Yes, it is another saddle thread..Detente saddles...

[eventing-n-SD]

I’m contemplating buying a Detente Cleo saddle from advancedsaddle.com, but they are so new and I’m a little reluctant to be a product guinea pig. I’ve searched COTH for first hand experiences and haven’t found anything. There have couple a couple of posts suggesting to look at them and that’s it.

So, I’m throwing the request out there for first hand experiences with this or other Detente saddles. Quality of leather, fit for both horse and rider, service, comfort, etc. If you want to PM me rather than post, please do

Thank you!

PS - I’ve been riding in a borrowed Albion SLK MW HH 17.5 and love it…just can’t find one in my price range.

[dressagediosa]

I love them. Love, love, love them. The leather quality is outstanding. The rider feel is very similar to the Albions - a bigger thigh block, deep seat - but the panels are lined with felt on the inside, which help keep the shape of the panels better, and allow for a bigger panel, and therefore more weight-bearing surface for horse comfort. The quality is impeccable, and Advanced Saddle Fit’s customer service is top class. I have two horses in them myself, and I have many clients in them. The price is very accessible - I don’t think you can find that quality at that price anywhere.

[eventing-n-SD]

Thank you for your reply, dressagediosa. I read your posts on Detente in the other threads, too. I was hoping there would be more than one person on COTH that could share their experience with the saddle with me. The saddles sound fabulous, but I’m just cautious since buying a saddle is a major investment (i.e. a lot of money!).

[egontoast]

I’ve been riding in a borrowed Albion SLK MW HH 17.5 and love it…just can’t find one in my price range

Have you looked at used and demos?

[eventing-n-SD]

I have looked at demos and used across every nook and cranny including the internet nooks and crannies. I can get a brand new Detente for the same price or less as a used Albion, which is why I am considering them.

[dressagediosa]

[QUOTE=eventing-n-SD;3732536]
I can get a brand new Detente for the same price or less as a used Albion, which is why I am considering them.[/QUOTE]

Exactly!

They’re a fairly new line, so there may not be too many COTHBBers who have them yet. If no one else chimes in, do give the folks at Advanced Saddle Fit a call; they’d be happy to answer any of your questions. You can call or email me too, FWIW. I really love these saddles, and whenever a client horse comes in the barn with a train wreck for a saddle, I encourage them to consider the Detente line for the reason above - they’re a fabulous saddle at a VERY reasonable price for the quality.

[Invite]

I also saw the Detente and was quite intrigued. I always get nervous when things seem too good to be true. This thread has me thinking I might look into a Detente for my growing youngster. With so many saddles having astronomical price increases, maybe this is the way to go. It’s very scary, the wheels in my brain are starting to sloooowwwwly turn.

Dressagediosa, how does the quality of the Detente compare to that of an Albion? Have you found any negatives with the ones in your barn? Or are these saddles just a super deal and I’m just being paranoid

[dressagediosa]

[QUOTE=Invite;3736353]
Dressagediosa, how does the quality of the Detente compare to that of an Albion? Have you found any negatives with the ones in your barn? Or are these saddles just a super deal and I’m just being paranoid ;)[/QUOTE]

I find them very comprable, and the rider feel is very similar. Leather is the same quality. No negatives yet - I’ve had one for about a year, and the other for about 6 months, and neither have needed additional flocking yet. I think they’re just a super deal! ASF decided to cut out the middleman and do this line themselves, and as a result the price is what it is.

[jodyb]

Can the tree be adjusted on Detente’s? I love my Albion Ultima SLK (with genesis head system) and would actually like to get another one. If the Detente were adjustable it would be a good substitute.

[dressagediosa]

[QUOTE=jodyb;3737957]
Can the tree be adjusted on Detente’s? I love my Albion Ultima SLK (with genesis head system) and would actually like to get another one. If the Detente were adjustable it would be a good substitute.[/QUOTE]

You’d have to ask Colleen at Advanced Saddle Fit to be sure, but my guess would be that she would speak passionately against ever having a tree adjusted - much too risky for the welfare of your tree.

[Invite]

[QUOTE=dressagediosa;3737729]
I find them very comprable, and the rider feel is very similar. Leather is the same quality. No negatives yet - I’ve had one for about a year, and the other for about 6 months, and neither have needed additional flocking yet. I think they’re just a super deal! ASF decided to cut out the middleman and do this line themselves, and as a result the price is what it is.[/QUOTE]

Wow!!! This sounds great. I am definitely going to talk to Colleen about them once I am able to ride again. Thanks for all the info. It is so hard to find super deals. I am thrilled I might actually be able to get a super deal. Thanks again

[PennyChrome]

These saddles are AWESOME, horses love them, riders love them, and they are comparable to every $4000 dollar saddle out there. A lot of people pay $6k for a custom saddle. These run $2500 and they are lovely leather that wears very well under multiple daily use. Both of my co-trainers have one and I’m getting ready to get one.

[PennyChrome]

It didn’t work for me personally but I did enjoy riding in it, I think the leather is high quality, and the construction seems solid. It fits a variety of horses (Isis). I know a trainer who uses hers multiple times daily and it’s held up well.

[SharonA]

Is Colleen (Advanced Saddle Fit) no longer selling Black Countries? Can anyone comment on Black Countries vs. Detentes?

[dressagediosa]

[QUOTE=SharonA;4458304]
Is Colleen (Advanced Saddle Fit) no longer selling Black Countries? Can anyone comment on Black Countries vs. Detentes?[/QUOTE]

They’re both good saddles. The Detente saddles are so customizable, way more tree shapes available for a much wider variety of horses. Ultimately, what makes Advanced Saddle Fit special is not the saddles (though they’re very special!), but Colleen’s fittings - she takes the time to ensure the saddle you take home, whatever brand, fits you and the horse well.

The best thing to do? Call or email them and chat with them directly. They’ve got a PhD in saddles - better get directly from them!

[BayStar]

I LOVE my Detente saddle. I agree with what everyone has said - the quality is just as good (if not better) than Albions, you can find one of the models to fit just about any horse, and Collen and Matt at Advanced Saddle Fit are THE BEST!

[dressage710]

Detente

Thanks for everyones info I have had my heart set on a Albion SLK, but willing to try the Detente, Colleen is coming on Sunday will let everyone know what I choose .Thanks

[NJRider]

I had never heard of these saddles until I read this thread. They do look very nice; I just wish their site would have more photos of each of the models. Also, if you live someplace remote where there is no chance for them to fit your horse, I wonder how that works?

[Quest52]

I don’t know where you’re looking for saddles, or what you’re interested in, but I found a SLK in black (I believe the seat was a 17, not a 17 1/2), used (in good condition) for $900.

Is that above? I don’t know what these other ones cost new.

[dressagediosa]

[QUOTE=NJRider;4524682]
I had never heard of these saddles until I read this thread. They do look very nice; I just wish their site would have more photos of each of the models. Also, if you live someplace remote where there is no chance for them to fit your horse, I wonder how that works?[/QUOTE]

They’ve been having some website drama, and are working on a new one. As far as distance, Colleen does do “distance fittings,” with digital photos of the horse’s back and wither tracings. I’ve had several of my clients get saddles that way, with great success.