[QUOTE=brummelhorsefarm;4536474]
I have two Butets… theyre just great saddles. Comfy and hold up well. One is over 20 years old :yes:[/QUOTE]
Me too! I have one that is 20+ yrs old that I bought used; and I have a 4 yr old Butet as well…They fit all the ones I have - a Quarter horse paint and 2 TBS…
Because butets are fantastic saddles. You really need to sit in one to understand, but they are great. They aren’t too much saddle, but they are extremely comfortable as well as allow you to find your own position without putting you in one or getting in your way. They come in all the necessary variations of seat depth, flap length, tree, etc. All around great saddles. You should look into a higher end but well used saddle to keep the quality up and the price lower.
Most riders LOVE the Butet(myself included).
Unfortunately it’s a foam panel, so unless it fits your horse perfectly as is–you can’t really do much to have it fitted.
A true custom saddle made, wool flocked, custom tree, etc will always be a better choice for the horse and they are usually far less expensive. (black country, albion, etc).
It’s a catch 22
[QUOTE=geldingsRgreat;5441112]
Most riders LOVE the Butet(myself included).
Unfortunately it’s a foam panel, so unless it fits your horse perfectly as is–you can’t really do much to have it fitted.
A true custom saddle made, wool flocked, custom tree, etc will always be a better choice for the horse and they are usually far less expensive. (black country, albion, etc).
It’s a catch 22[/QUOTE]
Sorry, cannot agree with those statements.
Foam is chosen by most of the high end saddlers because of it’s ability to instantly conform to the shape of the horse it is placed on, allowing it to accommodate, for example, a bit more muscling as a horse is brought to a higher level of fitness. (Think of a memory foam mattress and how it will accommodate different people laying down on it - the foam springs back when the weight is removed, and will conform to the next body that is placed on it, even if they are a very different shape/size.) Of course it will not accommodate every single horse or make a saddle that is too wide or narrow work… but then neither will a wool flocked saddle.
I have had several high end saddles that were either custom made (Devoucoux, Antares) or fitted to a particular horse (Tad Coffin.) Both my Butets actually offered a better fit for him, as evaluated by an independent third party (the vet/chiro who cares for his back.) Pricewise, though, they were all about the same.
[QUOTE=geldingsRgreat;5441112]
Most riders LOVE the Butet(myself included).
Unfortunately it’s a foam panel, so unless it fits your horse perfectly as is–you can’t really do much to have it fitted. [/QUOTE]
Not entirely true.
I recently had my Butet restuffed by Beval to fit a new horse. They simply replaced my original foam panel with a new one shaped to fit. There may not be the same degree of customization possible with a foam panel as there is with wool, but I think the saddle-makers have gotten much more sophisticated about offering different shape panels in foam to accommodate the most common back shapes.
As someone who rides many horses, I’ve always shied away from wool-flocked saddles. I want a panel that’s going to always bounce back to my horse’s shape after I ride another one.
As far as the OP’s question: I think the Butets are popular because they are well-balanced, comfortable, attractive, and offer a very close contact feel. They are very narrow through the twist, which is a great design for those of us with rounder thighs. But there are many riders who prefer a wider twist and seat. It’s one of those things you have to feel to decide.
Love Love Love my butet. I have the flat premium, it’s the most comfortable saddle ever.
Love my Butet. Flat seat, 2 1/4 flap medium width. I grew up riding in Jimmy’s and Hermes. Those saddles are retired and living in my living room.
I actually don’t like them at all. I have an Original Bruno Delgrange, and I like it much better.
My Butet is 12 years old and still comfortable and gorgeous. It also fits everything from ponies to 17++ hand WBs
You would understand their appeal if you had sat in one. Very comfortable without being too cushy, beautiful leather and well balanced, they are a wonderful saddle if it fits you and your horse.
[QUOTE=brummelhorsefarm;4536474]
I have two Butets… theyre just great saddles. Comfy and hold up well. One is over 20 years old :yes:[/QUOTE]
Me too! Same as you, Brummel - one over 20 years and the other is 6…the older one has some wearing on the pommel. A little duck tape took care of that…
They both fit all my sized horses well.
