Possible for a fench saddle to fit a high withered OTTB? Custom saddle hand holding

[bluecharm7]

I just had several conversations with people telling me that the only way to go is with an English saddle maker. County, Black Country, Albion, etc. I have tried County, Hastilow, and Black Country saddles and just was not happy with them. I wasn’t happy with the leather and I wasn’t happy with the fit for me or my horse.

My old saddle is a Crosby but in a French style. So I want to have a similar feel when I am in the saddle and the English brands that I have tried do not feel the same way.

I have Stubben coming out tomorrow to see how I like them.

However, I have ridden in an used Antares and I really fell in love with this saddle. It also fit me wonderfully, better than my old saddle. This particular saddle did not fit my horse but it got me thinking of buying a custom one for my horse.

But then the thoughts of the old conversations come up telling me that getting a french saddle would be a waste of money because it would not fit my horse even if it was custom made.

How true is this? I have never gone custom before and I have saved up a lot of money for a new custom saddle and I want one that will fit my horse but I also want one that I really love to ride in.

Everyone keeps telling me different things and I need some help to figure out what is true, what is opinion and what is a sales pitch, please.

Also if anyone can walk me through a custom saddle purchase and the difference between semi-custom and custom would be very much appreciated.

[vxf111]

Some of the high-end French saddle makes WILL make you a wool flocked saddle (Antares, for example). If what you really need/want is WOOL… that can be an option even in brands that typical do foam.

If what you need is a K panel/trap type panel and wither gussets… of the high-end popular brands I am only aware that County does that. Perhaps there are other choices… but I can’t think of any in the “high end” H/J trendy brands.

The other thing you could do is work with a shim pad.

[bluecharm7]

[QUOTE=vxf111;7421575]
If what you need is a K panel/trap type panel and wither gussets… of the high-end popular brands I am only aware that County does that. Perhaps there are other choices… but I can’t think of any in the “high end” H/J trendy brands.

The other thing you could do is work with a shim pad.[/QUOTE]

I guess I am wondering how do I know what type of panel my horse needs because I am getting different people saying different things depending on which camp they are in.

The english saddle brand people are saying that I need a wither gusset, and skid row panel. Which I have put on my horse and I have still seen a saddle that does not fit, lots of bridging and the saddle was still pressing/falling down in the front. I had both County and Hastilow fitters out and nothing that they showed me fit my horse or me.

And I have the french saddle group telling me that their saddles will fit my horse. I have yet to find a saddle (used) that fit my horse either. I haven’t had a fitter come out to fit my horse however.

So I am at a loss to determine what my horse actually needs and not what a SALES person says that my horse needs. I know which saddle I liked to sit in but I haven’t seen a good fit for my horse from any saddle as of yet.

[vxf111]

Start with wither tracings! Many fitters will be able to make recommendations based on that.

[bluecharm7]

[QUOTE=vxf111;7421606]
Start with wither tracings! Many fitters will be able to make recommendations based on that.[/QUOTE]

I have made several wither tracings sent them to different fitters. But the answer depends on who I send them to. Every person is a rep for a certain brand of saddle and they always recommend their saddle brand.

[bluecharm7]

Since you are in PA, is there an independent saddle fitter that isn’t a rep for any brand?

[Jo]

Try Kitt at Panther Run Saddlery - she is a poster here and is awesome at fittings from afar!

[Reminisce]

My Bruno Delgrange Partition saddle fit my high withered OTTB mare beautifully (She is known as Mount Witherust!)

[Reminisce]

My Bruno Delgrange Partition saddle fit my high withered OTTB mare beautifully (She is known as Mount Witherust!)

Also had a Passier Precision saddle (cut back) that fit her beautifully as well!

[BAC]

My CWD with a regular tree fit two different high withered Irish horses “like a glove” in one trainers opinion. Although Irish horses they were very thoroughbred–y types so I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to find a saddle that might fit your horse. Also, CWD offers the option of wool flocking in place of foam panels if you prefer which gives you even more options than most French saddles.

[Sport]

I have a high withered OTTB and have a custom Antares. Fits him beautifully. I didn’t think I would ever find a saddle that I didn’t have to use some sort of correction pad with. Wish I had purchased it for him years ago.

[vxf111]

You have to find someone whose opinion you trust, then. None of us can do that for you. Where are you located?! Maybe you can get some recommendations?!

[LTLFLDF]

Most saddle companies should be able to make a saddle that will fit a high withered horse fairly well. So I would consider what you are looking for in a saddle to suit your needs and budget.

Thanks for the Delgrange love Reminisce. I have been with Delgrange for 3 years and am amazed at the number of horses normal panels and normal trees fit.

[QUOTE=Reminisce;7421863]
My Bruno Delgrange Partition saddle fit my high withered OTTB mare beautifully (She is known as Mount Witherust!)[/QUOTE]

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=bluecharm7;7421616]
Since you are in PA, is there an independent saddle fitter that isn’t a rep for any brand?[/QUOTE]

I don’t know any saddle fitters that rep NO BRANDS at all (it wouldn’t be much of a business model, I don’t think). I can think of two that will give you advice long-distance without trying to sell you something (Trumbull and Kitt who posts here). In terms of reps who come to the area who I recommend and who rep several brands, I have worked with 2. One I no longer recommend. The other I think does a fine job vis-a-vis fitting but the customer service leaves a lot to be desired. I’d be happy to PM about either. The one I can recommend won’t sell you on something that won’t work and she knows her stuff… I’m just not extra thrilled with how customers are treated (not a ringing endorsement, I know).

[ivy62]

My L’Apogee fit my OTTB that had mount witherest! if you make tracings Kitty will help you. I believe they can also make to fit… He was very comfy…

[JumpinBean17]

My County Innovation didn’t fit my new high withered OTTB - so now that one is for sale (always the case - old saddle never seems to fit new horse!) I tried a few different brands and ended up getting a used CWD that fits him great!

Good luck

[DR1]

Antares made me a beautiful saddle for my TB hunter back in 2004. I still have him. And, I still have the saddle- it is beautiful. I think they used their medium tree, but built up the panels in front. Anyway, it is about a MN I suppose and it gives him some extra space for his wither.
I believe their reference to the panel design was: RAG+15 Panels,

Oh, I will add, he doesn’t have a big shark-fin wither, but the standard 4.5" tree that you see all the time with French saddles, particularly Devoucoux, is not right for him.

[Come_Shine]

What about a Prestige?

[SquishTheBunny]

I got a Bruno Delgrange, it fits all my thoroughbreds very well. If you go custom, they can add/remove foam/wool to your horses needs. I went for foam, as I find it better since the saddle is used on 3 thoroughbreds.

The regular tree was 4.5", I got a 4". There was no extra charge.

[Right_on_Target]

I originally bought a Hastilow jumping saddle for my skinny TB with VERY high withers. The saddle had short tree points and seemed to fit at first, but eventually caused a lot of trouble. I ended up going with a saddle with long tree points and my horse has been happy ever since.
So just watch the length of the points if your horse truly has high withers.