Saddle with no knee and thigh blocks?

[fatappy]

I have a Prestige Red Fox. It came with 3-4 block options that are velcro backed.

I’ve never tried them. I like a flat plain saddle. I had an antares with knee and thigh blocks and did feel limited in my movement. I felt secure, but on some horses the saddle made me secure in the wrong place (if that makes any sense).

[PoohLP]

Love the pancake saddles. When I sold mine on eBay (I wasn’t going to fit into a 14 inch) , someone asked how I kept my legs in place. I said muscles. Lol! That said, I also like my Stubben which has knee rolls and small knee blocks, but no thigh blocks. Id ride in it to see how you like it and then go from there. I doubt it would cost you more than a couple hundred to have then stitched back in, if it even costs that.

[billiebob]

I prefer minimal to no knee blocks…but I’m also 6’ tall and am used to my knee hanging over the flap in lots of saddles. Plus the highest I jump is about 3’ and my horse is pretty easy to stay with. I think if the balance of the saddle works for you blocks are not such a big deal–I’ve ridden in some flat pancake saddles that I felt like I could stick any scary moment and then some, and I’ve ridden in some where I felt like a slippery mess.

Love velcro blocks, because then I can take them off easily!

[poltroon]

The thing about these blocks is that they’re not really new inventions - before Steinkraus’ design for Hermes became de rigeur, most jumping saddles had them. And now they’re back “in” again.

As someone who grew up riding in the flat saddles, my experience with the blocks is that they have to be exactly right or they can actually interfere with your riding and your leg.

[stillknotreel]

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I love my '96 “Naked” Butet. I don’t notice being any looser in the saddle despite having no knee blocks or thigh blocks. I feel surprisingly tight and comfortable in the saddle with no frills. Personal preference.

Though my Antares had small knee and thigh blocks, and it was quite comfortable. I grew up with pancake saddles though, wouldn’t trade that experience for the world!