If you’re in MA, pelham saddlery in Pelham NH has tons of options and I think they’ll ship for trials. As will Trumble (sp?) Mountain tack up in VT
Have you tried any of the Albion models with a more narrow twist? I can’t ride in any of their models with a wider twist but over the years I have kept coming back to the SLKs, SLs, the old styles. While none of those are a monoflap, they might have one that is. I live in Arizona and ship my saddles back and forth to a dealer in New York who has always been the easiest to deal with, very accommodating and reasonable, plus the work has always been on par with my needs. I have a tough to fit breed so once I found something and someone that works I’ve kept with them for the better part of 10 years or more.
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Might want to check on some of the more recent posts about that first https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/dressage/138235-anyone-here-ride-in-a-saddle-made-by-equine-inspired
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Was just going to make the same suggestion!
I can also vouch for Pelham. They are fantastic, and have a good fitter who will bring you a van load of saddles to try. They have a good trial policy as well. If you can get to the store first, it’s very worthwhile to spend a few hours sitting in as many saddles as possible.
Another Pelham fan. My first saddle adventure was 18 years ago when I was riding school horses. I spent a couple of hours trying anything that might work. Stubbens were the worst - incredible pain. I had an AAAAHHH moment in an 18" Albion GP… It was above my budget but worth every penny and it fit my new gelding. A year later I stopped in for a few things and the manager said she had the perfect saddle for me: A new Albion Original Comfort, dressage saddle that was a special order on consignment. 19" seat, wide tree, short flaps, extra deep gussets. Some poor soul paid a bunch for it and I saved over $1000. I’ve heard that Albions have a wide twist. The GP is now owned by a barn buddy.
They used to have a pretty good selection of supplies and clothing. They have so many saddles stuffed in there that they are down to a corner for odds and ends. It is a terrific store and they have been around for a long time. The staff is very knowledgeable. If you can’t there get a set of tracings and a few photos to send them. They do send their saddles out for trial for 7 days. I wouldn’t hesitate to consign a saddle there.
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What about an Antares mono flap? The one I’ve ridden in had the narrowest twist of any dressage saddle I’ve come across. It has foam flocking but my understanding is that a good saddler can replace that.
I am looking again for a saddle for my GRP/Welsh cob cross who has changed shape significantly since I got him two saddles ago, and I assume he will continue to change as he gets fitter. He is, needless to say, round, mutton withered with big shoulders and has a short back. If I can find one at a good price, I’m considering a used Devocoux Malika Harmonie for its flexible composite tree, which my trainer loves. Any thoughts?
After my Voltaire foam flocked saddle I can’t ever go back to one.
Update, I tried a Trilogy monoflap saddle last night (don’t know the exact model) and I really liked it. It seemed like it put me in a good position BUT I’m a little hesitant purchasing one possibly because my last saddle didn’t work out. With that being said I may try to try another saddle just for comparison. What are peoples views and opinions of Custom Saddlery?
Which of the Albions have a narrower twist?
I just finished the saddle search myself - again. Ended up with a 2016 model Paramount that ticked all my boxes. This time round it was much easier because almost everything we put on my new mare fit her quite well. I think a Trilogy Verago would have worked as well and had there been a used one with the right specs near me, I would have tried it in a heartbeat.
Last time I went through the process was with my impossible to fit gelding. Literally the only saddle that worked for him and was narrow enough in the twist for me was the Prestige D1 Zero.
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Of the older & newer models, the Style, SL, SLK, SLK Ultima. I have owned and/or ridden in each. I have never ridden in a revelation so I don’t know if those or the regular platinum model are narrow or not. I did not find the K2 to be narrow enough for me. I abhor the old comfort model, felt like it was splitting me in two.
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Thanks exvet, that was very helpful.
Reported the above as spam. Advise against clicking on the link.
If you love your Voltaire (and I love mine too!), have the foam changed. They can do that for you. It will cost you something, but you’ll have all the things you know and love about your saddle AND it will fit your horse. Ask the rep to come out and evaluate what you need and have it done.
Interesting that Bliss doesn’t have a narrow seat option, as I have two Loxley LX saddle (made by Bliss) and both have what they call the Slimtec seat which is cut away under the riders thighs and also has a narrow waist. I have extremely wide Lipizzans and everything else was way too wide for me with numerous back/neck/SI issues and fibromyalgia and Lymes. I ordered the saddles with their changeable hoop tree gullet bars. So, although the fit really wide, I can ride well with no pain. I would come tact them company directly and they may have a solution for you. I love my saddles, they are top quality and because I bought demos, I got two lovely saddles for less than 5k.
