Monoflap Jump Saddle

[IncaEventer]

So I emailed my saddle fitter, but he is out of the country for now, so I figured I’d get your opinions on monoflap jump saddles!

Anyways, Murphy back dips behind his shoulder and he has massive withers, but a fairly straight back (see pictures). He is currently going in a Bates Caprilli medium narrow, and while it starts out with plenty of clearance, it ‘sinks’ while he is moving and barely has 2 fingers clearance when I’m done. And I hate the girth under my legs, so I am thought I’d just scope out some options. I’m barely 5’, and have short legs, so saddle must accommodate that. I would prefer to buy used, bust still can’t pay more than $1500-$2000.

I would prefer wool flocked, absolutely no air panels as it makes his back sore. Adjustable gullet would be nice, but not necessary.

[Album] Saddle Fit

Which monoflap jump saddles would you recommend for his back?
Another question, I’ve seen a lot of negative reviews for the M. Toulouse Marielle from 2010-ish. Has the quality increased now? What do people think of them? Smartpak does have the free trial ride, so is it even worth considering it?

[GoForAGallop]

Looks like he definitely needs some wither gussets/skidrow panels in there, to help clear those monster withers.

Almost anything British comes with those, but you are limited by your budget.

Matty Marlow/Heritage Saddlery out of the UK can do fully custom for you in the $1500-1600 range. Several COTHers have them, and have been very happy with them. I have seen two in person, and they were lovely.

I think there are a few Ideal dealers who can get you something in the $1800-$2200 range, fully custom.

I THINK Ryder Saddles come in around $2500? Again, new, fully custom.

Kent and Masters are not custom, but do have an “off the shelf” high wither option. However, they’re around $1200, so at that point you start to wonder if you should just go custom. Check out Hastilow USA for those. No monoflap, though.

Thorowgood is the synthetic version of Kent and Masters, and they do come with a high wither option. New, they’re around $800. Similarly, there is not a monoflap model.

Not new, you just need to start stalking all the used saddle sites for brands like Black Country, Albion, Ryder, Ideal, etc that might have those wither gussets. Like this guy: http://www.farmhousetack.com/black-country-tex-eventer-vinici-17-ap-used-saddle/?gclid=COWo08PL1cMCFRIjgQodTWgAWA A warning though, most of the brands, even used, will be trending towards the top of your price range.

[GoForAGallop]

Also note that if the sole issue is just the girth under your legs, swapping out the short billets for long billets is a $100-$150 job. Not limiting yourself to monoflaps (which are a bit of a novelty and therefore more expensive) would open up more options for you.

[PaintedHunter]

My Ollie is similarly built overall (similar shape, just beefier) with just a bit less withers and takes a MW. I have shorty legs. The Albion Kontact saddle I got last fall fits us both great.

[DoubleDown]

My mare is similar and we too were in a Bates that while it wasn’t horrible, it wasn’t a good fit either. We’ve ended up in a Amerigo Pinerolo and it fits both of us really well.

[Jazzy_Lady]

[QUOTE=DoubleDown;8002355]
My mare is similar and we too were in a Bates that while it wasn’t horrible, it wasn’t a good fit either. We’ve ended up in a Amerigo Pinerolo and it fits both of us really well.[/QUOTE]

Same here. My gelding is high withered, flat backed and slab sided and the Amerigo Pinerolo fit him perfectly and is such a nice saddle.

[GoForAGallop]

I don’t disagree that the Amerigo Pinerolo would likely be a good option, but I think OP is going to have trouble finding one for $2000, nevermind the $1500 she would prefer to spend, even well-used.

They are more in the $2600-3k range, even used.

[Jazzy_Lady]

Is the Amerigo Vega similar in fit to the pinerolo? I thought the only difference was the leather, but I don’t know for sure.

[scubed]

You might look for used Ideal saddles, which do come with gussets and K panels (for example - though know nothing of the specifics https://www.facebook.com/premiumusedsaddlesuk/posts/231082377090817), E. Jeffries is another brand to think about, hastilowusa has a lot of used saddles and sometimes have monoflaps. I got my custom Ryder Saddlery monoflap for $2100 new. They don’t show a monoflap on their site, but were happy to make mine for me. It is buffalo and calf leather, so fairly upgraded. There are many other saddlers in Walsall and many of them trained in the same way. Quality control can be an issue as they move around or companies get bigger, but the general saddle types tend to be fairly similar. Cardanel is another possibility, although I don’t know current prices http://flyingstarstables.com/saddles-and-accessories/cardanel.html.

