Yet another saddle thread!

[quietann]

So… I’m doing a bit less dressage and a lot more trail riding, and my current dressage saddle (Trilogy Debbie McDonald) is having some fitting issues, plus is one of those VERY deep seated ones that would be hard to bail from in an emergency. I enjoy an occasional gallop, and we’ve been known to pop over little logs and stuff… neither of which are so much fun in the Trilogy!

As I consider whether I should buy (yet another!!!) saddle, I’d like some input from trail riders. I still want something I can take low level dressage lessons in, and possibly show a bit. So Western, Australian, etc. saddles are not what I am looking for.

In general I want leather (probably) and wool flocking (definitely.) I trail ride for pleasure, not competitively. A two hour ride is about as much as I’ve done though I would be up for more in the right circumstances.

What I need: something good for a SHORT rider with SHORT round legs and some “junk in the trunk.” The Debbie is great in this respect as it has a narrow twist and extended stirrup bars. SHORT flaps would be great. I usually take an 18 inch or 17.5 inch seat. I do not need, or want, a super deep seat. I am slightly overweight (BMI isn’t a great measure, I know, but think BMI of 26 to 27) and have arthritis in my hips, hands, and shoulders.

What the horse needs: she is a Morgan. Unlike a typical Morgan she has a longish back and really good withers and is not super wide (takes a MW tree in most dressage saddles.) Like a typical Morgan, her back is more U-shaped than V-shaped, she has a round belly, she has very deep shoulders (which are not entirely symmetric) and a very forward girth groove. She does have arthritis in her back and hind end so her comfort is very important. Treeless is not an option. Wither gussets and a wide channel for her spine, and a flat rather than upswept panel help, too.

[GreyDes]

I really like my Smith Worthington Danzig. It’s definitely a dressage saddle, but not super deep, and I can do small jumps in it. I bought mine with extra padding in the seat, and added velcro blocks, so I can adjust the size/angle if needed.

I’ve heard good things about the Thorowgood saddles as well, if you want to look at synthetic.

You’re pretty close to me, so let me know if you want to see the Danzig. Smith Worthington does a big factory sale every March, and if you like the brand, it’s a worthwhile trip to CT.

[quietann]

[QUOTE=GreyDes;7922548]
I really like my Smith Worthington Danzig. It’s definitely a dressage saddle, but not super deep, and I can do small jumps in it. I bought mine with extra padding in the seat, and added velcro blocks, so I can adjust the size/angle if needed.

I’ve heard good things about the Thorowgood saddles as well, if you want to look at synthetic.

You’re pretty close to me, so let me know if you want to see the Danzig. Smith Worthington does a big factory sale every March, and if you like the brand, it’s a worthwhile trip to CT.[/QUOTE]

I had a really nice chat with the Smith-Worthington folks last fall at Equine Affaire… Very nice. But for what I wanted, only their most expensive semi-custom line would work. OTOH, what is another few grand wasted on saddles? (I am really frustrated, can you tell?)

PM me with your contact info. I’d love to see your saddle.

[PonyTales]

IMO … First & foremost I would get an Eventing saddle.

I like the stubben. You can practically custom build your stubben from the company. Seat size, leg flap size, leather, tree width, etc.

I like Crosby as well.

I told myself if ever I was to get a trail saddle it would be a Wyntec model. They are a very comfortable to ride & jump in - plus they look good. You also can’t beat them as far as simplicity in maintenance.

I know there are soooo many option to choose from… its challenging.

[quietann]

PonyTales and others – Wintecs don’t really fit my horse and usually have a very wide twist… so a no go for both of us. Not a huge fan of Stubbens though I have only tried used ones – bad fit for the horse, usually.

OTOH Wintec does have a newer Endurance/Trail model which is advertised as having a narrow twist and can be had with WOOL flocking (which is what I want.) And I think it’s “dressage-y” enough for that. Has anyone tried it?

[Emilia]

Have you looked into Kent & Masters saddles (Hastilow from England)? Kent & Masters is supposed to be the leather version of Thorowgood.

One of their AP ones might be worth the try. They have high wither version, I am now getting for our Morgan (I also only have dressage saddle now, but I would like to go more into forward seat, hence the switch).

I had an opportunity to demo one with saddle fitter and the saddle fitted around his withers and shoulders like nothing I have ever seen. Now, he has a very short back, so I am getting their compact version (which will still have to be flattened a bit in the end- he is that bad).

I am not sure about the twist. I felt comfortable. You may want to ask at hastilowusa.

Good Luck finding something for your girl!

ETA: I deleted the remark on advancedsaddlefit. There seem to be some trouble with her deliveries (see Off Course).

[chicamux]

Duett Tango is a great saddle for may Morgans. It is also a good saddle for us short legged riders because you can do low jumping, trail riding, etc in it. Seat is just deep enough for security, not as deep as the typical dressage model. It has the hoop tree and very wide wool flocked panels for the horse. The tree is not super curvey. I bought one for an Arab and found it a bit too flat for him. But most of the minor stuff can be fixed with a good flocking job.

