County Fusion. Updated! Pics!

[lenapesadie]

I’ve been casually window shopping for a used saddle and have run up on a good deal on a County Fusion. The markings on the saddle say “ 18” WXW”. Does that mean wide? Extra wide? Something else? This model also has the short and forward flap.

This is for my Friesian cross with big shoulders, moderate withers. His jump saddle is a 36” Thornhill which fit him moderately well when I started him under saddle last year. His back is more developed now and the Thornhill is starting to look like it’s too narrow on him.

Any translation of WXW and or experience with the County Fusion welcome.

Update: Does it look too narrow? Update post on page 2

[theresak]

I love my Fusion. I think all Fusions are custom, so even if there’s a “meaning” behind WXW, you will probably want to get measurements of the tree, gullet, etc.

[Suspiria]

Which Thornhill is he currently in? My experience is that Thornhills run very wide. I also recently tried a wide Fusion on an x wide pony and it definitely was not wide enough. That said, I’d buy an XW Fusion in a heartbeat. It was one of the best saddles I’ve ever sat in as far as how it positioned me.

[lenapesadie]

@Suspiria

Which Thornhill is he currently in? My experience is that Thornhills run very wide. I also recently tried a wide Fusion on an x wide pony and it definitely was not wide enough. That said, I’d buy an XW Fusion in a heartbeat. It was one of the best saddles I’ve ever sat in as far as how it positioned me.

He is in the Germania Two Phase (not an extreme jump saddle, but well suited for starting my colt and cross rails) 36” tree which was advertised as wide via Pelham Saddlery (where I bought it). I am noticing that some of the Thornhill’s I’m seeing for sale now have the 36” listed as extra wide. The shape of the Thornhill seems suit my horse’s shape fairly well. I read that their trees 36” and up are hoops, but not sure if that is accurate for all models or years or what. If I was going to buy another Thornhill I would be looking for a 38”.

This saddle is really priced well and in excellent condition so I’d love to purchase it but of course buying saddles without a trial is a crap shoot. I’ve only sat in one county saddle and it was ancient and didn’t suit me whatsoever. The flaps were way too long and didn’t allow to have enough bend in my knee. I ride with slightly shorter stirrups and have a relatively long femur. I was pretty excited to note the short and forward flaps on this saddle (those options are stamped on the flap too). Seller states saddle is extra extra wide. Seems like that would show up as XXW on the stamp so the WXW is throwing me off.

Thank you for sharing your experience. That’s very helpful and I appreciate it!

[lenapesadie]

@theresak

I love my Fusion. I think all Fusions are custom, so even if there’s a “meaning” behind WXW, you will probably want to get measurements of the tree, gullet, etc.

Thank you for sharing! I didn’t realize they were all custom. How interesting!

[theresak]

@lenapesadie

Thank you for sharing! I didn’t realize they were all custom. How interesting!

I think if you email County or a County fitter/rep the serial number, they can tell you the specs of the original saddle as built.

If your pony fits well in a hoop tree, I’m not sure a County will work well. They are A-frame trees originally built for TB backs.

Reach out to County to see if there is a local-ish fitter who could help you out. My local County fitters have all been awesome and willing to help with non-County saddles, but regional fitters differ greatly as we’ve all seen on this forum.

[lenapesadie]

@theresak

I think if you email County or a County fitter/rep the serial number, they can tell you the specs of the original saddle as built.

If your pony fits well in a hoop tree, I’m not sure a County will work well. They are A-frame trees originally built for TB backs.

Reach out to County to see if there is a local-ish fitter who could help you out. My local County fitters have all been awesome and willing to help with non-County saddles, but regional fitters differ greatly as we’ve all seen on this forum.

I’m having a heck of a time getting a hold of a saddle fitter local to me. Major sigh. I think my boi is like on the cusp of hoop tree, from spine down to base of withers depth he looks like an A but below that his back goes straight down. I should just commit to distance fitting at this point.

[Mazou]

My saddle is a 18" X Wide County Fusion with short flaps ( I am vertically challenged!), and it was custom made to fit my young warmblood. It is not an A-frame. He had very square shoulders and his back looked like a coffee table. He is much older now, and his withers have grown a little more, but we have been able to still adjust this saddle over the years to follow his changing body. But then I am lucky to have a County fitter who is willing to travel out of her way.

I have owned a few other brands of saddle, one also in the same price range, and must say this is my favorite. I had tried even other County models, but this is the one that just felt so comfortable for me. It was a big help in riding out all of the youngster’s antics (may I add that I will never get a young horse again?). The quality of its leather and stitching has held up through the years and it still looks in good shape.

