Do they really offer shoulder freedom? Can they be made for a short, wide back with a small wither and a flap angled more forward for a rider with a long thigh? is it possible to find such a saddle used or would I need to order one? They are just so expensive. Have also had very bad experiences with saddles that was supposed to be “custom”.
No and no. Had a full custom mono flap. Very comfy for me ,made horse miserable. Disaster all around. Too flexible in tree for his big swinging movement. On my Friesian stallion not a prob. On any of my WBs disaster. Can’t deal with that much random chance and no in US customer service.
No saddle works for every horse but in my experience they really do. The difference when I moved from a Black Country saddle to a Hennig was noticeable, particularly in transitions. There are a few places that have a good selection of used Hennigs out there so you might be able to find something that will work for both of you. If you buy used, you can try it to see what you and your horse thinks- just may take some time to find the one that will work for you. Fine Used Saddles usually have a good selection. http://www.fine-used-saddles.com/catalog.htm?Vl=23&Tp=2
yes they do…but it’s the old style ones you need to try. My horse loves this really old Hennig I am borrowing from my trainer. It’s an 18+ seat (I am 5’5 125 with a long thigh). I also love it. I have tried other models and they tend to bee too deep or not angled or not cut back enough. If anyone has one of the old models for sale try it out.
You just have to find one that was custom made for a horse and rider similar to you. I managed to find a used Hennig that fit my horse that nothing else seemed to fit. It was used and likely custom made for a similarly odd horse. 
Somewhat low withered, wide, with a huge laid back shoulder. Nothing else “sat” on her–everything “perched”. The cutback shoulder is great for her. That being said–we have put it on a variety of horses and it fits all of them (a Percheron/KPWN cross, an Andalusian, and a Holsteiner). They range from 15.1 to 18 hands with withers and backs that couldn’t be more different. And my horse is a Trak/Tb cross.
For me–I don’t have long thighs, but wanted a short flap that let me have a bit of a bend in the knee. My flaps are 15.5 inches long and it has this external thigh block that doesn’t get in my way at all. It’s also a monoflap. 17" inch seat.
I have seen Hennigs with a more forward flap, longer flap and the freedom shoulder. If you are looking for used, it may take longer, but they are out there. Skylands Saddlery and Fine Used Saddles have a lot of used Hennigs.
[QUOTE=Maude;7423069]
Do they really offer shoulder freedom? Can they be made for a short, wide back with a small wither and a flap angled more forward for a rider with a long thigh? is it possible to find such a saddle used or would I need to order one? They are just so expensive. Have also had very bad experiences with saddles that was supposed to be “custom”.[/QUOTE]
Hobson’s Choice - not so much left in Hennig now, but still a great collection of used dressage :yes:
I would look at verhans. Top quality saddles and “Owner”, who modifies saddles to fit, lives in Central Florida.’ Ocala 4 Sale’, and other web sites, may have some used, trees can be modified to fit a variety of horses. You can someintes luck aout and find VERY good deals on them (run around $4-5K new), saw a used saddle that appeared new a couple of years ago for $2K.
Bought mine in 04. I love it. It fits every one of my horses. The most comfortable saddle I have ever had. A lot more freedom in the shoulder. One of my so so horses became a much better mover.
redhorse and slp2, you have what I want! If anyone has one for sale let me know!
Slp2, your saddle sounds like something that would work. The saddle I am currently using has a shorter flap (it was made for a shorter person) and allows for a bend in my knee. It is not so short that I catch the top of my boot though. My mare needs points that angle back, then accomodate her shoulder. I tried a used Lazer years ago but there is too much rear gusset and the panels are too long. The points seems right for her though. She also needs rails that are flatter rather than angled.
Maude: My Hennig is a 2007 Sofa Monoflap with “Freedom Shoulder” and an external knee block. It probably would work for your horse because my horse has a very short back (15" of useable real estate!) with a really large shoulder. Wide with low withers. Fits her perfectly.
I bought it used from Skylands Saddlery (they have a lot of used Hennigs) and Fine Used Saddles has a good selection too. I remember seeing one for sale (on FUS) recently that had a “forward flap” on it. The typical flap length is 16.5" but sometimes you will find one that has longer ones–17" inches or longer. You need to look for one that has what they call the “Freedom Shoulder” which are cut back more dramatically in the shoulder area.
I have a nice used Hennig for sale - it is a narrow tree/gusset, 18" seat with long external knee blocks. PM me if you want to try it.
My good friend lost her big dutch warmblood last fall. She has a 2005 Hennig Sofa (no exposed knee block) in awesome condition for sale. Seat measures between 17.5 and 18. It’s on trial currently, but PM me if interested.
I used to ride in a Hennig and thought I loved it. One day trailered to my trainers for a lesson and forgot my saddle so used hers instead. She had a Savoie Flextra. WOW, is all I could say! What a difference. Got home that night and posted my Hennig for sale and found a Flextra on Ebay.
It very well might be the right saddle for you and your horse. The problem is many of them are custom so there is a HUGE viability between the saddles. I would try to ride in as many, many saddles as possible to find what is right for you and your horse. And even once you find what you think is right, still keep trying different saddles if the opportunity arises…that is how I found the Flextra:)
I need one with a wide channel…m/w tree. If this matches one anybody has for sale drop me a note. I have one that just arrived to try out first.
There are some nice hennigs on ebay as well.
IMO, the “shoulder freedom” panel modification they offer does absolutely zero. The long points that most of these saddles seem to have make them ok for the withery horses, but not so great for lower and/or broader withers. For horses with that conformation, shorter points will allow the shoulder to rotate below the points rather than banging into them.
Hi Kitt! On the topic of shoulder freedom—could you provide some dressage saddle brands/models that offer the short tree point? Also–is it helpful (for shoulder freedom) if they say the tree points are swept back? Have you seen the new-ish shoulder freedom system advertised by Prestige? I was wondering if that is hype or truly offers more shoulder freedom.
[QUOTE=Kitt;7430860]
IMO, the “shoulder freedom” panel modification they offer does absolutely zero. The long points that most of these saddles seem to have make them ok for the withery horses, but not so great for lower and/or broader withers. For horses with that conformation, shorter points will allow the shoulder to rotate below the points rather than banging into them.[/QUOTE]
Hennig will forge 5 different lenghts of gullet plates: Short, normal, middle, long and extra-long.
Mine is normal and it is not really long.
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