I sympathize with the OP. If you can’t trust the objectivity of a trainer, it can be very frustrating. For example, if your horse is sluggish picking up a left canter lead, and the trainer is very adamant it’s saddle fit, and doesn’t consider other possibilities because she’s so sure it’s the saddle…if the trainer is very into pushing certain saddles, it’s hard not to go hmm…and you feel you can’t get unfiltered good advice unless you’re riding in that saddle.
1 Like
Our trainer isn’t even sponsered but has certain saddles she hates and we are not allowed to get even if it fits our horse best. One saddle fitter was sympathetic and said she understood- every time some one gets a new trainer they also end up with a new saddle.
I’ve seen it with friends at other barns. Eventually you cave because they keep hounding their clients about it.
1 Like
Generally speaking, most of these sponsorship contracts will include a clause that the trainer’s clients should be purchasing saddles of that brand + not having competitor brands being sold in the barn. Whether that is actually enforced is another matter entirely
7 Likes
I think the terms of each agreement vary pretty significantly. Brand sponsorships are pretty common these days, even most of the mid-range pros around here have some sort of deal going on but most of them aren’t getting a ton out of it. A lot of them just have to post a certain amount about the brand on social media and get small discounts in return. The deals that actually come with a supply of free saddles and such are going to have much stricter terms, but are harder to get. I think discipline matters a lot here too; IME the higher-end H/J barns are more likely to enforce brands on their clients but that model doesn’t really work in eventing so sponsorships are more individual.
I’ve worked with a few different sponsored trainers and never had any issues shopping around. Yeah they offered up their reps’ contact info if I wanted it and let me try a few of their saddles, but that was it. One of my trainers even worked with me and my brand’s rep over a few sessions to weigh in on what he was seeing from the ground so she could fix it.
A trainer that was pushy about their sponsorships would be a deal-breaker for me for sure, and I’d find it extremely annoying. But at this point it’s hard to avoid sponsored trainers entirely so I don’t have a problem with someone repping their brands of choice as long as they respect my decisions. It can also have its perks for sure, not so much on big stuff like saddles but apparel, boots, etc can be great connections to have - one trainer had a bit sponsorship and could set us up with fittings and discounts, which was awesome. It’s a rough industry and trainers need all the financial help they can get, I think if you look at it as part of their business model vs personal advice it’s easier to let it roll off.
4 Likes
I guess these trainers think anti trust laws don’t apply to them.
4 Likes
IME most saddle company “sponsorships” work something like for every approximately 7 or so saddles sold through the trainer/to the trainer’s clients, the sponsored trainer gets a free saddle. This can make some trainers quite pushy about steering their clients towards saddles of that brand. Essentially the trainer is a salesperson working on commission. I understand that trainers need to make a living and that they might consider representing and selling products as part of their income. At the same time, I’ve seen trainers end up fracturing relationships with clients due to overly pushy sales tactics. I’ve also seen clients trustingly buy saddles pushed on them–only to realize after the purchase that the fit was not optimal.
In some instances, if you purchase custom saddles privately (without a trainer taking their cut towards a free saddle) it is possible to negotiate your own discount.
@quarab I agree with you about not going to Voltaire as your first choice for a flat and wide horse. It is my observation that while the French saddle companies have various tree options, most of them are fairly curvy front to back. I have had better luck fitting wider/flatter horses with wool flocked British brands. Admittedly, I’m not up to speed on all the models and options from Voltaire, but fitting wide/flat horses is not their speciality.
I think in this instance you are right to trust your instincts and follow your own saddle shopping process. Personally, I have had the best luck with good brand-specific fitters/reps. They know all the tree, seat, flap and flocking options available and typically have various models with all the options in stock. I have had more chaotic and less helpful experiences with independent fitters who seem to have a lot of random saddles in stock and can’t always help if you want a new saddle from a brand that has its own reps.
9 Likes
I have two young horses built like this. What British brands are out there? TY
1 Like
I never buy a saddle based on a trainer who thinks one brand fits all. They usually change brand every couple of years and I can’t afford it. My favorite trainer goes with what is best for the horse so won’t sign one with any saddle company.
