Saddles: what brands to look at?

[Xanthoria]

New horse soon, if the PPE gods are kind. I have a Stubben Roxane that’s been a rock through 3 horses and 15 years. No almost literally, a rock. I think I’m finally tired of how hard it is. And it’s barely broken in (I think they used leather from Switzerland’s most stubborn cows ever)

This is highlighted by the fact that I’ve been to try a number of horses who were wearing a very different type of saddle. I am assuming that the saddles are trendy French jumping saddles because they’re all very soft and cushy. And I cannot lie, my butt enjoyed it. No, I did not check what brand they were because I was busy riding a new horse. Doh!

I want to know which brands make a jump saddle that’s comfy, nicely blocked, wool flocked only, and can accommodate a long thigh and a fairly high wither. No easily worn out calf seats though! And no memory foam to fall apart after a few years either. Or plastic bits on the saddle like the Voltaire girth buckle guards that fall apart.

(Obviously will work w a fitter to ensure pony comfort)

[Somantu]

@Xanthoria

…And it’s barely broken in (I think they used leather from Switzerland’s most stubborn cows ever)…

LOL

Not much input about saddles, except that I just bought an Amerigo for our part boarder. Dobbin and rider love it, and saddle meets all your criteria,

[LadyB]

So exciting! Saddle shopping is a roller coaster but worth it in the end!

IMO get a saddle fitter that is not a rep of a specific brand. One who is not brand driven. Also check out threads on COTH, some good ones on here about which brands are more suited to the rider only.

Personal experience with the long search, Prestige worked best for my pocket and my horse. I prefer to stick to Wool Flocked saddles as they are a bit more adjustable. What I love about Prestige is the tree an be adjusted multiple times, and can go up or down 2cm. Completely, fully custom at the same price they are advertised at. So if you do not like something or need a more forward flap or longer, its the same price no matter the changes, which I also love. They are mid-range price, my jump saddle of 5 years looks brand new to this day as well as my dressage saddle.

If budget is a concern, buying a higher end saddle used would be best, again just my opinion. Quality products last longer, worth spending the money on a good quality saddle new or used. I do feel Prestige saddles are great quality, but I may be bias as they fit my 15.3 short back TB like a glove with minimal adjustments.

Amerigo is a saddle I love, but they are not as adjustable, they are super comfy, but pricey. Their lower brand, Vega is not adjustable, I would avoid this.
I hear Countys are great but no experience with them.

CWD and Antares are more driven towards the rider and less about the horse.

Equipe saddles work with High Withered horses and are lovely saddles as well.

Happy searching! You’ll get a lot of input on here I’m sure.

My currently owned saddles are Prestige Passion D (jump) and Prestige Venus K (dressage) I did own a Prestige Roma D, didn’t love it as it was patterned leather and I wanted calfskin, but it was less quality than my new ones. It was an upgrade from my Santa Cruz though!

[Joan_from_Flatlands]

Love love love the new Stubbens. Have you checked them out? https://stubbennorthamerica.com/

[BAC]

@Xanthoria

New horse soon, if the PPE gods are kind. I have a Stubben Roxane that’s been a rock through 3 horses and 15 years. No almost literally, a rock. I think I’m finally tired of how hard it is. And it’s barely broken in (I think they used leather from Switzerland’s most stubborn cows ever)

I believe Stubben used pigskin on some of their saddles, or maybe it was just the seat. I had a 50 year old Stubben Siegfried that was still in great condition when I finally sold it, they are hard as a rock and slippery too but they last forever.

Since you like the cushy French types, both CWD and Butet used to offer wool flocking as an option, I don’t know if they still do. And all the French saddles, and probably most other high end brands allow you to choose different leather for the seat so it doesn’t have to be calf, buffalo is a popular choice. I happen to like foam panels and the quality of the foam has a lot to do with its longevity. It is not as easy to adjust as wool, and much more expensive too but I still prefer it. I’ve known many French brands where the foam was fine after years of use, including my CWD.

County and Black Country are wool flocked although I am not a fan of either. My friend’s BC was very nice leather and nicely made but it never fit her horse and they were very unpleasant to deal with, she finally gave up and just shimmed and padded it to make it work.

There is a thread on the H/J forum about saddles that might be useful to you.

Good luck with the PPE!

[16_Hands]

If price is a consideration, I love love love my Kent & Masters, fully adjustable, wool flocked, moveable blocks, and is so comfortable. I had a fitter adjust the flocking to customize it to my guy and he loves it too. I also had a Stubben Roxanne and just wasn’t feeling the love for it so put it on consignment to sell when If found the Kent & Masters. I got it used but looked almost new for $1,000. Did I say I loved it?

[Xanthoria]

Thanks folks - lots of brands to check out here! I have a lovely independent fitter but her inventory of used jump saddles is not huge. I’ll have to gather up my wither tracing supplies… PPE is Monday :eek:

[catchcan]

I wouldn’t get too attached to any particular brand or model until you know what your horse needs in terms of tree shape and width. Some horses have such specific shapes that you end up with a pretty short list of options. I got set up with such a list and then ordered several used saddles on trial from Pelham Saddlery, Rick’s, Galloping Grape, and Trumbull Mountain. You have to pay for shipping but they will bundle multiple saddles in one box if you find several that you want to try from a single store. I ended up with a Jaguar XJS jumping saddle for my hard to fit horse. I love it, but it is not typical for an eventer. I like a flatter seat.

