Someone with a Fresian and a PRE recently purchased a Gaston-Mercier (French). I sat in it and it was totally awesome!
My horse extremely short backed! He did not like either Schleese or Custom Saddlery and we ended up with a Moffett Vogue…amazing for both of us. I have worked at a saddle shop in Calabasas, CA…so have experience fitting saddles and lots of knowledge gained from working with various reps… Also worked with Jochen Schleese quite a bit when I had a training barn in Ojai. Where I live now is a five hour drive to get to anything so fitters not an easy option. This is my horse’s fifth saddle and I am super happy with it.
Somewhat timely bump on this thread because I’m back in saddle fitting hell.
I’ve heard of the Moffett Vogue (more popular in the UK), but I’m hesitant because they are a little different. I wish I could fine one to check out in person.
My Prestige no longer fits so well, and I had another fitter come out the other day. She thinks that Fairfax is a good option for him due to their adjustability (gullet plates and wool flocking). I tried a Kent and Masters and did not like it. As I told my fitter, it was like riding on the letter A. :lol:
I liked the Fairfax monoflap (Gareth) and am considering it in the short flap version since the regular comes down too far for me. I felt like it encouraged a proper position and allowed me to open my hips (tight hip struggles).
It is right on the verge for being too long for his back. However, his current saddle that is short/not too long for his back seems to be causing the problem that there is too much weight concentrated in a small area. A 17.5 is more comfortable for me than a 16.5 and even though a 17.5 is almost too long, it will destribute my weight and balance better, so I’m thinking that will be better for the both of us. Hesitant due to not knowing the brand well, but it’s the best saddle I’ve sat in so far.
Equipe.
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I’d love to try Equipe but no one around here sells/fits them. I have seen some used with fair prices, but it’s still risky because I don’t know if/what models work for his shape. I don’t want to end up with another saddle to resell. I also don’t know how adjustable they are? Horse has potential to grow more.
I ride my Andy in a CWD. It also fit my very short backed WB. Very comfy.
OP I can empathize with you! I am currently working with Custom Saddlery to find a saddle that fits my short backed WB gelding and my long legs. We’re currently just working out which test saddles will be shipped to me for trials as I am located far far away from the closest fitter ugh LOL. If you’re interested I can post pictures of the saddles on him when I receive the trials.
I found that a 32 (XW) Stubben Maestoso fit my Percheron/Andalusian mare really well. And I liked it too. I went through about 10 saddles until I found one that fit. It was saddle hell! I spent almost as much shipping saddles back and forth as I did on the final saddle.
The Steffen Advantage and the Flight have the same tree. Curvy for short backed horses.
I have a 19" on a decently shorted back mare.
Stubben is quite curvy.
Her jump saddle is a Stubben. It’s the only thing that didn’t bridge on her.
My saddle fitter talked me into an Equipe Bocelli for my short backed, round bellied warmblood. Very pricey but he does move a lot better with it than my Passier. It took a little time for me to adjust as I had ridden in the Passier with my other horses for many years.
We use various Custom models on our PREs.
Several of the saddle makers have shorter panels for short backed horses. Custom has “Pony Panels” that you can order - they are not gusseted in the back. You don’t necessarily want a curving panel, you just want the back to curve up - if the entire panel curves (as some of them do), it will rock on most horses - unless your horse has a curved/dropped back.
The flex tree Customs (Coda, Constanze, any that start with C) tend to be short in the tree and in the panels - I’ve been riding my short backed mare and my cob pony in a Constanze.
If you are talking to any of the custom saddle makers, ask them about a shorter panel option - most should be able to help you. Then you need to find the saddle tree shape that works for your horse, and the seat options that make you comfortable.
Just a random note/question…I don’t know if Custom is available in Europe? No one here is familiar. I’ll have to research.
It may not be, but if you are looking at any custom saddle makers, most should be able to provide a shorter panel.
I would stay away from Custom. It is not intended for the short backed horse and has to be modified (with pony panels) in order to fit.
Some will work for the short backed horse, but not designed for the short backed horse. So many more makers with saddles readily available in Europe are of far better quality and design are intended for the comfort of the horse and rider, especially the short backed horse.
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My horse changed so much with Equipe-like right off the mounting block-that nearly our entire barn has over the past year switched to Equipe, largely from Custom. Horses are very happy as are riders.
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I was fortunate that my fitter deals directly with the company in Italy so my saddle was a complete custom model for my horse and me. I also got a Fairfax (I believe) girth as he has a very forward girth groove which made my previous saddle slide forward onto his shoulders. This obviously prevented him from extending at the trot…
That’s kind of how I feel.
Just trying to locate saddles and a good fitter!
I finally found a good fitter, but she sells only Fairfax, Kent and Masters, Loxley/Bliss of London, and Jeremy Rudge.
I did ride in the Fairfax Gareth again and really like it. Like I said before, it would be nice if it were a little shorter, but it’s not terribly long.
I do have a lead on a nice used Equipe, just trying to find out more info.
Like most saddle makers, Custom has different models for different types of horses. Their C saddles (Coda, Constanze) fit shorter backed horses well.
And like many custom saddle makers (Schleese, JRD, etc), they offer different panels for different backs - that is what having a custom saddle allows you to do - customize it for the specific horse and rider.
I’ve been riding in Customs after years of trying to find saddles to fit my shorter backed horses well. Not saying they are the only solution, but I wouldn’t discount them because ONE model doesn’t fit short backed horses well.