5 Likes
Thank you!
Some British saddle brands easily available here in the US are Bliss of London, County, and Black Country.
2 Likes
I’m very happy with my Loxley (bliss) for my horse of this type. Black Country is very similar. Detente can be found for reasonable prices and are very nice as well. I didn’t have luck with Duett but they wear well for the price and I know people happy with them. County was what I was going to get, but I needed custom to fit my horse + me and my Loxley was about $3k fully custom with some fun additions, so it was more in budget for me.
I will lightly caution regarding the Serge panels though - I almost got them as I thought they would be “better” in some way, but they are apparently a little trickier to flock. Not a problem if you have a good fitter, but just something to keep in mind as a fair number of these wide English saddles seem to have them.
2 Likes
Thank you for the info!
1 Like
You are 100% right on the serge panels.
My saddle has them and it wasn’t an issue because my saddle fitter made it! But, when he moved out of state I now have to plan months ahead to when we’ll be anywhere close so I can get it flocked.
If someone without serge knowledge does it, they can completely ruin it and cause serious flocking issues that require the whole thing to be redone.
1 Like
It does suck sometimes when someone is so into something they keep suggesting it. I know plenty of people that think X breed is the end all be all, X brand, X vet, whatever
I kept suggesting chiropractic check up to my friend who’s horse was having some odd issues - she finally did it and the chiropractic said he’s fine. No more said again.
She suggested some homeopathic osteopathic people she thought had some real insight and I wasn’t going for it but finally let them come look at my horse and they did all this poking and prodding, told me I was feeding her all wrong and when I balked, tried to guilt trip with “you want your horse to get better, don’t you!” A few days later my horse had her regular appointment and needed regular adjusting so my friend was like, ok, guess that didn’t work for you.
I really like my Ansur saddle so I’m inclined to ask you if you tried them yet.
My former trainer SWORE by I think it’s Nathe? (white plastic looking) straight bits for babies and I kept telling her my horse doesn’t like it and she kept insisting “all babies love this bit!” My horse refused to take it, switched to a metal single joint and she grabs it - like you can see her wiggle the bit into the proper place with her lips if I am holding it a bit low or off for her to grab.
I think we all do it to a certain extent but some people really do get more barn blind than others and it can get very annoying.
This isn’t necessarily a Voltaire thing, I’ve ridden in two barns where the trainers were sponsored by Voltaire and neither trainer was pushy about it or trying to force all their students to buy one. You knew that’s who sponsored them, the reps were around a lot, and certainly they wanted you to try one if you were in the market, but if it didn’t work for you or your horse, that was the end of it. And it was also no big deal if you were happy with what you already owned from another brand and it fits your horse.
3 Likes
Late-ish to the thread but will throw out Hastilow as well. I’ve had three (sold one, so now only have two), and loved them all. I currently have someone else’s semi-custom jump saddle I scored off eBay three or four years ago, my fitter was impressed with it, it has the step-up leather and a rounded cantle, both of which are custom options, and last year ordered a custom brown dressage saddle that I quite enjoy even though I am not a dressage rider and will probably never ride in a dressage show of any kind 
They are flocked with Jacob’s wool, and adjustable. Currently fit to my brick shit house IDSH mare who is flat backed and rather mutton withered, and destined to also go on my ID filly once she’s older; I suspect they will be similar in shape or enough so that a shimmable pad will correct anything. The other Hastilow I had (actually it was a Hastilow and Sons, there is some difference but not sure what exactly) was adjusted from my IDSH gelding who was a pretty normal shaped MW to my 3XW (yes!) medium pony 
and it consigned at a good price through my fitter when I didn’t need three any longer. They are good saddles. Not as beautiful as the French saddles, I had a Devoucoux Oldara that I still miss but was never going to fit any of the broad-backed beauties I have now, but they make the horses happy and once you find a model you like you will be too. There was one Hastilow I originally sat on that felt like I shoved a new roll of toilet paper between my legs, I made it a quarter of the way around the arena before dismounting.
3 Likes
