Luc Childeric M vs. MF saddle

[gholem]

I’m looking for a new saddle and I’ve ridden in an '04 M which I love and fits my horse wonderfully. I’d like to get a new 17.5" M but it seems all anyone has in stock is the MF.

Does anyone have any experience with the difference between these two saddles? My understanding is that the only difference is in the tree (English vs. French) - how likely is it that the MF doesn’t fit if the M does? Do they feel any different to ride in?

Thanks for any insight.

[findeight]

Call Running Fox, it’s a tack store near Toronto and North American distributor for Childeric. Wonderful to work with, ample inventory, quick ship ( send you 2 if need be, ship back the one you don’t want) follow up to see f it’s working out a few weeks later. Impressive.

Shes very knowledgeable about both the Childerics and how they compare to other brands. Give them a call.

[jn4jenny]

…you mean the Childeric FM? I’m not aware of a Childeric MF.

The FM is a French-style tree with a semi-deep seat, designed more for a warmbloody-type horse with withers. The M is an English-style tree with a wider, shallower seat. The M tends to fit a wider range of horses than the FM, and they’re definitely a different ride experience from each other.

Runningfox.com has lots of used Model M’s, but here’s two cheapies I’ve seen in my recent Internet saddle travels:

17.5", $1995
http://www.pelham-saddlery.com/saddles/Used15638.html

Marked 17.5", measures 17.25", stock item #LC17C, $1995
http://www.highendusedsaddles.com/premiumsaddles.htm

[SquishTheBunny]

Give Running Fox a call, they are the big distributors of Childeric saddles and will be very helpful. You can find a LOT of them used in Ontario as well as many people bought them years ago, they are a dime a dozen here and generally sell much cheaper than other saddles of equal quality.

[hunterrider23]

Yep call Running Fox. Fantastic Saddle, I’m in love with my FM, but I never sat in an M.

[Copilot]

Hi,

I work for Running Fox

The M and MF are exactly the same saddle. The F just means that the tree was made in France. No changes have been made to the tree, just the country of origin. It will fit and ride exactly the same as the M.

The reason you are not seeing the M in stock anywhere is because they’ve replaced it with the French tree (MF). I “believe” we can still get you an M if you would prefer that.

If you have any other questions we are happy to help in any way.

[kgro632]

The M was made with an English tree. The MF has replaced the M and is a French tree. They are different in my opinion, I tried a new one and it didn’t fit my horse. As English trees and french trees are shaped different.

Good luck! I would just find a nice used Model M or order one of the new ones for trial.