Monoflap vs. dual flap?

[IncaEventer]

I prefer the feel of riding in a monoflap. I hate the billets under my leg, and because of my/my horse’s build, sometimes it affects my ability to be effective…

HOWEVER

I can’t seem to find anything that fits–DK, Antares, Barnsby, Amerigo, Prestige, Jeffries, Toulouse, Stubben, all a no go for some reason or another.

On top of this, I have a fairly limited budget ($2000), which is making some of the higher end brands unfeasible.

So…

Do you think my problem of the girth getting in the way could be partly due to my current saddle (Bates)? Sometimes it is fine, other times I adjust my saddle 3+ times and it’s still a disaster. Could a different girth help? (I have a 54" M. Toulouse).

What are my other options. I’ve heard that converting a dual flap to long billets has issues with saddle stability. True? Any way to mitigate the affect?

[FLeventer]

I have a couple of saddles that I changed from short billets to long. Personally I had no issues with stability or future problems with the saddle.

I had an older Passier Balm converted from short to long. I sold it a few years after with no issues. I had a Prestige Eventer that I converted from short to long again with no issues. I had a Spirig dressage saddle that I converted as well.

Two are dressage saddles, true, but again no issues with stability or balance. I personally hate the feel of buckles under my leg as well.

[JWB]

Personally I have found the Bates saddles to feel bulky in general but that is just my opinion for my body. I know quote a few folks who have changed billets to long without issue. I did it on a dressage saddle years ago with excellent results.

[IncaEventer]

Thanks, this is encouraging to hear! I get to try a county tomorrow with all the upgrades for a horse with big withers, so it sounds like, if it does fit, there may be a possibility to change the billets!

[EveryLittleBit]

I too changed the billets on my Stubben, and have had absolutely no issues with stability. And this on a pony built like a barrel!

I converted mine for the same reason, I hated the feel of the girth under my leg on my already wide mare.

[dexhol]

If your Bates is like my older model, the billets are removable (they loop through a metal ring at the top). I ordered some long billets from them and replaced them myself easy peasy. Instant “mono” flap saddle. Loved getting those buckles out from under my legs. I had a Bates Momentum XC saddle, but I think the rest of them made around that time had the same feature.

I never had any stability issues, but if yours is set up like mine it was less that $50 for the billets, and if you are unhappy with the change, it’s just as easy to swap it back

[sheltona01]

It is very easy to change the billets to long and I have not had any problems doing so. I also talked to a couple of master saddlers since I was with them and saw your post. They have not had any problems doing that either with their clients in England and apparently it is fairly common modification.

[Sticky_Situation]

This is a timely thread for me … This is something I’ve been considering doing with my saddle, for two reasons: I’d like to have less bulk under my leg, and I think the saddle will probably wear better/longer without the buckles digging into the flaps every ride. The saddle fits my horse and me well, and I definitely can’t afford a new or different saddle to get an actual monoflap one… But I don’t want to change the fit of the saddle or cause it to slip more easily (Lil Bay Horse is kind of mutton withered to begin with!). It sounds like most of those who have done it liked the results … Did anyone have it done and then run into problems? Or is it pretty much unanimous that it’s a good idea? I’m not particularly concerned about resale value issues … It’s not a super high end saddle and I more than likely will own it till it wears out!

[scubed]

Check with Heritage saddlery who can custom build for under $2,000 including monoflap as I understand or go the billet switch route. http://www.heritagesaddlery.co.uk/content/yin-yang-inner-balance-mono-flap-jump-event-saddle-fc-forward-cut-version

Because he is a British saddler, he offers the wither gussets, K/Trap/Skid row configuration and appropriate gussets.

[bfeintn]

You may also want to look into Loxley Saddles. They are made by Bliss and quite amazing. The jump saddle - brand new and fully custom made to you and your horse start at $2315 so they are extremely well priced. I don’t know where you are located but Kate Wooten of English Saddle Fit in Tennessee travels to KY and GA and sells them. You can get most of their models in either mono or dual flap.