[RSEventer]

I have a Dover Eventing saddle. It’s wool flocked. It fits both my horses. I live in Florida and ride in hot/humid conditions, it’s holding up well to those conditions. It came with a free trial and basically, I did not return the one they sent because it met all of my criteria which was similar to yours! Good luck!

[Outyougo]

I’ve my Black Country Quantum. Doesn’t fit her OTTB but I was able to buy an Irish Made O’Brien that fits him well. Not as cushy as BCS butfits horse well. Both athe wool flocked.

[Xanthoria]

@catchcan

I wouldn’t get too attached to any particular brand or model until you know what your horse needs in terms of tree shape and width. Some horses have such specific shapes that you end up with a pretty short list of options.

Oh this ain’t my first rodeo - I’ve been riding 35 years :lol: I just want to narrow the field - no rock hard saddles, and none that are made of materials that tend to fall apart quickly. Then it’s all down to fit! In the past it’s been 100% about horse fit and very little about my comfort but I think it’s time for me to get some cush too

[Scribbler]

IME, rider comfort has a lot to do with how the saddle fits the rider, as much as it has to do with how much cush the actual saddle has. So if the seat, twist, stirrup bars, etc are all right for you and your leg length and butt, that is just as important as the softness of the seat. Which also matters of course!!

[Xanthoria]

Agreed. I’ve had more low back pain from a saddle that tips up in front, and trouble with position due to stirrup bars too far forward than I care to mention. Last horse I tried the seller complemented my position a number of times and I had to tell her it was truly thanks to her saddles. Because if I had put on my saddle it would be a different story altogether…

[asterix]

I absolutely love my Hastilow saddles. There are a number of English brands that are less pricey than county and very well made…Albion, Frank baines, and Hastilow to name a few.

[Pezanos]

@Xanthoria

Agreed. I’ve had more low back pain from a saddle that tips up in front, and trouble with position due to stirrup bars too far forward than I care to mention. Last horse I tried the seller complemented my position a number of times and I had to tell her it was truly thanks to her saddles. Because if I had put on my saddle it would be a different story altogether…

Sounds like you should buy whatever it was that gave you such a majikal position! What were they?

[Xanthoria]

@Pezanos

Sounds like you should buy whatever it was that gave you such a majikal position! What were they?

Well like I said IF ONLY I could remember! I was basically just overjoyed to be riding a horse and trying to not ride like a total numpty so these little details were lost.

Also, sadly I probably won’t be buying that particular horse so it’s not like I can call up the seller and say hey by the way even though I’m not buying your horse can you tell me what kind of saddles you had her in? :lol:

[Pezanos]

@Xanthoria

Well like I said IF ONLY I could remember! I was basically just overjoyed to be riding a horse and trying to not ride like a total numpty so these little details were lost.

Also, sadly I probably won’t be buying that particular horse so it’s not like I can call up the seller and say hey by the way even though I’m not buying your horse can you tell me what kind of saddles you had her in? :lol:

Sure you can!

[flypony74]

I have a 2011 Amerigo Pinerolo mono that I bought as a demo in 2011. It has been well-used and still looks great, soft and grippy but more durable leather than my French saddles. Fits a lot of horses, plays well with withers, and has truly been my go-to jump saddle for years. I need a short, forward flap and it works well for me. May be a good option to try if you get a chance!

[AskMyAccountant.17]

I went through the saddle purchase sage earlier this year, and did find my cushy French saddle used after working with some great fitters.I have a little blog that I narrated the entire venture. My advice would be to take all advice with a grain of salt, and at the end of the day buy what You like, that’s also in your budget.
While I suggest working with fitters/reps, once you gain an idea of what you’re looking for buying demo/used is a great option. (I ended up buying a used Butet, that I just love. Through the rep I used, I was also able to pay in three installments, while I think it added $100-75 to the entire cost, but allowed me to get something I really loved.)

https://clairecumbee.com/2020/02/24/…pare-yourself/

[asb_own_me]

@asterix

I absolutely love my Hastilow saddles. There are a number of English brands that are less pricey than county and very well made…Albion, Frank baines, and Hastilow to name a few.

Yes :encouragement:

@Xanthoria you mentioned comfortable, nice blocks, wool flocked, will accomodate a long thigh - I am *in love with the Albion Revelation Red Label jump saddle I bought at the beginning of this year. My horse is crazy hard to fit, so I went into the process ready to ride on tacks if the saddle that ended up fitting him required it of me. But this saddle is sooooo comfortable. As in, I have a really bad back with major degeneration in my cervical and lumbar spine kind of bad back and it’s really comfortable when I ride my horse 4-5 miles a day. And now that I’ve decided that I’m going to go ahead and get a new (to us) dressage saddle even though I still haven’t sold one of the old ones, my first call was to the shop that gets these saddles because she had two of the Revelation Red Label dressage saddles. Trying both right now :winkgrin: They have slightly different seats.