Thanka, Hinderella! Sorry about your friend’s horse. Redbarn, I joined the forum specifically to pick others’ brains while thinking through my options…I’d really be interested to hear from anyone who found the saddle caused back or behaviour problems!! My physio was skeptical, and worried about distribution of forces, but I’ve found a good post on an archived thread on Reddit about the physics of springs and levers as it relates to the BUA design, which I’m not sure I understand (!) but still found reassuring. I’m going to go for a trial of the saddle as I can do this locally - have been nervous about it as my horse is super sensitive to any changes. I will update later for anyone who’s interested. Thanks again, Jellybeanz. X
PS. Also - just seen other recent posts … thanks for updates - this is just what I’m interested in. Glad to hear the components have held up well too - this is a slight concern as although it seems to be considered a good price, I can’t imagine it;s the same long term investment as a good leather saddle. But then again, maybe people are just hanging on to theirs as I can’t find anything second hand for sale. Going ahead with the trial as soon as I can book it.
It looks a lot like traditional British Cavalry saddles, which are still in use today.
Yes, I agree - The British Universal Pattern. So not necessarily as “ground breaking” from a design point of view as the makers suggest. But I think the cavalry saddle similarity is a plus point for it perhaps - as the military would have a vested interest in keeping horses sound and workable?
Ps… I know we all want sound and workable horses… I mean particularly during the war years when horses were a vital part of the war machine and needed to carry riders for long hours without access to physio/vet and all the comforts and adjustments we have now for the modern sport/leisure horse! Equibrit, I’m interested - have you ridden in a cavalry saddle? I’d love to hear experiences from those who have. I’ve also looked into the latest model flapless saddles (EQ) which I would love to try and from what I see these are based on the McClellan saddles from the USA cilvil war - so for all our new ideas, it’s mostly history! x
I’ve ridden in several military/military derived saddles.
The McClellan, for me, was a blister rig. Did not fit me at all. I do not have the conformation of a mid-19th century male with bird legs so it’s likely that’s the problem! 
I’ve ridden one Whitman and it was a nice rig.
I’ve sat in, but not ridden in, a Grimsley Dragoon saddle. I know some folks who do impressions from the Mexican War period and love them.
I tried a Phillips Officer’s Saddle from the 1930s and was unsure. It had a very hard seat but was otherwise quite comfortable. It only comes in one size.
I’ve got a British Colonial/Yeomanry Officer’s Saddle, Model 1902. It’s a hard but comfortable seat. Sadly, it doesn’t fit any of my horses and is for sale.
Last, my regular saddle is a Stubben Scout, the police/military saddle Stubben Switzerland developed for the Belgian Army/Police in 1948. It was Stubben Switzerland because Stubben Germany (and things German in general) was (were) not very popular in Belgium in 1948. It is an extremely comfortable saddle for a male rider like me, but my wife doesn’t like the shape of the seat for her. She has a Stubben Siegfried VSD/DL which she finds perfect for her conformation, and a good fit for her horse. Either would be a good choice.
I’ve got some friends who ride British UP saddles and love them. The Tucker line of saddle is derived from them. They don’t find the “suspended seat” to be an issue with horsemanship. It has the virtue be being a very effective system of weight distribution.
Period or antique saddles were made for horses of that era. In those days horses were much more used and were generally much leaner than modern horses. A reproduction saddle, made on a modern tree, can be a good choice.
G.
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Wow, thanks Guilherme - that’s really instructive!! Interesting that you say the suspended seat does seem to distribute weight evenly. Also interested in the Stubben and the fact your wife needs/prefers the Siegfried. I’m off to look up all the others you mention out of interest, but i take your point - the reproductions on a modern tree will be more reflective of rider and horse size/shape today. Thanks for interesting reply!
You’re welcome!
G.
Orthoflex Saddles
https://www.ortho-flex.com/saddles1
and American Flex Saddles
http://www.american-flex.de/englisch…m_english.html
have a similar design to the Bua Saddles.
The American Flex certainly provides a compelling argument for this design!
When I bought my first Marchador the seller had an Orthoflex Western saddle. I tried that and it was a really odd feeling. The saddle felt really “limber” and I always felt like I was one foot (or one hoof) behind the horse. When I asked for a turn left the horse turned left but I felt like the saddle and I went straight for a fraction of a second. I found it very unpleasant.
Flexible panel saddles have been around for a very long time. The first patents date back before the American Civil War. In 1912 the U.S. and Britain both introduced flexible panel saddles. Both quickly abandoned them. There were durability problems during field testing but the big reason was they tended to sore the horse’s back. Cavalry horses carry a significant load and that was likely a factor but the bottom line is that they just didn’t work to effectively distribute weight. Looking at the American Flex website I don’t see that much difference from those earlier.
The Aussies continued to use the flexible tree for a longer period before they, too, abandoned them. I think they may have had a bit more success but not enough to stay with them.
At the end of the day a properly fitted, rigid tree saddle has been THE most successful saddle design since the Romans started using them about the First Century A.D. When something works for 2000 years maybe you mess with it at your peril!!! 
G.
No - I haven’t ridden in one. My bones would not be a good fit. I visited the Barnsby factory in the 80’s and they were making them that day, so I got a really good look.
There’s a guy in Canada called Haggis who makes a similar type of saddle;
http://www.haggissaddles.com/saddles.htm
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Thanks, guys - this is all really interesting. On reflection, and having discussed again with physic/instructor, I am sticking with my traditional saddler-checked leather saddle for now. I’m just too concerned about the potential to get it wrong for my horse and the possibility of losing a lot of money to make the leap to try the BUA. Thanks for all your comments and links - feel i have learned a lot on my saddle quest at any rate! xxx
I noticed a friend riding in an unusual looking saddle today, so I asked her about it. It’s an EQ Flapless dressage saddle. She let me have a sit in it and by golly that odd looking thing was super comfortable and secure feeling. I only rode in it briefly on a relativeky unschooled horse, but it really piqued my interest. I love the Custom that I had made to fit me/my FEI horse, but if I didn’t and was looking it would be something I would try to get a trial on. Another friend hopped on the EQ and felt the same way I did. Quite comfortable.
I was curious enough to come here to do a search after looking at the EQ website, it’s a spin off of Reactor Panel.
Curious if flaps are required for recognized shows and if others here have experience with this model?
Yes, the flaps are required but you can get detachable flaps for showing.
I know another local person who rides in an EQ saddle as well as a BNT. I peaked my interest enough that I’m going to consider one for my next horse. I really love their demo program, I wish more saddle companies did that.
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