Albion Kontrol or K2 - tree shape

[Karosel]

Are there any differences in the tree shape of the Kontrol vs the K2? That is does one suit a curvy back and the other a straighter back? Or are they fairly similar in tree shape front to back?

I have a tb that has a higher wither and a straighter back. Would a Kontrol or K2 work better for this back shape?

Also, width wise are the tree's on Albions generous, true to size or on the narrow side? For example, are the size wide trees quite wide, or just a bit wide? (I hope that makes sense )

I've ridden in a Kontrol and really like it, but never in a K2. There aren't any Albion dealers in my area (Canadian prairies) that carries jump saddle demos so I can't try the K2. Does the K2 ride similar to the Kontrol? I'm a tall slender rider and need length for my thigh.


Thanks for your help!

 

[AmyMay]

I had a k2 on my tb

 

[Karosel]

I had a k2 on my tb

Does your tb have a straight or curvy back?

 

[ihatework]

I've found the K2 to fit horses with more shape to their back. The kontrol sat better on my tb with a prominent wither and straighter back.

The K2 used to come with 2 different types of tree, not sure if they still do, they would be true-generous on the sizing

 

[Karosel]

I've found the K2 to fit horses with more shape to their back. The kontrol sat better on my tb with a prominent wither and straighter back.

The K2 used to come with 2 different types of tree, not sure if they still do, they would be true-generous on the sizing

Thanks for the info.

 

[AmyMay]

Does your tb have a straight or curvy back?

Like a table, straight.

 

[Chocy]

I found K2 not great on horses that don't have a 'table' shape for saddle 2 sit on.
Also fab for jumping in super secure etc but I found seat felt like it'd been flocked with concrete!! Got used 2 it but took a while

 

[McW]

I got the k2 jump with the flatter panels for my tb with a straight back the standard Albion panels were too curved.

 

[sbloom]

Can I recommend Kitt Hazleton at Panther Run Saddlery, VT, USA, she is an Albion fitter and brilliant at remote fittings, she'd be able to help you much more than any of us could.

 

[kinglouis]

Had a Kontrol on my connie x tb which now doesn't fit & now being sold a K2 by the saddle fittere as that does fit...so think the shapes are different...unless I am being fleeced by the saddle fitter!!!

 

[Karosel]

Can I recommend Kitt Hazleton at Panther Run Saddlery, VT, USA, she is an Albion fitter and brilliant at remote fittings, she'd be able to help you much more than any of us could.

Kitt recommended the K2 based upon photos of my horses back I emailed her. I just have never ridden in the K2, just the Kontrol. I have a Kontrol on trial right now, but it's a wide tree, so I can't really tell how well it fits him. He likely needs a medium tree. I've just started working with the closest Canadian (former Brit) Albion dealer who is 7 hours away from me, but she only carries the dressage saddles not the jump saddles. But she can order in the jump saddles for me. I would rather order in the Kontrol since I've ridden in it, but I'm unsure if the K2 is the better match for my horse or not. I'm sending off wither and back tracings within the next few days and photos of my horse, so I'll speak about the Kontrol vs the K2 once the saddle fitter has them.

Albion jump saddles are as rare as hens teeth in Canada, so it was unusual to come across a Kontrol in a consignment tack shop. I really love riding in it (shimmed off my horses wither of course), but its unfortunately its just too wide for my horse.

Anyway I just thought I would ask for everyone's experiences here as well. The more info the better . Thanks everyone!

 

[Karosel]

Had a Kontrol on my connie x tb which now doesn't fit & now being sold a K2 by the saddle fittere as that does fit...so think the shapes are different...unless I am being fleeced by the saddle fitter!!!

Oh how frustrating!

Have you ridden much in the K2 yet? Can you let me know how the ride compares to the Kontrol? I just love the Kontrol and I worry if I order a K2 (that is if it will fit better) the ride will be completely different.

I loved the security of the Kontol yet I felt as if I could still move around enough. I seemed to settle into the 'sweet spot' of the Kontrol immediately.

 

[Luci07]

Oh how frustrating!

Have you ridden much in the K2 yet? Can you let me know how the ride compares to the Kontrol? I just love the Kontrol and I worry if I order a K2 (that is if it will fit better) the ride will be completely different.

