There are Eli Miller saddles made in a hybrid style of english/western, but the tree itself is western. I tried these and just do not like the “bucket” seats…I need a fairly flat seat to be comfortable. For the same reason I prefer to stay away from the Steele saddles and anything else that says it’s specifically for gaited horses. Usually that means you get a bucket seat and stirrups placed too far forward for a proper balanced seat.
Right now I’m using a Watson flex panel saddle (he makes western, endurance, and english models) and these work great for most horses - the exception tends to be narrow. small bodied horses. The drawback to any flex panel saddle is that you are sitting higher off the horse than you would in a normal saddle.
I also use an ancient, discontinued synthetic endurance model saddle (no brand - it’s older than Jesus) with center fire rigging. This particular saddle fits the round, sausage bodied mountain horses quite well, but does not fit rafty-backed, high withered TB style horses.
I have a Thorowgood Griffin dressage saddle that I use at times for wide horses - it’s great for trail rides 10 miles / 1 hour or less, but go further than that and the knee rolls forcing your legs to stay in proper position start inhibiting the natural urge to stretch periodically. The model I have is old - I bought it probably 10 years ago, I’m not sure what the modern versions are like. Mine is still in perfect shape after all these years - they’re tough!
She has a collection of good dressage saddles, and a Stubben Scout. We’re looking for something in the style of the scout - i.e. English and light, rather than Western or heavy - but we both really prefer wider, shallower, gussetted panels on the horse. The Stubben has quite narrow sausage-shaped panels, which are slightly too steep at the back.
