Looking at a new saddle Butet vs CWD-Both Used

[kcap]

I found two saddles that I know will fit me. I haven’t tried them yet. I can only take one saddle out on trial at a time (Credit Card limit). I need to decide which to take out, as there is always a possibility the other won’t be there.

Both saddles are long-forward, both have the half deep seat, same age and around the same price. I would say they are both in the same condition, maybe the Butet is in a little better condition then the CWD.

I know a lot of saddle choices is about personal preferences. But which would be the better saddle for the money IF they both fit my horse?

Thanks

[supershorty628]

What kind of leather is the CWD?

[kcap]

The CWD and the Butet are Grain with Calf seat and knee rolls.

[supershorty628]

Personally, I would go for the CWD - I’m more comfortable in one of those than in a Butet, but it depends on your build. I have stubby little legs with short femurs. My horse is a TB (but a TANK compared to most of the ones you see now) and my CWD fits her great, but I have another one that is a little narrower that fits a lot of different horses.

[findeight]

Start with the one in better condition. But it really doesn’t matter, either it’s going to fit the horse or you send it back and try the other one. They are both good saddles IF they fit the horse…and you.

[kcap]

I have a Thoroughbred, and based on the pictures, I think the Butet is the better candidate to fit my horse. But I don’t want to overlook the CWD, because, well I really like that saddle.

CWD - http://www.iselltack.com/collections/18-18-5-saddles/products/cwd-se01-18-4c-1

Butet - http://www.iselltack.com/collections/18-18-5-saddles/products/butet-18-3-25

[SpicyMonarch]

There are cult followings to each brand. I know you said you’re only able to take one saddle out on trial at a time, but I really think it would be the most beneficial to test ride in both of them.

That being said…I won’t go as far to say that I am “anti-CWD”, but I have worked with enough vets that have in a way condemned CWD saddles for causing various back soreness in horses. Obviously a Butet will cause the same problems if it does not fit a horse correctly, but the instances seem to be fewer and farther in between. I own a Butet and would not trade it for the world! And yes, the Butet will probably fit your TB better…

[222orchids]

I am in the throes of saddle shopping, myself. I tried 2 different CWD saddles; an SE01 and an SE02. Each of them objectively looked like they would fit my horse perfectly (I consulted with a saddle fitter on that as well as my trainer). Yet both of the CWD’s did a very odd thing; my saddle pad gradually slid back underneath the saddle, as I rode my lesson. I had a decent half-pad between the square pad and the saddle, as always. The square pad, which started out with its front edge 2 inches in front of the pommel, ended up with the front edge completely behind the pommel and not visible under the front edge of the half-pad. This has never happened with my Antares and it did not happen with any of the 4 Devoucoux that I have tried in the last 2 weeks, using the same pad and half-pad combination. But it happened with both of those CWD’s. So although I loved the feel of the saddle (I’m built like Supershorty), and from all exterior evidence it fit the horse like a glove, that said to me that there was sonething going on underneath that really was not the right fit. Anyone else ever have this issue with a CWD?

[Zuri]

My daughter rides in a CWD, is 5’8" with long legs. My Oldenburg is more on the narrow side when one thinks of WB, more like a TB. The CWD fits him perfectly and is very comfortable for my daughter to ride in. A friend has a custom Butet and loves it for her XXW WB. I am short and rode in a Butet once and could not wait to get off the horse. It was that uncomfortable.

[Go_Fish]

[QUOTE=kcap;7686681]
I have a Thoroughbred, and based on the pictures, I think the Butet is the better candidate to fit my horse. But I don’t want to overlook the CWD, because, well I really like that saddle.

CWD - http://www.iselltack.com/collections/18-18-5-saddles/products/cwd-se01-18-4c-1

Butet - http://www.iselltack.com/collections/18-18-5-saddles/products/butet-18-3-25[/QUOTE]

From what I’ve heard on this board and from others, the Butets tend to perch on the wider, WB type backs, so based on that, I’d start with the Butet since you own a TB.

Both are very good saddles and I agree with Findeight, try the Butet, if it doesn’t work, send it back and try the CWD. My personal preference would be the CWD, but you might be surprised to learn that you, personally, will ride better in one vs. the other, even if the flap is okay for your leg.

[Donkerbruin]

I love my Butet. Great saddle and has held up remarkably well over the years.

[Royal_Monaco]

I would ask a familly member to take one saddle on their credit card and try them both at the same time.
That being said I have a CWD and love it. Super balance. Fits my mare perfectly. Saddle pads are not slipping back. After trying Devoucoux, Delgrange, Antares and Custom I can’t say enough good things about CWD. It is just the right match for myself. I think, like other said, trying the most saddles you can is the key.

