So I’m saddle shopping and feel like I’m drowning. Lol. I don’t know a whole lot about English saddles. So far from all my research in an $800 or under budget the Thornhill 24k I found, Bates, and the newer Stubbens sound promising… So what are the pros and cons? Any other good bang for your buck options???
I was riding in an old Pessoa and my gelding outgrew it so I’m looking for a wider channel and a flatter type seat.
Are you open to used saddles? And what are you using the saddle for? (eventing, hunters, etc)
Of those you listed, Stubbens are definitely going to be the highest quality. But if you’re a fan of the interchangeable gullets and feel you need one, you’ll have to go the Bates/Thornhill route.
Also, how “flat” of a seat? Old-school flat pancake type, or flatish but still squishy more modern saddle? Do you want/need front and back blocks?
I’m mainly looking at Used saddles. It doesn’t have to be a pancake seat but no actual deep seats. I really don’t NEED a changeable gullet. My main focus is quality and a wider channel. So many narrow towards the back and that has made my gelding pretty sore. I’m looking at medium wides and am praying it will work! I’m hours away from a saddle fitter but do plan to have one out.
I’ve found a Thornhill 24k stampede TH2011 that looks practically brand new for $500, Stubbens ranging in price and all models, and some Bates Caprillis for around $600 but they have the CAIR panels… I’m also lost on the wool flocking vs other types. Idk what the smart choice is. Western saddles I’m awesome with, English not so much.
Wider channel and flatter seat is probably the bates. Of the three, stubben might be the highest quality but it’s the last one I personally would choose. I’ve never sat in a stubben i really liked, including the high end bio seat versions.
When I’m saddle shopping, or even just researching, I set myself up a variety of ebay search notifications to send me every saddle coming up that I think I might want to look at, which for me will include both brand specific and non non brand specific searches. Include high end saddles you think will be out of your budget. For under 800, I have purchased albions, counties, kieffers, pariani, bates; the beautiful modern arc de triomphe was 900.
In the meantime, sit in any saddle you can just to get a read on what you like.
You don’t mention, do you like the pessoa? Because those do come in different tree widths and configurations and you can get a lot of them for under 1000.
Unfortunately im in a mainly western area so I don’t have an option to try out a bunch of different brands 
I LOVED the Pessoa! It was a very old one before they switched makers. If I could find a slightly more comfortable seat I’m not against it though!
On eBay right now is a 17" pessoa gen x elite with an adjustable tree (like the bates system). It has zero bids at 650 with less than 24hrs remaining.There’s a 750 buy it now of the same, but newer, and including gullet plates. if I had the money today I would buy it.
I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews on the newer Pessoa. I’ll check it out though!
What about the older HDRs?
While they’ve become more expensive and “on trend” design wise in recent years, for me hdr is one step above saddle package saddles. It’s not a saddle i would buy or recommend, but there are probably proponents as well
I need a 16.5-17". I actually have one of these found for $600 which is really why I was debating Stubben vs Thornhill. I’m not limiting myself to these choices though if anyone has other ideas!
I have a Thornhill Germania jump saddle. It is a fine saddle for the price. I bought mine brand new. It is not a nice French saddle and is not my $4600 fully custom Patrick Saddle but it is well balanced and fits me and the horse.
I do not like Cair so would not go Bates. One of my trainers does not care for Stubben, she does not feel that the newer ones are very comfortable and don’t wear well. Some of the older ones tend towards the whole chair seat.
My guess is the resale on the Thornhill will suck compared to the other 2 brands.
I do have to keep in mind resale Incase it doesn’t fit. I feel like this is a loosing battle. Lol
Shusshh, I’m eyeing all those :winkgrin:
The Thornhill JC Berlin I bought 10 years ago for my wide cob has held up great and still fits both of us well.
I have a Stubben Roxane. I’m very pleased with the quality and style.
So far I have a newer Stubben Edelweiss, Bates Caprilli, and a Pessoa Gen X Elite all found in my budget. I’ve been reading a lot of people saying the Stubbens Fit narrower then most other saddles, the Bates CAIR panels tend to make horses sore, and a lot of mixed reviews on the Pessoa. Only the Stubben comes with a trial. They all have wider channels and look promising. I’m just unsure what the smart choice is… The Pessoa and the Bates both have adjustable gullets, which I know nothing about. The Stubben is wool flocked. So many people say go for wool flocked so you can adjust it as needed and many people say steer clear because it bunches up and causes pressure points. This process is absolutely no fun on a small budget!
I greatly prefer wool-flocked saddles, however as I’m new to dressage I bought a Bates dressage saddle because I found a good deal. The CAIR panels are fine. I know several people with CAIR panels who have no problems with them.
I have a cair saddle, and have ridden in a few others pretty extensively on a broad range of horses. It has been unnoticeable on my rides with the exception of one who the basic shape was not a good fit for, and it felt like sitting on an over filled yoga ball. I think any poorly fitted saddle feels uncomfortable and precarious, regardless of material.
You could also have a look at Kieffer, and you might even find some older (and maybe even newer) Prestige saddles in your price range. I have had both jump saddles (now own a Prestige) and I adored them both.
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