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CWD saddles - are they really all that awesome?!?

Hunter/Jumper
#21

I have never felt as close to the horse as I have in a CWD with the integrated panels. I ordered one about a month ago and I’m dying in anticipation! The reps were fantastic when we were getting fitted. They even threw in a free leather girth. I’m short (5’2") but long-legged so I ordered an extra forward flap that I think I’ll be very happy with. I also got blocks, something new for me, and a knee roll that is less thick than their usual one. Needless to say, they have lots of options!

Someone said something about the pommel riding too far in the crotch. I had the same problem, but they offer a lot of different options (maybe that’s new?) and we found one that worked for me. I also ordered the saddle slightly built up in the back to fix the problem.

For reference, I have a Butet now that feels like sitting on a pile of knives after a few horses. I liked it for a while (3 years?), but it started getting uncomfortable within the last year.

#22

Don’t like them, never have. Like others have said, the pommel does ride up in your crotch. I have ridden in many and I just overall don’t like the leather quality. BUT, to each his own! Everyone has different likes and dislikes and if you like the saddle and it fits your horse, then get it! The problem with fitting a saddle to a horse is that sometimes, you might find a saddle that fits your horse perfectly but you don’t really enjoy the fit of it to you! It is a compromise for sure! Good luck!

1 Like
#23

Sorry, I take exception with that comment. I am 5’4" with average length of leg and my trainer’s first comment on my saddle when it arrived was “it fits your leg perfectly.” A friend who is 5’ just tried mine and is now going to trade in her Butet for a CWD. Since they can all be customized to the buyer, there is no reason they can’t fit short legged people as well as tall ones.

And judging from her screen name, I am guessing Supershorty is not very tall either. :wink:

#24

My two cents – don’t get fixated on what brand seems to be the “in” saddle (at the moment, most French saddles). Find the saddle that fits you and your horse. It could be a CWD. But it could be a County or Black Country or Prestige or Bates or Pessoa or whatever. Work with a reputable non-affiliated saddle fitter and ride in a bunch of saddles and figure out what YOU need and what the horse needs. You may need wither gussets, so that will narrow what saddles will work for your horse. You may need a certain twist, which will eliminate other saddles. Once you’ve done quite a bit of homework, you will have a better idea what will work, what size and bells and whistles you need and then you can start scouring the used saddle sites until you find one near your price range. good luck!

BTW, after buying customized Albion, Antares and Black Country saddles, I had to go fully custom with a David Stackhouse . . .

#25

I LOVED one I got on trial. Fit me perfectly, but unfortunately it did not fit my TB like built horse. :frowning:

Also note, I’m NOT a long legged person. I’m 5’8 have quite short legs for my height that are long in the thigh and short in the calf.

#26

I can say with complete confidence that you cannot buy a new one for 3K. You MIGHT be able to find a used one for that price but most I see(directly from the dealer, mind you) are around 3500 USED. And seeing as your horse sounds hard to fit, it might not work out finding exactly what you need. A lot of the used ones have pro panels. But I believe you could buy one that fits you well and gets the panels changed for between 500-1000 (last price they quoted me was 500 in 2008).

I LOVE Castelows but a fully custom one will run you around 6000.

I would chose a CWD any day of the week. Very close contact, not a lot of bulk, and I have no hesitation jumping big jumps in it. I would say the quality of the leather has saved my ass more times than my horse has lol.

#27

[QUOTE=holaamigoalter;6047136]
… I would say the quality of the leather has saved my ass more times than my horse has lol.[/QUOTE]

:yes: :lol:

#28

You are right, you couldn’t even buy one brand new for $3,000 five years ago. But when the OP posted that figure I assumed she was looking for used.

#29

I think that was me who mentioned the pommel. I did try the newer models (including the carbon fiber tree which was pretty freaking cool), which is supposed to have less of a sloped pommel. But I think for my particular shape, in combination with what I consider a fairly narrow twist, still caused the pommel to be all up in my business :wink:

Because honestly, I’m not sure that the slope of the pommel is much different from my Antares. BUT…the Antares naturally has a slightly wider twist (IMO).

1 Like
#30

MR, when you say you have “exhausted” all of your regular go to options, does that meant you have checked out the inventories at places like Blue Horse and Carousel? There is a woman who has a mobile saddle selling service who will come to you with all of her saddles, a friend of mine has used her service and I can get you more information if you haven’t already tried her.

I know how frustrating searching for a saddle is. I’m not a fan of CWD saddles, but one of the trainers at my barn requires all their clients to ride in CWDs.

