Bliss of London / Loxley Saddles

[clarity]

This is a long winded post about how I am heavily resisting having my trial Devoucoux ripped from me and replaced with a brand new custom Loxley.

I am at the end of my trial period with a Devoucoux and brought out out my trusted saddle fitter to see if it would work for my TB mare. She came in skeptical, saying that she hasn’t really seen a Devoucoux work for many horses, but they are very comfortable for riders. When she came, she was surprised and impressed by how close of a fit it was for my (oddly?) wide TB, but did say that the front panels needed more padding to fill in the gap behind her withers. She’s also built slightly downhill which is also a bit of a fitting challenge. (I should mention that I was unable to ride for this fitting, which I will explain a little more later.)

I told her I’ve always shimmed my saddles in the front to overcome the wither gap/downhill build because it seems to be just something we have to live with since I could only ever afford off the rack saddles. She said that’s the right thing to do, but not a great long term solution, especially when other options exist in my budget. Then she started her pitch on Loxleys.

To maybe dispel any “oh my gosh, never trust a rep” thinking, she has never tried to push me into one of these saddles that she deals because the horse (BIG paint gelding) that she’s fitted in the past had a saddle (Albion) with wool flocking that just needed tweaking, otherwise she was happy with the fit. She is extremely informative and gets me involved in the fitting process, showing me what she’s doing and seeing, and I really appreciate that. I trust what she says.

I have a friend, who she fitted just a week ago, who ended up ordering a custom Loxley jump saddle for around $2500, which is pretty much what my budget is as well. I’ve already arranged to send the Dev back, but haven’t given it to UPS yet. I am truly crushed that she thinks it wouldn’t work with a shim pad… I have this not cheap thinline/sheepskin pad that can’t even get put to good use? Come ON!

Part of me is extremely tempted to blow her off, shim up the thinline pad, and keep the lovely French saddle that I’ve lusted after and fell in love with. But, I don’t want to cause any damage to my mare. At the moment we are dealing with some pretty severe back pain that is in part related to the Circuit that I got when I bought this horse and then sold to my leaser to ride her in. Needless to say, that saddle is banned from her back. With extensive therapeutic work she’ll get better but right now she has some time off, so no riding. With the existing back pain in mind, though, I don’t want to cause any additional damage with an ill-fitted saddle (even though the Dev isn’t fitting that poorly and would probably be fine with the shimmed pad, right?!).

Long story short, should I put aside my extreme disappointment over the Devoucoux and give the Loxley a chance? I suppose I could always do the calfskin upgrade if I want that luxurious high end feel. What would you do?

[Jealoushe]

I would run from a Devoucoux personally…and with a fitter telling you its not a good fit. Heres your sign…

[BAC]

I think you already know the answer but are hoping we will tell you differently. Send the Dev back! Your mare already has back issues, so the shimming fit is not ideal. I know nothing about Loxley, but if you trust your fitter and she is able to get you a perfect fit from them, go with it. I am always skeptical about custom saddles though, too many people end up with badly fitting saddles. Does Loxley offer an “off the rack” version that might work?

[clarity]

@BAC

I think you already know the answer but are hoping we will tell you differently. Send the Dev back! Your mare already has back issues, so the shimming fit is not ideal. I know nothing about Loxley, but if you trust your fitter and she is able to get you a perfect fit from them, go with it. I am always skeptical about custom saddles though, too many people end up with badly fitting saddles. Does Loxley offer an “off the rack” version that might work?

You’re right, I do the answer. I’m not necessarily looking for someone to tell me to keep the ill-fitting French saddle that half of equestrians believe is the devil, at this point I’m mostly concerned about the proposed alternative! I know sending the Dev back is the right thing to do, but the Bliss/Loxleys aren’t hugely popular so I’m just not sure about if that’s the right way to go. My fitter is able to completely rebuild saddles as needed, as well as do any necessary flocking adjustments, so I think going custom would be safe. I can always have my fitter make changes with her saddle as her back changes. But, there is a Facebook group where people post existing pre-owned Bliss/Loxley saddles for sale so I can definitely go that route as well.

[BAC]

Does your fitter have any used Bliss/Loxley saddles you could try first? I would not buy any custom saddle unless you have already ridden in it yourself. It could be a beautiful saddle and fit your horse perfectly, but if it doesn’t fit your or you are not comfortable in it I think its a waste of your money. While fitting the horse is the first priority, the rider should also love it. And just because the Devoucoux didn’t work, doesn’t mean another French saddle might not work, if that is what you really crave. Sometimes you can find a CWD or Butet with wool flocking too, although they are not common.

