Ooooh :yes:
http://www.trumbullmtn.com/store/new-saddles/all-purpose/duett/rondo/
Paula
This is why you cannot write off all A/P saddles. You just have to choose if you want one that is more cut for dressage or more cut for jumping.
Duett saddles are pretty nice for the $$ and Trumbull Mountain is a great tack store to buy from.
I had a Duett Rondo for a long time. In fact, I still have it.
But I no longer ride in it.
For the money, the quality is good. But they really are meant to fit a wide, flat-backed horse. The hoop tree -shaped like an upside-down letter U - provides for very little wither clearance.
Also they are wide.:yes: So they are less than ideal if
a. horse is not sufficiently wide also because you will be tipped forward; or
b. you cannot cope with the extremely wide twist of this saddle!
But if you have a wide flat-backed horse and can comfortably put your feet behind your head:winkgrin: this is the saddle for you!
I switched to an Ovation Jump Saddle with a wide tree and long flap. Although it is a close contact saddle and so comparatively flat, it has knee and thigh blocks for security. I got mine for a really nice price because Ovation is switching over to adjustable trees. So I got my standard tree for about $900 because the tack shop was clearing out the old inventory.
[QUOTE=Bogie;6431094]
This is why you cannot write off all A/P saddles. You just have to choose if you want one that is more cut for dressage or more cut for jumping.
Duett saddles are pretty nice for the $$ and Trumbull Mountain is a great tack store to buy from.[/QUOTE]
I got Woodrow’s Duett Fidelio from TMT. Great saddle and great saddle buying experience. If the DF doesn’t work for my mule, I may see if one of the Duett’s will fit him, too…
Okay, now I’m browsing more saddles and keeping an open mind -considering things like AP saddles for example.
What do you think about these products (all Amazon.com -I swear all they don’t sell is the horse!).
http://www.amazon.com/Exmoor-All-Purpose-Black-18/dp/B0001GSMXU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I10NHCXDA62EOK&colid=2WCGYYP4D2FDU I’m rather liking this one for some reason.
And just for pure randomness
Paula
[QUOTE=paulaedwina;6439428]
Okay, now I’m browsing more saddles and keeping an open mind -considering things like AP saddles for example.
What do you think about these products (all Amazon.com -I swear all they don’t sell is the horse!).
http://www.amazon.com/Exmoor-All-Purpose-Black-18/dp/B0001GSMXU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I10NHCXDA62EOK&colid=2WCGYYP4D2FDU I’m rather liking this one for some reason.
And just for pure randomness
Paula[/QUOTE]
I have no experience with the Exmoor saddles but run far, far away from the Hilason and the Equiroyal. They are pure crap- you might as well make a saddle out of cardboard and duct tape. I would honestly take the advice that the posters here have given you- stop looking at new junky saddles and go for good quality used.
Here are a few decent ones for not too much $
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wintec-Pro-Endurance-non-CAIR-wide-tree-excellent-condition-/170874582706?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c8eb36b2#ht_500wt_1202
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WIDE-17-ABETTA-ENDURANCE-SADDLE-NO-HORN-AIRE-GRIP-/360430471546?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53eb54897a#ht_3025wt_952
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Forest-Aspen-treeless-saddle-Size-2-/290745370468?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b1c64764#ht_500wt_1202
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Barefoot-Treeless-Cheyenne-Saddle-and-Pad-/160843101339?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2572fef49b#ht_679wt_1185
Well put a line through Wintec. That was one of the saddles I owned. I definitely will take your advice on the Hilason and Equiroyal because there is a technique to buying cheap -it’s reputation. For example, my old barn’s schooling saddles are all quite cheap, but stood up for years. On the other hand I bought a Kincade that felt like plastic bags sandwiching sponge!
So no Hilason or Equiroyal for sure.
I keep looking at the Abetta, but I’ve been convinced by another poster to give AP saddles a second look. One good AP will probably do the trick -low level dressage, working equitation, trail.
Paula
You need to be looking at quality brands, which so far, you are not. You’ll end up with crap leather, twisted trees, and saddles that don’t fit your horse. Then you’ll end up with a horse with a sore back and a saddle you cannot sell. Amazon is NOT the place to saddle shop.
You need to actually ride in a lot of saddles to find out what works, then look for quality brands that have been around for a long time. You haven’t ridden in enough saddles to know what you want.
A good quality used saddle will cost less than a crappy new saddle and you’ll get one that is better made.
Find a nice old Passier, County, Albion, Berney Brothers, Stubben, etc. and it’s hard to go wrong. Or, look for some of the lesser known English brands like Jeffries, Lovett & Rickles, which are under priced in the US market.
I think you are being short-sighted to cross of the Wintecs because you had one bad experience, yet are looking at saddles that are much lower in quality. Trumbull Mnt has a Wintec Wide in their used A/P section for $400.
Talk to a reputable consignment shop like Trumbull Mnt or Pelham and ask them what they recommend. They will ship you saddles to try on your horse.
Thanks. The wintec flap was too short for my long leg. I’ll give a holler to Trumbull or Pelham as well.
BTW Amazon has the wintec and bates dressage saddles so don’t sell them short.
Paula
Not all Wintecs are cut the same. I’m 6" tall and 22" from my hip to my knee. I frequently ride in a Wintec Pro Jump.
