I never said ANYTHING about whether K&M made right on the bad leather. All I said was I saw some bad ones, and they looked baaaaaaaaaaaaaad, and it would make me gunshy about ordering unless I could see the saddle with my own eyes before plunking down the cash. That’s all.
Trumbull mountain got back to me, they think we are good canidates for the cob saddles. Problem is is that they don’t have any of the Thorowgood saddles in stock currently and have a wait list for them (for some reason). They have the KM in stock, but even their demo condition one is more expensive than most places have them for new. I feel bad asking information of them and then running off to another place to actually demo/buy the saddle.
[QUOTE=Skyedragon;7074940]
Trumbull mountain got back to me, they think we are good canidates for the cob saddles. Problem is is that they don’t have any of the Thorowgood saddles in stock currently and have a wait list for them (for some reason). They have the KM in stock, but even their demo condition one is more expensive than most places have them for new. I feel bad asking information of them and then running off to another place to actually demo/buy the saddle.[/QUOTE]
Have you asked if they would match the price? Sell you the demo for the price you saw elsewhere? If the demo was in good shape, I’d take that bird in the hand over ordering one!!!
Two things, OP:
re: Trumbull … These folks are awesome and know a ton about how different brands of saddles fit. They didn’t have anything to fit my horse at the time, but I would highly recommend working with them if you can. They are very nice and know their stuff.
re: high-end saddles … I have two saddles. One is a Thornhill Germania dressage saddle, which is on the low end of the price scale and I got it used. Nice saddle that fits me extremely well and also works for my hard-to-fit horse (think very round, wide and flat-backed).
My other saddle is an all-purpose type and it was bench-made by a master saddler, who customizes every saddle to the horse and rider.
Naturally, it fits me and my horse – it was made for us. But that’s not what makes it high-end. It’s the quality of the leather, the workmanship and the details and design. Saddlefitters and reps who’ve seen it ask me where I got it because in terms of quality, it is head and shoulders above most other saddles.
Too bad I couldn’t afford two from the same guy, or I would have gone for it in a heartbeat.
So, to answer your question … yes, there is a difference. And most people who know much about saddles can tell the difference. But as we all know, it’s the fit that really counts. That and budget. 
My cheapo Germania isn’t even in the same balllpark as my other saddle. But it works.
It’s also quite ok to buy things somewhere else if they don’t have what fits your needs and budget. I agree to ask if they will price match. And taking stuff on trial is totally worth it. I think I got 3 saddles from them to try and it was really helpful. I worked with a fitter there as well. Ultimately, I did end up buying mine locally, because I needed to special order.
I was actually really hoping that I could demo a KM and a Thorowgood at the same time. I know that they are essentially the same saddle, but I really would like to see if the leather is worth the extra money and what the synthetic material is like. I really have no issue with synthetic material, I rode in wintecs for many years growing up.
I asked about the price matching and it was a no go. I think I am going to contact Annette at hastilow and see what she has to say.
[QUOTE=Alex and Bodie’s Mom;7073586]
You can find the Rembrandt in brown, but not sure about the adjustable tree. I had two Rembrandts, one in black and one in brown. Adored them. Very nice saddles, and the brown was a beautiful tobacco color, very soft leather (much nicer than the black, IMO). It also had a slightly deeper seat and bigger thigh blocks than the black one did. Good luck finding what you want!
Edited to add: here was one on eBay:http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190821604098&item=190821604098&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466 – so they must be out there! :)[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Skyedragon;7073610]Oh geez, where is my time machine when I need it?!
