Trying this saddle out, it’s supposedly a medium tree but it fits my mare a little too tight. Can anyone decode the numbers and tell me if there’s a reason why, as it’s Arcade Normale? Looks like maybe there’s wither gusset filler. I’m just trying to figure out if I need to go MW with her in the Devoucoux saddles.
Thanks!
Bumping. Anyone?
D3D4P means “4 Plus” (also coded as 4+ or 4.5 depending on the age of the saddle.) This saddle has more fill in the wither area than is standard, intended to fill in wither hollows. If the horse does not have wither hollows to fill in, this will cause the saddle to feel tight around the top of the shoulder and this is why it sits pommel-high on the horse’s back.
If you are looking for a common or garden variety standard panel, you want just D3D.
The 3AR bit is that it’s a longer (3) and more forward (A) flap which has the most forward point higher up on the flap. Compare to 3A (long/forward) or 3AB (long/forward with the most forward point lower on the flap, best for someone with a long femur.)
Scroll down to Devoucoux information.
The saddles with Arcade Normale are medium wide.
The Arcade Ouvert is a wide tree.
I don’t know what the last line of stamping means as far as padding/panel or if a wide tree would be wide enough for your horse. You can contact a Devoucoux representative or company for that information.
Thank you! I thought it looked like it had wither fill, but I wasn’t sure if it was just how their mediums came. Need a regular D3D now to try it 
No, the 4+ is not kidding around- works great for a horse with moderate to significant hollows, Devoucoux is the best I’ve found of the French brands to fit that conformation, but it’s also very particular to the shape.
In the newer models, “regular” panels are marked D3D 4.0 3.0 (D3D panel, neutral in the front, neutral in back.)
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Hi Renn_aissance - I wonder if you can help me as you seem to be an expert on Devocoux saddles - Ive been advised that this saddle on the devocoux website will fit my mare by the rep
However there is one for sale on ebay for a lot less and newer
It wont let me upload another image but it says
CHIBERTA 0 ARCADE NORMALE 17.5
2AA
2PB
D3D 4+5 3-5
- but I dont know if it will fit - the seats the same the flap is slightly different - I cant tell about the width - Im sure the sizing is made confusing to stop people easily buying used from each other meaning you have to go back to Devocoux - if the saddles are similar theres a good saving to be had but would appreciate your advise on how similar the two saddles are on sizing? Thank you so much in advance if you can help!
Not an expert, just have bought too many saddles in my life.
These two saddles are quite different.
The Chiberta the rep sent you is a 4-10 3-5, unless I need new glasses. 4 is the region beside the withers and 3 is the region at the cantle. - a number means that that amount of foam has been removed from that region (in mm), + means it was added. The one from the rep has 10mm of foam removed surrounding the withers, tapering to 5mm removed at the back of the saddle. This saddle is suitable for a horse with a thick/flat topline and wide withers. I’m envisioning the back of a big broad German or Irish horse who is probably super comfortable to ride bareback.
The saddle you found is a 4+5 3-5. This saddle has 5mm of foam added around the wither area to fill in hollows and lift the saddle up off the withers. Compared to the one the rep suggested, it has 15mm more foam up front. If the one from the rep fits, this one is going to be way narrow around the withers and probably sit pommel high.
The human fit is also different. I can’t make out the flap code on the one from the rep. If it’s a 2AR that means standard length (2), forward (A), and the most forward point on the flap is oriented relatively higher ® which might suit a rider with longer calves than femurs. The one you found is an AA which is extra forward. Depending on your build you may or may not have a preference.
I was last in the saddle market a few years ago so things could have changed but my horse and I both take a bit of a glass slipper fit. My saddle is a Biarritz S, 4-5 3-10, 4AAB. They don’t exactly fall from the sky used. If the private seller pricing is more your budget, then once you figure out what your horse needs, I suggest thinking about logical trade offs you could make. An easy one might be seat size relative to flap- can you go up half an inch (will buy you a little more effective forwardness)? If you and your horse can take an 18” then you can find some tall guy’s used saddle and those are easier to find in a forward cut. Can you do a 2AA instead of the AR? Can you do a 3 (long) in either cut? (This will also help you find a tall guy saddle- which is what I did.) Can you find a 4-10 3-10 and put a 5mm shim under the back? Are you sold on a monoflap or could you do a Biarritz O? If you find a steal of a deal on the human configuration you need, how long will it take to send it to DVX for new panels, and is it still a steal when you do?
I found mine on Facebook Marketplace. The good news is that saddles with this kind of fit are so specific that they tend to be less expensive because the seller has probably had it in their basement for 6 months and no one wants it. The bad news is that when you deal with a private seller you may or may not have a trial. So take your time with the rep and really figure out what you both need. When I was talking to my rep about options I was forthright that I could not afford a new saddle and was looking for a needle in a haystack used, and that I was open to repaneling if we could find the human half of the equation. When you’re working with the rep you’re paying the premium for their expert advice on their product (which may or may not be expert advice on fitting you and your horse- you need to use your own noodle here) and the extended trial period for the saddle. An intermediate option is working with a high end consignment broker like Highline or Goldfinch. If you’re going to go fish on eBay and resale sites, you do need to be pretty confident you know what you’re looking for.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to answer this - you have helped me ALOT I was really struggling with comparing the two - I think I will go back to my usual local saddle fitter and research a few more brands and try a few more before I commit - you have really helped me to answer the question - I think this is why alot on ebay are so much cheaper as you really need to try them before you can commit and I dont have the time to be selling on again if its not right - you are a star thank you !
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