Custom Saddlery Tree Shapes & Other Recommendations

[jmbaumgardner]

I am in the process of having a Custom rep out to help me and have worked with three different fitters over the last 3 months (two agnostic, one from County). I have identified saddles that work for me (long femur) and those that work for my gelding (high wither, large shoulder, MN, fairly flat back) but none that align to us both yet in my price range used. The closest is a narrow County Connection with skid row and wither gussets but I still don’t love my leg in it. I’d like to spend less than $2,500 so am doing alot of googling and excited to get a ‘prescription’ from Custom on what may work for us so maybe I can find one used after having a rep out.

I noted the Steffens Custom Advantage tree was a hint too curvy for him but otherwise was super. I am curious if others know which models made by Custom have straighter trees but still accommodates a wither? Also open to recommendations for saddles like the Frank Baines Omni and some Black Country models that seem similar to County and Custom if anyone has knowledge on that.

Thanks!

[NJRider]

I have had several CS saddles and they do vary. I have a 10 yr old CS Advantage that is a good fit for my horse that needs a curvier shaped panels. I had a new CS Steffen Advantage Monoflap that fit my large wither, flatter backed horse very well. So within the Advantage models they do vary. I also have long legs and this saddle fit me very well. http://www.doversaddlery.com/steffens-advntg-monoflp-drs-sd/p/X1-15906/?ids=asvv5tlvsv4xqahb4xl4hxtg Dover has some on the closeout page so you could always try one and return.

[netg]

The Advantage trees fit ME more comfortably. My horses are both TB-ish in build (the TB is wider than the WB), and the TB had an Advantage Monoflap which is a flatter tree, whereas the WB has an Advantage R which is also a monoflap but a more curvy tree. I haven’t tried the Steffen Advantage - I think that’s sold online, not through the fitters? I’m not sure about that one.

[MelanieC]

The Steffen’s Advantage (the one you can order from Dover, etc.) has a curvier tree, similar to the tree in the Icon Flight. Both fit my curvy-backed Arab very well, but I just can’t do the knee block shape in the Steffen’s Advantage. I have an Icon Flight with short blocks that I was lucky enough to find used and that I cold dead hands adore.

I believe the Icon Star has a flatter tree but is otherwise supposedly similar to the Flight. I say “supposedly” because my trainer said the Star is far less comfortable than my Flight, but I also have an exceptionally comfortable copy, or so everyone who has ridden in multiple Icon Flight copies tells me.

[FatCatFarm]

I have an Icon Star and would agree it has a flatter tree. I am using it on huge shouldered Saddlebred x Percheron crosses and am very happy with it. I bought it used and then had it fitted by a professional.

[no.stirrups]

Definitely try the Frank Baines Omni, if you haven’t already. The high-head version is made exactly for the horse you describe - tall withers, but flatter through the back. I have a long femur and I find it very comfortable.

[sheltona01]

if you are willing to look at other brands, I can recommend Adam Ellis Saddles. I sell them new for right around 3000 and can get it custom for your horse and you for that price. You do not have to spend $5000 to get a great saddle.

[jaybird660]

The Black Country Eloquence is flatter front to back and can be made with a K panel and wither gussets. The BC Vinici has the same tree but the monoflap makes it feel narrower to the rider. The Eden tree would be too curvy if you are looking for the straighter tree. The tree that is in the Vinici and Eloquence is also available in other models as well.