YAY Another Saddle Recommendation Thread! Forward Balance point saddles for a TB Type

[Ibex]

After years in a jump saddle I’m migrating back to dressage. Mare has a strong preference for a saddle that promotes a lighter seat; I used to have a Prestige Galileo that we agreed on and that I stupidly sold instead of having the tree adjusted for her when she bulked up. Tried another Galileo that had been converted from foam to wool and even with professional fitting it wasn’t quite right.

Thoughts? Another model of Prestige?

I am tall with long legs.

We are short on fitters in this area unfortunately… I have a friend who reps Schleese/Zaldi (but fits most others) who is coming to take a look, but I’m looking at options since I’ll be hunting for a used saddle.

[equinelibrium]

My mare is the opposite of most TBs in terms of build - very wide with minimal wither - but she has quite a curve to her very short back. That means she goes well in saddles with a more forward balance. She has been very happy in an Amerigo Vega for jumping. Their dressage line might be worth a look?

[eightpondfarm]

Edit: Pegasus representative told me today that they can make a saddle 14" and above.

Never too many saddle threads! Sorry, cannot help you but very interested in the topic. I’m on the hunt for my first dressage saddle too. (I’ve actually never even ridden in one). I’m looking toward a Pegasus Butterfly ‘unicorn ram’ model at the moment. My problem is that i’m small. Rep i’m talking to seems to think that 17.5 is small! But …geeze i do well in 15s and 15.5s in GP saddles, so i just don’t know…

[Jackie_Cochran]

I have never tried this, it is just an idea.

RiderGrip at https://www.ridergrip.com, I use them on the flaps of my jumping saddle and they really help stop my sliding around the saddle.

They also make a single one just to put on the saddle seat, and their picture has it on the back part of the seat. This may take up enough front-to-back room in the saddle seat so you don’t feel like you are swimming around in the saddle. It is an alternative to using a seat saver to take up room, and if it is not quite enough there is no reason why you can’t use both.

Besides, you WILL stop sliding around the saddle, your butt will stay where you put it.

I do wish the Pegasus Butterfly saddle people made smaller sized saddles so short people could also benefit from these saddles!

[eightpondfarm]

The problem with Pegasus is once they get your money, there is no refund, only in-house credit. AND you don’t get to try before you buy… So, i’m back to the drawing board. Guess i’ll just keep plugging along in my cheezy Thorowgood GP (which fits my mare just fine) and wait and see how things go. And keep my feelers out there. Maybe there will be a local dressage person who is looking to unload a saddle or two and i can try out. attn: St. Louis area folks

[suzyq]

Check with Ann Forrest at Equestrian Imports. Great long distance fitter, she sells prestige and amerigo along with several other brands.