Cut back saddles? Sorry for another saddle thread

[J-Lu]

Hi all,

I’m sorry for another saddle thread.

I recently started a thread about Schleese. I tried an Obrigado from a fitter which had 2 key components: a cut-back shoulder for my horse and extended stirrup bars for me. I really loved it except for the 6-7K price tag. I just can’t justify that. I’m looking at used Obrigados with cut back shoulders.

I can ride with regular stirrup bars, I have always done that. But the cut-back shoulders are something my horse really responded to. People mentioned other brands with cut-back shoulders on the other thread but didn’t have reps in my area (NC). I won’t buy a saddle I can’t sit in, certainly new.

There is a good non-brand-associated fitter in my area. I like that she’s not attached to a brand so is rather independent. The Schleese rep just wanted to sell me a saddle and even mentioned an “all purpose” saddle that was more in my price range. WTF? She has questionable integrity and she’d be adjusting any used Obrigado that I purchase. It turns me off of Schleese but a friend and fellow COTHer has ridden in Schleeles for decades and really loves them.

So, it is clear I need a new saddle and I want a cut-back shoulder and shorter panel under the saddle because he’s short coupled.

Any suggestions? Suggestions in a saddle I can ride in before I purchase?

Can people recommend brands with cut-back shoulders?

[Unfforgettable]

Look at the Prestige D1 and D2.

[Paisley_Pony]

You might check out Passier. https://www.passier.com/en/Saddles~c6548 Most of their saddles are cutback at the pommel like the Obrigado. IMO it’s one of the things that has made their saddles fit such a wide range of horses over the years. I have an older AP of theirs (think 1960’s) with their standard cutback design, and it is ridiculously adaptable to differently shaped horses. On the Passier site, it looks as though they have carried this cutback design into most of their current dressage saddles.

[Heinz_57]

I saw an ad pretty recently for a Verhan, I think it was, that had a cutback shoulder.

Stubben has a cutback shoulder option on several of their saddles (the Euphoria is one).

Heritage Saddlery in the UK has a shoulder freedom panel option, and can do adjustable stirrup bars, although you wouldn’t be able to try before you buy.

The Passier EVO-D has what they call freedom panels.

Prestige has a few, but that’s probably going to be close to the price of an Obrigado if you buy new. Tota has shoulder freedom options as well, but again close to the price of the Obrigado.

I’m sure there are more, but those are the ones I know of off the top of my head!

[exvet]

I agree that you may want to consider the Prestige D series. I too was taken aback by the new saddle prices but my 7-year-old home-bred deserved a saddle that fit him and not some attempt to shoe-horn us into something that would have to do. I consulted several saddle fitters by phone and email. Their recommendations were consistent and helped me develop a short list. Of course, no one close by had any of the saddles that made the list for me to try; so, when I did take the plunge, I ended up with a brand-new saddle that I had never sat in before, but the saddle fitter was awesome and came highly recommended. I have to say that between the wither tracings, the many pictures and videos both before and after and then the real test, my horse, I was and am very happy with the purchase. I ended up with a brand-new Prestige D 1 saddle for $4000 that has the shortest panels (my guy has less than 15 inches of real estate), clearly off the shoulders (his are huge) too and my fave part is that it’s close fitting so that I don’t feel like I’m way up off the horse. My horse and I love the saddle. In an ideal world my saddle(s) of choice has always been minimalist in padding - passier, Albion the old style, SL or SLK, niedersuss, etc - have had many but none fit him as well mostly due to his short back. I don’t know if there are any fitters in NC who carry them; but, from what you describe it’s worth looking into and seeing what options are there. There are many used Prestige options for sale that are well worth their lower price, but my problem was none had the shorter panels on a 17 inch seat with wide gullet and cut back shape which is what I needed.

[J-Lu]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I clearly have homework to do.

I unfortunately can’t pay $6-7K an a saddle so will be buying used. I just can’t do that. I’ll be buying used. I’d like to minimize this because I’d be paying for shipping both ways and I see “cha ching” about to happen.

I’ll call the saddle fitter that I’ve used previously to get more information on saddles in my area and what she can do with various saddles. She has a good reputation with people I trust. Thanks for that suggestion @exvet. I’d like less padding than the Schleese also, But for his comfort, I need a short panel, cut back shoulder and wide gullet. My current saddle has a wide gullet but the non-cut back shoulders restrict him.

