Title is pretty self-explanatory, I think. Ideally something that is not really high end, or if high end, that has a lot of used ones floating around, as it is for a 12 yr old boy who will outgrow it next week.
Butet on the high-end of the spectrum.
Collegiate Convertible Diploma at the other end.
Older Stubbens
I love me a flat seat!
Beval Devon
Tad Coffin
Any of the old “pancake” types: Crosby, Beval, Hermes, Collegiate, etc… Rick’s Heritage (http://www.saddlesource.com/close-contact.html), Middleburg Tack Exchange (http://middleburgtack.com/index.cfm?action=inventory&pCategoryID=D2DF6F93-C291-660C-4A72FCF258CF0594&name=Close%20Contact ), and ebay (under close contact listings) will have plenty of choices. The nice thing about the old classics is that you can usually resell them for what you’ve paid for them.
Northrun Ashland- the original you can get with a flat seat. You may also be able to find an ancient Hermes without breaking the bank. They are indestructible.
Tad Coffin
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I appreciate it.
tad coffin hands down
Stubbens or Northruns.
Another recommendation for Tad Coffin. Great saddle. The A5 I think it is called has the flatter seat.
I recently purchased a used Dominus brand saddle. Bruce Davidson version maybe? Anyway, it’s older but has a great open, flat seat. Solid saddle for less than $800. Mine has a pretty wide tree for my fatty so there is some variety in tree sizes.
Some of the Bates models als have open, flatter seats. They are not generally pricey.
I’d stay away from the old Hermes simply because they have the narrowest gullets I’ve ever seen. They might’ve worked for the old style, narrow TBs, but they just don’t distribute weight well across a horse’s spine.
Butet would be my first choice. And older models often pretty reasonable priced.
Baring that, I second the Ashland recommendation. The beval natural is another option.
Some of the newer saddles can be more open if the cantle is shaved down on the tree when being made.
[QUOTE=Justmyluck;7897992]
Older Stubbens[/QUOTE]
I have to disagree with this one. Most of the older Stubbens kicking around are Siegfrieds, and they have a deep seat.
Tad Coffin
Check out the circuit premier EQ. Very open/flat seat, and just a really nice saddle for the price. You can do a test ride through Dover.
I purchased the newer version of the Bates H/J back in 2011/12. I find the seat to be quite open and flat.
Going back to the older Collegiate Post Grad I found myself getting sucked into the seat.
There’s always a few old school BT Crumps floating around on ebay. I wouldn’t put mine on a really high-withered horse, but it works for the ponies & all of the QH-cross types.
