English saddle suggestions for pleasure/trail?

[Proffie]

I have a 13 year old OTTB that I bought 8 years ago, thinking we’d be doing jumping and dressage shows. Over the years, my life circumstances changed, and he had some underlying back/SI issues surface, so our goals have morphed :). I board at a barn that backs up to a forest preserve, so we do about a 45 minute trail ride 3x a week, and a flat school in the arena 1-2x a week.

I currently ride him in a Wintec CC with the medium-wide gullet plate that fits him very well. Same saddle I’ve always had for him. But I have 2 issues with it. One, my vet checked the fit and said even though it fits him well, the way CC saddles are built, they put pressure on a very small area of his back – not the best for him. Also, because we do a lot of trails with uneven terrain, it’s not very comfortable for ME.

I would like to buy something that’s better suited for what we’re doing, but I have no idea where to start! I want to stay in an English style saddle, but beyond that, I’m open to suggestions. Ideally, I would want something that’s in the $1500 range. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[kashmere]

An older English made saddle - like a County or a Lovatt and Ricketts would likely be very comfy. I have an old L&R that is a forward sear A/P, and I love that thing with all my heart. Could ride in it for hours and hours - and horses are very comfortable in it as well.

Obviously, depends on the shape of your horse - those tree shapes may not work for you, but it could be a good starting point.

[kcmel]

Find a Black Country AP. They are so comfy. I have the Wexford which is technically an AP but with more forward flaps for jumping. You can find models with straighter flaps though, and those are usually cheaper.

ETA: Brand new one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Black-Country-BCS-Event-AP-English-Saddle-Fittings-18-Medium-BLACK-/131765138654?hash=item1eadd074de:g:HKUAAOSwI3RW-WZp

[Nezzy]

i love my Wintec 2000 AP. I got it in Brown. Then my hubby needed a new saddle and he also got one. They are grippy, so not the old style wintecs where they are a bit slippery. Comfy for me, everyone who has borrowed it likes it, and comfy for my horses, they have ears up most of the time. I ride the trails in a state park. 3 hours is my typical limit.

[GallopHer]

I’m also a fan of Wintec 2000 AP. Because of hip pain, I switched from a Western saddle to an English saddle 6 years ago. Now that I’ve had my hip replaced, I can use both saddles - but I find that I much prefer my Wintec.

[irish_horse]

Second the Lovett and Ricketts suggestion. I have a dressage trail version, Solstice, the Rubicon is also nice. I bought mine used for under your price point. Before this I had a wintec 2000 and a wintec dressage, both good saddles but longer miles got uncomfortable. I use the Solstice for extensive trail riding and endurance too, secure, comfy for horse and rider. I find the longer leg on the dressage saddle is more comfortable for me for miles in the saddle. Good luck!

[FatCatFarm]

I have a Wintec Pro Stock that I trail ride in, and also ride green horses in, because the thigh polies offer a lot of security for staying in the seat. Also, it has more elongated panels like an endurance saddle, to help distribute the weight more. It’s made of equisuede which is very grippy and easy to clean. I’ve had it on multiple horses and ride in it with a thick sheeps wool contoured pad (Toklat Australian Woolback pad), and it’s done great.

[Nezzy]

one thing i did with my Wintec 2000 is change the english stirrups for EZride stirrups. helped my knees a ton.

[x]

Check out Ideal Saddlery in England. I think they have US distributors; their saddles are made for comfort for both the horse and rider for long hours in the saddle. http://www.idealsaddle.com/

[demidq]

I like the Wintec Isabella dressage saddle for trails as well as dressage work. It is very grippy (equisuede) and the Cair panels seem to suit a lot of different shapes. You can find them used fairly often.

[Scribbler]

A dressage saddle might have a larger area of contact, and be more comfortable to ride in, more of a long straight leg like a western saddle. But maybe less easy to post in.

[stb]

I have one of the fanciest trail saddles ever - my Custom dressage saddle. Way overkill for riding the trails, but so, so comfortable for both me and my horse. I like the straighter leg position for trail riding and the blocks and buffalo leather make for a super secure seat, just in case we run across any trail monsters. A used dressage saddle makes a great trail saddle.

[no.stirrups]

The Black Country Wexford would be a great choice, but they also make endurance saddles. The Celeste is built on the same GP tree as the Wexford, and the Equinox is built on a dressage tree. Frank Baines also makes an endurance sasddle on a dressage tree, the Enduro. The flaps on the endurance saddles are more forward than on a dressage model, so you could pop over a small jump, panels are broader to disperse the pressure for your horse making it more comfortable for long hours on the trail, plus extra D-rings all over.

[RubyTuesday]

I like the Albion Platinum Genesis for security on trails, or a Albion Legend A/P Ultima for trails with jumps.

[OveroHunter]

I recently was given an older (1980s-ish) Stubben Parzival Dressage saddle to long term borrow from an old friend who got out of riding years ago. I didn’t know much about the saddle at the time, but apparently Parzival is actually the type of leather and there are Parzival AP, CC, and Dressage saddles…

Anyway, the thing is so.freaking.comfortable! It’s definitely different looking because it is a light tan color with short billets unlike most dressage saddles, but I could sit in it all day. I’m 5.5 months pregnant right now so I ride in it exclusively, but I don’t imagine going back to my western saddle or Black Country Ricochet any time soon after giving birth. I’m in love with this thing.

Here’s my fat pasture puff rocking the saddle a couple of weeks ago https://scontent.fden3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/12439197_10105387742507670_4198249445939901716_n.jpg?oh=579f9d886632cc8e5a7e43687c08e648&oe=57AF9962

We had to put the poor guy in a dry lot because of how fat he was getting. I think he hates me right now!

[Mukluk]

I had a Barnsby Omega all purpose that I referred to as “the barcalounger” as it was so comfortable. It had a big knee roll which I think many would like for trail riding.

[chaserider]

I agree with the posters who recommended dressage saddles. I used to use my instructor’s County Competitor for long trail rides and found it very comfy. I think the deeper seat and straighter legs helps.

[Salty]

I also recommend a good quality used dressage saddle. I use a County WB on my appendix QH. It fits him, it fits me, it’s super comfy & I appreciate the deep seat & blocks for the serious mountains. I don’t have a problem posting or doing 2 point in it, either.

[tempi2007]

An Ainsley AP Saddle would be a good one, and would be well under your 1500 budget. I think they are no longer distributed in the US, but they are English made and of good quality. Plenty of used ones available.
If you have a 2000 budget, a used Frank Baines Enduro is a great saddle. They seem to run from 1800 to 2100 used.
Others to consider that have broader panels for a larger bearing surface are Albion GP, a nicer (as in older) Collegiate Event saddles, County Event.

[lolalola]

Find an old Stubben like a Siegfried or Imperator. They’re comfortable and fit most horses.