What do you think about this saddle?

[paulaedwina]

I like the looks of it. I’ve never seen it in person. It’s got center rigging -which is supposed to be more stable, but is still an English configuration. I’ve been looking for an all purpose (not All Purpose -as in English AP) saddle for my hard-to-fit draft cross. I want to be able to work in the ring doing regular English stuff, but also take him out on the trails and not be uncomfortable scrambling down or up embankments (as I have found in a dressage saddle). I find Western rigs too big -I feel like I’m hovering above my horse and don’t know how to use my leg. I like endurance rigs because they have swells and cantle like a Western saddle, but seem closer contact.

http://www.frontierequestrian.com/getProductDetails.cfm?ID=146

Paula

[DistanceHorse]

I have never seen one of these in person but from the picture it looks like the stirrup bars are too far forward for my personal comfort. Most endurance saddles have their stirrup bars set back a bit to help with stability and comfort. Do they have a test ride saddle that they can send you so you can try it before you buy it?

[paulaedwina]

I’ll ask.

Thanks.

Paula

[Lamb_Chop]

I agree- it looks as though it’s set up to put the rider’s legs in a chair seat position, and I greatly prefer my legs underneath me than out in front.

If you share that opinion, you can look at saddles with more of a dressage-oriented leg position.

[Equibrit]

Check out Haflinger/Icelandic type endurance saddles.
http://www.dbtack.com/page/402005868

[gaitedincali]

Anything from that company is going to be bottom of the barrel quality made in India. Subpar leather, subpar metal fittings, good luck if the tree isn’t warped. Not something I would waste $$$$ on.

The saddles in the link Equibrit posted are the same deal and imported by the same people - all indian made.

Have you looked at the duett trail saddles? Much nicer and I’ve seen used ones go for not much more than the indian cheapies sell for new.

http://duettsaddles.com/category/trail/

Any of these would be just as secure as the first saddle linked, which functionally is not any “better” than a dressage saddle, probably less so than the ones with giant thigh blocks. A little different styling on the cantle =/= security.

[leaf]

Maybe check out the Freeform saddles at Treeless saddles. Still made in Italy. Good for hard to fit horses. Rigging and stirrup placement is easily changed.

[tabula_rashah]

Looks poorly made and uncomfortable to me. I would look at a higher end used saddle rather than trying to go new and cheap.

[Mersy]

I would say no on that saddle. Looks like an accident ready to happen.

[Bogie]

No - cheap Indian no name saddle that has the bars too far forward.

I love my Freeform and it is good for horses without much withers, but it is a treeless saddle and so if you’re worried about stability, not a good choice. I haven’t had any trouble with mine slipping, but I haven’t really put it to the test, either. A used Freeform will put you back around $800.

If you have a very wide horse, try the Duett saddles as they are made for them. Their A/P saddle might work for you.

You’d be better off going synthetic. Here’s a Wintec Endurance saddle that is wool flocked. Great price: http://compare.ebay.com/like/120936727825?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

Abetta makes a decent endurance saddle too. When my husband wanted to ride I bought him one and found it surprisingly comfortable and balanced.

However, if you have a hard to fit horse, I wouldn’t buy any saddle from a catalog or website that you can’t return.

[paulaedwina]

Thanks, guys, for taking the time. I’ve looked at the Abetta, and this saddle that’s nearby http://www.theoriginalhorsetackcompany.com/Big-Horn-16-Flex-Tree-Endurance-Saddle-p/bh804.htm

The price is a bit steep for me though. I’ll keep a look out for used.

Paula

[SouthernTrailsGA]

These 300.00 and 400.00 Brand New Saddles are nothing but Junk from India and Pakistan.

If that is your Budget, look for a good used Name Brand

.

[Bogie]

@paulaedwina;6428581

Thanks, guys, for taking the time. I’ve looked at the Abetta, and this saddle that’s nearby http://www.theoriginalhorsetackcompany.com/Big-Horn-16-Flex-Tree-Endurance-Saddle-p/bh804.htm

The price is a bit steep for me though. I’ll keep a look out for used.

Paula

If you can only afford a $300-$400 saddle make sure you ride in as many saddles as possible so you know what to look for used. Why don’t you just ride in the saddle you already have for him?

