I am seriously considering getting a Butet…one is being shipped for a trail. Any thoughts/advice/tips one can share regarding the Butet would be very helpful in my decision making. I currently ride in a SO2 calf CWD which I am keeping. This would be a saddle for the second horse.
Mine is an ancient model (purchased used in 2004, and flap is stamped “92”, soooo yeah). I have heard that the leather on the newer ones tends to wear more easily, and mine has had the seat, billets and knee pads replaced by Antares.
That said, I love mine. I use it with a SaddleRight pad on everything, so I can’t comment on fit issues, but I just love the balance and how secure it feels without any blocks. Let’s just say that when I was offered double what I paid while I was in college and taking a break, I still kept that thing. I love it.
I absolutely love mine, a 2006 FB2 model (wider tree.) IMO they offer a closer contact than most french saddles (mine is certainly less padded than my Antares or Devoucoux saddles, both of which I got rid of because I far preferred the Butet.) They are known for rider comfort.
Butets got a bad rap for a while years ago, when they were all the rage and some people put them on horses without enough regard for ensuring the fit. They then got the reputation for making horses back sore. That was before Butet offered as many options as they do now, including the FB2 tree that I mentioned, and it is perhaps not surprising that that happened; no model of saddle (or tree) suits every horse. Since then I have noticed that they’ve quietly been gaining favor again, as people rediscover how nice it is to be able to feel their horse under the tack, without having to sacrifice their own comfort in the process.
My dressage trainer (former Advanced eventer) loaned me hers when we started jumping my dressage horse that wants to be an eventer. I love it. If I went back to jumping, that’s what I’d get.
My dressage trainer (former Advanced eventer) loaned me hers when we started jumping my dressage horse. I love it. If I went back to jumping, that’s what I’d get. My last jumping saddle that I had for 20-plus years was the less expensive Beval Devon.
Also the saddle I’m using has fit many, many horses over the years.
I really like mine. It is very balanced and I feel secure without being locked in. While it is not a horrible fit, the wide tree does not fit my wide, flat-backed horse now that he has matured. The gullet is just a bit too narrow for him. I am going to be looking into the FB2 tree for him. I hope it works, because, I really like riding in the Butet.
I bought a 1991 Butet new loved it then - LOVE it now. Personally I like the older trees (before 2002), but you might like the newer trees. All their saddles have the year under the skirt and I believe the flap size.
I LOVE my Butet. It has fit many horses throughout the years, and has held up fabulously. I think it is a mid-90s model, but I am at work and can’t check at the moment.
One more thing. Every Butet is different. If the one you ordered doesn’t work, order a couple more. They can all say the same size, tree, etc but feel completely different.
The one on its way to me to try is a 2012 with a regular tree I think and a short flap. I hope it works as trying multipal saddles is difficult because they all need to be shipped. I am pretty sure its going to fit me but will have to see if it suits the horses. Thanks for all the good reports. How much do you think a 2012 second hand, lightly used Butet ought to cost?
OP - I love the Butets. I have a 2000 Butet that I have had for 10 years or so and it has held up very well. Super comfy, you feel close to your horse, and the leather is wonderful. Definitely use the Akene conditioner on it… superior to any other product.
I always swore I would never ride in anything else, but I need something with a larger seat and cannot afford a new Butet. I suppose that is the down-side - they are so expensive! I would expect a lightly used Butet would be somewhere in the 3k price range. They hold their value pretty well.
I will send you a PM about my saddle in case you may be interested.
I love my Butet, older model, never had to replace anything. The most comfortable saddle ever.
Culetose. Thanks for your PM…seems ads are over top of msgs so hard to read but got it done. Then the reply button would not work. I definately want front blocks…have front and rear on the CWD so may need both on a Butet.
