Saddles for Hunting

[imissvixen]

I am in the market yet again for a saddle. I hunted this year in a Jeffries Flyover which I found quite comfy but apparently it caused alot of concussion on my boy’s back. He has been laid up for the past month and will be off for another month until vet is convinced he is better.

I am a little bit big for him (read heavy) so I need something that will disburse my weight better than the Flyover did. In hindsight I don’t think it is designed for someone to be in the saddle for four hours at a time 2 to 3 times a week.

Anyhow I would like a deep seat all-purpose saddle. It doesn’t have to be close contact. Does anyone have any thoughts? A friend suggested an Albion. Unfortunately they are very expensive and I haven’t seen any used ones.

[MHJLittlefield]

When you need to spread the weight-bearing across your horse’s back, you’ll need to look for something with wide panels. That will dictate your saddle choice. A ThinLine pad may also help a bit. And what better reason to get in shape than to help out your horse? I can’t think of anything that would motivate me more.

[Taza]

I tried Thinline and it didn’t provide enough protection for 4 hours in the hunt field. They work best in the show ring I think. I did have slightly better results with the TraumaTech pad from Dover. It’s still relatively thin, but is squishier yet doesn’t bounce you out of the saddle like the Wintec style open cell foam pads. I’ve got different saddle fit problems than imissvixen but the same result - a sore horse. I’m thinking of looking at a Black Country Wexford. They seem to have a variety of options for the panels to get the right fit. I am disappointed to hear that the Flyover didn’t work for you, however, since I had planned to give that a try as well. BTW, I’ve got a County Eventer that I love, but the panels aren’t wide enough and the saddle balance is slightly to the rear, a big problem for a high withered horse. A saddle fitter told me that in general the Counties balance slightly to the rear and work best on a low withered or even croup high horse. He also told me that it’s hard to get a Stubben to fit a wide horse properly (not that I have one). I think he said Duett saddles are good for wide horses but admittedly I might be wrong because I wasn’t focused on wide horse problems.

Also for used saddles check Middleburg Tack Exchange or Trumbull Mountain. I saw at least two Albions on the Trumbull web site.

[imissvixen]

I have a high withered horse as well so we should compare notes. I had a County which I ended up selling because it was very uncomfortable for me on him. I had a saddle fitter look at the Flyover and she felt that we might possibly compensate for the design with pads but wasn’t keen on the idea. You should look at the underside of it. Actually I have two friends who have hunted with it with the same result as me – sore backed horse.

I still have my 45 year old Barnsby that I hunted in all my life. I would really like a newer saddle though.

[KimPeterson]

Do a search for used Black Country Saddles, you can come up with a few that are under $2000. There are a couple now on the http://ewarmbloods.net/phpbb website under tack. I think you would be happy with their quality, Wexford, or the Fieldhunter would be models I think you would enjoy. The field hunter has removable blocking, extra padded seat, and comes in an open head tree. Their General Purpose saddles are under 2K /including custom options if needed. Google them and you should come up with a bunch of info.

The Albion’s are comfortable saddles, as are the Frank Baines general purpose models. Trying a few different brands is always recommended

[SteeleRdr]

Have you looked at a Berney’s Bros? they aren’t too deep seated, but are quite nice and the panels are quite wide. There is one on consignment at Middleburg Tack Exchange, but they also have many other styles (see their website). And Berney’s website has many models. The lady i ride for has the same style that is at the tack exchange and it works pretty well on most of our horses.

[imissvixen]

Thanks I will follow up on all suggestions. Meanwhile I don’t mean to slam the Flyover. It’s just in hindsight I think it is made for someone who is riding in a lot more two point/cross country position than I do. It pushed me way forward like a cross country rider. But I mostly hilltop with lots of walking and trotting and the occassional but not frequent gallop. So I was always trying to push myself back off the front of the saddle.

[Equibrit]

http://www.barnsby.com/saddles/aps_general_purpose/

[KimPeterson]

Equibrit which model Barnsby has the extra soft seat? Is that the Omega?

[Equibrit]

I think so - this is the description off their site;

They’re on sale here! http://www.campbellanddouglas.com/candd/assets/images/saddle_sale.html

                                          <ul>

Deep seated General Purpose Saddle

Ideal for those wishing to engage in a variety of equestrian activities

Exclusive super soft Dunlopillo cushionA deep seated General Purpose Saddle offering stability and security for the rider with comfort and freedom for the horse. A well priced saddle for those wishing to engage in a variety of equestrian activities.

Built on a modern general purpose tree with open head, this 7-series saddle has been developed to provide horse comfort combined with rider stability and boasts an exclusive super soft Dunlopillo cushion and preformed knee blocks. The broad bearing surface panels are wool flocked and the saddle takes a standard girth.

[Taza]

[QUOTE=imissvixen;2294997]
I had a County which I ended up selling because it was very uncomfortable for me on him. [/QUOTE]

Let me guess, you felt like you were struggling to keep from shooting off the back?

[xeroxchick]

I really, really, reallllllly love my Butet. But my husband LOVES his Smith-Worthintton. And rhe chiro thinks my saddle doesn’t fit our new Clyde baby.
17.1 and growing…

[armandh]

a bigger horse helps too

I think I’ll take up expressing my weight in KG [over 100] but is sounds less
the saddle I have used for years is a …
must be getting oldshimers
it has a stripe of white leather across the cantle
the name still escapes me
made by prestige
very comfy for horse and rider
http://members.arstechnica.com/x/armandh2/going%20home.jpg
PS a gel pad between the saddle and regular pad helps fill the gaps and distribute the weight.

