I have been using my trainer’s Passier Grand Gilbert saddle (NOT the Nicole; hers has a flatter seat and less knee roll, which I like) on my Lipizzan mare, but the tree just got broken when a young horse flipped over in the crossties (everybody is okay, except the saddle). Trying to decide whether to spend the big bucks and take the time to replace the tree on that one, or grab a Karl Niedersuess Symphonie that looks very similar and very nice that’s available right now. Does anybody have an opinion on how the two would compare? As I mentioned, I prefer a flatter seat and less knee roll, so the Nicole’s Grand Gilbert - which seems to be the one available all over the place - does not work for me. Thanks in advance!
I have a Karl Neidersuss Symphonie that I adored for years until I gained too much weight to fit comfortably in the 16.75 inch seat. I’ve also had a Grand Gilbert and liked it, too. it’s been years, but they ride about the same as I recall.
Thank you!
I was going to say the exact same thing. While I have more experience with the symphony, I find They Ride very similarly
Great, that’s good to know. Do you think the fit for the horse is about the same, too?
That’s so variable by flocking and tree size I can’t say honestly
Good point
Different saddle brands have differently shaped trees. If memory serves the Neidersuss is more banana shaped where Passier is flatter (talking tree here).
If the shape of the tree doesn’t match the shape of your horse’s back, no amount of flocking will give a good fit.
Thank you
Those are the 2 saddles I love! I find the GG feels closer to the horse when you first get in it, when I first sit in the KN I feel a little up off the horse’s back at first and feel my own balance more. After those initial impressions I think they ride about the same. I own both and have used both (correctly fitted) on a few different horses.
I’ve had both and found the GG seat overall more comfortable to me, but the flaps were way too long, so I sold it. The GG fit both my TB (who is not dippy but has withers, but is also a MW), and my Azteca. The KN fits the Azteca and my STB, who is a weird one to fit. I got a BC for the TB that I love, and kept the KN for the other two, since it fit them. Both were effective and I don’t dislike the KN at all, just found the GG a smidge narrower/closer contact feeling.
I too had both and loved both. I would have to say the GG fit my very flat back welsh cob better than the curvier guys. Preference? I felt best in the GG but didn’t like it so much on the horses it didn’t fit; so, take that for what it’s worth.