Oh, SW can also widen and narrow good trees so if you find a saddle that you really like but it isn’t quite the right width they may be able to help.

The Arabian Saddle Company also has saddles with hoop trees. Tons of endurance riders using them.

chicamuxen

[Posting_Trot]

I am going to whisper that you might want an all-purpose saddle.

Maybe something like the County Eventer. Or a County Despri. I have an Eventer, and it’s very comfortable for the trail riding that I do in it.

Another possibility would be a Black Country Celeste.

[quietann]

[QUOTE=Posting Trot;7923692]
I am going to whisper that you might want an all-purpose saddle.

Maybe something like the County Eventer. Or a County Despri. I have an Eventer, and it’s very comfortable for the trail riding that I do in it.

Another possibility would be a Black Country Celeste.[/QUOTE]

Tried a Drespri and OMG uncomfortable, and it didn’t fit the horse. I did try her in a Celeste, and it was one of those “almost but not quite right” saddles, not really fixable with shims, so I passed.

I would say that the chance of me ending up with something closer to A/P than dressage is about 50%.

chicamux, my recollection of the Tango (this was a few years ago) is that the twist was VERY wide and my hips started screaming as soon as I got on. And the mare is actually a bit too narrow for a Duett, though it does look, from the website, like they are starting to offer them with narrower trees.

[quietann]

Update: I switched dressage trainers this month and the first thing she said is that she wants me in an All-Purpose, if I am on a budget (which I am.) A lot of her shorter, rounder riders just do much better in an A/P (or GP) than in a dressage saddle; at the lower levels it makes no difference. Someone devoted to moving up the levels (which I am not) would maybe want to go the custom/semi-custom direction for dressage – but that is a lot of money (and they may end up using their old A/P for other things…)

Have been trying a few saddles and it looks like I will be going with a Kent & Masters GP. It is a very nice saddle for the price and it meets my other specifications. Or if sense about budget comes to the forefront, the same thing in a Thorowgood T8 (same trees, same wool flocking, part leather and part synthetic.)

I did try a County Eventer but I think it was built for someone taller… It was comfortable but did not do great things for my position. The new Wintec was very uncomfortable. Tried a couple of Duetts and while they didn’t have the super wide twist I remember, they weren’t a good fit on the mare.

[quietann]

Another update: now trying a Black Country Celeste… I have not sat in it yet but it fits the mare other than probably being too wide. Black Country has some panel options that help a lot with fit.

I am still talking with Kent and Masters, though. I tried a T8 cob/broadback and the mare liked it a lot, even though it sat on her withers (It had an XW gullet in it, and when I tried to change to a narrower gullet, she got cranky – probably because it was pinching her shoulders.) Unlike the other GPs sold by K&M, the cob model is built like a dressage saddle for short people! I’d be in heaven if it was available with just a bit more wither clearance…

Although the terrible winter will postpone trail riding season, I may not have a saddle when the time comes

[Flash44]

Ditto the Duett saddles. I had one for a very wide mare, and Nancy is GREAT to work with. The frirst two didn’t fit, and she immediately shipped more saddles as soon as I let her know one didn’t fit. Their tree widths increase by 2 cm, so you can really get a great fit. I ended up selling it 5 year later for almost the same price I bought it, and the woman who bought it said she had been looking for a year for this exact saddle. It was VERY comfy. Good luck in your search!

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

If you find the twist on the Celeste too wide, I suggest trying the Wexford. It’s a true AP. In addition to a good variety of panel options for the horse, BC also offers flap and block options for the rider.

Sent you a PM, too.

[quietann]

[QUOTE=Flash44;8050547]
Ditto the Duett saddles. I had one for a very wide mare, and Nancy is GREAT to work with. The frirst two didn’t fit, and she immediately shipped more saddles as soon as I let her know one didn’t fit. Their tree widths increase by 2 cm, so you can really get a great fit. I ended up selling it 5 year later for almost the same price I bought it, and the woman who bought it said she had been looking for a year for this exact saddle. It was VERY comfy. Good luck in your search![/QUOTE]

Just had an interesting experience with a Duett. Every Duett I’ve sat in, up until this one, had rails beneath the seat that would put dents in my butt (perhaps not literally, but they were very uncomfortable.) They had mostly been dressage saddles. Then I sat in a Duett Foxhunter yesterday (not on my horse) and it was really comfortable. There are certain options I’m looking for in a saddle, though, and I’m not sure the Duetts have that.

[Flash44]

[QUOTE=quietann;8050816]
Just had an interesting experience with a Duett. Every Duett I’ve sat in, up until this one, had rails beneath the seat that would put dents in my butt (perhaps not literally, but they were very uncomfortable.) They had mostly been dressage saddles. Then I sat in a Duett Foxhunter yesterday (not on my horse) and it was really comfortable. There are certain options I’m looking for in a saddle, though, and I’m not sure the Duetts have that.[/QUOTE]

LOL, I called my Duett my sofa! Totally understand the need for personal fit and comfort. Good luck!