Update- Returned the Stubben, on the search for the next saddle to try and looking for any recommendations for a typical TB back. Budget is $2k or under but would really like to stay lower than that as I just had to buy my other very different horse his own saddle.
Highline tack sent a few suggestions but all at the top of my budget and brands I wouldn’t typically associate with being good horse fit wise (CWD, Devoucoux) and a gorgeous Prestige which I have heard good things about but it’s a 16”.
And/or, Anyone have positive Stubben experiences with a different model? I did like the fit on him.
—————-
Original post:
Hoping to get some additional sets of eyes and input on a saddle I have on trial. My current saddle is a 17” Butet with a long and forward flap. I have always been a Butet person but it doesn’t fit my horse well (6 yr old TB) (although he doesn’t show signs of discomfort or go any differently in the trial saddle). Additionally, my old beloved Butet was a 1999 16.5” that I sold a few years ago, and I have never fully LOVED my ‘new’ one.
I have 16.5” Stubben Ascend on trial with a long and straight flap. The Stubben certainly fits my horse way better and is more comfortable for me. However - when I watch videos back, it looks like it is putting me in a chair seat (doesn’t really feel like it when I am on though). It’s not a cheap saddle and I want to be fully happy with it if I buy it, but I am not sure where to go from here in terms of what to look for in a different saddle that will fit my guy (other than a 17” seat - only reason I took a 16.5” out is because I couldn’t find a 17”).
Hoping for some input based on these videos, I have some in the Stubben and some in the Butet for comparison:
Stubben at the trot:
IMG_1541
Stubben jumping:
IMG_1544
IMG_0838
Butet:
IMG_1373
IMG_0039