Frank Baines VS Black country

[Arlomine]

Looking for a saddle for cross training my dressage horses. Both are close to 17 hands, with nicely muscled backs that are more straight than curved, and share the same Custom Saddlery Dressage saddle (a miracle).
I am 5’ 1”, about 110 pounds.
I have a little Voltaire that worked well on my large pony, but does not provide enough of a landing pad area/sweet spot for these guys. Plus I want a wool flocked Saddle.

I’d love to hear others opinions comparing these two brands, since I have zeroed in on them. I have a narrow pelvis so I like a narrower twist, but not at the Horse’s expense, Which is something I am concerned about with the French saddles.

Pictures for tax and to prove that Lusitanos

can actually jump
Sometimes over just a pole on the ground!

[islgrl]

I have owned a Frank Baines. really liked it, held up well, very comfortable. The twist wasn’t super wide.

[BraveSC]

You will find quite a few BC enthusiasts here. I have a BC Ricochet jump for almost 10 years and it has fit a variety of horses and it the best saddle I’ve ever had for jumping. I am also short so ordered the petite flaps. The twist is not wide either so give one a try if you can!

[FitToBeTied]

I have a black country vinici solare that I both event and foxhunt in. My horse is a 16.2 hand 1350 lb TB with really big shoulders. The saddle works great!

[JB]

I rode in a “Frank Baines” which was actually a Balance saddle but they’re made by FB, and LOVED it. Even though it was a size too big for me (but hey, my horse loved it, so that’s cool) and it was super comfy. I’d bought it used, and it was in excellent condition.

I also test rode a couple of BC saddles and finally bought one for that same horse. Unfortunately it arrived the day after he’d injured himself (again) and since I couldn’t do my trial in that before deciding to actually keep it, I had to send it back. BUT, it was comfy as heck

I will say that both saddles were for a w i d e horse - 39cm Prestige if that gives context. The Balance was wiiiide, and the BC was a Quantum (cc) X (hoop style) in an XW. Meaning, the twist was wider than “normal”. But even for my conformation - 5’5", 120-125lb, not terribly wide hip but not boy hips either, it wasn’t a problem.

Both are very nice brands.

[quietann]

I’ve had both and both are good. The Frank Baines company may have been sold in the last few years, though.

Black Country did a semi-custom saddle for me a few years ago. Like you I am very short, and was able to select flap length (15 inches - on a dressage saddle!), forward flap, and a suitable tree and panels for my horse at no extra cost. My horse is a “pear shape” - wide flat back, narrow chest - and their Kay tree suited her well.

[SunnyCideBay]

I jump in a BC Quantum and have a BC Vinici monoflap for dressage. I absolutely love both of them and they’ve held up very well.

[PopPopcorn]

I tried a BC Quantum for my Azteca and loved it! Then he retired and that was the end of that saddle. FB are too wide for my liking in the twist/seat.

You may want to look into a Bliss/Loxley, I had great luck with one on a table backed horse and the seat was great!

[endlessclimb]

I have a BC - it doesn’t have a model because I combined two. It’s the Dante seat and twist, with the Wexford flaps and panels.

I hope I can make it fit my horses forever, because I love it.

[AMWookey]

Mine is also a combo one, I didn’t make it, so I don’t remember what it is, but it’s my miracle saddle. I love it so much and will never sell it. It’s a hair too wide for my current mare, so I ride in a stubben, but I absolutely adore the BC and would lean towards it over a stubben in some aspects.

[sheltona01]

Frank Baines has not been sold. Gary Baines and Victoria Coleman are the son and daughter of Frank and run the business. Frank is enjoying a well deserved retirement.

[Bensmom]

@sheltona01

Frank Baines has not been sold. Gary Baines and Victoria Coleman are the son and daughter of Frank and run the business. Frank is enjoying a well deserved retirement

So glad to hear this! I spent several hours with Frank at Kentucky years ago and he’s talented and dedicated to his craft. I met Victoria as well on that trip and have dealt with them both over the years. I have three Baines saddles at the moment and have been pleased with them all on some differently shaped horses. I’m riding my current boy in two 20+ year old Albions, because they work for him and me. But if I were in a position to buy new, I’d have another two Baines in a heartbeat.

Fwiw, I also have a 20 year old black country which is fine. It has not held up nearly as well as the Albions and I’ve had to have new flaps made for it.

For the quality that you get with their products, Baines saddles are underpriced and very worth it!

[MadTrotter]

What did the semi-custom run you, if you don’t mind sharing? I have a Ricochet and a Wexford, I love them both enough I’d like to get something from BC done in a different flap style and long billets.

OP, BC saddles have fit my horses, a Trakhener and an Irish Draught, really well with just some reflocking. They both feature big shoulders, prominent withers, and flat backs.

[quietann]

This was 8 or 9 years ago and it was around $4000 - but I had an extra customization bit done that was not on their regular list, which cost about $500 extra.

The other thing I loved about this saddle that I love is that I rode 4 or 5 different horses in it - all Morgans - and with appropriate padding, it fit them all.

[beowulf]

I was so impressed with the one used BC I got, I somehow ended up with two more. Shout out to Patty Merli, who did what some four other saddle fitters couldn’t do and found a saddle that fit my horse.

I did custom (BC Vinici, template tree) in 2020 and it was $5300 after shipping and tax. An eyewatering amount for me but every time I pick up that saddle my first thought is how much I love that saddle and how well it fits my horse. Worth the price tag five times over.

[FitToBeTied]

@beowulf

Shout out to Patty Merli,

She is excellent. did a great job fitting my horse. With customization it was a little over 5K but I love that saddle.

[AMWookey]

She is honestly the best fitter I have ever had work on my saddles.

[quietann]

Patti did a fabulous fitting for us based on photos during the pandemic.

[Amy3996]

Another BC loyalist here. I’ve had a couple of tricky to fit horses and I’ve come back to a Ricochet every time. The shape and balance suit me really well, and my horses are happy and comfortable.

I went through Patty Merli as well. She’s a wealth of knowledge and experience, and made the trial and purchase process a breeze. Highly recommend.

[BraveSC]

Patty is a very close friend of mine (and PeepyCats too!) and I share all the sentiments above. OP, if you decided to go the BC route, she would be who I (and others) suggest!