I agree that you should not be looking at new saddles if you want leather. You can pick up synthetic models that are nicely balanced for less.

Here’s an Abetta Arabian saddle (wide) for a good price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Abetta-Arabian-Endurance-Endurance-Saddle-very-slightly-used-with-extras-/130726138373?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6fe29205

[Lamb_Chop]

I have a Freeform Classic that I adore- it’s like riding bareback as far as putting me in a natural position on my horse. I do use a breastcollar with it for stability. Prior to that, I rode in a Courbette Marschall dressage saddle for about 20 years- great saddle, lightweight and durable.

If you’re in the $300- 400 price range, used will be the way to go. I sold my Courbette for $300, and it will last many more years.

[wendy]

I want to be able to work in the ring doing regular English stuff, but also take him out on the trails and not be uncomfortable scrambling down or up embankments (as I have found in a dressage saddle).

I always liked a good cross-country jumping type saddle for trail riding- built for doing steep hills, jumping logs, etc.; plus they are english-style, obviously, so you can do flatwork in them. I’ve never found cantles and swells to assist in keeping one in the saddle.
If he’s a wide-backed horse, look at the Duetts.

[ChocoMare]

I’ll ditto the Duett suggestion. I adore my Rondo. Uber comfy, nicely crafted and reasonably priced. They do hit E-bay and Bits And Barter, so keep your eyes peeled.

[paulaedwina]

Thanks, guys. An AP may be the way to go, except I was told by a dressage BNT they put you in the wrong position for dressage. He has no saddle at the moment. At his other trainer’s he was being ridden in her XW Albion. All I have is a bareback pad at the moment. After selling the last saddle I figured I’d wait until he lost some weight and muscled up to start fitting a saddle on him. He’s there now so I’d like to spend about $1000 and have a dressage saddle and an AP/trail/endurance type saddle. I have no problem with used. I’ve seen some Albion SLK (?) on Ebay for about $600 and have seen new endurance types for about $400. I don’t have much of an issue with synthetic except that I haven’t met a synthetic dressage saddle I liked (I’ve only tried Wintec). Synthetic works well in trail saddles because you don’t have to worry about getting them soaked in the river or in the rain, etc.

Paula

[Bogie]

Some A/P saddles are more versatile than others. You have to know how to evaluate them based on YOUR conformation as well as your horse’s.

Take a look at this blog post: http://equineink.com/2010/11/15/what-does-all-purpose-saddle-look-like/

It gives you some visual clues to what to look for. If, as I understand, you are not going to focus on dressage with Fella, I wouldn’t stress about the saddle not putting you in the perfect dressage position. Just find a saddle that does not put you in a chair seat. Many A/P saddles (and xc saddles) have the stirrup bars placed too far forward and that pushes you to the back of the saddle. While it’s fine when jumping XC to have your feet “on the dashboard” so to speak, it makes it a less versatile saddle for flatwork.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a balanced saddle but you do need a saddle that fits your horse AND which works with your conformation. Work with a good saddle fitter who is not affiliated with a specific brand if you don’t have a lot of experience (and it appears that’s the case).

[paulaedwina]

Excellent blog, Bogie, thanks. Interesting about that no more dressage for us resolution with Fella. He’s much calmer and happier at the new barn, we’re both much more relaxed in fact. It may not be be that we lack the temperament for dressage after all! The heat has broken so the new trainer is riding him this week (only worked in hand with him last week) and I’m riding him this week too so stay tuned. I have to say his mindset so far is quite different.

What I like about the dressage saddle, dressage aside, is that I like riding with a long, vertical leg so I am not sure an AP would work, not only because of the flap orientation, but the flap length as well. Know what I mean? I found the Wintec dressage saddle flap too short.

The saddle I originally posted is discontinued, but I hadn’t noticed the forward stirrups until it was mentioned in this thread. So now I know what to look for.

Paula

[ChocoMare]

I will then suggest a Duett Rondo again… You can EASILY ride in a long, vertical leg position with it. I know because I do!!! :yes:

They sit deep enough for what you want, but easily convert for more forward by just shortening your stirrups. Holler at Nancy at Duett and try one for a week.