Hello,
I am in the market for a new jump saddle I was looking at some Pessoas and Toulouse. There are a ton of used Toulouse on the market. I was wondering if anyone has any reviews on a Touluse saddle as there are so many for sale? Do they put your leg in an awkward position? Is the quality not good? Just trying to figure out why so many people are selling those when I see far less comparable Pessoas for sale. Thanks!
I’d pass on the Toulouse - they’re all on the market for a reason: people buy them for the price point but they’re not as good quality saddles as other saddles within that same price bracket. They have a lot of quality control issues (uneven panels, twisted trees, etc) that can really hurt a horse if you are not careful. In my social circle it’s been nothing but bad luck with Toulouse – and when I worked at a tack store that sold them, they were almost always returned.
Pessoa is better for your money.
Although, I think if you know your horse’s measurements and what type of seat/style you prefer, it’s hard to go wrong with an Ainsley Chester or Ainsley Pro - same price range (maybe cheaper) but much better quality. Stubben Roxane and Stubben Siegfried are also great for the lower levels.
I agree with beowulf. And my personal experience with (thankfully someone else’s) MT was that it rubbed the sides of my butt, something that has never happened to before or since in many years of riding in many saddles that only marginally fit me.
I don’t know what your price range is, but if you were looking at new MTs I would look for a better quality used saddle instead.
Thanks! I was thinking it was something along those lines! Y budget is around $1,200 or less so the used Pessoas and Toulouse were both within that price point.
For that price point, you can not beat Thorowgood or Kent and Masters saddles.
If it fits your horse and you like it, go for it.
Toulouse Legano- loved it! Has a good cutback at the pommel which helped with my mare with shark fin withers. Locked my leg in place. Sold it because it didn’t fit my mare perfectly and I was in search for the perfect fit.
Toulouse monoflap- NO.
Toulouse annice- there are varying degrees of quality of this saddle. I would say see it up in person before purchase. I have one that has lasted forever although the seat has gotten very beaten up.
Pessoa legacy - it fit my new mare and it came with the gullet exchange. But it pitched me forward and I hated that.
My friend rides in an Ovation San Diego and loves it ! That comes with an easy gullet change too if I can remember.
Dover Circuit came out with a monoflap that I’m dying to see (hopefully this week!), that fair priced at $1000 range.
You can sometimes find a great prices high end saddle that just needs repairs. I bought an Antares that I have currently for sale that just needs seat repairs and it’s very fairly priced ($1100) and I’m currently on the hunt for used Antares Spooner because the rep said it fit her better than what she is in !!
I love saddles. I buy and sell a lot because they are soooo central to riding. A great saddle can make the rider honestly. I have ridden in saddles that put me off balance and instead of working with the horse, I am fighting myself . Changing to something that works for me helped immensely. So ride in everything and never be afraid to try something others might hate because YOU might love it.
you can also find a used Prestige in that price range–the trees can be made wider or narrower by 2cm either way. I love my Prestige Event saddle.
Avoid Toulouse and Santa Cruz, made on the same tree. The trees can’t handle jumping and will break. My Santa Cruz broke. I asked my saddle fitter why, he said these two specific brands can’t handle the weight.
I am a huge fan of Prestige, you can find used for a great price, and even brand new they don’t break the bank.
There are an insane amount of brands out there, and you can get higher end older brands for a good price used. Amerigo is a great brand as well. Their customer service is insanely amazing, even when looking for used!
I just bought a new Ovation San Diego for my 3yr old Haffie. It is gorgeous, comfortable, and fits my horse perfectly!
I have a Dover Circut Elite and really like it. I do low level eventing and have ridden a lot of squirrley babies in it and have always felt secure. I believe you can get them for about $800 used. I was lucky and got mine for $650 because it had some minor cosmetic damage, so it is possible to find them for cheaper. Sometimes they’re on sale from Dover for $1k new.
I tried a Toulouse once and absolutely hated it. It was stiff and I couldn’t for the life of me keep my leg from swinging around. It pinched in all the wrong places. Seriously I would stay away from them at all costs.
I just bought an Ovation Lugano and liked it better than it’s $2500 Pessoa cousins! I’m actually selling it simply because I got a great deal on a County! But it’s a nice saddle!
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