I believe I inquired about a Prestige fitter in my area - no dice. It’s good to know you are happy with your saddle. I talked this weekend with a higher-level woman who has purchased Custom Saddlery Saddles and she mentioned that she wouldn’t buy one of them that she hasn’t sat on because they seem to be known to vary in their manufacturing process. She owns two but wouldn’t buy them if she didn’t ride in them. She thinks the key to success is a good saddle fitter and not necessarily the saddle. She saw us go and thinks my horse is a total candidate for a cut-back shoulder.

Yep, I’m in saddle hell. Any feedback or ideas from anyone would be so appreciated.

[Pezanos]

Pelham has 2 used Obrigados, if that helps at all. Otherwise, following this thread, since my horse would like the same features yours does.

[J-Lu]

Thanks, I’ve inquired.

My friend mentioned she has 2 Cardinel, Cardinell (sp??) cut back saddles that she hangs onto because other saddles don’t fit the same. She’ll bring one for me to try next weekend. It’ll just conform my horse’s needs. She said the cut-back saddle made all the difference for her horse and can see the same given my horse’s build.

She confirms that the process is “saddle hell”. I know so many others here can confirm this.

[Pezanos]

‘Cardanel’. And I agree. It is hell.

[BigMama1]

@Unfforgettable

Prestige

Another vote for the Prestige D1 or D2.

[Unfforgettable]

Here’s a Prestige demo: https://shop.allsaddles.com/product44315.html

I bought mine through this place as well, and the process was seamless and smooth.

[exvet]

Yup Ron was an absolute godsend for me. Turns out his father knew my grandfather which certainly helped me feel better about a long-distance relationship. His advice really steered me in the right direction.

[J-Lu]

@Pezanos

‘Cardanel’. And I agree. It is hell.

Thank you!! No wonder I couldn’t find much on a google search.

[exvet]

I had a cardanel for my beer keg built morgan x welsh cob mare. It was a wonderful saddle for the horse that it fit.

[J-Lu]

OK. A really great FEI rider (so generous) is letting ride in her count perfect and wolfgang solo this friday, and is bringing her cardinal for me to try this weekend. That one is specifically cut-back. She tends to hang onto saddles that really work for some of her horses. I’m grateful.

[J-Lu]

OK, My horse went pretty will in here monoflap Wolfgang solo and I really loved it. What feel! Saddle pad marks showed it didn’t fit him amazingly well but he went pretty will in it. Today, I tried her Cardinel. My horse went markedly better in it. That said, he wasn’t spooking at the cow feeder from last week’s clinic and maybe he was just having a good day. But he went to work right away, took better contact and really used his back. Maybe it was just this day but I’ll try it again tomorrow. Seems like the cut-back shoulder is a real winner. It didn’t fit him amazingly well through the back but he seemed to be happier with the cut-back shoulder. I’ll try again tomorrow.

[cheektwocheek]

I would look into a Tota, the only one I’ve found that compares to my Obrigado.

[J-Lu]

Thank you, I did look into that and will look further.

I tried to ride again in the Cardinel. My horse wasn’t as “on point” today and I certainly wasn’t on point due to a late night and open sores on the insides of my knees due to my knees being on the rigid knee roll of this very short flapped saddle made for my very short-legged friend. My thigh is considerably longer than hers. Oh, it was so painful today! I pushed through it as best as I could and I felt my horse was just not responsive to me and I couldn’t back up the right aids. I thanked her sooooo much for her offer but gave her saddle back. THAT was such an incredibly generous offer! Oh peeps, pay it forward when you can. I try to do the same.

I still thought the cut-back saddle made my horse more free even though it was large for him and me and he’s short coupled. What educational rides.

Seems the proof is in the pudding. Unfortunately, I can’t find many of them online.

[no.stirrups]

Have you looked at Harry Dabbs? Their Future panel has shoulder relief. The panels are upswept in the rear, so good for short backs. There is an adjustable stirrup bar option. There is not a stockist in your area, but demo saddles ship… Oh, and price is about half a Schleese.

[Alterration]

Love my Passier for my huge shouldered very uphill horses. If your thighs are long you may like the GG which is my current love. They don’t have the adjustable stirrup bars (not sure if those could be made) but man, it’s the only saddle that seems to work for both me and my horses.