shapes and designs. And they have a normal medium tree and then some wide (AO, AO2) type options. I’m not an expert on Antares, but I’m not sure they have a narrow tree specifically. A lot of the French brands don’t. Some don’t even have wider options.
With English or Italian brands you could find more tree size options, and with some of them with spring trees, if you are shopping used, you may be able to get a medium tree and have it narrowed up to 1cm with a saddler with a tree press. But also keep in mind that some of the brands run wider. Like a County narrow may be a starting point more similar to your medium Antares in width and not actually the narrow you are looking for.
They make at least one narrower tree, I believe it is notated AF1. I’ve seen quite a few of them in my search for a used Antares. “N” in your stamp is for a standard tree.
I have no experience with Antares, but as you consider options I’ll put in a vote for Prestige. Their trees can be adjusted as much as you need and they’re wool flocked for even more flexibility. My guy is in the wider side and I love my saddles on him. They can be found used pretty easily too.
They have multiple different trees and widths. I would not think it to be too difficult to find one with a narrower tree.
Speaking as a person who brings along young horses, when I have a narrow young horse, I often experiment with various half pads to make a saddle functionally narrower. Fully expecting that with more growth and development the horse will soon be filling out. Only suggesting this as an option, should you find a used saddle that is almost but not quite narrow enough.
Thank you. My search of prior threads led to think the “N” was a notation of flap position and left me flummoxed for how to determine the tree.
Anyone have experience with an AF1 Antares options and roughly where it translates in other brands?
Thanks for the Prestige info. There is a newer used Prestige available locally in the right seat size. Maybe I’ll start there. My sister rode in a Prestige for years and loves hers.
Prestige come in both flocked and foam - just be sure to check on any used ones before purchasing if this is important for you.