Any update on what you think of these saddles?
I got mine Saturday and it is amazing! My vet actually came to the fitting and was thinking he might need a shim/thicker pad since he has some muscle atrophy we’re working on (was using with the demo), but he loved it and moved so well on the initial try with a thin pad that my vet gave 2 thumbs up.
It was also the first time I’ve ever sat in a saddle and just felt like it was made for me. My lower leg is so much more stable with the different stirrup bar setting and seat set up. I honestly think part of what my horse loved was where it put me, not just the fit on him. Every time I need to buy a saddle I always swear I don’t want to go custom order because I’ve been disappointed and I hear other horror stories, but I am so glad I did this! Leather is also impeccable quality and I actually thought significantly nicer than the demos I had tried.
These photos don’t do it justice. I promise a better photo shoot in the future.
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that’s STUNNING! 
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Oe wow that castle decoration is spiffy. Could I possibly bug you for pics of the stirrup bar ? I am ordering a jump saddle and they are ready to start leaking it but they messaged with with questions about “do I understand about the position of adjustable stirrup bar?”
I saw their adjustable stirrup bar on a dressage saddle. No way in hell I would trust it jumping. Even taking the stirrups off, it moved. Not much for a locking position.
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I was intrigued, having been trying hard to find a saddle for my new horse. I wasn’t fond of the pad arrangement, since I change pads after every ride (and I admit, I’m sort of a “pad collector” 
), but I still decided to look into it further. Got the kit, did the measurements, and then I got the contract. While “try for only $95” sounds awesome, it wasn’t until I got into the contract that I realized there would also be a $500 hold on my card. While I definitely understand the need for that, it should have been disclosed upfront, rather than right before I was ready to pull the trigger. I had some very good email conversations answering my questions, and that was much appreciated. What finally turned me off the rest of the way was the list of pros using their saddles. I know a few of them, and none of those are riding in or using the saddles. I checked a few others, and no photos showed riders in these except for one. At that point, even though it is an interesting concept, I just didn’t feel comfortable pursuing it. Fortunately, I’ve found a saddle that is working for us. I’m glad for those who are enjoying the saddles…it just wasn’t a good fit for me.
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Yes I can take one when I’m back out at the barn! I only got one test ride in the adjustable stirrup bar before ordering since those demos are in short supply but I’m so glad I did it. I’m riding on spot 3 of 4 and no issues with slipping or anything with stirrup adjustments and my leg actually feels under me for the first time since I had my kid in 2020. Personally I think slippage would be an issue, but perhaps if someone was jumping really big.
Definitely make the decision that’s best for you and your horse. Saddle shopping is so individual. Personally I was turned off by some of the big trendy brands because some of the reps just wanted to sell me a saddle no matter what my horse said about it. And for one in particular, I pointed out my horse didn’t like one model and they told me “he just wouldn’t pick up the canter because he had to poop.” Like sure dude, you know more about my horse after watching him for 20 minutes than me owning and riding him 2.5 years… 
one of my barn mates did order from him and the saddle doesn’t remotely fit the horse even after being sent back for tree adjustments. I think the best advice I’ve ever gotten on COTH is to order from the rep you like and trust most because you will be dependent on them for the life of that saddle. Good luck in your search! Maybe check out Aviar if you’re wanting a less traditional ride, that’s popular with pros?
Regarding pro riders, they usually have contracts from their sponsors about how often they need to ride in them, post about them and using them in competition as part of the sponsorship. Frankly I think what you see them ride in has more to do with which brands have deep pockets rather than what the rider’s actual favorite thing is. I also really dislike the kickbacks trainers get when their clients buy and I think that whole system lands a lot of horses in bad fitting saddles.
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Yep, I dislike the whole sponsored trainer thing, where they tend to insist that everybody in their barn ride in that brand because it pays for the trainer’s saddle collection. I tend to go toward independent fitters as well. Some of the riders mentioned don’t even own an EQ, and the ones I know ride in what they like and are sponsored/promoting a brand because they like and prefer the saddles.
I looked at Aviar a few weeks ago when I saw some at a show. Not rider comfy if you’re looking for cushy, but the horses seem to like it and do well. Oddly, I ended up with a saddle that wasn’t even on my long list, because even though I know it was many years ago, when I hear Bates my brain automatically rewinds to the original Wintecs that were blue and red and looks ratty in a matter of months. LOL! Hard to shake those old thoughts. I ended up trying and buying the new Bates Artiste, which totally surprised me because my brain was set to “nope, not buying a Wintec”. LOL
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I’m glad you found the right saddle! I also found the Aviars too tough on my butt, but my horse liked it.
