What to do with third billet?

[RhythmNCruise]

I just got a new saddle today (M. Toulouse Romina Pro). For as long as I’ve been riding (over 30 years), I’ve never had the luxury of decent tack. I know to some, M. Toulouse is probably not at all “luxury”, but this saddle is by far the nicest one I’ve ever owned. It’s just sitting on the back of a chair in the living room right now, but I can tell by touching it and holding it that it’s sooooo much nicer than the ahem Collegiate! cough that I’ve had for years. I’ve already tinkered with the Genesis adjustable tree system and it’s super easy. Really looking forward to getting it on the horse soon (not today…home with a nasty cold…boo).

BUT! It has three billets. I’m used to that on my non-dressage saddles and know to ignore the middle one, but I’m used to two billets on a dressage saddle. What do I do with the third? Just figure out a way to discreetly tuck it away? I don’t want it in the way or flapping around.

[outerbanks77]

Does your girth have billet keepers? I’d just stuff it in there. I might just remove it if I didn’t have a need to change between billets. Usually they’re made to be easily reattached if needed later.

[xQHDQ]

I had a saddle like this. I alternated which billets I used so that two wouldn’t stretch out more than the other. Sometimes the saddle fits differently depending on which billets are used, so check that first.

[piedmontfields]

What xQHDQ said. Alternate if it doesn’t change the fit. Enjoy your new saddle!

p.s. I had a Collegiate once and really liked it.

[high_hat]

The first one should be a point billet and as others have said may not be needed or your horse might love it. See which ones work and stick to those 2.

[merrygoround]

Depending on the saddle and how it fits, you might want to use 1st and 3rd, rather than 1 and 2 as a permanent thing.
Check how your stirrups hang with the change.

[foggythistle]

Are these long or short billets? Is the third billet on the flap, or are all three under the flap?

If they’re short billets, treat them as you would your jump saddle.
If the third billet is on the flap, you can remove it if your girth doesn’t have a third buckle. It basically holds the flap in place for those folks whose leg has a tendency to bunch up the flap.

Three long billets seems a little weird - haven’t seen dressage saddles with three long billets unless the third is on the flap.

[joiedevie99]

I’ve never seen 3 true long billets. When there are 3, one is usually attached to the flap, and meant to be buckled to itself or to a special third buckle on the girth.

I’ve had plenty of saddles with extra attachment points (nylon tabs) for billets to be moved/adjusted later.

[CanteringCarrot]

My Fairfax Gareth has 3 long billets. I use the 1st and 3rd. They easily tuck into my Mattes girth so the extra billet isn’t really noticeable. I imagine it could be awkward depending on your girth.

[RhythmNCruise]

@high hat

The first one should be a point billet and as others have said may not be needed or your horse might love it. See which ones work and stick to those 2.

Yes, the first billet is kind of off by itself, and then the other two are more “normally” placed and together. I’ll definitely wait and see which billets work the best for my horse. Thanks!

[RhythmNCruise]

Thanks for all of the responses. In answer to some questions, this is three long billets. As mentioned in another reply, one seems to be the “point billet” that is the first and situated sort of right under where the stirrup bar is located. Then the other two billets are more normally placed. They’re all three exactly the same length. Nothing attached to the flap. I know what those look like, and this is normal billets meant to attach to a girth.

I think I’ll do as suggested and once I figure out which two billets work best for my horse, I’ll remove the third. My girth doesn’t really have anywhere to tuck the extra billet away.

[high_hat]

@foggythistle

Are these long or short billets? Is the third billet on the flap, or are all three under the flap?

Three long billets seems a little weird - haven’t seen dressage saddles with three long billets unless the third is on the flap.

Often times when a saddle is shipped from the saddle maker they will have 3 billets to make it easier for the fitter to do a proper fitting. If they don’t come with a point billet and the horse’s conformation dictates one would be best it saves the fitter from having to remove and re-stitch the billet. My current saddle has 3 long billets.

[outerbanks77]

@RhythmNCruise

Thanks for all of the responses. In answer to some questions, this is three long billets. As mentioned in another reply, one seems to be the “point billet” that is the first and situated sort of right under where the stirrup bar is located. Then the other two billets are more normally placed. They’re all three exactly the same length. Nothing attached to the flap. I know what those look like, and this is normal billets meant to attach to a girth.

I think I’ll do as suggested and once I figure out which two billets work best for my horse, I’ll remove the third. My girth doesn’t really have anywhere to tuck the extra billet away.

Point billets are attached to the tree point, which are at the very front of the saddle, not under the stirrup bar. I would guess you’d want to use that one and one of the others, depending on your horse’s girth groove placement.

[RhythmNCruise]

@outerbanks77

Point billets are attached to the tree point, which are at the very front of the saddle, not under the stirrup bar. I would guess you’d want to use that one and one of the others, depending on your horse’s girth groove placement.

Oh, okay. I’ll have to inspect it more closely. I guess the advice is use the ones that work the best and either remove or find a reasonable way to tuck the other one away.

Thanks!

[arabiansrock]

Cantering Carrot what do you think of the Fairfax Gareth? I have been eyeing the Rebecca just for the bit of bling. Can you compare the feel of the saddle to another major saddle? Does it sit you more forward like a French saddle or tend to push you forward from the back? I have a Thorowgood T8 and my DD has Kent & Masters S series. I am specifically wondering how it sits compared to those.

[buck22]

As others said, experiment with which billets wind up fitting the horse the best. Point billets sometimes are wonderful and stabilize a saddle, other times, they press the points into the horses’ shoulders and are uncomfortable. Don’t remove the spare billet, it might come in hand if you change girths or your horse’s shape changes, or you ever sell the saddle. Just tuck the third billet into a keeper in the girth.

One of my very favorite saddles had four long billets on each side. Was wonderful for fitting different horses. I just tucked the other two into the girth’s keepers.