[IPEsq]

I’ve never owned either brand but have ridden in a few of both. I disliked 3 out of the 4 CWDs I put my butt on, and I thought it caused some back soreness on TB types (and I thought the 4th, while more comfortable for me, didn’t fit its high withered horse real well, even though it had extra flocking under the cantle). I neither loved nor hated the Butets I’ve sat on but do think they fit TB types pretty well in general. I would start with the Butet for your horse.

[BAC]

I owned a CWD for 7 years and loved it, but Butet is my second favorite after CWD. Which ever one fits you and your horse best is the one you should buy, assuming its a fair price for the condition of the saddle. Everything else being equal (which it never is), go with the one in the best condition.

[SquishTheBunny]

I love them both, and it took a LONG time for me to decide on CWD over Butet.

I actually ended up getting an SE03 which is the “butet” type CWD.

The thing that sold me was the fit for the horse. The pro panels on the CWD fit all 4 of the horses quite well, where the butet was a little more of a “one horse” type of fit - howver for that one horse it did fit well.

I think the newer Butets and CWD’s both have a similar feel (but the 90’s butet’s are to die for!) so I would think you could be happy in either.

FWIW, the pro panel CWD fit the 3 thoroughbreds better than the butet, which had less wither clearance. However, each saddle can come customized but these were based on their standard pro panels. Both companies offer significant customization to allow for the best fit if you buy new.

[Justice]

Try it with an Ecogold

[QUOTE=222orchids;7686886]
I am in the throes of saddle shopping, myself. I tried 2 different CWD saddles; an SE01 and an SE02. Each of them objectively looked like they would fit my horse perfectly (I consulted with a saddle fitter on that as well as my trainer). Yet both of the CWD’s did a very odd thing; my saddle pad gradually slid back underneath the saddle, as I rode my lesson. I had a decent half-pad between the square pad and the saddle, as always. The square pad, which started out with its front edge 2 inches in front of the pommel, ended up with the front edge completely behind the pommel and not visible under the front edge of the half-pad. This has never happened with my Antares and it did not happen with any of the 4 Devoucoux that I have tried in the last 2 weeks, using the same pad and half-pad combination. But it happened with both of those CWD’s. So although I loved the feel of the saddle (I’m built like Supershorty), and from all exterior evidence it fit the horse like a glove, that said to me that there was sonething going on underneath that really was not the right fit. Anyone else ever have this issue with a CWD?[/QUOTE]

It sounds like everything probably slips back in the other saddles, and just the pass is sliding back with the Cwd.

[stolen_virtue]

Agree with saddle fit being most important. Also someone riding my horse in a CWD helped cause significant back issues for my horse. So without a CWD being custom I would be leery.

I do love both saddles though.

[JumperJane]

One should choose a saddle based SOLELY on how it fits your specific horse and their needs, and it should fit you and be comfortable to ride in. Brand should not matter, try them all. I was talked into getting a CWD SE02 by a past trainer (later found out she got a cut of commission), the saddle was just ok, and worked fine for 3 horses, then I got a huge WB mare and it pinched her terribly and twisted constantly, and her saddle pads would shift all over the place. It got to the point where she would nip at it when I went to put it on! I was desperate and made a HUGE MISTAKE and ordered a custom CWD G2 Mademoiselle to fit her. The company was a NIGHTMARE to deal with! Over 3 months later (and many mistakes later and zero customer service) my saddle arrived and was not custom. I had been borrowing a Butet from my trainer while I waited for my saddle, and I FELL IN LOVE!!! The 2019 model fit her and me really well and it wasn’t even custom. For the first time EVER, I could really wrap my legs closely around her girth and feel everything. The CWD have so much material where your leg goes which makes it impossible to feel your horse. I immediately had massive buyers remorse. I’m going to see if I can get the CWD to fit her, if not, I’m going to return it and get a Butet ASAP. CWD are popular right now and have fantastic marketing (modern looking, Red, they are everywhere etc), but don’t get seduced by all of that. Choose whatever truly fits both of you the best and makes you feel the most balanced and confident.

[sandsarita]

I own both an older butet and a cwd se03. For me the twist on the cwd is better for me. Horse wise the butet fit my more tb like horses that had high withers and more narrow. My cwd fits the horses with bigger shoulders and lower withers. But I tried some cwds that were still waaay too narrow for those horses. Lucked out and found one that fit and jumped on it and now both me and my trainer love it.

[bluepece2]

I have a Butet. I love it, it fits both my horses and I can use it on my daughter’s large pony to school him (not a 100% fit but 99.99% there). It’s so comfortable. All the Butets at my barn have held up really well. Their billets are one solid piece of leather. The older CWDs that I’ve seen (so same age as the Butet my trainer rides in) have had to have the billets replaced because the leather cane apart, stitching didn’t hold in other places. Just not the same quality in the long run.