I am looking for a new saddle for my 5 year old Oldenburg mare. She is has a very flat topline. After her withers end, it’s practically a straight horizontal line. Do any of the Prestige models fit this type of back shape? I just tried a Roma on her, which the fitter at the tack store said was a flatter shape, but the back of the panels still don’t really make contact with her back. Is the D1 any flatter?
I don’t know about the D1 specifically. I rode my Fjord in an Optimax and he had a pretty broad, flat back.
I haven’t ridden in a Prestige, but I had good luck with a Karl Niedersuss Symphonie on this type of back.
My horse decidedly does not have a flat back, and Prestige fits him extremely well (but not me, unfortunately).
Typically, Prestige saddles are built on a curvier tree, making them good for horses with curvy backs and also horses that have a short bearing surface. Frank Baines, Kieffer Lusitanos, Black Country’s, Custom Saddles are good for horses with flat backs. KN saddles are also good with the hoop tree shape. Look for gussets at the back of the panels to help with stability.
My horse has a short, flat back, and I ride him in the D1Zero. He loved it from the moment he tried it on; started swinging through his shoulder so much I felt like I was on a different horse! I like the narrower twist and where it puts my leg. If I had any complaints, it would only be that when I first started riding in it I had a tendency to tip forward. I’ve pretty much gotten over that, but it took some time and every once in awhile when I’m tired or unfocused I still sometimes tip, especially at the trot. It is not a saddle that locks your seat into place - you have to really be responsible for your own position in it.
IIRC, the Venus has a flatter panel shape. My horse also has a fairly flat rise from base of wither to croup and when I talked to the folks at VTO Saddlery they recommended the Venus or, in my case with a 14h Arab, the Lucky. You might give them a call - I found them to be very knowledgeable and helpful.
Some are flatter than others - but they are saddles built for horses with some curve. Rather than trying to fit a round peg in a square hole, check out some brands that are made for that shape - like Custom, Trilogy, some Black Country, etc.
