Bought a Butet

[four2farm]

Well, let’s hope I did not make an expensive mistake! Anyway, I was so very nicely told that because I am old and stiff and sort of expansive, that maybe my dear old Custom Courbette Futura is kind of out of date. It was kindly suggested that something with a knee and thigh block would be “helpful” in controlling my lower leg traveling back to the back of beyond. It is getting much better for first few minutes, and then well, I lose my rhythm and my lower leg goes away with my muscle strength. I am recovering faster…sort of.

So after extensive reading, (thanks COTH for all the old posts!) I settled down to the Voltaire, Devacoux, CWD and Butet.

Go big or go home right?

Okay the Voltaire was just not out there in a size for Yeti like me, the Devacoux just did not have the combination of seat size, flap length, flap forward and tree size that would work for both Eddie and I.

So I found a CWD SE02 with a 4C flap in generous med/wide and Butet semi deep with a 2.5 flap. Both had light condition issues, the CWD 12 years old, the Butet 6 years old.

So after much haggling, the CWD owner did not want to move on price or even answer emails. The more I looked at that CWD, the more I did not like the wider twist. The Butet seller was super easy to communicate with and very quick about getting measurements, comparing to mine and Eddie’s and we agree it SHOULD fit well. So although the Butet was a few hundred more, I bought it.

My beloved Futura has a razor thin twist and the Butet looks similar. The Futura also fits Eddie very well, as it does most horses. I am hoping the Butet is as flexible?

So tell me fellow Butet owners, care recommendations? Problems to expect? Yearly saddle maintenance to prepare for?

Have I just lost my mind?

[Renn_aissance]

Have you sat in a Butet before? Have you sat one on your horse? Do you have a trial?

Butet makes a lovely saddle. They have a particular shape that does best on a horse of true medium to narrower breadth and a more A-frame than round composition, in my experience (I had one, albeit over 15 years ago; the newer ones I think are more generous in the tree department.)

If it doesn’t work, this forum can be really helpful at finding what saddles and shapes might work for a horse-rider combination. Hopefully it works for you.

As far as care goes, you took care of your Courbette all this time, you know how to take care of a saddle. I use Higher Standards cleaner on my tack. To deep-condition I like a balsam or balm type of product; I use Devoucoux’s on my saddle because I have it, Effax is great too.

[DawgLady]

Just to be clear, are you riding multiple horses? Because if you’re trying to fit one particular horse, then buying a Butet off the internet without a trial and fitter…yes, I think that would be kooky dooks.

[four2farm]

Thanks for the info! It was actually the forum who led me in this direction, all you need to know is on COTH, just be a friend of the search box!

Although he is a Paint, he is an appendix paint, narrow chest, prominent wither. He is best described as a TB in front and quarter horse rear. He is almost arrow shaped when looking from the front. I also ride mostly TB’s/ appendix at my trainers. The tree measures the same as the Courbette although the gullet is a tad wider.

Yes, I sat in a Butet years ago, loved it and thought I would never pay as much for a saddle as I would a used car, lol.

I have used Castile soap, leder combi, passier lederbalsam and effax oil for years. So glad to hear that won’t need to change.

No trial, I am an owner but I am also not adverse to a whole lot of dickering

[EyesUp]

I have ridden in a Butet for years. I currently have 2 Butets. Over the years I have had different horses and have had no problems with the saddle fit. My trainer also has ridden in Butet for years. He rides many different horses, all shapes and sizes, and has no problems with the fit. Enjoy your saddle!

[EmilyM]

I love my butet. It is my most comfortable saddle because of the twist. I only use it on my narrower horse. Had bought it for a wbxtb in 2013. Fits my holsteiner who is strangely narrow.

I use belvoir saddle soap (the bar soap) which has some conditioning it. This was recommended to me by Beval where I bought the saddle. Butet’s saddle conditioner is callled Akene. I was told to use it if the saddle gets wet. After it dries I apply the Akene. I’m not big on conditioning saddles unless they seem dry. I always use belvoir or something similar. Always glycerin bar form. My saddles all look good.

[four2farm]

@EmilyM - Good to know, I have already located both at the local tack shop! The agent states the leather is butter soft so I asking if I can get the care routine from the old owner if it feels as good as it looks. Thanks!

[MintHillFarm]

I have 3 Butet… and love each! One is a 16" from 1985 that is still very usable, but mostly sits in my living room, a reminder of when I actually was riding in a 16".

The other 2 are 17". One from 2003 and the other from 2012.

All have fit horses ranging from TBs, 16hh to 17.1 as well as my current horse, 16.2 QH paint. The new one never had a break in period. It was perfect from the first ride. The 2016 was bought used from a great dealer, and I use that one the most.

I am sure you will love yours! All the posted care instructions are perfect.

[Jealoushe]

I just sold my Butet sadly, but I had it for many many years. It was 20 years old when I sold it and still in excellent condition. I loved that saddle dearly. I cleaned and oiled it regularly, kept a cover on and nothing else special.

Butets are truly great saddles in my opinion.

[four2farm]

Rode in mine and it was a mistake…

The long forward flap is still a tad too short. I will try to ride a hole shorter next time and see if that makes a difference.

The second mistake was not buying it sooner…wow is that thing nice! Butter soft, nice cushioned seat, narrow twist and flap felt barely there. My leg position improved quite a bit. We had a HUGE spook tonight and I felt secure. Then my lesson horse proceeded to be a huge idiot. For the first time since my return to riding I felt in control, had full use of my leg and managed to get him into a frame and get a proper bend. You will pry this saddle from from my cold dead hand.

So, trainer loves it and it got the stamp of approval. The flap works perfectly, knee and thigh block are well placed for me, but visually the flap needs to be an inch longer. So here lies the question, find another with a longer flap, have the flap adjusted or just be happy with what I have? I am worried if I change and go bigger on the flap, the block placement will change. Ideas?

[Renn_aissance]

I just finished a 6-month saddle search. I was looking for a unicorn human configuration (the last one I had on trial belonged to a 6’5” man) and a unicorn horse configuration, on a budget that was not really unicorn-friendly. One of the compromises I was willing to make was to go a length shorter in the flap, which was more common on the resale market. My personal experience is that the length of the flap is much less important to leg position and security than the forwardness, provided that the block location doesn’t interfere with my leg.

You don’t sound like you have a strong desire to keep throwing money at this problem- so as long as your leg is correctly oriented under you, give it a chance! I wouldn’t consider this a deal-breaker if the only concern is that it looks a little short. You don’t have to look at it while you’re in it, so that’s your trainer’s problem.

So glad you’re enjoying it! Buying sight unseen no trial was a bold move and I’m glad it worked out.