saddle suggestion (yeah, I know, I know....)

[sheltona01]

Another one to try is the new Fairfax World class. It has been very well received by my riders and it feels like to me it is designed to sit you forward in the saddle.

[lorilu]

@eclectic

I’m working through this just now, as well. Have started looking at WOWs. They have short and (I think) backswept headplate arms, adjustable gullet, swinging front section (for shoulder freedom), can fit short panels. Choices of panel filling (the Mark IIs sound perfect). Choices of seat shape. They also have seats with at least 2 stirrup hangers, and a seat with 3. You can hang your stirrups where they’re correct for you.

BUT … have just learned from an independent fitter there might be some problems with the head trees (she wasn’t entirely sure). They are separate from the seat … attached somehow, by some kind of joint, to the rest of the tree.

Have not found reference to this anywhere else - including British sites (H&H). So if anyone has heard or had experience with the WOW headpiece collapsing (the seat sinking down or spreading out such that the twist nearly disappears), breaking at the joint, or otherwise failing, please speak up!!
(I may post this separately as well).

My local consignment store has one… spoke frankly with the owner… she is not a fan. So many moving parts to these saddles…

[2tempe]

@CanteringCarrot

I am in the same boat, so I’ll pay attention to this thread. My PRE has a long withers, uphill build, and short back. Many saddles put my weight too far back/in the back seat on him. My saddler did take some wool out of the front of my Fairfax and put more in the back of the panels and the balance felt better for a month or 2. I’ve actually been considering trying a WOW, but I am really on the fence about it. The whole air thing.
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹
I am picking up a Bliss of London saddle in the next few days, so I can report back about that one as well. This horse has had many saddles and many shitty fitters over the last 3 years. It’s so frustrating!

Though not currently in market following this with interest. My Lusi is going well in the Custom Wolfgang Constanz, short panels. But I do not love the quality of this brand. The fitter I use sells Bliss so please post how it seems with your PRE.

I know people who spent the $$$$ for the Schleese Obrigado who are beginning to move away from the brand, due to the apparent need for frequent fittings, the cost of fittings and difficulty with access to fitters. I rode in one, on another horse a couple months ago and did not like it at all for me.

[lorilu]

@2tempe

Though not currently in market following this with interest. My Lusi is going well in the Custom Wolfgang Constanz, short panels. But I do not love the quality of this brand. The fitter I use sells Bliss so please post how it seems with your PRE.

I know people who spent the $$$$ for the Schleese Obrigado who are beginning to move away from the brand, due to the apparent need for frequent fittings, the cost of fittings and difficulty with access to fitters. I rode in one, on another horse a couple months ago and did not like it at all for me.

I think my fitter is also carrying Bliss now… and I am also disappointed in how my 3 year old Custom has aged.

[shortenmyreins]

@eclectic

BUT … have just learned from an independent fitter there might be some problems with the head trees (she wasn’t entirely sure). They are separate from the seat … attached somehow, by some kind of joint, to the rest of the tree.

The headplate is basically the same as what other brands call the adjustable gullet and attaches pretty well the same way. There’s little difference in how I change the headplate on my Wow versus when I had a Pessoa, except that the Wow is much easier. I think there’s something about older headplates being made of a different metal than the current ones because there was a problem with them, so just buy a new one instead of an old one.

I’m mixed on the air panels. To me they don’t feel extra bouncy, even though I need the rear ones to be quite full. I have had to make adjustments to them, but I guess the nice thing is that I can do it myself without needing to wait for a fitter to come out. Not that there is a fitter on my side of the country.

I’ve had my Wow saddle for about a year and a half and have been quite happy with it. My horse has changed shape considerably two or three times since I bought this saddle, and all I’ve had to do was change the headplate and make adjustments to the air panels. Far easier than buying a new saddle every 6 months!

[lorilu]

Well a brief update. I have riddenin a few saddles this week - a Verhan and an Equipe, and sat in others at the local shop. I liked the Equipe, it did put me more forward in the saddle…, but I realize the sloped knee roll is not for me - I don’t grip with my knees (they can be quite loose on my well sprung guy) and if the knee roll gradually rises off the flap my thigh has nothing to “press” against… hope that makes sense. Yeah I WISH I had a nice long leg, it’s a work in progress and I am better, but still need the help from the knee roll. TOmorrow the fitter comes, I’ll update afterwards.

[IPEsq]

Not sure I follow the issue with the knee rolls (rising off the flap?), but the blocks are somewhat customizable on Equipe. Were you trying a double flap?

[lorilu]

@IPEsq

Not sure I follow the issue with the knee rolls (rising off the flap?), but the blocks are somewhat customizable on Equipe. Were you trying a double flap?

Monoflap, sorry I do not know the model. I have a good relationship with the local consignment shop and I "tried " the saddles from there because you just never know what will work!! It was foam filled, tho, not wool. I was referring to the angle the knee roll makes IRL to the surface of the flap - some rise off it gently, some are more upright. (and some are darned well perpendicular to the flap. )

[CanteringCarrot]

@joiedevie99 I haven’t been able to get the Bliss since something came up with the seller/dealer. Still an option though, so we’ll see.

I tried a Sommer Opus last night and my horse felt brilliant. Me, not so much, the seat wasn’t quite right, but I want to pursue Sommer further and try more models. I think they are quite a good fit for an Iberian due to their panel options and front panel styling that allows for good shoulder movement. Not sure of availability in the US.

[lorilu]

well the fitter added a bit of wool around his withers (they continue to “rise up” as training progresses) and under my seat… and really its better than any of the ones I tried. I’m still open to others, tho, so will continue looking int he consignment shop for likely candidates. Fitter did nto have samples yet (newly changed brands, etc etc… lots of politics… but she is really good so sticking with her.)

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

@lorilu

Monoflap, sorry I do not know the model. I have a good relationship with the local consignment shop and I "tried " the saddles from there because you just never know what will work!! It was foam filled, tho, not wool. I was referring to the angle the knee roll makes IRL to the surface of the flap - some rise off it gently, some are more upright. (and some are darned well perpendicular to the flap. )

You can get a custom block-tons of different ones! You can also get a Velcro panel and switch out the blocks, then once you find your sweet spot, you can leave the block there.

I absolutely love the Equipes. Two local barns have switched nearly entirely as the horses go so well in them.