My horse just can’t seem to stay sound in a wool flocked saddle. He has been doing dressage over a year but is backsore more than he ought to be. He is a warmblood but a very light type with a short back, high wither and upward slope towards his tail. My vet is suggesting (gasp) a French saddle with more upswept panels under the cantle. Any feedback on wither Devoucoux Harmonie or Mikalia or Butet? Cost is not really an issue. Thanks!
If the French saddles fit your horse well, and he’s of an age where frequent changes / need for adjustment are not a concern, then go for it. Add Childeric to your list too. I don’t know what model it was but a Butet saddle my trainer had on trial was the most comfortable thing I have ever ridden in my life.
No to Devoucoux, there are issues with the stirrup bars that cause back issues over time, been there myself.
I have a monoflap Butet dressage saddle and it is probably my fav saddle I have ever ridden in. I also have an Amerigo and while it is lovely, the Butet is really heavenly. Fits most horses. It has a fairly flat seat so if you like a deep seat you may not like it. I am totally sold on Butet, I have 2 of their jumping saddles too and they just really seem to fit horses well, and are so so comfortable.
I adore my Butet monoflap - everything about it is perfect. But YMMV: I know people who love Amerigo, and I can’t stand the balance on them, so think those people might not like my Butet.
When I was saddle shopping I tried to sneak a Devoucoux Makila and Milady by my very conservative trainer. He vetoed the fit on the Milady and the billets on the Makila (he thinks stitched down billets are inferior to swinging ones)…The newer Devoucouxs do have the D3D panels, I don’t know if that has changed anything about their tree structure, but they sure are soft and lovely. That being said, returning the demo I took out on trial was not a fun ride…they don’t pick up the phone in their main office. I had to call CWD next door to get ahold of them! Ridiculous…anyway if you’re considering Butet and Childeric, maybe put L’Apogee on your list as well. I think they are built on the same tree as Childerics.
I like the feel of the Childerics and the Butets the most, but ymmv.
I have a buffalo Devoucoux Makila and it’s the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever had.
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me too
Me three. Do be aware however that they have 1 size tree and use the panels to fit the horse. They do not take the traditional measurements. That said, they took back a Devoucoux saddle that a prior rep had sold me a year earlier that was completely wrong without batting an eye and sold me a new Makila for just a bit more money, and retrofitted my 5 year old jump saddle to fit my significantly more muscled gelding at no cost. The new saddle made a huge difference in my position and my horse loves it. I had tried Passiers but he hated the artificial wool flocking - it was quite stiff. I think it really is dependent on the rep. Haven’t had trouble with the main office.
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