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Check out my new saddle

Dressage
#1

I’ve been struggling with saddles and saddle fit for a few years as my horse has grown up and changed, hurt himself multiple times, popped withers and become ginormous. At last, the stars have aligned and I have a new saddle that I love, and my horse is sound!

It’s a Prestige X-Breath, and it’s the most comfortable thing ever. I had to have the tree widened and the flocking tweaked for him, and we are still breaking it in, but he is moving and working better than ever. It seems to magically fit me and is close-contact, wide but with a narrow twist (synthetic tree). I can really feel his back and have full contact through my seat and legs. The first few rides I was bouncing all over the place trying to sit the trot, but I’m figuring out how to ride this movement and the flocking is starting to settle, and it feels fantastic.

The tree has a cut-out in the seat so there is no direct pressure on my chronically sore tailbone and lumbar spine. The tree also has cutouts with foam for the sit bones. It’s like an orthopedic saddle for old broken people!

Anyway, here is a pretty decent description:

http://www.unicornsaddlery.com/p-3361-x-breath-dressage.aspx

Mine is all black with white piping on the back of the seat. Looks pretty good on him:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B39vI8RGIbeqb2k0bzBfenFCM3c/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B39vI8RGIbeqTEVDSTNJNHRmYkk/view?usp=sharing

Close-up of the “butt hole” here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B39vI8RGIbeqN3dEa05uUjNJU0U/view?usp=sharing

#2

Congrats to your new saddle, looks very comfy and interesting!!

#3

Congrats. They are nice saddles. I tried one because of my chronic tailbone pain (I had a spur on the very end…ouch). However, the demo only came in a 17 and I was really wedged into it. The hole was in the wrong place so it didn’t help the butt pain at all. Great concept though if I could get the right size. I really need an 18 1/2 inch as I seem to have a rather square and fluffy butt:o and they only come to an 18. Boo-hoo. It fit the horse well out of the box and she was cool with it. I have since had my tailbone removed but am still healing. Sitting (and riding) still isn’t a comfortable endeavor. Fingers crossed it will get better. I cruise the internet for used ones once and a while but still feel I need a larger seat.

Susan

1 Like
#4

I will be interested to hear if you like it as you own it for a bit. It looks great!

#5

I’m somewhat old and broken! This looks great… I love the only (older) Prestige I get to use.

#6

Ooh, tailbone removal. Ouch.

Broken, yeah. It’s amazing what I put up with riding in for so many years.

#7

I’m a big fan of the X Breath dressage, too. Prestige is one of my favorite saddle companies anyway, but this particular dressage model is way comfy. :yes:

#8

Looks very interesting.

#9

I LOVE the newer Prestige models. The new tree is magical :slight_smile:

#10

I’ve never heard of this saddle before - it looks interesting.

I so understand trying to ride with physical issues so I’m glad you found something that works for you!

(@Kyrabee, ouch on the tailbone! I didn’t know you could have it removed!)

#11

Oh yeah. You can take just about anything out:yes:. From what I was told and read, it can take up to 12-18 months post-op to know what final outcome is. I am about 6 months out. Sleeping is much, much better but thus far, sitting is still an iffy proposition and I am still using all my cut-out cushions. I have been on my horse a couple times and although the actual riding wasn’t bad, I feel it badly in the days that follow:grief:. So, I guess we will continue with ground work for the winter. I will try again in the Spring.

Would really like Prestige to make more than two sizes. I found that saddle really comfortable, butt pain aside.

Susan

1 Like
#12

Interesting design. Is that netting going to be a weak point for future tears? I have a Prestige Meredith jumping saddle and it fits so many horses and has been great (foam flocked though).

What did they change on the trees? I’m wondering if I will still like it. I have a Voltaire dressage saddle I need to sell (horse out grew it) and was thinking about getting another Prestige.

#13

Assuming you own one, is it flocked with wool or dacron? I am thinking I will probably have it reflocked with wool but will see how this breaks in. The synthetic flocking feels different and I’m not sure I will like it in the long run.

I’m not sure what changed about the tree other than the additional hole, but you could ask a dealer and they should be able to explain. I’ve never ridden in a Prestige before so I have no basis for comparison.

As for the netting, I suppose it could tear, but it is well protected by my bum and when I’m not riding I keep the cover on it, so I’m not too worried about it.

#14

Synthetic flocking. I don’t think you’d want to re-flock it with wool unless you were going to have the panels re-done. I think you’d need more room for wool than synthetic, to get the same amount of cushioning.

#15

Your horse looks very handsome in it! Congratulations!

#16

Thanks RPM. He knows it too. :wink:

As for the flocking, the master saddler I bought it from rides in the same saddle and changed hers to wool, and said she could do the same for mine. She said the main difference is the wool is a little softer and needs more frequent adjustment because migrates. The synthetic is more stable and requires less maintenance. I’ll just keep riding in it for awhile and see how it goes.

#17

My unicorn dressage saddle ended up being a Prestige Lucky. I LOVE their saddles and am so happy to have a saddle that fits.

#18

Shopping for saddles just sucks! Congrats on finding one that works and your horse is very cute!

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