Opinions on Verhan and other adjustable saddles

[CCRider12]

My youngster just had another growth spurt and his current saddle isn’t going to work anymore. Unfortunately, I have nothing to ride him in at the moment. I found a Verhan Maximus for sale local to me in my size and price range. I’ve never ridden in one, but have sat in one at the local tack shop (size wasn’t going to work so I didn’t try it) and liked it. My question is, how adjustable are they and how is customer service with the company? I’ve read that the saddle needs to be taken apart to adjust? Sounds $$$! I plan on calling the company for info, but would appreciate first hand reviews.

I’d also love the same info on other adjustable dressage saddles. Due to being furloughed, my budget is very low and new is out of the question. Horse is 5 y/o Friesians x WB with some wither and curve to back. MW to W depending on saddle and EXTREMELY short backed. I’m not a fan of Schleese, and saddles with exchangeable plates are not my favorite and tend to be too long for him. I’d prefer a higher end used that can be adjusted.

i do have an amazing independent fitter and have been fortunate to do some FaceTime fittings with her. I will be working with her, I’d just like to start searching while I have nothing better to do.

Thanks in advance!

Edit to add that he needs a hoop tree, just to make it more frustrating.

[sheltona01]

Verhan is out of business, I believe. Low budget with an adjustable saddle and a growing horse, my go to is a Thorowgood. Kent and master or the classic line of the Fairfax. It just depends on what a lower budget means to you.

[CCRider12]

Thank you! Unfortunately, those are too long for him. He needs an upswept panel or a shorter panel. I didn’t really like riding in the Thorowgood or Kent and Masters, I’ve owned both. His current saddle has an upswept panel and length wise it works well. I can’t afford $3k and up. Max is 2k although I’d feel more comfortable spending less until I can sell one of the many I already own.

[sheltona01]

Wow, he must have a very short back. I very rarely have issues with their length. Maybe a prestige? They are adjustable

[CCRider12]

He is 😩. How easy are they to adjust? Saddle press or does it need to be taken apart?

[sheltona01]

They need to be sent off to be adjusted by someone who has a specialized machine.

[Ceylon_Star]

If you need a hoop tree, my suggestion would be to look at UK brands. Ideal is adjustable within a size or two either way, and I believe just needs a press. I believe Frank Baines is as well, and I can personally vouch for their hoop trees and short panels being stellar of compact kegs-with-legs. Neither will be as adjustable as something like a Schleese, but both brands are known to fit the shape you’re trying to fit. Frank Baines are also widely available used and within your budget. Ideal may take a little more looking, depending on where you live. They’ve become quite popular in my area recently, but were relatively unknown a couple years ago, for example.

Loxley by Bliss is exchangeable plates, but has a much wider range of widths and shapes than a lot of brands, and are less expensive than the main Bliss of London line.

[Tigre_Horse]

Verhan is now Trustin and very much in business. I won’t ride in anything else. Best bet call and find out what can and can not be done https://thesaddlecorner.com/

[Displaced_Yankee]

@sheltona01

Wow, he must have a very short back. I very rarely have issues with their length. Maybe a prestige? They are adjustable

That must be a short back. I have no problem with the length of my older Fairfax on my 14.2 Connemara cross. I have the “cob” tree (I don’t think they make them anymore, so a used one would fit right in your budget). The gullet bars swap out with a Phillips head screwdriver and they can also be adjusted/tweaked via the flocking.

I got mine for the same reasons: young horse, some adjustment capabilities, budget-friendly. The comfort of the seat is fine. Not the most comfortable but certainly not the worst. I had to make some sacrifices to get the budget, fit, and flexibility. Now he is ready for a big pony saddle!

[sheltona01]

Just to clarify, yes you can adjust Ideal and Frank Baines saddles. However I would not call them adjustable. With a Spring Tree, the Society of Master Saddler’s recommendation is to only adjust them 1 maybe twice in the life hood of the saddle and only 1 tree width. Otherwise you risk breaking the tree.

I do adjust saddles but only the ones I sell with manufacturer support for if the tree breaks. The second hand market is really scary to me. I have seen too many broken or twisted trees or saddles really not the size they are suppose to be. For my clients, I only recommend they get saddles from places I know check the tree for being broken and or twisted.

[no.stirrups]

I believe the Verhan Maximus was made by Harry Dabbs. I’ve only ever had one come through my shop, but I work with Harry Dabbs regularly. In general, Harry Dabbs requires cutting a couple of stitches at the bottom of the leg of the panel in order to access the flocking. So yes, a little taking apart, but really easy and quick to cut and re-sew. If you send me pictures of the underside of the Maximus I can tell you whether it is the same.
Or did you mean adjusting the tree? Any saddle that needs to be placed in a tree press (as opposed to an interchangeable gullet or Wellep system) should be taken apart to adjust. It’s the only way to be sure that it is adjusted to the correct angle, that it is adjusted symmetrically, and that the leather isn’t damaged in the process. As far as that goes, Harry Dabbs saddles are easier than most to take apart. After those stitches I mentioned above, it’s just a couple of screws to remove as compared to unstitching/restitching across the front of the pommel. Around the cantle is sewn in a traditional manner.
The trees can go up or down one size, as sheltona01 mentioned above, but Harry Dabbs trees are not limited to a couple of times in the saddles lifetime. They’ve been adjusted over 35 times with no problem, and the trees come with a lifetime warranty.
I hope that helps with your questions about the Maximus, and obviously I would suggest looking at the saddles Harry Dabbs makes under their own name as well. I also find Black Country works for a lot of horses with short backs.

[equinelibrium]

I don’t have any experience with that brand but I feel your pain on the extremely short-backed horse! My mare has 16.5" of space between her shoulder blade and the last rib. Right now she goes in a Black Country Eden that I got used for about $2k. I just got an AH saddles jump saddle and I’ve been really happy with it. They’re about the same price new, including shipping from the UK, and personalized help from the owner of the company. It took a bit of adjusting to get the balance right for me but now it feels great now. They have several different trees so they can fit most wide shapes, including a curvier tree for my croup-high horsey. Might be worth a look! www.ahsaddles.com

[CCRider12]

Thank you all for your responses! I’ve had an insane week at work and I apologize for my late response. I have the fitter coming out. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to meet up with the seller of the Verhan yet 😞. I already have an Ideal Jessica Professional and it’s too long. The Black Country and Fairfax I tried we’re both too long. I noticed how increasingly wonky he looks while feeding breakfast this morning. The joys of young horses! I will look into the Bliss saddles :). Hopefully my fitter had a magic saddle in her truck when she comes!

[Wyndwolfe]

Also out of business, but Bond Street made several saddles with adjustable trees. The tree adjusts using a key wrench, vey easy. I really love mine.