OK… so Im buying a new saddle (probably not a surprise to those of you that have seen my previous posts).
I am wondering how does one make a decision off of a demo if the demo is not a perfect fit? Right now I’ve got a Frank Baines demo. The tree width is good enough I can actually ride in it and despite it being the wrong seat size and flap for me it feels lovely and balanced. it shifts back and forth a bit on my horse though when shes moving without a rider on top. But it is very balanced, good whither clearance and no bridging. if i buy it, the panels, tree size, seat size, flap size, and twist would be all customised.
Other prospective demos I have on the horizon would have to be shipped to me (ive got location issues, it just so happens the local saddlery custom fits for FB) and would also be as much as 2 seat sizes too small and potentially wrong tree width. im wondering to what extend its worth paying to ship these back and forth.
I guess my question is, what sort of fit issues do i tolerate from a demo? what do i look at for myself when the demos are multiple seat sizes smaller than i need? how can i judge that the saddle i will order will be a good fit when the one im trialing has the wrong tree size?
Personally, I would not make a decision based on a saddle that didn’t fit me or my horse. In fact, I always prefer to buy the demo if it works (or buy used). There’s no guarantee that a new saddle (even based on a demo that fits) will be the same. There’s a certain amount of variation among saddles.
I get this question all of the time. I will tell you if you love the saddle now, it will be even better if ordered! It is really frustrating to have the client want the perfect saddle to try. It is just not possible unless you and your horse are completely average. Most saddle fitters have to buy their demo saddles, so we try to get something that is close enough for trials. Even for us, the saddles are not cheap. It takes a lot of money to be a saddle fitter.
Let’s take this saddle as an example. Standard seat sizes are 17, 17.5 and 18. Common tree sizes are M, MW and Wide. With this one model to have the most common sized in you would need 9 demo saddles. This does not even include panel modifications, leather types, colors and everything else. I have at least 25 different dressage models alone. It would be very cost prohibitive to stock even the most common sizes in all of those models let alone any special touches for the saddle. It is impossible.
Trust your saddle fitter! There is a reason why you choose them. It is our job to get it great for you and your horse.
unfortunately I dont have the luxury of buying used because my seat size alone is not common in the local used market. let alone my TB-draft cross’s shape. most of whats around here is antares/cwd which wont really work. and im actually shocked this particular demo fits enough to at least ride in it.
If a smaller saddle already feels nice for you, it will definitely feel even nicer once you have the right size! I tried my current dressage saddle in 16" (or maybe 16.5) first (and rode in that size for a while too) before I got a proper 18" demo. And then my saddle came, with some alternations to the panels, and it felt really AMAZING.
I kind of agree – if it already feels good, it will feel even better once it truly fits.
If you are working with the Saddle Geek, you are in good hands. She is extremely knowledgeable about different brands and models.
I looked at your previous post and yes, your current saddle is too small and the stirrup bars are too far forward for your legs. Once you figure out what kind of saddle works for YOU, it gets easier. Horse fit is, of course, important, but so many saddles have the bars set too far forward for anyone with a long femur. I am in that boat and it took me awhile but now I can look at a saddle and have a pretty good idea of whether the seat/flap/bars will work fro how I’m built.
I also have a TB/draft X and she’s relatively simple to fit compared to me! FWIW, I ride in a Jeffries JMX monoflap. They are hard to find but they work for me AND both my horses (in different tree sizes), have an amazing balance point, and are pretty underpriced for their quality.
That’s a big part of my challenge. Even finding demos. I’m lucky that the local saddlery (well 3 hrs away…) sells and measures for these. The only other ‘new’ jumping saddles around are Santa Cruz. Most tack shops just have consignment. I checked them all, as well as all the cosnginment dealers.
Now im down to having demos shipped to me. Prestige was recommended and after sending a whither tracing I can get the demos (seat size 17 though) shipped for 50$ a pop or have a new saddle shipped to trial without fully riding. Also looking at equipe demos that would also need to be shipped.
i already shipped back an Amerigo from a private seller. Most of what’s being sold around here is CWD/Antarès which won’t work.
I could get the county rep out but a new county is pushing the budget. Was told German brands might work but again not even sure where to start or if I can get demos.
Haven’t decided how much looking and trialing I should actually do… each trial is a hassle with shipping etc. My chair seat has totally resolved with this saddle. Which also solved the Uber bouncy legs and bracing. Ih and the stopping at fences may have actually been the saddle fit also… the only thing is It feels weird at times, like I’m using different muscles to ride… coach said that’s probabky because I’ve been riding in a chair seat for over a year and now my legs are actually under me. I also lost a stirrup over a fence so again not sure if I’m just getting used to riding in this position as before I wasnt losing stirrups but bracing my legs waay forward. With my CWD, I felt more balanced without stirrups but the second I picked them up I’d get thrown into my butt and have to shimmy myself forward. This saddle insists I sit on the centre of my seat bones and was actually able to comfortable lengthen my leathers and ride with different lengths comfortably.
im tempted to just stop with the shanninigans and just order this saddle… but part of me says I should try lots…
the other downside being my CWD is a terrible fit for my poor mare so I don’t want to spend months mmmhing and haaaing
Middleburg Tack Exchange charges about $25 to ship. They have a great selection of saddles. I happen to like the German saddles a lot. I have a Kieffer Norbert Koof FL that I bought many years ago that’s quite comfortable. The Dublin is also a nice saddle. One nice thing about the Kieffers is that they have a resin tree that can be adjusted using an infra-red bench. Last I checked it cost about $100 to adjust it and you can do it multiple times. Of course that only helps if you need it wider/narrower, not if the tree shape or the panels don’t work. PM me with your specifics and I’ll see if I know of any saddles that might work. I’m 5’11" with long femurs so I feel your pain. I also have a TB/Clyde cross. And I have a problem with buying saddles, so I’ve tried a lot. Not because I particularly needed them, but because I like to try out different models/brands. My saddle fitter always laughed at me because unlike most of his clients, who were always looking for saddles, I always have too many.
I’ve known a lot of people who loved the demo only to be super disappointed with their custom saddle (custom saddlery being the worst). Having a fitter who is really really good and super dedicated is key IMO. If a fitter thinks that they can have the custom saddle delivered, tweak it once, and be done, you’ll probably be disappointed. The demo saddles often have a lot of miles so they have that lovely pull you into the saddle feel that a brand-new saddle may lack. They also may come with quality control issues weeded out of the demo saddles the fitter uses. If you go custom, I think the local fitter is almost as important as the brand you choose. Nothing worse than having a saddle that won’t work that’s also already depreciated $1-2k simply because it was shipped to your house and is now classified as “used”.
This particular demo is brand new. It’s a new model and the store just got it in. I do worry about making the wrong decision in terms of flaps etc since I’m not sitting in my seat size… but finding demos in 18" is unlikely. But so if finding something used that fits my horse…