Pessoa A/O AMS saddle?

[Amy3996]

My horse is a very difficult to fit Warmblood. Wide shoulder/barrel with high withers. I was looking at the Pessoa A/O AMS - the Alto panels are supposed to be good for high withers, and the adjustable gullet/flocking might give us some leeway with fit. Does anyone have experience with this saddle? Thoughts/reviews?

thanks!

[jonem004]

I just bought a used Pessoa A/O that I believe has the Alto panels. My mare doesn’t have a wither that makes this thicker front panel necessary, and I’ve been using an XX-wide gullet plate to get the low spot of the seat further forward so it can be over the stirrup bar where I want it. Still has 3 big fingers of wither clearance, so if I had a wider horse I don’t think I could get it to work. She’s probably med/wide with a pretty flat back. I’m going to have the flocking looked at next weekend, so that might change what gullet I can use since she doesn’t need all of the clearance.

She seems to like it and works and jumps well in it. I didn’t like it until I got the super wide gullet in it because it was putting me in a bit of a chair seat. Now that it’s balanced on her back I’m really pleased with the fit/security/comfort. I got it because I have a young horse coming up and I wanted to have something in the barn that would be able to grow with him. It’s nice that these can still have the flocking adjusted like a regular saddle but can be adjusted further if need be.

Changing the gullet plate takes about 10 minutes, but is enough of a production that I wouldn’t want to do it between rides.

For what you’re trying to fit I’d say this saddle has a good chance of doing it. My little mare could have a shark fin and still have clearance. Leather feels nice, but not french. I’m pleased with mine.