What are your thoughts/ experiences with them?
I have one and I LOVE it! I tried what felt like a million Dressage saddles and NONE of them fit my mare. They ALL slid up on her shoulders, practically all the way to her neck. I was at my witās end. Iād wasted TONS in shipping fees, even after sending tracings, photos, etc. of my mare, nothing worked.
Two trainers at the barn I board at (one I ride with, one I donāt) suggested I try a Hulsebos.
Jan and Tilsa Hulsebos were coming to the barn so I brought my mare out to be fitted. The first saddle I didnāt like the feel of, the second saddle was PERFECT and it didnāt slide up my mares neck!
I dismounted, Jan took the saddle, added a little flocking here and there, put it back on my mare, I rode her some more while he and my trainer watched, and it was heavenly!
My mare loves her Hulsebos, I love my Hulsebos and the customer service is awesome. Jan and Tilsa come twice a year and check your saddle to refit as necessary.
I give Hulsebos saddles two enthusiastic thumbs up!
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I forgot to add, the refitting/reflocking sessions are FREE!
Not so muchā¦
I have one. In fact, I have one for sale. 
I bought mine years ago, because my trainer swore by them, and everyone in the barn was getting them. I didnāt know any better, and didnāt really shop around. Jan came out and evaluated us, then combined two different models to make one ācustomā for us. Then I waited 7 months for it to arrive.
Itās a nice saddle, but in a lot of ways it wasnāt doing me any favors. I ended up going with one from Custom Saddlery that I love like no other.
And every time someone (from Hulsebos) came out to adjust my Hulsebos saddle, it cost me $250.
Ouch.
I rode in one briefly, at a trainerās facilityā¦it was hard as a rock and was large all overā¦felt like a saddle built for a big manā¦of course it was an older model, but I saw one in a tacsk shop and seemed similarā¦only that brief experience with one.
Wow, mine is really soft. I think they make a lot of different types of saddles.
While weāre on the topic, can anyone explain to me how to pronouce āHulsebos?ā
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I found it quite comfortable, but more saddle than I like (WB4 model).
One of my boarders has a Hulsebos which is probably 4 or 5 year old. It fits her horse beautifully and is incredibly comfortable to ride in.
very happy
I have 3 (2 dressage, 1 jumping) Hulsebos saddles and am very happy with them. They are custom, so what fits one horse/rider may not work for another if you are buying used.
He comes to our area 3x a year. Flocking/fitting adjustments are $250.
FWIW the original one I bought after a year of trying all types of used and 2 ānewā saddle fitters for my hard to fit mare also fits some āstandardā size horses nicely and other petite riders (I am 5ā4").
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I had purchased a used dressage one that I LOVED!!! But at the time I was a saddle buying newbie and didnāt realize the saddle wasnāt the best fit for my horse. It worked but after a while I had it reflocked for a better fit but eventually it created rubs and by then I was much more saddle savvy and decided to get a different saddle that actually suited my horse.
I did enjoy the quality and super suppleness of my Hulsebos. I didnāt have any trouble selling it - and had I not needed the cash to purchase the replacement, I might have kept it.
Riding my WB4 Hulsebos was a PAINFUL experience in my private area. During medium and extended trots the cantle of the saddle would come up off of the horseās back, causing me to pitch forward. The saddle would not stay centered on the horse. I took a horse in for a veterinary evaluation and the veterinarian wrote in the exam notes how poorly the saddle was fitted. The Hulsebos girth started peeling within 60 days of use. The saddle flaps have a design flaw where the flap is attached under the seat, there is a āwrinkleā on both flaps and the flap is awkwardly situated. There are so many nice saddles on the market but not these, I have had terrible luck with this brand.
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I had a Hulsebos and loved it. It does not fit my current horse, so Iām not riding in it now, but only because it doesnāt fit. It made me feel secure in my position.
But if they did not fit yours correctly, obviously thatās not workable.
I have had good experience with my Hulsebos WB4 purchased new in 2015. When my body shape/position changed, they had a replacement policy that resulted in a new saddle which has been my ride since. It is wearing well. Their customer service is excellent and constant. They return twice a year to the Kansas City area with a fully equipped capabilty to work on the saddle. It hasnāt needed any major work, and has proven to be a very versatile fit for other riders, and as a test ride for other horses.