I bought a used one for my friend for christmas last year (thanks to a wonderful COTH member!). Her horse is a 17 year old sharkfin TB…and it fits him far better than his old custom made saddle!!
It is a DREAM to ride in. Its a flatter seat, with front and back blocks. Reminds be of an old crosby but puts your leg in a fantastic position. If I still did the equtations, I would steal that saddle in a second.
I personally ride in a devoucoux…I have some slow moving hunters and it honestly feels like Im sitting in a couch while riding. Id probably have better position in the butet, but my butt is happier in the devoucoux.
Either way, if you can find a used butet you cant go wrong, they are great. Hers is a 1997 model and looks brand new. Leather is impecable!
[QUOTE=WorthTheWait95;4540928]
If you’re in the market for a Butet def look for one that is older like this poster has. The older models are wonderful and hold up really well. I’ve had a lot of trouble with the newer models (post 2000) making my horses back sore even when properly fitted.[/QUOTE]
I purchased a 2006 model and adored it! I had 3 horses going at once in the same division and decided to buy it’s younger twin. Unfortunately, two weeks after buying the “new” saddle (in the middle of winter circuit no less) it started rubbing HOLES in all of my horses backs in the exact same place. After receiving a less than pleasant talk from my horse’s chiropractor I moved along and ended up with 2 brand new CWDs. I HIGHLY recommend these saddles! I have been able to cut my chiropractor visits in half and no saddle sores! Not to mention, CWD gave me more than they should have for trade-in purposes.
BTW, I had 9 horses and these saddles fit almost custom to every horse (all different body styles).
I rode in a Butet once. It was 2 sizes too small but I refused to get out of it. It was the singe best thing i have ever sat in on a horse in my life.
I wish I had a couple grand laying around to buy one.
I LOVE my Butet (it’s a deep seat made in 2000) but it doesn’t fit my OTTB (he has HUGE shoulders.) I had to order a custom Antares to fit him. That being said, I just can’t bring myself to sell my Butet…i was going to, but DH said, ‘why? you might have another horse some day who fits that saddle.’ gotta love my hubby…
I’ve had a Dover Circuit Elite too and while I like it as good quality for the price point in a new saddle it’s not my long term saddle. I decided to start trying a few different saddles on my mare to see how she’d react. Neither of us like the Tads… she pinned her ears and wrung her tail, my butt got bruised. Tried the Butet and we’re both in love… her shoulders and back REALLY freed up and I feel really secure in it. My only complaint is that this particular saddle (I think it’s a regular length, forward flap) puts my leg a hair further forward than I’d like it to be. When I’m ready to plunk down the change I’d like to try a few different flap configurations first to see if I find one that fits my conformation better. I’m hooked!
This might be a stupid question… But what is the difference between bevel and butet? I’m trying to buy a butet specific saddle, however sometimes I see ‘bevel butet saddle’ and sometimes I just see ‘butet saddle’
I’m probably wrong, but the only difference I see is that they’re sold at Beval. I have the premium Butet (ordered from Butet) and when I look at Beval online, I see my saddle with the word Beval before Butet.
Beval uses to be the distributor for BUTET Saddles. Beval is no longer a part of Butet.
They hold up amazingly. I am the 4th owner of my 1999 and while on hiatus, the younger girls in the barn were using my saddle a lot (because it really does fit every horse in the barn and makes you sit perfectly). While the rest of the saddle is still in perfect condition after 18 years of heavy use, the seat has developed some small holes.
I actually just joined this forum to find some advice on where to have it repaired. I LOVE this saddle and want to be sure I send it to the best. Beval in France is an option and I have that money saved, but I want to know if any other Butet owners know a saddler they would trust here in the States. Thanks! -K
PS. For the OP, the women at my barn seem to love their Devoucouxes. Im still super partial to my Butet but they’re super comfy to sit in. And I always say go used. They don’t make them like they used to I think.
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