OP, I understand and sympathize with your long-distance saddle shopping issues. Just letting you know of my experience with the same kind of product. I hope something can work out for you and your boi.

[lenapesadie]

@Mazou

My saddle is a 18" X Wide County Fusion with short flaps ( I am vertically challenged!), and it was custom made to fit my young warmblood. It is not an A-frame. He had very square shoulders and his back looked like a coffee table. He is much older now, and his withers have grown a little more, but we have been able to still adjust this saddle over the years to follow his changing body. But then I am lucky to have a County fitter who is willing to travel out of her way.

I have owned a few other brands of saddle, one also in the same price range, and must say this is my favorite. I had tried even other County models, but this is the one that just felt so comfortable for me. It was a big help in riding out all of the youngster’s antics (may I add that I will never get a young horse again?). The quality of its leather and stitching has held up through the years and it still looks in good shape.

OP, I understand and sympathize with your long-distance saddle shopping issues. Just letting you know of my experience with the same kind of product. I hope something can work out for you and your boi.

Thank you so much for sharing! I swore off getting another young horse too after getting catapulted into an oak tree last fall. A saddle with some security would be a big bonus! The owner of the saddle I’m looking at is about my height and the saddle was fitted by a county rep to her horse which has a similar build and breeding to mine. I would love for it to work as I know it’s a quality saddle and the price is right on it.

Thank you so much for sharing and I hope you and your boy continue to enjoy your saddle!

[Suspiria]

@theresak

If your pony fits well in a hoop tree, I’m not sure a County will work well. They are A-frame trees originally built for TB backs.

I disagree with this statement. County trees vary widely in the different models. The xw pony I spoke about ended up in an x wide County Perfection which is much more hoop shaped. If anything, it is slightly too wide for her.

[Samantha37]

Definitely get it measured. I have a County Perfection that is “N-MN” and it is truly between a narrow and a medium narrow, so my guess is yours is between a W and an XW.

I love my Countys. I have an Epiphany, which is my favorite, and a Perfection. I have ridden in the Fusion and really loved it - I was planning on buying that but they just came out with the Epiphany when I was buying

[lenapesadie]

@Suspiria

I disagree with this statement. County trees vary widely in the different models. The xw pony I spoke about ended up in an x wide County Perfection which is much more hoop shaped. If anything, it is slightly too wide for her.

The seller has kindly taken a ton of photos for me and video of her horse and of saddle on her horse. The saddle itself the panels themselves drop down quite straight towards the ground which is promising. And looks much more like an upside down U than an A, I’m no fitter though so what do I know lol

[lenapesadie]

@Samantha37

Definitely get it measured. I have a County Perfection that is “N-MN” and it is truly between a narrow and a medium narrow, so my guess is yours is between a W and an XW.

I love my Countys. I have an Epiphany, which is my favorite, and a Perfection. I have ridden in the Fusion and really loved it - I was planning on buying that but they just came out with the Epiphany when I was buying

Seller has kindly agreed to a trial, with full deposit via PayPal. So I will be trialing it!!!

[EVneo]

Glad to hear you can trial it! I LOVED my fusion, but the tree points were too short for my TB and jammed into his back - it had fit my appendix perfectly, who was much rounder and didn’t have gnarly withers.

[Mazou]

OP you can trial the saddle, great news! Your seller seems to be very cooperative. Keeping my fingers crossed. I hope it works out.

[lenapesadie]

@EVneo

Glad to hear you can trial it! I LOVED my fusion, but the tree points were too short for my TB and jammed into his back - it had fit my appendix perfectly, who was much rounder and didn’t have gnarly withers.

I’m looking forward to trying it! So much more peace of mind! My guy doesn’t have gnarly withers, but not mutton withered either. We shall soon see if it’s a good fit for us!

[lenapesadie]

@Mazou

OP you can trial the saddle, great news! Your seller seems to be very cooperative. Keeping my fingers crossed. I hope it works out.

Thank you! Seller is super nice!

[Suspiria]

Can’t tell much from these pics. Did you girth it up and ride it? How did it go?

[lenapesadie]

@Suspiria

Can’t tell much from these pics. Did you girth it up and ride it? How did it go?

Picture quality was awful. Sorry bout that.

I ended up returning the saddle to the seller. The saddle was to narrow at the top. My horse is most likely going to need a hoop tree, even though he doesn’t look like the table top backed horses that hoop trees are famous for.

I intend to use a remote fitting service to help find a saddle for him. I just need to make a final decision on who to use!

Thanks for replying!