I loved the security of the Kontol yet I felt as if I could still move around enough. I seemed to settle into the 'sweet spot' of the Kontrol immediately.

Totally different saddles, tree and fit. Much to my immense frustration. I have a K2 SJ for my young ISH which fits him well though I am not (and never have been) particularly fond of it. I wanted to sell it and replace it with a Kontrol. I borrowed a friends saddle to get an idea but, while I know it was too narrow, it was immediately clear when I simply placed it on his back that the entire saddle was wrong for him.

So here is the Kontrol (both saddles are 17.5 btw)

and here is the K2. Granted this picture is now a year old and was taken pretty much as soon as he had arrived but the saddle, albeit with numerous reflockings fits him properly

 

[Karosel]

Totally different saddles, tree and fit. Much to my immense frustration. I have a K2 SJ for my young ISH which fits him well though I am not (and never have been) particularly fond of it. I wanted to sell it and replace it with a Kontrol. I borrowed a friends saddle to get an idea but, while I know it was too narrow, it was immediately clear when I simply placed it on his back that the entire saddle was wrong for him.

So here is the Kontrol (both saddles are 17.5 btw)

and here is the K2. Granted this picture is now a year old and was taken pretty much as soon as he had arrived but the saddle, albeit with numerous reflockings fits him properly

Oh geez this isn't looking good for my preference for the Kontrol. (well I can't say I prefer it since I've never actually sat in a K2) From my search on this forum it seems the Kontrol does ride differently from the K2, which I suspect will fit my horse better (won't know for sure until I speak with the saddle fitter).


Would I be correct in saying the Kontrol is too curvy for your horses back?


How about the Kontact dual? How does it ride compared to the Kontrol?

thanks everyone!

 

[Luci07]

Oh geez this isn't looking good for my preference for the Kontrol. (well I can't say I prefer it since I've never actually sat in a K2) From my search on this forum it seems the Kontrol does ride differently from the K2, which I suspect will fit my horse better (won't know for sure until I speak with the saddle fitter).


Would I be correct in saying the Kontrol is too curvy for your horses back?


How about the Kontact dual? How does it ride compared to the Kontrol?

thanks everyone!

My horse has a straight back and yes its too curvy. To make it physically sit in the correct place it would have to be pulled too far forward on his shoulder. I would be interested in hearing about the dual - I thought from reading the blurb that it was the same saddle but with 2 flaps as opposed to the mono of the Kontrol so would like to know if I had read this wrong. I haven't actually sat in it on my horse as it obviously didn't fit. I did ride my friends horse in it who is a very big moving KWPN. He looks huge yet is actually really narrow to ride and this fits him really well. Saddle was more comfortable and I felt more "locked in" than in my own K2. I have short femurs and long calves. Long legged overall but in the wrong proportion (according to my old dressage instructor!). The nicest saddle I ever sat in was the Butet XC saddle. My saddler (who does not sell Butet) said that that the tree on a Butet would fit my horse. However even second hand I am looking at the best part of £2.5k hence liking a Kontrol at around the £900 mark (ish)

 

[Karosel]

I would be interested in hearing about the dual - I thought from reading the blurb that it was the same saddle but with 2 flaps as opposed to the mono of the Kontrol so would like to know if I had read this wrong.

So the Kontrol comes in a monoflap? I thought the Kontact and the Kontrol were two different saddles? I'm confused. I think Albion needs to come up with more different names for their saddles. lol


I have a long leg too, but long femur and shortish calf. I thought the opposite was desirable for riding?

I snapped a few pics of the wide tree kontrol on my horse last night. I'll see if I can post some here just for conversation.

 

[Karosel]

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The saddle is too wide as it tips down in the front and their is only one fingers worth of clearance in the saddle. The saddle is quite well broken in and the panels are quite soft and flat and could probably due with quite a bit more flocking in there. However, I dont' think more flocking and a halfpad will make this saddle fit my horse. I think I need to order a different tree size. At the moment the saddle looks too curvy for my horse, but it is too wide. I don't I hate saddle shopping and saddle fitting. So confusing and frustrating, hence why I've started to work with a saddle fitter.

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