Most Comfortable Saddle

[blacknwhite]

I’m looking to get a new saddle, but so far have been spoiled with amazing saddles from non conventional brands and I don’t know where to go from here.

Currently I have an older Albion that is really not in show condition anymore but rides like a cloud with extremely grippy leather on the knee rolls. And I also have a red, as in bright red, custom saddle for my extremely weird fitting warmblood that is even more comfortable than the Albion and has buttery soft grippy leather. That one is an EquineFit.

I’ve tried a few saddles and they feel like I’m riding on slippery rocks, so what is the most comfortable saddle you have ever had the pleasure to sit in? What is currently out there that I should be looking for?

[lmlacross]

Tough to answer as preference and comfort are pretty user-specific. For me, I prefer a wide-ish flat seat with a relatively narrow twist. I don’t like a lot of bulk under my leg, so a small front roll is really all I’m looking for under the flap. I was of a generation that grew up in flat-as-a-pancake, rock-hard, plain flap saddles, so I don’t prefer my saddle to ride like a couch. I want to feel my horse.

The first saddle I bought was a plain flap Crosby Equilibrium. I loved that saddle and rode in it through college. I really liked my County Stabilizer (for an old horse, long since retired and saddle sold). I like Butet, but haven’t ridden in one produced within the last decade or so, so I’m not sure how they may have changed. I like my current saddle, a Crosby Centennial Selle Francais, quite a bit. I like the Barnsby Aurora. I like the look of the Beval Artisan, though I haven’t ridden in one.

[cswoodlandfairy]

I think that it will depend on what you want to spend. I have found that most french saddles are very grippy. I have a Voltaire and its super grippy, but then again it is only as grippy as he conditioner I put on it to keep it that way. I never have any problem with it. I had a couple stubbens and they were far less grippy than my Voltaire but again it all depends on the type of leather the saddle will be made out of.

[blacknwhite]

Which type of leather would you say tends to be the most grippy? I’m not opposed to spending a good amount for something I like, I ride so many horses a day living in comfort is key!

[Duckz]

[QUOTE=blacknwhite;8865972]
Which type of leather would you say tends to be the most grippy? I’m not opposed to spending a good amount for something I like, I ride so many horses a day living in comfort is key![/QUOTE]

Look for buffalo leather. It’s a good combination of grippy and long-wearing. I have a dressage saddle in buffalo leather and I don’t move in it.

That said, my mom just got a new Albion jump saddle in regular cow leather and it’s like sitting a couch, it’s so comfortable and squishy. I don’t want to event in it, but I’m going to steal it for fox hunting!

[ElementFarm]

Saddle preference is highly individual. I would sit/ride in as many as you can (borrow from friends, etc) to see what you like.
I have a CWD, Tad Coffin, and Voltaire, and I find the Voltaire the most comfortable. Things like flap length and placement, and knee rolls can significantly impact how you feel in a saddle, and are customizable in most high-end brands, so do your research if you want to buy used.
I find Calfskin the right combination of soft and grippy, and that that’s my personal favorite. Buffalo is also very grippy and something to look into if grippiness is important to you.

[jaybird660]

The most grippy leather aside from suede is calf, buffalo, Black Country “vintage”, for the flaps. For seats, doe, reverse doe, calf, schrumph and suede are grippier than hide.

[BLBSTBLS]

I second the Buffalo Leather! One trainer I rode with had a buffalo skin saddle, and it was absolutely amazingly comfortable and grippy. I loved the security of that saddle. I really wish I could remember what brand it was because I would love to own one of those now.

[Indy]

[QUOTE=ElementFarm;8866081]
Saddle preference is highly individual. I would sit/ride in as many as you can (borrow from friends, etc) to see what you like. [/QUOTE]

This a million times over. What my butt and I like is not necessarily going to be the same saddle that you like. When I was saddle hunting I literally borrowed every saddle in the barn that was a different brand and was even remotely close to fitting me. What some people loved I was ready to burn with fire. I wound up with an Antares that I love. It has a calfskin seat that is so soft and just the right amount of grippy.

[Roo]

I love love love my Butet. It’s comfortable, grippy and it enables me to feel extremely close to my horse. Before buying it, I test rode in a Devacoux, Antares, Equipe and a Meyer. My mare, who is very sensitive, also voted for the Butet. It really does come down to individual preference for both the horse and rider.

[Blondie22]

My full calf CWD is very grippy. I feel close to the horse and it keeps me balanced and my leg in a good position. Highly recommend!!

[JenEM]

I think my favorite jump saddle I’ve ever ridden in was a friend’s Frank Baines. So comfortable! If I could have found a used one that fit, I’d probably be riding in one myself.

My current saddle is buffalo, and I definitely love it for grip. Conditioning also makes a difference, sometimes poorly treated saddles are so slippery.

[ladyj79]

My county is super comfortable, Id also steal my friend’s Frank Baines. I would avoid tad coffin like the plague. When riding for a breeder who loves her coffin, i rode in them about six hours a day and referred to them as the “it’s ok I didn’t want to have children anyway” saddles.

[doublesstable]

I have been told by saddle fitters the most grippy leather is full calf not the buffalo.

I have a CWD and a Meyer and they are both full calf and amazing saddles. I had a Butet full calf and it was really comfortable too but didn’t fit my growing horse so I sold it.

The CWD seat is a bit harder than the Butet and Meyer. My most favorite saddle is now the Meyer. LOVE IT. Butet’s are a close second.

[riverinthewoods]

Definitely sit in/ride in a few if you can before you really make a decision.

I LOVED my Ovation Evolution. I don’t think they make them anymore and it’s on the lower-end brand wise but it was comfortable and I stuck like glue in that thing. I hate that I sold it but keep telling myself that I needed an upgrade in brand and seat size (which is the truth).

Don’t rush. I felt rushed because I needed a saddle to fit my hard to fit gelding and to be honest, I hate it. I spent a good amount of money on it too and would probably have a hard time selling it and making anything back. :no:

[preppyeq]

If you love your Albion then I would suggest looking at a newer one that is in show condition. I really love my Albion saddles and I have yet to find a saddle that is more comfortable or fits me better. They also fit my horse really well too. You can find some really good deals online too.

[JenEM]

@doublesstable;8868057

I have been told by saddle fitters the most grippy leather is full calf not the buffalo.

I do think full calf is a bit gripper than buffalo, but I don’t notice much difference between my trainer’s calf saddle and my buffalo one, grippiness-wise. For the difference in how well they wear, IMVHO, buffalo is a better buy.

[OldLadyYoungOTTB]

I have a used Courbette that I bought used really cheap. Even my trainer said it’s a really comfortable saddle and she likes it. I don’t love the look of the leather–it doesn’t look high quality, but it is the most comfortable saddle I’ve tried.

[meupatdoes]

I love my Albion Kontakt.

Everyone who sits in it does too.

[TC3200]

Memal, a heavy thick oiled cowhide, is as good as buffalo for grip. I think it might be of German origin. Few saddlemakers offer it. It’s oiled to make it pliable. It’s not actually oily. Similar to buffalo.