Mid-Level Custom Saddles and Opinions on Flex/ Carbon Trees

[Fence.Hopper]

I am on the hunt for a new saddle and have been trying to ride in several brands/ models but live in an area where there is only one brand with a rep available (CWD). I have figured out what I like/ don’t like in a saddle and am working on figuring the same for the horse and it’s looking like I’ll need to buy something custom/ semi-custom to get what I’m after (very straight and short flap with narrow twist and flat seat, ideally with a flex tree of some sort for the horse and buffalo leather). Several I’ve sat in have been comfortable but put me in a chair seat or are otherwise “fine” but not “OMG I can’t live without this!”.

After watching the below video, I am thinking I’d rather buy from a smaller brand that has the ability to do truly custom (vs the pre-determined options of CWD, Voltaire, and the like) but I’m not very familiar with any brands that do this (Stackhouse is the only one I’ve seen in person) so am looking for input. While I am looking to fit my current horse, I’d really like to get something that isn’t so custom that I’ll have to replace it again any time soon. I’d rather have something that is more generic and can be shimmed with a good pad (I have both a sheepskin and Prolite 6 shim pads).

In looking for a carbon fiber flex tree, that definitely limits my options but I’ve had all of my horses move better in those vs a regular tree even when the panels weren’t a great fit. I did read in a thread on here that those trees tend to “wear out” so they aren’t a great option for someone riding a lot of horses everyday (but that seems counterintuitive to the “because the flex they will give a better fit to a wider variety of horses so are great for pros!” point?). Any pros that find the flex tree better/ worse than a regular wood tree for a variety of horses?

For clarification - I currently ride 2-3 a day as I currently do not do any training or sale but am looking to starting offering both training and sales in the next 1-2 years so will be looking at riding 6+ a day. I know no saddle will fit all horses but will be riding primarily (solely?) OTTBs and WBs so I figure there must be a tree that fits that general shape and I can maybe pick up a few in different widths and use the shim pads to get the fit closer.

Video from Patrick Saddlery - https://youtu.be/BdehGtyAHPI

[mychestnutvalentine]

I have heard only great things from Stackhouse.

I rode at a barn that the owner was sponsored by CWD. I did borrow a few of the saddles from boarders while shopping for myself ( although I did not get a CWD). I liked the idea of the “pro panels” on their saddles because it ended up fitting a multitude of horses and if not, it could be shimmed to fit. I know several brands offer something similar to that so you have some options there.

Right now, there is a great used saddle market with many companies that offer trials. If you find something with pro panels you like, maybe you would like the custom option as well from the same saddlery?

[Fence.Hopper]

The problem is the custom options are not really custom for a lot of brands - I can order a short flap from CWD but can’t say “I want a 12.5in flap”. Their short flaps are still a bit long, and their straight flaps still a bit forward for what I want/ need. But I have been thinking about buying something that fits me and then having new pro panels put on it but I’m not 100% sold on that yet.

[BayAreaRider]

Have you considered Bua saddles? Mid-level in cost. Flexible tree. Supposedly will fit a variety of horses due to the carbon fibre tree.

[BITSA]

I had our bodyworker say some horses don’t like the flex tree because it can lead to a different feel everytime they jump??? What about Schleese?

Do you really need a custom saddle? I’d suggest using an independent saddle fitter to recommend a used saddle. You can actually see how a saddle fits before you buy it. I had two awful experiences with custom saddles and pretty much will never go that route again FWIW.

[TheJenners]

@BITSA

I’d suggest using an independent saddle fitter

Just this, so they aren’t pushing a particular brand. I have one, she does recommend particular brands because she has found that horses are happier in them, but she can work on nearly anything that is listed “adjustable” (to a point, there is some sort of popular dressage saddle that can be adjusted, but only with a press and only once or twice before the metal fatigues). I’ve been happy or content with any saddle she has put me in, and all my horses have loved them.

[Scribbler]

You can get Full Custom from artisanal one man Western saddle makers. You get to choose from 20 different trees, leather, carving designs, horn, fenders, girth etc. Saddles will be unique.

I know of no English saddle maker that.does true custom in this way. Only semi custom on a base model.

[IPEsq]

If you want a carbon fiber tree, look at Equipe. They have several models and tree sizes in terms of fit for the horse (versus one tree for CWD) and different seat and flap options. I like a flat seat but the deeper Equipe models don’t bother me either. I think because the balance point is in the right spot. The leather is better quality than CWD.

I’ve got a mix of wood spring tree saddles and carbon fiber saddles, and a horse who goes in both types just as well because they fit him.

[eventammy]

Have no idea on their price or quality of work, but I think Gravity Custom Saddles makes full customs? They are a small shop based in California, and the saddles I have seen pictures of look beautiful.

[Ponyplusaninch]

I’d say look at Amerigo too. Difference between Equip and Amerigo is the Amerigos are wool flocked vs. foam. But they’ve got a flexible tree (Vega).

I paid literally half of what I would have paid for a new CWD for a brand new, highly customized saddle. I’m obsessed and loving it. I do prefer a slightly deeper seat, but I know they have flatter options.

[IPEsq]

The Amerigo Vega tree is not carbon fiber. Equipe has a lower end composite range also.

[Fence.Hopper]

Yes Stackhouse does true custom made saddles. I reached out to them but they are more than I had planned on spending at $8000 + a couple hundred to have them out for the initial fitting. They are absolutely stunning though.

I reached out to Ryder Saddlery (saddles? I can’t remember) as they advertise that they do true made to measure as well. I haven’t read much about them as they seem to be a smaller brand.

Gravity Saddles was a great lead! They are much closer to what I was hoping to spend at $4800. I went back and forth with them a little yesterday and it seems like they might be able to do what I want, but dodged a few of my questions (examples of their trees, color options, etc) which I don’t love.

Schleese supposedly does made to measure but they are very “love it or hate it” from what I’ve read. A rep/ fitter is supposed to be in my area late Jan so I may schedule a fitting with them and see what options they have. I have a feeling they will be closer to Stackhouse’s pricing though.

I haven’t looked at Amerigo yet, will have to check those out. I’ve had Equipe on my radar but am having a terrible time getting in touch with anyone to demo their saddles, even if I have to do it remotely (shipping them back and forth) I want to sit in them first.

I’m also trying to sit in a Prestige (or Erreplus which look to use Prestige’s trees but have more of a French style seat) with either the X-Technology tree or CPS tree but am having the same issue as with Equipe - no one in the area and no real leads on being able to demo the saddles I’m interested in.

Do I need a truly custom saddle? No, I can ride fine in an “off the rack” but have the mentality that if I’m spending several thousands of dollars on a glorified hunk of leather it should fit me, as well as the horse(s), exceptionally well. IMO it’s crazy to shell out $$$$ money for a CWD (which I have done before!) to be “custom made” only to compromise on things such as flap length, block placement, etc because they are “good enough” vs perfect or 100% accurate for my body. Perhaps I’m a little jaded from my CWD purchase (bought it new custom made to horse and I for over $6000, for it to be extremely hard in the seat and panels and not fit me 100% then took a bath on selling it for less than half of what I paid with very little wear on it) or have unrealistic expectations, but I think saddle fit for the rider is extremely important for comfort (my custom saddle gave me back pain as my leg was always in front of me so I’d lean forward to stay with the motion) and correct equitation/ position. I can’t imagine that a rider fighting their saddle is a super pleasant experience for the horse either (long term). Since I need a new one anyway, I want something that I don’t have to make compromises on but it seems most “custom” saddles are only semi and even some of the truly custom saddlers are really only concerned with aesthetics (what color stitching/ piping/ welting/ etc).