Specialized Saddles

[Bree]

I’m sure this has been covered before but I couldn’t find anything particularly new on the forum. I have a 4 year old short stocky WIDE quarter horse that has just been a huge pain to find a saddle to fit her. She is also build down hill which just makes things a little more difficult. I need a really balanced saddle to ride her comfortably. She is a trail horse - she’s actually my back up horse - the one I ride when I just want to go relax and not have to worry. She is also the horse that packs the “novice” friends, family etc when they want to ride. She’s great for it. I just don’t have a saddle that fits well.

I had a saddle fitter out a few weeks ago and she loves the specialized saddles. So I went and had a demo sent to me which I’ve gotten but they forgot to send several pieces so I’m waiting on those - customer service was great! But I have a few concerns and was hoping to get other opinions on the saddle. There are some things I like and some things I don’t but the question that has come up multiple times is the quality of the saddles. I’m happy to pay for quality work but the price on these saddles are just too high for something that will only last a few years.

The things I like 1. the adjustable fit (though I think the shims and pads are ugly). There are also multiple reports of people not being able to get the saddle to fit even with the shims and pads - the saddle fitter will come out and fit the saddle if this is what I decide to go with
2. The style - I’ve really moved away from most western saddles as I personally find them very uncomfortable to ride in - my other horse is ridden in a dressage saddle for miles and miles of trail
3. The weight
4. All the d-rings
5. Being able to pick out the billet system, etc when ordering

What I don’t like 1. The overall workmanship seems a little less than stellar and some of the materials cheap.
2. Sitting on the saddle while in the saddle rack was not extremely comfortable - I’m hoping it will be better on the horse

I’ve ridden in several different styles of saddles and my favorites continue to be Australian saddles and dressage saddles.

I’m going off the advice of a professional, who is an independent saddle fitter not associated with any company, but I’m really not sold on this company. Does anyone have any experiences they will share?

[paintedtrails]

For my wide horse I emailed with Specialized and they said only the newer (post 2010) trees might work for him.
I rode in a trailmaster once on a different horse\ didn’t like the way my knees felt…so I haven’t pursued one for my wide body. But I know tons of people who love them! You just have to try it and see.

[Palm_Beach]

I heard from a former dealer that the Specialized Saddles are not as high quality as the price tag would lead you to believe, and getting replacement parts and pieces takes a long long long long time. He stopped selling them for that reason - they are quick to get you a new saddle, but if something needs fixing, it takes forever.

[Pocket_Pony]

I had one and liked it very much. I think it was a pre-2010 model as I got it used in 2010. I found it comfortable and easy to ride in. It was very no-frills. When i was shopping for a new saddle a couple years after i sold my specialized i tried another specialized but didn’t like it as much. My independent fitter said they had changed them and she wasn’t as keen on them.

[Bree]

Thank you for the replies. I’ve had the demo saddle for a few days and am not overly impressed especially for the price. It really makes my lower back hurt no matter which horse I’m riding. The demo saddle is too small for me so that could be the reason. I’m going on a long trail ride today so hopefully that will help me make the decision. I’m also going to call customer service in regards to saddle size. I ride a 16" western but a 17.5" dressage saddle but I’m not sure what these are supposed to measure like.

In general, from the several people I’ve spoken to - many people have heard of them and know people that love them but I’m having a hard time finding first hand accounts except for a few like Pocket Pony. They just don’t seem to be very popular in general. I have no problem spending the money on a saddle but if I do, I really want to love it. So far that is really not the case so I’ll likely continue the saddle shopping adventure.

[Pocket_Pony]

I ride in a 17.5 dressage saddle and had a 16" Specialized but it was too big for me which is one reason I sold it. I got it because it was the best of everything I tried and I really liked it for a while but I moved on to a dressage saddle after a couple years.

IME it is best to stick with first impressions with saddles. If you don’t love it right away, riding in it longer isn’t going to help! I can tell in a very short period of time if I will like a saddle or not. I’ve spent money shipping saddles back and forth for a 5-minute ride!

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

Try the Duett Companion. They’re designed specifically for the truly wide horse, and have an upswept panel that works well for the short or downhill back. Comfy for the rider and priced well. Excellent customer service.