[clarity]

I am scheduling a time to test ride with her ASAP. The chiro is has cleared us for light bareback riding this weekend (since we have not properly fitting saddle at the moment) and I’m hoping to get the fitter back out next week.

[Blugal]

I am an eventer so I’m not commenting on any fashion trends. I ordered a custom Loxley jump saddle 3 years ago. I prefer hard-wearing leather and was afraid that the soft, sticky leather everyone wants wouldn’t hold up to the wear and tear of riding in the rain, getting wet/muddy at XC lessons etc. So I ordered the thickest toughest leather they had.

It is still so soft and nice. I love how comfortable the seat is, and the flaps are a bit “tacky” so your legs stick very nicely. It didn’t need any break-in time and has worn nicely. I can imagine this leather is not going to last 30+ years like those old German saddles did/do, but it’s a compromise I’m willing to make.

[CanteringCarrot]

Loxley saddles are good saddles IMO. The best saddle is always what fits the horse and rider, of course. Bliss/Loxley was developed by a Woman (Nikki) who was originally with Black Country saddles IIRC. Black Country saddles are very comfy and long wearing IME. The Loxley seems to follow suit, but with a bit more flair/different styling. If my fitter recommend one, I wouldn’t hesitate. It doesn’t matter I’d they’re not popular in your area or discipline, because some of the more popular or “in” brands aren’t necessarily popular for the right reasons, nor are they always the right fit.

I’d love a Bliss or Black Country, but no one sells them in my area so I went with Fairfax. I actually prefer English made wool flocked saddles, personally.

[Outyougo]

Aren’t Devoucoux Foam filled? I agree the leather is lovely. But. With a horse with a touchy back choose a wool flocked saddle. As posters above noted. Lovely is related to Black Country Saddles. Not reallly well know in HJ land. But well made and wool adjuastable

[clarity]

Update on this: I finally got my Loxley Eventer after 8 weeks of waiting. When my rep took the cover off of it the disappointment was probably written all over my face. First off, the color was wrong, but I could always try to darken it with oil. The rep quickly made an adjustment to the flocking because one side was bridging, then had to go to her barn to teach.

I rode later that day. It did not fit my horse, literally bounced on her back, the flap was far too forward for my leg, and the seat was more uncomfortable than even my old Dover Circuit. I felt like the demo saddles I rode in must have been something else entirely because what I ended up getting was SO bad. Fortunately my contact at the company was helpful (my rep not so much) and they took it back and gave me a refund.

[beowulf]

@clarity

Update on this: I finally got my Loxley Eventer after 8 weeks of waiting. When my rep took the cover off of it the disappointment was probably written all over my face. First off, the color was wrong, but I could always try to darken it with oil. The rep quickly made an adjustment to the flocking because one side was bridging, then had to go to her barn to teach.

I rode later that day. It did not fit my horse, literally bounced on her back, the flap was far too forward for my leg, and the seat was more uncomfortable than even my old Dover Circuit. I felt like the demo saddles I rode in must have been something else entirely because what I ended up getting was SO bad. Fortunately my contact at the company was helpful (my rep not so much) and they took it back and gave me a refund.

That really sucks… but I am glad you got a refund.

Now you are back to square one…?

I would be hesitant to go back to Devoucoux – and I’d bet the severe back pain you saw, was caused in part by the shimming up front in any saddle. Tends to make them sore over their back and shoulders. Unfortunately shimming is not a viable long term solution as you’ve found.

I would try a BC. Your mare sounds a lot like one of my TBs (wide, built slightly downhill, big shoulders), who could write a saga about saddle fitting… After trialing dozens of saddles (yup. dozens) the one that he finally thought was right was a BC… And this was after I went and got him a custom Stubben. :rolleyes:

[clarity]

@beowulf

That really sucks… but I am glad you got a refund.

Now you are back to square one…?

I would be hesitant to go back to Devoucoux – and I’d bet the severe back pain you saw, was caused in part by the shimming up front in any saddle. Tends to make them sore over their back and shoulders. Unfortunately shimming is not a viable long term solution as you’ve found.

I would try a BC. Your mare sounds a lot like one of my TBs (wide, built slightly downhill, big shoulders), who could write a saga about saddle fitting… After trialing dozens of saddles (yup. dozens) the one that he finally thought was right was a BC… And this was after I went and got him a custom Stubben. :rolleyes:

Well the saddle that made her sore was the Circuit because the rear panels were shaped weird and just DUG into her back. BUT we also discovered that there were other factors involved in the back pain, such as my 12 yo lease kid riding her backwards and her individual turnout causing so much stress that she would pace at full speed and slam into the fence. Ditched the Circuit, ended the lease, changed the turnout, did chiro/bodywork, started dressage/Centered Riding lessons (bareback pad)… The whole nine.

