Does anyone have a Dominus saddle they’d like to tell me about? I’m selling my Hermes and I was offered a trade for a Dominus - I’ve heard they’re great but I do want to make sure Hermes and Dominus are equivalent, I wouldn’t want to trade an $1800 saddle for a $600 one! I just want to know more about the brand; I know it’s designed by Peter Menet of Amerigo but that’s about it. Are they calfskin? What do they sell for? Any help is very much appreciated!
Be sure that the saddle you’re being offered is one of the older, well-made saddles, not the newer ones from just before the Dominus company disappeared and became Vega. I have had two of the older ones, and had no problem selling either when the time came as they were well made and well balanced. The newer ones are not of the same quality.
All are foam flocked, if that is something that is important to you. The older of my two did squish down quite a bit and the panels got pretty firm, while the newer one maintained a bit more cushion.
Neither of mine were calf skin (I think one maybe had buffalo flaps?), but were of good quality, durable leather that broke in beautifully with good care. The third Dominus in the barn is either a different type of leather, or has been cared for very differently - it has remained stiff and plasticky-feeling (a lot of this woman’s tack stays this way though, so I don’t know if it is what she buys or how she cares for it).
As far as pricing goes, I don’t feel that they are $1800 saddles. Mine sold for about $600 and $400 used (Canadian), both in very good, useful condition. If you’re being offered a new saddle, I would not pay $1800 for it based on the brand’s decline, and if it is a used saddle, I also doubt that it is worth that much, even if it is an older one.
I hope this helps a bit. I really, really liked my Dominus saddles, but when I upgraded to an Amerigo and a Voltaire, it was a world of difference.
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Thanks so much for the useful info! I’ve heard that the older Dominus saddles are great quality and this one is definitely older but I don’t think it’s the same quality as an Hermes. I think I’m going to decline the trade offer since it’s most likely not calfskin/buffalo and mine is a combination of both. Thanks again!
