Lightweight saddle for the physically challenged (DP?)

[eclectic]

I’m looking for a lightweight saddle I can lift easily onto my mare’s back until I can get physically stronger.

What about the Deuber & Partner saddles? Does anyone have experience with them? I see they are significantly lighter than my current English wood-tree saddle, and as well are adjustable so won’t need the long process of finding one the right size.

But:

1. Can they be considered a hoop tree? This is a sticking point with fitting my mare, as if the panel angles aren’t correct the saddle will roll off her. (I.e., the angles need to be like those on a hoop tree).

2. Do the baroque-style gussets (with the gussets that extend both at the front and the rear of the under-part of the flap) provide more or less stability with respect to rolling?

3. Are they comfortable to sit in? The profile to me looks to be what’s sometimes called high-headed, which can mean seat area is further back or constricted - but I could be wrong, it’s hard to judge by photos. (It doesn’t need to be high-headed for my mare who has low withers).

Thanks for any experience anyone can share.

[fledermaus]

Look into the EQ Saddle Science flapless saddles (they have detachable thin flaps people put on for competition purposes). I have a flapless trail saddle from their sister company ReactorPanel (the original company before they divided into trail/endurance and dressage/jumping). My saddle is extremely light but very well made. And no, the leathers do not pinch without flaps.The saddle tree rests on adjustable high-density foam panels for a custom fit. I have a w-i-i-d-e Morgan mare with massive shoulders (and a butt to match) and that saddle fits her perfectly.

[Shagyas_Rock]

Wintecs are fairly lightweight

[Alice_C]

Heather Moffett Vogue saddle super light weight great on a wide horse. Just be sure to use a professional choice ventech neoprene girth…don’t ask me how I know this.

[MissAriel]

Not sure which DP saddles you are looking at. I used a DP El Campo for a while. It was one of their earlier baroque models. I can’t say that I found it much lighter than a typical dressage saddle, but it was fabulously comfortable!

For light weight, the Wintecs are great, but they don’t fit me well.

I can’t help with the panel or hoop tree questions, sadly.

[eclectic]

Look into the EQ Saddle Science flapless saddles (they have detachable thin flaps people put on for competition purposes). I have a flapless trail saddle from their sister company ReactorPanel (the original company before they divided into trail/endurance and dressage/jumping). My saddle is extremely light but very well made. And no, the leathers do not pinch without flaps.The saddle tree rests on adjustable high-density foam panels for a custom fit. I have a w-i-i-d-e Morgan mare with massive shoulders (and a butt to match) and that saddle fits her perfectly.

I know someone with that saddle and asked for a trial to be sent. Somehow they mis-shipped the trial and I got a saddle the same size as my friends’ - and the rep said the one for my horse had been accidentally shipped to another state. It made me wonder whether they actually carried it in my horse’s width, and didn’t have the energy back then to sort it out.

I did also wonder whether those thin panels could actually be comfortable on the horse’s back. But thanks for the heads-up and I’ll think about these again.

P.S. I see pictures of my friend riding her horse in the Reactor Panel and she’s always in a chair seat. Could be just her, or maybe the stirrup hangars aren’t placed optimally.

[eclectic]

@Shagyas_Rock

Wintecs are fairly lightweight

Thanks for the reply.
I think they’re synthetic though, aren’t they? I always think synthetic would be hotter on the horse’s back, and less elastic. The DP saddles are good-quality leather.

[eclectic]

@Alice_C

Heather Moffett Vogue saddle super light weight great on a wide horse. Just be sure to use a professional choice ventech neoprene girth…don’t ask me how I know this.

I know what you mean by the girth. That saddle is a monster to get into work because it takes 15 mins. or so to finish “settling.” I know 'cause I have one! Rode in it for a while and my mare showed muscle wastage at her next chiro checkup - where the panels sat. Good reason to stay away from Treeless. Except for emergencies or very occasional use.

I will say it’s extremely comfortable for the rider and first saddle to put me in a really well-aligned position. Heather’s famous for advocating the classical position.

[eclectic]

@MissAriel

Not sure which DP saddles you are looking at. I used a DP El Campo for a while. It was one of their earlier baroque models. I can’t say that I found it much lighter than a typical dressage saddle, but it was fabulously comfortable!

For light weight, the Wintecs are great, but they don’t fit me well.

I can’t help with the panel or hoop tree questions, sadly.

The El Campo is exactly what I was looking at. It’s still, I believe, their best seller. And comes in a “shorty” version for the short-backed conformation.

Thanks so much for the info that they’re comfortable to sit in.

I’m surprised to hear they’re not lighter . . . but maybe you had an earlier model, before the carbon tree? The literature now says they’re ~17.5 lb. Which is almost 10 lb. lighter than my Black Country Vinici. They are dual-flap, which adds weight - would be nice if they had a mono version.

[fledermaus]

@eclectic

I know someone with that saddle and asked for a trial to be sent. Somehow they mis-shipped the trial and I got a saddle the same size as my friends’ - and the rep said the one for my horse had been accidentally shipped to another state. It made me wonder whether they actually carried it in my horse’s width, and didn’t have the energy back then to sort it out.

I did also wonder whether those thin panels could actually be comfortable on the horse’s back. But thanks for the heads-up and I’ll think about these again.

P.S. I see pictures of my friend riding her horse in the Reactor Panel and she’s always in a chair seat. Could be just her, or maybe the stirrup hangars aren’t placed optimally.

