Need Some Saddle Ideas

[skip99]

Running into some problems with my current saddle and my growing (5 year old) mare.

Mare has been balky recently, a chiro revealed she was quite out in the pelvis & sore in her back. She went amazingly forward for several days after her visit before slowly slipping back in a balky state. I get about some improvement in her willingness to go by removing the Thinline half pad (no sheepskin) I usually use, so I took a closer look at her saddles.

In our jump saddle (Prestige Sinead monoflap 33cm/med tree) the channel seems a bit too narrow through the entire saddle and seems to be restricting her shoulder. Her dressage is a Prestige Venus K in a 33/34cm for dressage (have to double check). The dot to dot on the Sinead is 4" vs the Venus at 5". The channel on the Venus seems more appropriate though the rear panels are not a great fit and it still seems a little tight through the shoulder. She goes somewhat better in the Venus.

I’m probably going to live with the dressage saddle for a bit since it is the better of the two and focus on finding a replacement jump saddle. I’m looking for suggestions as all of my internet searching has brought up 0. Most of the fitters/reps in my area are brand specific and the couple of independent fitters I know of don’t frequently have used stock in my size.

My perfect saddle would be a monoflap saddle that works for Mare who has a fairly long, sloping wither; mostly flat back; big shoulder and me with a 16.5 seat (but not a short flap) and narrow, Butet-ish twist.

Also open to recommendations for any virtual/remote saddle fitters. I have healthy budget for a used saddle ($2500).

[Gardenhorse]

I don’t have suggestions on particular saddles, but Pelham Saddlery has a ton of used saddles and are great to work with. I am pretty sure that you can send them wither tracings and they will recommend some saddles to try.

I think Equestrian Imports will also consult with you if you provide tracings.

Edited to add: You could also get one of the independent saddle fitters to come out and check your saddle, do tracings, and give you recommendations of saddle models to try. That’s the way it usually works in my area - none of the independent fitters have a large stock of saddles.

[Jealoushe]

@skip99

My perfect saddle would be a monoflap saddle that works for Mare who has a fairly long, sloping wither; mostly flat back; big shoulder and me with a 16.5 seat (but not a short flap) and narrow, Butet-ish twist.

I have a very similar shaped mare and the Volataire lexington was a game changer for her! She was really spooky and one day let me know that she was absolutely done with the saddle she was using. I bought a used Voltaire with the pro panels, wide tree and from the first ride she was back to her usual calm and willing self.

As someone who always rode Butet, I think you find the twist similar.

I also highly recommend Equestrian Imports - Anne for saddle fit. I believe she is doing some virtual fittings due to COVID. She has fit 5 of our horses and never steered us wrong.

https://equestrianimports.com/

[Heinz_57]

I can’t recommend a saddle, but I believe Hastilow USA has a remote fitting service (independent fitter, not just a brand rep), and the fee is reasonable. They don’t just recommend Hastilows, they also carry Albion, Black Country, Fairfax, Ideal, Jeffries, Kent and Masters, Thorowgood, and whatever other / used saddles they might have at the time.

I know those are all English/UK makers, but they might be able to recommend something with a more french-like balance.

[illuminatedd]

I agree that Ann Forrest at Equestrian Imports is absolutely brilliant, and whether in person or virtual, she is wonderful for saddle fitting help!