I’ve used two fitters already, and have trialed
Multiple saddles and still haven’t found something that works… each fitter tells me something different. I’m on the verge of throwing in the towel. I’ve tried Fairfax, cwd, Antares, and Pessoa. Does anyone have a good recommendation on what I should try next that could possibly be a good fit? I’m mainly looking for a wool saddle since it can be adjusted. If it helps I’m 5ft3 with a femur that’s about 17.5 inches long. Budget is 3k at the max. I was thinking about trying out an Albion kontrol… will only allow me to upload one picture at a time.
I’ve heard great things about stubben and prestige saddles. Also thorowgood is a great economical brand that you can buy a brand new saddle for a max of $1,000 and they are wool flocked, adjustable gullet, and adjustable billet systems.
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I just posted a thread asking about HighLine and FineLine tack - good feedback on their ability to help point you in the right direction. Also, Pelham Saddlery is a good one.
These are used retailers that also carry some new inventory, so slightly different from a fitter and its best to also have someone IRL (you’re looking for wool - do you have someone locally who can adjust and maintain it? Wool needs yearly maintenance usually. Sometimes more.).
I’m no help at suggestions, but that looks to ME like a pretty A frame wither with a curvy back (or at least some need for creativity in the front). I’d see if you can narrow down brands to fit those two criteria? certain CWDs and Pessoa, Thorowgood, and Wintec may all be too flat for you.
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I’d stay away from French. Maybe an older model DVX or Antares, but a lot of those while “curvier” had narrow gullets that sometimes didn’t do so well on horses backs.
Honestly - I’d look into the Stubbens, Loxley Bliss, Black County, and maybe even a Prestige. Especially if you’re leaning wool, which I think is smart for backs like these!
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I was able to find a used, wool Butet in your price range. Redwood Tack in CA had it.
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Albion is worth a try, I’d also definitely look into Stubben.
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If you can stretch your budget at all, I would reach out to EQ. I bought one of their saddles for a horse whose withers/topline looked similar to yours. He was a very difficult fit - including having asymmetry at the withers - and we needed a wool pad to get it to fit at first. His topline has improved hugely and we’ve been able to “downgrade” to a sheepskin pad. I hope to continue to see progress so we can eventually just use a regular pad. And it is adjustable over time (by you!).
Even if you can’t stretch your budget, you might reach out to them and see if they have any demo models available.
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I agree with @Pico_Banana. My gelding was also similarly shaped and my EQ worked wonderfully with him. They’re very intuitive to adjust, are super comfortable, I was able to make really reasonable payments, and Carmi is so great to work with!
A friend of mine had a horse that looked a lot like that, and County worked pretty well for him. Perhaps Amerigo also?