The panels are very comfortable. I’ve put hundreds of trail miles on mine and my horse has never been sore. They are popular with endurance riders who, in my opinion, test saddles to their maximum if anyone does.

My experience of their customer service is that it is superb, but it’s a small company, and mistakes happen.

As to the chair seat, my previous RP saddle did put me in something of one although much of that was my fault, but my new Heraldic does not, in fact it corrects for it.

My saddle, less girth, stirrups, leather, and pad, weighs 12 pounds.

[eclectic]

@fledermaus

The panels are very comfortable. I’ve put hundreds of trail miles on mine and my horse has never been sore. They are popular with endurance riders who, in my opinion, test saddles to their maximum if anyone does.

My experience of their customer service is that it is superb, but it’s a small company, and mistakes happen.

As to the chair seat, my previous RP saddle did put me in something of one although much of that was my fault, but my new Heraldic does not, in fact it corrects for it.

My saddle, less girth, stirrups, leather, and pad, weighs 12 pounds.

Wow, this is really good to know, thanks! I will definitely check out the Heraldic!

[sascha]

@eclectic

I think they’re synthetic though, aren’t they? I always think synthetic would be hotter on the horse’s back, and less elastic. The DP saddles are good-quality leather.

Nothing is breathable where it touches the horse’s back. Leather and serge may suck up sweat if the horse soaks through the pad, but that doesn’t make them less hot.

I’ve ridden in Pros for 20 years or so and finished getting rid of my Stubbens, and my Kieffer a few years ago because I really didn’t need or want them anymore and far preferred my seat in the Wintec. Bonus, vets and REMTs are always impressed by the condition of my horses’ backs.

I will say they don’t last forever. I’m due for number 3, but you can still get a few hundred bucks out of them when you’re done with them for someone who wants a cheap but decent saddle for starting horses or beach rides, etc. and the initial price tag is palatable enough to make 10 year or so replacement manageable.

And they weigh in under 12lbs.

[eclectic]

@sascha

Nothing is breathable where it touches the horse’s back. Leather and serge may suck up sweat if the horse soaks through the pad, but that doesn’t make them less hot.

I’ve ridden in Pros for 20 years or so and finished getting rid of my Stubbens, and my Kieffer a few years ago because I really didn’t need or want them anymore and far preferred my seat in the Wintec. Bonus, vets and REMTs are always impressed by the condition of my horses’ backs.

I will say they don’t last forever. I’m due for number 3, but you can still get a few hundred bucks out of them when you’re done with them for someone who wants a cheap but decent saddle for starting horses or beach rides, etc. and the initial price tag is palatable enough to make 10 year or so replacement manageable.

And they weigh in under 12lbs.

All good to know . . . thanks! But I forgot the real reason I always pass up the Wintec ads. They aren’t built on the hoop-shaped tree my horse needs. I’ve compiled a list over the years, of saddle brands that have a hoop or equivalent tree, and are shaped to fit my rock-and-rolly (wide, short-backed, big-moving) mare. They are not many. My first experience with a Fairfax that spun all the way around and under her belly (at full canter) has made me cautious.

[Alice_C]

It is a little slow to shape in the winter. haha. Funny enough the Vogue was what CURED my horses muscle wastage from multiple professionally fitted treed saddles. We are going on 1 year he still moves better in it than anything else.

[eclectic]

Well that’s really lucky, since it’s really so comfortable to sit in (once it warms up ). I’m so glad it works for you!

[sascha]

@eclectic

of saddle brands that have a hoop or equivalent tree, and are shaped to fit my rock-and-rolly (wide, short-backed, big-moving) mare

The fitter I used most recently (who is not a Wintec fan because reasons lol synthetic tree being one) likes the way they fit my warmblood in cob’s clothing. I had another horse a few years ago that was even “cobbier” with almost zero withers and no length of back to speak of and I did have to be careful about tightening the girth sufficiently on him as I have a crooked back which can throw a saddle sideways even when I’m consciously working on my own straightness

But none of that matters if you don’t like them, or if your horse has any kind of pronounced longitudinal curve. The saddles like a flat (front to back) wide back.

< looks at clock > P.s. autumn pre-time change insomnia sucks

[yaya]

@eclectic

P.S. I see pictures of my friend riding her horse in the Reactor Panel and she’s always in a chair seat. Could be just her, or maybe the stirrup hangars aren’t placed optimally.

The EQ saddles now offer adjustable stirrup bars.

[steelerino]

My Bua saddle weighs nothing and you can get it with dressage flaps

[eclectic]

It’s interesting about the fitter liking Wintec for a cob shape. I had one who could not find anything she thought my horse could wear, after trying 3 or 4 hoop tree brands. And including my current Black Country which other fitters (including her chiro) had approved. Sometimes life is just a . . . idk, weird. I’d come up with a better word but brain fog . . . must be the time change which thank-you for reminding me of since I’d forgot 'til you said it.

I identify with the straightness thing. I recently read somewhere, probably an article in here (?)-something someone linked to(?), about how we all have physical incongruencies that affect the horse going straight, and the only ones who can really ride straight are the athletes who are constantly keeping themselves fit and even (and supple and coordinated). With the discipline of a dancer or, well, professional athlete.

And yeah, mare does have the longitudinal curve on top of everything else. Nothing easy about her.

[eclectic]

@steelerino

My Bua saddle weighs nothing and you can get it with dressage flaps

I was just looking at them again last night! When I researched them some years ago they only came in a few widths, not wide enough for us. That aside I’m not sure I could get used to the different way they move, horse not feeling the sit bones. They seem to work best for jumpers maybe?