If so what did you think, and does it fit flatter backs or curvier backs better? My DD needs a saddle for her youngster who is getting broke. I of course recommended the Thorowgood/Kent and Masters low profile because I love their products, however the trainer put a wintec endurance they had at the barn and it fit him like a glove. I do remember reading that Wintec saddles had rather flat trees, so they might suit him quite well. Since Arena is another offshoot of Wintec/Bates I thought their trees might be similar.
I looked up this saddle and it appears to have good press from the few detailed reports I read. There are few “stocking dealers” in the U.S. it seems so you’re likely going to have to “buy on line” and that carries a measure of risk. If it doesn’t work shipping a saddle back is a bit pricey.
Another consideration is a young horse is going to change conformation as they grow. We don’t know the age of the horse you’re trying to fit, but a saddle that fits perfectly on a 4 year old might be a blister rig on that same horse when they are a 8 years old. That being the case, I’d go with a good, used saddle that fits horse and rider and then, when the horse is fully mature, spring for a new one that fits horse and rider.
Regarding Arena, it’s a relatively new brand and waiting means you won’t be a “pioneer.”* So I’d do the used thing, let the Arena folks build a solid reputation (one way or the other) and then spend some real money when the horse is fully mature.
Good luck in your decision.
G.
*Definition of a “pioneer”: It’s the guy at head of the column with all the arrows in his back. 
1 Like
I saw them at Dover and they looked like a Bates with lower quality leather. They did seem quite nice for the price point!
FYI - Both Dover & SmartPak sell them. Dover has a few used ones available and SmartPak has free returns if it doesn’t fit.
https://www.doversaddlery.com/search.aspx?w=Arena%20saddle
I’ll add one more suggestion - Smith Worthington put their demo saddles online and the trees are adjustable at the factory. They worked well on my Arab, starting at age four, including multiple adjustments as he grew.
https://www.smithworthington.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=122&pg=1
Good luck!
1 Like
Thank you for the comments. G horse is 4 now, I know he will change like crazy, that is part of why I am considering the interchangeable tree saddles. DD strongly prefers real leather over synthetic. I would love to find him a used one, but all the local tack shops have closed, and finding a flat tree, with short panels and 18 in seat is going to be a challenge. We hit the local used store and found an Albion for a steal, it has a “changeable head” . tree shape fit perfect, seat fit my DD perfect, but it was going to cost $865 to have fitter come change tree head. On top of 1100 purchase. Nope. don’t have that much. I suspect we will be ordering and mailing almost anything, unless we get real lucky locally.
DD long term plans to get a really nice saddle when he is fairly stable in his shape, like 6 to 8 ish. She is hoping to find one now that will be nice enough that she can enjoy it but not be crazy expensive until then. I was hoping the Arena’s would be very similar to Wintec but covered in leather, Wintec Pro is 940 new now, Arena is 1299 new but leather. Not much more to get leather. As compared to the jump to Bates, cheapest one is 2000.
I hate saddle shopping, especially when it is for someone else!
Used Stubbens are ubiquitous, are of good quality new, and that quality stands the test of time if properly cared for. I don’t sell them but have ridden them since before 2000. They are a good way to start.
Best of luck as you go forward!
G.
G aren’t subverts best suited to a curvy ball?
Ok I meant stubbed and curvy back? This guy is wide and flat.