Wintec and Bates saddles are great (and made by the same manufacturer) but at this stage in your riding career, you are much better off buying used as your tastes will likely change. For example, you might like a deeper seated saddle now . . . but find that in a year when your core is stronger, that you don’t like to feel so locked into place. Same deal with blocks. My taste in saddles changed quite a bit over the years.
If you buy new, you will not get your money out when you have to sell and there’s very little benefit to paying the extra $$ to be the first person to sit your butt in a saddle.
In this economy you can pick up used saddles that list for new $3K and up for less than $1K. Why not find something nicer?
Mostly I think you haven’t ridden in enough saddles to know what you like or don’t like. What saddles other than the Wintec have you tried and felt strongly about (one way or the other)? It is not unusual to ride in many different saddles (especially at this point in your riding) before you know what works for you.
Have you thought that you may also be riding too long? I know several people who started out riding Western who still ride very long and don’t get the support they need from their leg as a result. Sometimes shortening your leathers a hole or two can make a world of difference.
I do like the look of the Rondo and am keeping an eye out for used, but I think the tree might be too big. At Trumbull they say the smallest tree is 34 cm which is 13 inches. Isn’t that a Wide? Fella looks to have settled down to a Medium.
Paula
[QUOTE=paulaedwina;6440265]
I do like the look of the Rondo and am keeping an eye out for used, but I think the tree might be too big. At Trumbull they say the smallest tree is 34 cm which is 13 inches. Isn’t that a Wide? Fella looks to have settled down to a Medium.
Paula[/QUOTE]
No a 34 cm isn’t a wide. Mine’s a 36 cm, and I think Duett makes wider.
Have you done a wither tracing?
I was waiting for him to muscle up to do the wither tracing and we were evicted from our training barn (nuther story). The current trainer can arrange it. What she noticed was that he wore her medium close contact, but is quite uphill at this point and may need a lift under the cantle. At the moment she’s put a breast plate on him.
Mostly I think you haven’t ridden in enough saddles to know what you like or don’t like. What saddles other than the Wintec have you tried and felt strongly about (one way or the other)? It is not unusual to ride in many different saddles (especially at this point in your riding) before you know what works for you.
Dressage saddles I’ve ridden in: Albion, Bates Innova, Keiffer, and the Wintec 500. I did not like the Wintec at all, I liked the Keiffer, and I really liked the albion.
Other saddles: Close contact, all purpose, and sat in an Aussie before selling it on (way too much saddle IMO). I prefered the AP pre dressage saddle days. That may be what I should return to. The AP and CCs were off brand cheap riding school saddles that got alot of use.
Have you thought that you may also be riding too long? I know several people who started out riding Western who still ride very long and don’t get the support they need from their leg as a result. Sometimes shortening your leathers a hole or two can make a world of difference.
I’m not sure. I just remember scrambling in and out of a steep sided pond on a dressage saddle and finding the lack of cantle and swell a PITA. I rode in my current trainer’s CC and my legs felt too close together LOL!
Paula
If you liked the kieffer, search ebay for a kieffer ap saddle. They are cheap and will last forever. But into your horse a draft cross? I find it hard to believe he will truly fit into a medium. My appendix qh with huge withers isn’t even a medium! Just because it clears the withers right doesn’t mean its the right tree size. There is so much more to it than that. The angle of the points should match the angle of the back and the saddle should rock when the horse is moving with his back lifted. That last one happens very often because people fit the saddle in the cross ties without seeing what happens when the horse moves with his back lifted.
I agree with you on wintec. Crappy trees that are prone to cracking and the company is absolutely horrible to deal with.
Albion makes a very nice A/P saddle and you can find them used pretty often. I had one of the Original Comfort A/P saddles for many years. In fact, after I sold it the first time I bought it back!
[QUOTE=pAin’t_Misbehavin’;6440970]
No a 34 cm isn’t a wide. Mine’s a 36 cm, and I think Duett makes wider.
Have you done a wither tracing?[/QUOTE]
Woodrow’s Duett Fidelio is a 38 cm, and he’ only 14.2. 
I’ve been reluctant to believe my draft cross wears a medium tree. When I got him it seemed like that’s what fit him too, until he got fat. Now he’s lean and muscular and he’s back to a Medium? I don’t know.
I never thought of Albion or Kieffer making an AP. I’ll look into that!
Paula
I had the same Stubben ( Athos 1 I think) since 1984 and I can tell you how excellent the quality was and how that saddle held up and the number of different horses it fit. I did everything from cattle, ponying and long all day trail rides , english classes and some jumping in that saddle over the years. I sold it a few years ago and wish now that I hadn’t as it would probably fit my mule.
[QUOTE=Antaeus;6441364]
Woodrow’s Duett Fidelio is a 38 cm, and he’ only 14.2. :D[/QUOTE]
Oh, yes, the pony I bought the 36 cm for is 14.0.:yes: Those are the horses I think Duett works best for - little table-shaped horses, flat-backed with a leg at each corner.
paula - you could always buy the saddle a little large and pad up. Thinline makes a nice shimmable pad, or you could go with a sheepskin half pad. Not ideal I know but if you have to have a saddle right now, and he’s going to change shape, then you might try it. I’d rather do that than buy a cheap saddle now with the idea of getting a good one later. If the nice saddle doesn’t fit right after he muscles up you can always re-sell.
An internet friend is selling a really nice dressage saddle a W Crosby PSG 17.5, and I passed on it because it’s a wide. I’m thinking I need to change my mind and have a fitter fit the horse sooner than later.
Paula