So I am in a Devoucoux at the moment because it was confirmed to “fit” with the front shim, and I’ll explore other options in the meantime. Actually since we were mostly doing bareback and lunging/in hand work for 10-ish weeks We do have a good Stubben rep in my area. I’m not sure who I’d contact for a BC. I’ve also heard good things about Amerigo (wool!).

[enjoytheride]

I’m really confused. It’s a custom saddle. It sounds like either the rep took all the wrong measurements or you got the wrong saddle. How on earth was it the wrong color?

I love the Bliss and Loxley saddles, they’re out of my budget so I purchased their Cavalleti line, which is off the rack. The fitter worked just as hard with me for a $1500 saddle.

[clarity]

@enjoytheride

I’m really confused. It’s a custom saddle. It sounds like either the rep took all the wrong measurements or you got the wrong saddle. How on earth was it the wrong color?

I love the Bliss and Loxley saddles, they’re out of my budget so I purchased their Cavalleti line, which is off the rack. The fitter worked just as hard with me for a $1500 saddle.

For the color, they told me they ran out of the calfskin for my seat and knee rolls and wanted to substitute a different color calf. They showed me the swatches in a picture and I was pretty much like ABSOLUTELY NOT, I WILL WAIT. Then I was told they miraculously had enough to finish my saddle. I can share the picture if you want to see, it’s a pretty atrocious two-tone.

[BAC]

@enjoytheride

I’m really confused. It’s a custom saddle. It sounds like either the rep took all the wrong measurements or you got the wrong saddle. How on earth was it the wrong color?

I love the Bliss and Loxley saddles, they’re out of my budget so I purchased their Cavalleti line, which is off the rack. The fitter worked just as hard with me for a $1500 saddle.

A friend’s custom Black Country was the wrong color, I had forgotten all about that until your post. I think BC offered a 10% credit to keep the saddle in the wrong color but she opted to have it remade. New saddle has never fit right and BC was not very nice to deal with, I was the one who recommended she use them based on the good reviews I had read on these forums, but her experience was not good.

[sheltona01]

As with everything, your saddle fitter/rep makes or breaks the saddle process.

As far as I know, Nikki herself is great at solving issues. Been involved in a couple of them that she did the right thing by the clients. With BC, once it leaves the factory, the fitter owns it. I have personally “eaten” the cost of a custom order saddle that was not right and fully refunded my clients. Then I am out the cost of the saddle until I sell it which can take a while depending on the saddle. This is not BC specific, but most UK brands.

[Renn_aissance]

I have a horse with a Devoucoux back. There is nothing on the planet that works as well for him and believe me, I’ve tried. (I’m a repeat customer.) Can you not find one with a panel that gives you the help up front that you need?

Saddle shopping is the pits. What a headache to have had this experience.

[mychestnutvalentine]

I had a Devoucoux that I loved but didn’t fit my gelding. I think devoucoux work for some but not all. If it doesn’t fit perfect then I wouldn’t do it. I had the D3D tree and all
the bells and whistles but still no dice.

[caryledee]

@enjoytheride

I’m really confused. It’s a custom saddle. It sounds like either the rep took all the wrong measurements or you got the wrong saddle. How on earth was it the wrong color?

I love the Bliss and Loxley saddles, they’re out of my budget so I purchased their Cavalleti line, which is off the rack. The fitter worked just as hard with me for a $1500 saddle.

Haha, yes, it happens! I ordered a Black Country Quantum from a well-liked fitter. First one had several things wrong, sent it back. Tried twice more and neither was what I ordered. Company and rep stopped communicating with me altogether so I had to keep the third saddle. Luckily a different fitter came out and was able to tweak the fit enough where it fits my horse fine. Flap is too short for me, never got several options I wanted but luckily I can make it work. Love the saddle but the breakdown in communication would make me question whether to go this route again.

[Railbird]

From my experience, foam is more forgiving as the horse moves, and I have seen a lot of people spend a lot of money for not much improvement fine tuning a wool saddle to the back of a horse standing still. I would try a tad coffin and see how your horse goes. I know it’s contrary to everything the saddle fitters say, but I have known more horses with sensitive backs to be happy in those than anything else. It will probably not be the most comfortable saddle you’ve ever sat in until you get used to it, though. Just a warning. Maybe invest in some padded shorts at first?