#31

[QUOTE=jenm;6047368]
There is a woman who has a mobile saddle selling service who will come to you with all of her saddles, a friend of mine has used her service and I can get you more information if you haven’t already tried her.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I’d love her info. I will PM you.

I’ve been to Blue Horse and Carousel once already. Will make another trip (now that it’s been a month+) soon to see if there is anything new. I don’t have much time to drive around, so I’ve been trying to call/web search before making too many trips for something that won’t work anyhow.

#32

About the crotch issue. I rode in my friends Antares a couple times and EVERYTIME I posted I whacked my crotch on the pommel. It was horrible. I have never even slightly felt that on my CWD.

#33

No. Not even close. CWD is popular, has fancy marketing and good branding. Customer service is terrible, they are the most expensive, they take the longest (over 3 months) , and make tons of mistakes. And “custom” isn’t really custom at all, just good marketing.
In my experience (it’s very specific to each body and each horse), the saddles fit horribly. I have one of their bridles and I like it. I’ve had a bunch of problems with all of their stirrup leathers stretching out way too quickly and being floppy like spaghetti. I have their new “So Jump” stirrup leathers and have not yet made up my mind if I like or hate them.

My first saddle SE02, twisted off to the right and pinched my horses withers a lot. I ordered a new custom saddle (2G Mademoiselle), same thing. Also, the CWD saddles have a TON of material between you and the horse, so you can’t really feel anything. I can fit 4-5 fingers between the withers and pommel (which makes it shift back during riding and dig/pinch) making one sit way too high, shifting your weight back to the back of the saddle which made my legs come forward. And the leg area is very stiff and very thick, so you can’t really feel your horse that well, and the billets take a while to loosen up, if ever. And the new saddle billets are crazy short, so they make you buy all new fancy girths, too!!
Don’t fall for the BS. Their Moto should be “CWD, over-promise, under-deliver!”

2 Likes
#34

Every CWD I’ve sat in has hurt my crotch!! Same with Stubben, Antares, Devoucoux… the list goes on.

The only thing that I’ve ever been comfortable in is Voltaire Design. I’ve had two custom ones. I had a super hard to fit giant shouldered, banana backed horse. The custom saddle made all the difference in the world. I think CWD holds value better and wears a bit better. I can find the same almost custom Voltaire used for 1/2 less than I paid for it new… if not more.

Everyone I use to work for now rides in a CWD. I also felt like they were too bulky. Right now I’m riding in a Beval Devon that’s older than both my horses! I have a long femur and larger behind.

#35

Whenever I read “CWD”, by brain reads “Canadian Waste Disposal”…poor branding in my area!

I think the success of ANY custom/semi custom saddle is in the Rep selling it, and taking the measurements. If you are not buying new, then the success would also be in what options you have available in your area to make it fit your horse. If I was in your predicament, I would shop for a saddle fitter/adjuster, and have them help you find a saddle that can successfully be adjusted to work for you and your horse.

Overall, I struggle with the premium people pay to buy a used “Custom” saddle. The saddle isn’t custom for you, so I am not sure where the additional value is upon resale.

1 Like
#36

I have loved the ride in the ones I’ve tried, but after two saddle fitters told me that the saddles come apart, are stapled together where you can’t see the staples, and are made for the human’s comfort, instead of the horse’s…
I Passed.

#37

Man this is an old thread that got bumped back up by a new user. You guys saw the 2011 date on it, right?

Also, it makes me super nostalgic to read about a saddle costing $3000…:cry:

2 Likes
#38

I’m not even sure they DID cost $3000 new in 2011!!!

1 Like
#39

My SE01 was the only saddle I tried that fit both me and my horse.

I wouldn’t call it magical but I sure love it- as does my mare. It also fits my 2nd mare so score.

Service depends on your rep.

#40

A CWD was my dream saddle before they were the IN saddle. I had ridden in a clinicians saddle and loved it, it was super comfy and fit my horse perfectly. I found it much comfier then the Anteres.
But, as I was saving up for my dream saddle, a horrible person at my barn asked what’s your dream saddle…so I told her…then she went out and bought one for her horse, which is fine, I was glad she took my recommendation. But once it came in she said “do you want to try it? I know you’ll never get one yourself.” So, this horrible woman has ruined the brand for me.
But I found an older Dominus and I love it. It fits me and my horse perfectly. The designer went on to make Amergio saddles. so my next saddle might be an Amergio simply because of how much I love the Dominus.

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