[imissvixen]

Yes Taza I felt like I was going to shoot off his back. Even my trainer at the time who is an upper level event rider had the same reaction to it for herself. Of course she was the one who talked me into the Flyover and then her horse got a sore back.

I am not sure a bigger horse would help in this case. My friend has an 18 hand ISH and he got a sore back from the Flyover. But I know I could lose weight. I have been trying now for 16.5 years and I haven’t successfully done it.

[Bogie]

That’s interesting about the Flyover . . . I tried one once and really liked it, but needed the larger size and couldn’t find one used. Maybe I am lucky that I didn’t keep it!

I currently hunt in a County Extreme, which I really love. But then again, my horse has no withers so it’s fine. I also have a Schleese Peter Gray and a Passier Military. The last two do not have such forward flaps so they ride (at least for me) somewhat like an all purpose. The Schleese is very comfortable; the Passier has a hard seat but is very balanced.

I have an old Albion A/P that is a wonderful saddle. It’s the Original Comfort and it’s comfortable and secure. On the horses I have now, it doesn’t really work as a jumping saddle, but it doesn’t sound like that’s a real issue for you. I did have a horse that jumped with less of a bascule and I evented him through Training in that saddle. I tried the Albion Eventer (I think it’s the Krontrol) from Trumball Mountain and just loved it. Unfortunately, I need a M/W for my horse and the tree was a bit narrow. Even used it was at the top of my price range. One caveat on the Albions – I have my saddles checked regularly by a master saddle fitter. The flocking in the Albion seems to move around more than in some saddles so it tends to need to be “tweaked” more often than others. Still, my horses have always been very comfortable in them (no back problems!) and I find that they put me in just the right position.

As for pads, I use a Saddleright pad under my saddle. It doesn’t change the fit but I think it’s very good at absorbing shock. I have noticed over the years that my horses all seem more comfortable when I ride with them. The pads are $$ but they last forever. Sometimes you can find them used on ebay, too. I like them better than the thin line pads.

[Taza]

Bogie: I have never heard of SaddleRight before. What is it made of? Their website is a little strange and not terribly informative. You’re not kidding they are expensive!!

[Bogie]

You know, I realize that I don’t have a clue what it’s made from!

However, I bought one about 8 years ago. I showed it to Gary Severson (The Saddle Dr.) and he told me it was one of the few pads that he liked.

From my own experience, I’ve found that my horses move better when I use the pad. I’ve been using one continuously now for 8 years and it’s not compressed at all. Since it’s covered with leather, I simply clean it with my saddle. It has barely any wear on it.

About two years ago I bought a second one from the COTH classified ads for about $125 and I also bought the Western version (to use under a Treeless saddle), off ebay for $80. I’ve tried the Thin line pad and years ago had a gel pad or two, but this is the only one where I’ve noticed any improvement in my horse.

[Painted_Wings]

Barnsby

Here’s the Barnsby I bought.

http://www.barnsby.com/saddles/barnsby_7-series_vss_general_purpose_jumping_saddle/

I was looking at other versions of it but the Barnsby rep from England recommended this one if you spend 4 hrs or more a day in the saddle.

We had lovely back to back meets this weekend. I spend 3 1/2 hours in the saddle on Saturday and 4 1/2 hours in the saddle today.

A good portion of our hunt has Barnsby’s.

They do have wool flocked panels which I think are better for long times in the saddle. The panels are also very wide and thick. The seat is very soft too so it’s not just comfortable for your horse. The seat and knee rolls have soft, sticky leather.

I like the nordic leather option of the standard leathers for this saddle. Mine was custom and I have a leather option not normally used on this saddle. I’ve been studying which one to get for quite some time and waited until John (the rep from England) came into town before I made my final selection. I also got the full D ring option so it has six D rings and I can hang as much from my saddle as I want.

My husband also got the same saddle although he chose a different leather option.

[Romany]

Imissvixen - other financial tricks you could try to alleviate the concussion on your horse’s back are: investing in an experienced saddler who can correctly fit a saddle to you and your horse, and then having him/her re-fit your saddle with Flair (small air sacs fore and aft which become clever little shock absorbers when correctly inflated); investing in a quality (not necessarily thick,* just quality!) real wool numnah, eg Griffin Nuumed make a selection that are constructed from wool woven on to a cotton backing, vs sheepskin, so they wash and wear very well - or - investing in a Pro-Lite pad to use with a skinny cotton numnah; investing in “bendy” stirrups.

Might I also suggest that probably the best thing you can do for your horse physically would be to get it really fit really slowly, and try shortening your stirrups a couple of holes so a 2-point isn’t so uncomfortable for you to maintain over a longer period of time.

I really admire you for 'fessing up that you’re a bit too heavy for your horse, and taking steps to make it happier!

• don’t fall into the trap of thinking more or thicker pads are better - it would be like trying to make tight shoes fit better with thicker socks: better to invest in shoes that fit properly initially, therefore.

[Hotspur]

Hunting Saddle

I would suggest that you take a good look at the Albion saddles. Yes, they are not the least expensive saddles but your hunter deserves all of the care and comfort that you can provide.
I am a 185 pound man and I have been very happy with my Albion Kontrol saddle. The panels are wide and soft and my saddle fitter has done a wonderful job of seeing that the fit is proper for my big QH. The Kontrol is deep and secure yet I am able to event in this saddle with confidence over fences. Good luck in your search!
Hotspur
Metamora Hunt