[IncaEventer]

Thanks for the ideas! I’ll look into those, but I really want to be able to ride in the saddle before I buy it (or at least a similar saddle by the same brand). I’m located in Oregon, if that helps.

[GoForAGallop]

[QUOTE=IncaEventer;8003983]
Thanks for the ideas! I’ll look into those, but I really want to be able to ride in the saddle before I buy it (or at least a similar saddle by the same brand). I’m located in Oregon, if that helps.[/QUOTE]

Well, in that case, start preparing yourself to stalk used saddle sites on a weekly basis. If you call some of the big name used places, they will keep your info handy on a sticky note and give you a call if something comes in, before it’s even on the website. I would bet that right now, Hastilow USA is your best bet, as they are dealers for several of the brands listed above.

Don’t even bother with the M. Toulouse. They are junk, and you will not be able to get it to fit those withers.

[jen-s]

I have a prototype of the Toulouse Marielle that was sent to select trainers to try prior to mass production. It’s actually quite a nice saddle–but I doubt it’ll fit those withers. The current model of Marielle is, IMHO, absolute crap. Sorry, but it just is. I bought one and gave it a try for a whole 45 seconds. Nope, no way. I’ll stick with my many year old prototype, thank you very much.

There are many options on the market for monoflaps, but you’ll almost certainly want to involve your fitter or at least send tracings to Trumbull or one of the other larger places. If they know exactly what you need, then they can notify you as soon as one comes in. Otherwise, you’re going to risk blowing a huge chunk of that budget on shipping/returning/restocking fees.

[Beam_Me_Up]

My horse has the same topline. Feel your pain. He goes in an Albion Kontact lite which had the best clearance of the many I tried–I believe the model almost always comes with large front gussets. Mine was <1K, but it was in older condition and I got it from the UK. It is a really forward flapped saddle though, not sure how it would feel if you were really petite (I’m 5’9).

I actually also have an Ideal Impala pro like the one scubed linked. It’s a flatter tree than the Albion, not quite as much clearance (I would have to pad a lot for the sharky horse) and the flap is much less forward (sadly not enough for me) but I have a horse that loves it–it is good for a very short back.

Btw, where are these $1800 Ideals? Anyone? I thought they were closer to 3K, but I would love a more forward version of the one I have.

[rfath]

If you’re not too picky, there are relatively inexpensive options. Like, for example, if you’re willing to ride a black saddle… I’ve seen them for $1500-1700 recently (BC Vinici jump).

[Purplepup]

I have a high withered gelding who was fit by stubben in their zaria optimum monoflap and it fits him perfectly! And I love it!!! It’s so comfortable and really protects his withers which is hard to do. I do know they have an Excalibur model which is also a monoflap. They’re nice too!

[GoForAGallop]

[QUOTE=Purplepup;8007619]
I have a high withered gelding who was fit by stubben in their zaria optimum monoflap and it fits him perfectly! And I love it!!! It’s so comfortable and really protects his withers which is hard to do. I do know they have an Excalibur model which is also a monoflap. They’re nice too![/QUOTE]

I was less than impressed by how the Zaria fit my flat-backed horse, for what it’s worth. It required quite a bit of padding to fit her to a workable point, as they are a pretty curvy tree.

[kcmel]

[QUOTE=Purplepup;8007619]
I have a high withered gelding who was fit by stubben in their zaria optimum monoflap and it fits him perfectly! And I love it!!! It’s so comfortable and really protects his withers which is hard to do. I do know they have an Excalibur model which is also a monoflap. They’re nice too![/QUOTE]

My guy has a similar build to the OPs horse, and I got a Stubben Excalibur for him. You can find sometimes find them used on the Stubben website for less tha $2k.

Not a very good picture, but gives you some idea of his build.

[GoForAGallop]

[QUOTE=Beam Me Up;8006338]

Btw, where are these $1800 Ideals? Anyone? I thought they were closer to 3K, but I would love a more forward version of the one I have.[/QUOTE]

This is the seller on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/saddlesworldwide/m.html?item=321356698259&hash=item4ad25a1293&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

However the $2k-ish price is only for their more standard models. The Impala Jump and Dressage, and the Martine and Lynx Pro saddles are more near $2700-3000.