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I found the Aviar Rook was like riding a brick, but I now have an Aviar Sparrow that is a lot more comfortable! The Sparrow has a little more open seat than the Rook (which works better for my not-a-stick figure), but I find that it is softer as well.
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@rfath - I’m intrigued by these! I really enjoy riding bareback and often will if I am just taking a leisurely stroll on the trails. I think it’s a combo of feeling like a kid and having a closer connection with my horse.
How are these for barrel shaped horses like Fjords? I’m currently riding in a Wintec wide AP and was originally thinking we would upgrade to a hoop tree at some point in the future. If these would offer the flexibility for a decent fit for us, I would definitely consider one.
Thanks for this feedback. It’s important to be upfront with charges and security holds, and we’ve internally made sure that we are better about communicating these charges so they’re not a surprise.
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We’ve had a number of ermm… ‘sausage-shaped’ horses and ponies go well in the system. Our current trees have an open head as well. Like with any brand, it’s hard to say for sure until you try it and see what your horse (and you!) thinks, because horses.
Sausage shaped 
Awesome, thanks for info!!
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… ask me about sausages and my draft cross mare. She’s 29 now and I’m just seeing her withers for the first time as she’s aging.
Happy to answer any questions you might have!
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Just wanted to circle back on a few things mentioned above while I’m (possibly obsessively) tracking my saddle, which is delayed and I might have chewed off all my fingernails!
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By design, the adjustable stirrup bar will not move front-to-back. It does flip up easily, which is easily addressed with a hex screw.
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The $500 hold is a minimal security procedure: in 20+ years of loaning out saddles, we’ve never (ever) charged anyone for being late, or for doing damage. Our customers have been a trustworthy bunch! (and you’re still right that we should make that policy clear!)
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All of the riders on our list own and ride in our saddles. If there’s any doubt, we would appreciate hearing the name(s) and having the opportunity to address.
If anyone is ever in the MA/RI/NH area, I’m always happy to meet up so you can check out a saddle in person. I’m also happy to connect by email, text, video, etc.
I was the biggest skeptic at first. I think I first contacted the company in 2009, ghosted them a few times, and didn’t commit until 2018, and even then only with a used saddle. I started working with the company because I do believe that their product is a fine one - not perfect, of course, and we’re always looking for feedback to improve.
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I have the adjustable bars too - I ride on the farthest back position. I don’t think that slipping would be an issue either, but then again if it did slip it could only move a couple inches? Not sure if that would be a showstopper.
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I am one with a hard to fit horse who grew out of his custom made saddle and decided to try the EQ after riding in a trainer’s. The saddle I got on trial was not a fit for either of us and was sent back after 2 very short rides. The $500 deposit is only done as an authorization, so the money never actually comes out of your account, unless of course, you don’t return the saddle, so that was not a big deal. The customer service is top notch and the virtual fitting was a very good bonus.
A barn I ride at carries several models, so I’ve had the opportunity to ride in at least 3 different models. I cannot lie, my horse goes lovely in these saddles, but I do not. Or at least in the 4 I’ve tried. My position has never felt stable or balanced in these saddles. I’m not a fabulous rider, but I can ride bareback almost better than I do in a saddle with no problem and even sit the occasional spook. Like Unfforgettable, I am another with quite the saddle pad collection and I love them. 2nd, I just don’t like the webber type stirrup leathers, and it doesn’t seem like regular leathers would play well with these?
I do not say this to diminish anyone else’s decision to purchase this saddle. I have a friend that had to fit an impossibly wide XXXW cob, and this was the only saddle company that could do it for her. If you like it, I love it for you and your horse and am glad anyone who has purchased one is happy.
However… the analyst in me cannot justify the cost of these saddles for myself. $6k plus and everything is extra. And maybe I’m looking at this wrong, but it’s a tree wrapped in leather and padding to make the seat and blocks. The rest is the foam type panels (or whatever they’re made of) and velcro cups that go on the bottom. The detachable panels needed for showing that come with it are like a vinyl type material? Although I know someone that paid extra to have them made with leather. It seems like half the craftsmanship and work that goes into making other traditional saddles, yet the same if not more, price wise. And yes, I get it, there’s a cost for the technology, right? Fair enough.
In the end, I found a beautiful, impeccably well made 2nd hand Patrick Saddlery Leggero that met all of the specs I was searching for to fit my horse. It fits both of us beautifully, and he goes just as well in his new Leggero as he did in the EQ saddles. The bonus is, I ride better in it than any saddle I’ve ever sat in and I saved $3k in the process. 
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Good to know that the stirrup bars could be locked down! It was just a quick look and it was loose.
