Never ending dressage saddle search

[EmmyM]

So I am in desperate need to find a new dressage saddle. Does anyone have any suggestions for types of saddles?
Requirements:
must have a short flap option (vertically challenged)
Narrow twist
wool flocked
wide channel
monoflap, deep seat and larger knee blocks are a plus but not a deal breaker

I currently have a Voltaire which I love but my horse doesn’t fit in it anymore (darn foam) I’ve tried Bliss, really liked it and put me in a great position but the twist was far too wide and there is no narrow option. wasn’t impressed with prestige. Tried an older County and didn’t love it plus the saddle rep near me was pretty rude so don’t wanna go with them. Stubbens don’t haven a wide enough gusset…
Tried looking into Frank Bains but there are none available near me. I’ve got a trilogy rep coming out next month but would like some more options.

Does anyone have any saddle/brand suggestions? I feel like this is a lost cause! Please help

[bip]

Oh, you will like the Trilogies, I think. I loved the Trilogy Verago, but ended up with a Frank Baines because none of the used Veragos I tried fit like the demo. I did not want to spend $5000+ on a new saddle, because I’d just dropped $4400 on a custom Stubben for this horse and it only worked for about 18 months. Sadly they do not seem to hold their resale value.

[EmmyM]

@bip

Sadly they do not seem to hold their resale value.

Trilogy or Stubben doesn’t hold their value? I’m really hoping I like trilogy because I am so sick of searching. I miss riding my horse! Haha. I’m also hoping whatever saddle I get if its from a rep I’d be able to trade in my saddle to help ease the cost even a little.

[bip]

I was disappointed in how poorly my Stubben held its value.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

In this era of Trend Trumps All, only the brands pushed heavily by reps (read: given to trainers who then get their students to buy them) really hold market value.

The Trilogy Debbie McDonald is right up your alley - IF your horse needs a straight-ish tree with a fully gusseted rear panel. Otherwise, you might want to look into Prestige… they’re flocked with synthetic material, but it holds up well; and they accommodate more back shapes with their upswept panels.

[Gardenhorse]

I have a short flap Amerigo that I really like. You might also look at Albion. Do you have an independent saddle fitter (someone who doesn’t rep a particular brand)? If so, they should be able to give you suggestions of brands that will work for you and your horse.

[EmmyM]

I’m having a hard time finding a non saddle rep. Although the main person who comes to my barn to saddle fit is a Trilogy saddle rep he doesn’t seem to push Trilogy onto anyone from what I’ve seen. But I may try to work with him to see what’s available and good options. Oh the woes of saddle shopping!

[Gardenhorse]

@EmmyM

Oh the woes of saddle shopping!

Yeah, it’s not fun. Good luck!

[CanteringCarrot]

My Fairfax Gareth is a monoflap, wool flocked, short flap, wide channel, with large blocks. I have no idea about the twist. May be on the wide side? I really don’t shop by twist. I sit in the saddle and if it works, it works. I feel that many are convinced they need a narrow twist, but that’s not always the case. Just my opinion.

I have no idea how my saddle holds value because, quite frankly, I don’t care.

Another option to consider could be the Black Country Vinici. Another wool flocked monoflap.

[bip]

@CanteringCarrot

I have no idea how my saddle holds value because, quite frankly, I don’t care.

Yeah, I’ve never cared before either but that’s because they all fit one horse or another for more than 18 months. $4400 for 18 months is not a good value.

[EmmyM]

I sit in the saddle and if it works, it works. I feel that many are convinced they need a narrow twist, but that’s not always the case. Just my opinion.

I’ve tried saddles with a wide twist, M. Toulouse, Bates and Bliss and find them extremely uncomfortable. I can’t get a good grip with my legs, feel like I’m flopping around, and all around just a bad fit for my confirmation haha

[Arigold]

Not sure why No to Prestige? They have many newer models that meet your criteria. I also have been on the saddle hunt due to a new horse. My criteria are very similar to yours. I have narrowed down to a Prestige X-Helen K and the County Epiphany. The County is not a true mono flap, but does have an exterior large short thigh block. Unfortunately both are rather hard to find used, but possible.

[no.stirrups]

Without knowing your price range or location (since you want something nearby) it’s really hard to make suggestions. Opening yourself up to working long distance would give you access to those Frank Baines saddles that you are interested in plus loads of others. Also it would be helpful to see pictures of your horse because obviously it needs to fit him or her, too.

[Jealoushe]

Try https://www.fine-used-saddles.com/saddles/pc/home.asp

She can do a virtual saddle fitting (its legit trust me) and let you know what saddle will work for you and your horse.

She has fit 2 of my horses, 3 of my moms, and sountless others who ride with my coach (who fits for her), and none of us have had issues ever once we got the saddle recommended! Highly recommend her service.

[kashmere]

Sounds like a Schleese could be right up your alley and could find an option that works for you. Lots of varied opinions about them on this board, but I’ve had great experiences with their saddles and fitters.

narrow twist/ wide channel/ wool flocked are pretty well standard for their saddles. A few have monoflap options, all can be customized with a short flap, and the monoflaps have changeable blocks.

[MissAriel]

I would recommend either Schleese or Custom. Both have the options you are looking for and I have liked them both. If it were me, I would let the rep be the “tie breaker” and use which ever had a better rep near you, as they are both good quality saddles. IME Schleese has a slightly wider gullet, but that may just be the models I am familiar with.

[polkadotedpony]

I have an Ideal/Crown brand saddle from Hastilow which I think hits most of your asks. I have the Tonishia. It’s wool flocked, has multiple twists widths available, has a short flap option and a wide channel. Mine also has short panels for my Morgan. This model isn’t monoflap but I think they made one called the Impala.
They aren’t very popular in the US, but they are pretty reasonable new and great quality. Mine was around $3,000 and that was a custom build with tracing. My one concern is because its not a trendy brand it wont hold its value well. But as stated before only super trendy brands like Custom or Voltaire are likely to hold value and the new purchase price is so high on those that even at a “good” used price you are likely to take a big loss. I think the only way to really hold value on a saddle is to buy it already used, which is tough with that shopping list (hence why I caved and bought mine new).

[artisticgold]

If you really liked the Bliss saddle, consider trying a Loxley saddle (made by Bliss) with a SlimTech seat. I bought a Loxley Baroque LX with the slim tech seat and adjustable gullet for my Lipizzan mare and I love it! It’s really hard for me to find a saddle that’s comfy as I need a narrower twist on a wide horse.

[leheath]

N2 Saddles would meet your requirements. I don’t know where you are located, but if their fitters come to your area, I would recommend them. They have a range of different models with a range of twist widths, lots of customization options, all wool flocked, very wide channels, and most are true monoflaps with a range of knee blocks in different lengths, sizes, and angles. They offer a great trial period too and sell “off the truck” too, if they have something that works for you and your horse. I worked with Sue, one of the owners, and she was knowledgeable, helpful, and patient.

[EmmyM]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I’ll definitely do some more research on all the saddles. As an update I did try a friends HDR saddle the other day and the twist was still too wide for me
as for Schleese. I have tried them in the past. I wasn’t impressed. I also had an extremely bad experience with the saddle rep I used so I would not consider going back to them at all. I am located in MA so I’ll definitely try to look around and see if there are any places that will ship to me for me to do a trial.