Opinions on Dynamic saddles?

[Lucassb]

I am in saddle fitting h*ll for one of my horses … he has been very picky about his tack since I got him as a coming 4 year old 3 years ago. Initially he went well in my then–trainer’s Wolfgang Solo. Never could find another one that suited him though, and so for a while I rode him in a Prestige Optimax. That worked well until he developed more topline, and then we went with an older Devoucoux Makila with a wide tree. He did not measure a wide at that time but over the last 3 years I have learned that he always prefers a saddle that is wider than he measures. That saddle worked for about a year and then he had gotten even more developed and - after a LONG search - I found an Antares Cadence that he liked. That was the first saddle he’s liked that also worked really well for me and we’ve been using that for over a year now, but it’s become clear that it isn’t comfortable for him any more. Sigh.

He has been thoroughly evaluated by two highly respected vets as well as FEI approved bodyworker, all of whom say he feels great. Well, at least until I put a saddle on him. Also, we have ruled out behavioral stuff - without the tack he comes out perfectly pleasant and goes around happy as a clam. I have been through most of the usual options but came across a post for these Dynamic saddles and thought they looked interesting. Would love to hear from anyone who has experience with them.

[soloudinhere]

I had a horse like this - who didn’t read the saddle fitting books and liked his saddles really wide - who ended up in a Prestige X Breathe and when that stopped fitting, an Antares Signature (has a different, more open tree than the Cadence) and then went to an Equipe Viktoria with the carbon tree. That horse, and now my other horse, are now wearing Custom’s new Icon Alpha model.

I have not heard much about the Dynamic saddles, but just on the face of it I would be worried about resale for a little-known brand. I’ve seen the proprietor contribute on some saddle sale threads on FB and I can’t say I can see what’s mystical about them.

[Lucassb]

@soloudinhere

I had a horse like this - who didn’t read the saddle fitting books and liked his saddles really wide - who ended up in a Prestige X Breathe and when that stopped fitting, an Antares Signature (has a different, more open tree than the Cadence) and then went to an Equipe Viktoria with the carbon tree. That horse, and now my other horse, are now wearing Custom’s new Icon Alpha model.

I have not heard much about the Dynamic saddles, but just on the face of it I would be worried about resale for a little-known brand. I’ve seen the proprietor contribute on some saddle sale threads on FB and I can’t say I can see what’s mystical about them.

Thanks… he is such a cool horse but this repeated saddle fit challenge is really becoming frustrating. It’s good to know that I am not the only one who has dealt with it. I have sent several messages to our local Custom rep who is normally very responsive but it’s been a couple weeks and I haven’t heard a word from her

I am definitely worried about resale on the Dynamics. No one I know has these or even has heard of them, and at over five grand, they aren’t cheap. Of course, if it works and he likes it, I don’t care what it costs!! But our track record is that generally it has taken me 3 months each time to find something that works… and then it lasts a year or so. Now, supposedly this polymer tree will solve for that, as (at least in theory) it adapts to whatever back you put it on. The lack of points is also something that I am guessing my horse may like as he has a big shoulder. On the other hand, it’s going to shape itself to his back - and therefore is NOT going to fit wider than he measures. I am really unsure how it will go. But at this point, I don’t have anything he will tolerate and I feel like I am running out of options so I figure it’s worth a try.

[kharris92130]

Did the OP ever purchase this saddle? I’m getting one on trial and wanted to know if it worked out for you and your horse.

[Lucassb]

@kharris92130

Did the OP ever purchase this saddle? I’m getting one on trial and wanted to know if it worked out for you and your horse.

No, I didn’t. I did get one on trial and tried it on both my horses - since the pitch was, “it adapts to the back you put it on.”

I was advised that it would feel somewhat cantle high when first placed on the horse, which was definitely true. But after 20+ minutes of riding, that feeling never changed and the saddle just consistently pitched me forward. That was the case on both horses, one of whom is a super easy fit and goes happily in several of my other saddles.

I particularly dislike saddles that push me forward so that was a non-starter for me. But even if I had liked it, the horse I was buying for did not and made that really clear as well. (He ended up in a really nice, rather minimalist older Hennig.)

[kharris92130]

Thank you for your response. I’m going to try one on trial, but it’s good to know what to look out for.

[Lucassb]

@kharris92130

Thank you for your response. I’m going to try one on trial, but it’s good to know what to look out for.

No problem, you are very welcome. Good luck!

[bathsheba8542]

I have had one on trial and my horse LOVES it. Buying it today!

[blob99]

curious for those that tried or bought–how did the saddle ride compared to other saddles?

Also, did you buy through a rep?

[Lucassb]

@blob99

curious for those that tried or bought–how did the saddle ride compared to other saddles?

Also, did you buy through a rep?

As I mentioned above, the saddle felt tilted to me - cantle high. The rep who sent me the saddle said it would feel that way for a few minutes until the tree adapted to the horse’s back, but that was not my experience. I did not like the balance and felt very tipped forward.

For comparison I ride the horse I originally posted about in an Antares Tempo and my other horse goes in an older Hennig Classic. They both offer a really nice neutral balance for me. I’d say the Hennig is “less saddle” (flatter, more minimalist) than the Dynamic I tried, and the Tempo is probably a bit “more saddle” (slightly deeper seat, bigger blocks.)

[kharris92130]

I also had one on trial. Like another poster, the saddle felt cantle high. After ten minutes in the saddle, my horse wouldn’t pick his head off the ground. He was in a permanent “stretch” to the ground. I kept it on him for 20 minutes, just doing a lot of walking and changes of direction. A little trot, no canter. He was back sore the next day. He’s a pretty stoic horse, so I would say that was an extreme reaction for him.

[js]

Have you looked at the Balance saddles? They are designed to fit really wide and then pads are used to fit them. Honestly don’t know much about them, they seemed more popular years ago but you don’t see much about them now. Believe most of their saddles are made by Frank Baines or were anyway.

[Lucassb]

@js

Have you looked at the Balance saddles? They are designed to fit really wide and then pads are used to fit them. Honestly don’t know much about them, they seemed more popular years ago but you don’t see much about them now. Believe most of their saddles are made by Frank Baines or were anyway.

Thanks, js. Since my OP a little over a year ago, I ended up with a newer model from Antares that has been really good. It has the same tree configuration that my horse likes, but with a better balance and feel for me. We ended up doing a slightly modified panel to accommodate my horse’s preference for lots of room around his wither/shoulder, which is where he is wider than average despite having a pretty “medium width” behind that point.

I liked the saddle so well for me that I also got one for my other horse as well. It just arrived so I haven’t really had a chance to break it in yet, but so far, so good. The only downside was how freaking long these things take from the time you order until they arrive.

[ThistleDewDressage]

I own one and so does a client. I love them so much I also represent them, though I don’t sell saddles for a living. I really like the seat as far as really placing the rider in the middle of the saddle and I very much like the balance for me. Some horses (I ride many of very different type) need padding up in different places but considering I ride them all in the same saddle I think that’s very minimal. All of my horses seem to do well in it and I definitely ride better in it than the other saddles I sometimes have to ride in.