My turn - the saddle hunt thread - San Diego edition!

[MissAriel]

So I am at the point of pulling the trigger on getting a new saddle, as my current one fits my horse fine, but me not so much. My horse is a young, moderately sized warmblood, with a medium width, an average wither and a flat, as opposed to a curvy, short-coupled back. I know I prefer a narrow twist and a moderate to deep seat, but have no idea if I have a long femur or not (I even googled it, but I don’t know if I am measuring right. If I am, I have a short femur). I have ridden in one saddle with a short block (twice) and loved it, but also loved a Schleese with standard covered knee/thigh rolls.

I am in San Diego and I know people who have worked with Alis Carbonne (Custom) or Karen Losenbaugh (Schleese) and had good experiences. I have ridden other horses in various Custom and Schleese saddles and that is why I am looking into them initially, although I would be open to other manufacturers. If I am going to put the money down, I want the full treatment - fitting both me and the horse.

Who would you set up an appointment with first? Alis, Karen, someone else? Who does a great job fitting rider and horse? Who is likely to have a good variety of saddles to demo? Who has a wide selection of used saddles - my guy is still young, so may outgrow this saddle yet, so I would prefer something used.

[netg]

Just how young is your guy? My mare got her “adult” saddle around when she was turning 5, and I don’t expect her to need another saddle. I use Alis and am very impressed with her. We had about 10 people getting saddles from her over several visits and after looking at our horses and talking to us about what we like, every single one of us ended up in the first type of saddle she had us try, regardless of how many other saddles we tried. I believe we all love our saddles and our horses are very comfortable with them, too. Mine are both very prissy - and my mare will lie down or flip over on a saddle if she is unhappy with it (before I attempt to get on) so it’s quite clear the saddle fit is good. There was a mistake with the first version of my saddle I ordered, and Alis didn’t hesitate to ensure it was replaced. Since the trees are adjustable and the general shape is correct I expect to have no problems continuing to use mine.

I don’t know how Karen fits saddles. I have seen too many people with Schleeses and horses with sore backs, but believe with the right fitter you can find a saddle which fits - and she may fit very well. The saddles themselves are quite nice saddles.

I suspect you’ll get recommendations for independent saddle fitters in your area, and I will be jealous -because we don’t have any here, so you go with a brand or saddle fitter you trust. Alis has done so well for us that I am very happy to continue working with her, and that’s what sold the saddles to me more than the brand.

[MissAriel]

Thanks, netg! That is great information on Alis, along the lines of what I have heard. My guy is just 4, and I was thinking to keep him in the current saddle for another year or so before getting his “grown up” saddle. But the reality is, while the current saddle is fine on him, it isn’t fine for me. It is causing me to struggle in delivering clear aids, which then becomes confusing and frustrating for him - not a situation I want to continue. I am lucky that I can borrow my trainers while I find one that works for both of us.

[netg]

@MissAriel

Thanks, netg! That is great information on Alis, along the lines of what I have heard. My guy is just 4, and I was thinking to keep him in the current saddle for another year or so before getting his “grown up” saddle. But the reality is, while the current saddle is fine on him, it isn’t fine for me. It is causing me to struggle in delivering clear aids, which then becomes confusing and frustrating for him - not a situation I want to continue. I am lucky that I can borrow my trainers while I find one that works for both of us.

Heck, if we were close I’d offer to let you borrow my young horse saddle. I prefer it get used than sit! It’s a more generic shape and balance so as they go through butt high stages it lets you still ride, and adjustable tree so while I like narrower horses it won’t require an identical shape for my next young horse. It’s one of those gems which has been beaten up a bit already but is still in very good functional condition and wouldn’t be worth selling and having to buy another similar saddle in the future - I’d lose money for sure. (And I got it because my trainer’s 1970s de Kunffy finally reached the end of its young horse training career!)

I can see why with a 4 year old, depending on maturity, you may have to get another saddle. You may not, either, though - my mare is a late bloomer and would have had to have a change, but for some horses that’s not the case!

[qhfan2]

I met up with Karen Loshbaugh a few years ago and haven’t looked back. I’ve used a few other “fitters” but I keep going back to her. I know she reps Schleese but I’ve seen that she has other saddles in her van and could have other options for you to try. She’s very knowledgeable and will work with you. Good Luck; I know the struggles of finding the right fit for you and your horse. It took me a few years before I landed with my saddle and have been very happy with it.

[Mardi]

@MissAriel

Who would you set up an appointment with first? Alis, Karen, someone else? Who does a great job fitting rider and horse? Who is likely to have a good variety of saddles to demo? Who has a wide selection of used saddles - my guy is still young, so may outgrow this saddle yet, so I would prefer something used.

Have you considered Sue Newell at N2 Saddlery: 760-332-9515
She lives in San Diego, and if you’re at Del Mar this weekend, stop by the N2 Saddlery trailer located by the indoor arena and talk with her.
http://www.n2saddlery.com

[netg]

@Mardi

Have you considered Sue Newell at N2@ Saddlery: 760-332-9515
She lives in San Diego, and if you’re at Del Mar this weekend, stop by the N2 Saddlery trailer located by the indoor arena and talk with her.
http://www.n2saddlery.com

I also liked Sue a lot. I’ve heard of plenty of personality conflicts with her husband (he’s a former engineer, so he and I got along), but would use Sue happily as well - except the trees of their saddles are uncomfortable to me. I know other people who LOVE them, so certainly wouldn’t rule them out.

[MissAriel]

@Mardi

Have you considered Sue Newell at N2@ Saddlery: 760-332-9515
She lives in San Diego, and if you’re at Del Mar this weekend, stop by the N2 Saddlery trailer located by the indoor arena and talk with her.
http://www.n2saddlery.com

I have seen them set up at a few shows, but didn’t have any personal or second hand experience to go on. Thank you for the input. As far as her husband goes, I’m married to one engineer and apparently raising another, so I think we will get along fine.

[TullyMars]

I use Alis and I love her. She spends a lot of time with us and adjusts the saddle accordingly. I have never had a negative experience with her. She measures and charts the horses backs and can tell you exactly how they are growing and what to anticipate. She has come to our home barn, shows, or when we were on a horsie field trip. Def recommend her!