My first dressage saddle was a Thoroughbred Saddlery saddle that I picked up from the tack store for $150 about five years ago. I cleaned it up and it was a gorgeous saddle, it also happened to be brown. Thus started my love affair with brown dressage sadddles.[/QUOTE]
I messaged the person who listed the brown rembrandt saddle through eBay after I noticed that the auction ended without any bids. She still has it and is willing to sell it. I have her email address if you want it. :winkgrin:
[QUOTE=Snowflake;7075144]
I messaged the person who listed the brown rembrandt saddle through eBay after I noticed that the auction ended without any bids. She still has it and is willing to sell it. I have her email address if you want it. :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
You’re kidding!! I didn’t even notice that it didn’t sell. Please PM me her email address!
I came on here to post that I was half way tempted to keep the Toulouse after my ride on my lease gelding tonight, but forget that!
[QUOTE=Skyedragon;7075356]
You’re kidding!! I didn’t even notice that it didn’t sell. Please PM me her email address!
I came on here to post that I was half way tempted to keep the Toulouse after my ride on my lease gelding tonight, but forget that![/QUOTE]
PM sent! Good luck!
Just as a refrence: is this saddle sitting too low? I kind of feel like yes it is. I was able to get two fingers under the pommel while mounted though.
It may be the angle of the photo but it does look pommel low and would likely pivot on your horse’s withers.
At what price range does a saddle become “high end”?
[QUOTE=Malda;7075894]
At what price range does a saddle become “high end”?[/QUOTE]
I think the thread originally started out asking about high end brands, then started discussing brands the OP was interested in (high end or not) and now we’re discussing middle-end-but-better-quality saddles which is how at least I’d classify K&M and Thorowgood.
[QUOTE=Malda;7075894]
At what price range does a saddle become “high end”?[/QUOTE]
Good question, I am kind of curious too. For me personally high end is anything over $1500 which is out of my price range, haha!
[QUOTE=vxf111;7075896]
I think the thread originally started out asking about high end brands, then started discussing brands the OP was interested in (high end or not) and now we’re discussing middle-end-but-better-quality saddles which is how at least I’d classify K&M and Thorowgood.[/QUOTE]
Well I started the thread because I had a larger budget than I have ever had to invest in a saddle, and want something that is going to stand the test of time as well as meet my needs. When I started looking at the saddles though I started wondering why the heck people were willing to shell out XXXX amount when they could get a saddle for XXX amount.
[QUOTE=Skyedragon;7075972]
Well I started the thread because I had a larger budget than I have ever had to invest in a saddle, and want something that is going to stand the test of time as well as meet my needs. When I started looking at the saddles though I started wondering why the heck people were willing to shell out XXXX amount when they could get a saddle for XXX amount.[/QUOTE]
And lots of people answered that question. And then we started talking about saddles in your budget which is why we’re talking about K&M etc. But I would hadly call K&M “high end,” even though I see a lot of positives and would recommend them. I’m just explaining how we shifted to talking about K&M and Thorowgood on a thread that started out asking about “high end.” I’d buy a newer Thorouwgood dressage saddle in a heartbeat if I needed one, but they’re hardly “high end.” I think they’re excellent bang for the buck, but that’s something different. You can drop $4000-5000 EASY on a new custom dressage saddle with options. I think those brands are the ones most people would consider “high end.”
I am emailing with the seller of the brown Rembrandt. I think that is what I will end up getting. It is the exact model of the the Classic I sat in and loved but didn’t want to drop $1500 on a saddle that looked well loved. I wish I could try it first, but for $700 I think I will take the risk, though I do fear that being brown might be a harder resell should it not work. If it does work I am rather excited about having that much money left over and am starting to look around at upgrading my bridle too.
[QUOTE=Skyedragon;7075071]
I asked about the price matching and it was a no go. I think I am going to contact Annette at hastilow and see what she has to say.[/QUOTE]
Keep the pressure on. The market is soft and someone will be willing to work to get your business.
Does anyone know how Trumbull Mountain are to work with now that they have no Kitt and no Edie ?
re: Trumbull … These folks are awesome and know a ton about how different brands of saddles fit. They didn’t have anything to fit my horse at the time, but I would highly recommend working with them if you can. They are very nice and know their stuff.
