I have ridden in a hand full of French saddles (own two) and have owned and test ridden English/Argentinian saddles for comparison. There are so many differences. As mentioned above, the leather and craftsmanship cannot be compared; French saddles are heads and shoulders above the rest. Also balance. Granted you have to find the saddle that works for you particular conformation, but generally they put you in a better position and balance better on the horse. I would say they are a bit more fragile than some, but obviously grain leather will last longer than calfskin. I have a 1986 Butet; grain leather with calf seat and knee pads. The grain is so worn down you can hardly tell it’s grain any more. There is just very minor loose stitching at the bottom of the flap but otherwise in very good shape for it’s age. Also have a 2005 CWD (also grain with calf seat and knee pads); it has some flap wear and a split in the seat, but all other visible areas are perfect. It does not look like it was well taken care of before me, so I find it’s cosmetic flaws to be appropriate. If you take care of them, they’ll hold up just find. PS, I HATED my HDR. Most horrible ill fitting (for horse and rider) saddle I’ve ever sat in. May work for some, but I thought it was poorly made.
[QUOTE=skyfarmer;8511197]
I am a complete newbie to this forum, but have to throw in my two cents about French saddles. I have a medium-wide Philippe Fontaine that I just love. Having very little natural cushion in my derriere, the seat is oh so soft and cushy, and the leather is lovely. However, the saddle fitter said it is way too narrow for my new Thorobred. Who would have thought. So it is on consignment and I am looking for a replacement. I did try some HDRs at the trainers and compared to the PF, they are like sitting on a board. Any suggestions? Anyone?[/QUOTE]
I believe the Philippe Fontaine saddles are made by Stubben, so they are not actually French despite the name. It’s all marketing. 
If you like your PF, why not get another in a different width? Your fitter can work with you.
My CWD is grain with buffalo seat and knees - tough as nails and beautiful after 6 years. I might clean it once every two months and ride about 3-6 times/week.
I did find the French saddles to feel more…substantial without bulk (hard to explain). Many have standard panel configurations that are a good fit on the big warmbloods.
[QUOTE=Go Fish;5434589]
I should have mentioned that my DelGrange has the calf seat only.
I wouldn’t expect that a saddle made entirely of calf would hold up well.
I do ride in jeans so my DelGrange is starting to show some wear around the pommel after 10 years. But nothing really significant.
It IS fairly well cared for. Gets cleaned with gylcerin at least 3-4 times a week.[/QUOTE]
This. My trainer has a Delgrange (calf seat and knee rolls, rest is grain). It’s six years old and rides in it 6 days a week in jeans. It shows some where, but her Black Country she had before this fell apart by this point with the same usage.
I have two Delgranges, one is 6 years old, one is ??? old (and a PJ, not a Bruno). I only ride in breeches…although they do get ridden in jeans by my trainer. Both look very, very good for their age.
I will say that the full calf saddles I’ve been around, while very comfortable and sticky, have not held up as well.
Maybe the world has past me by, but would someone please explain to me what a “french” type/style close contact saddle is (versus what other style?)
The traditionally made ‘English’ saddle is built on a Birchwood laminated frame, with metal strapping and fixings. In spite of modern research and new technology, this is still the most versatile and robust foundation for producing saddles for modern day riders’ needs. It provides safety and security, whilst ensuring flexibility for the horse.
Whilst ‘close contact’ between horse and rider is very desirable from a rider’s perspective, the panel on a ‘close contact’ saddle is less effective at dispersing the rider’s weight over the contact patch on the horses back because of the location and amount of absorption material used in such saddles - all that nice, comfy, soft stuff. They are best used where the rider is only using the saddle for short periods, such as during a competition, when the flexibility and freedom of movement in the saddle can be helpful to the rider - unless weight distribution is not an issue e.g a show horse with a light weight rider.
When they were first introduced, by French saddlers, they were top-end competition saddles for SJ and XC, not general daily use.
The type of leather used in a saddle will affect durability but has little to do with ‘contact’ or lack thereof.
