Are there any good adjustable saddles out there?

[Joeyjojo]

Hi all,

Can anyone recommend a good adjustable saddles? I need to get my mare a new saddle, she is fairly broad across the wither (not particularly high withered) with a reasonably flat slightly long back.

Having spent £££ on a new saddle last year that she has grown out of (she was med/wide but is now wide or possibly x wide), I was considering an adjustable saddle instead so that it would hopefully last this time! She is 8 now so hopefully shouldn't change much, but the muscle developing over her back appears to have completely altered the fit.

It needs to be a dressage saddle and preferably leather. I'll will be getting a saddler out to fit and buy it, but want to know where to direct my search!

Thanks

 

[Goldenstar]

I have Albion platinum royales adjustable head ( think new heads cost about £ 400) lovely saddles suit me very well.

 

[Ginger Bear]

Would you consider a synthetic? If so I love love love my Thorwgood T4, they do a cob version for flat backs & low withers. I picked mine up second hand (although in brand new condition) for £150. It's like riding in an armchair.

 

[rara007]

Kent and masters?

 

[Flame_]

Reactor Panel. I'm very impressed with mine.

 

[sbloom]

Your saddle may well be slightly adjustable - all traditional wooden trees CAN be adjusted a handful of times, but not all companies/fitters like doing it. The company I work with have done it successfully for many years and saved our customers money as you can imagine. Talk to the person who sold it to you and if they say it can't be adjusted (it can be simply but in a simple machine to widen it, or the headplate or entire tree can also be replaced, though more expensive) ask them why not

 

[zoon]

Wow saddle

 

[Joeyjojo]

Thank you everyone!

I have had a saddler out to look at the saddle, but he was concerned that widening it would put the saddle out of balance (as its currently sitting straight despite the front being too high off her back). I'm a little reluctant to get the saddler who fitted the saddle originally as I'm not 100% confident in his work!

I am pretty keen on the idea of a wow saddle though. Can anyone recommend a wow fitter in Kent?

 

[BijouBabe]

Kieffer garmisch is really good.

 

[milliepops]

I am pretty keen on the idea of a wow saddle though. Can anyone recommend a wow fitter in Kent?

Wow's head office is in Canterbury have heard good things about the fitters based there.

 

[pansymouse]

Kieffer garmisch is really good.

Depends on the shape of your horse's back - the tree is pretty curved, I had one for a short time but it bruised my mare's back through excessive lateral movement despite being fitted by a master saddler.

 

[webble]

I have a HM Flexee which I love and is soooo comfy. I also have a T4 which is ok but feels like concrete compared to the flexee

 

[Wheels]

Prestige saddles are good and can be adjusted but only by a saddler

 

[SparkleB]

I have the Kent and Masters, love it!

 

[HeresHoping]

The K&M budget version (at around £500) is the Thorowgood range. The T8 is a hybrid - half leather, half synthetic. I never thought I'd buy a synthetic saddle but I had one made for my TB (sadly now playing with the unicorns) and am a convert. Like sitting in an armchair. They do need to be fitted professionally when new, because they don't come with a huge amount of flocking so that it can be adjusted to suit your horse. And they do make them for flat backed cob types.

Second hand T8 dressage saddles are like rocking horse poo but if you google, you will find one. I found one the other day for £250 and it came with all the gullets. I bought it but the horse I bought it for failed the vet. If it cannot be adjusted downwards sufficiently (another vet check tomorrow, but she's not a broad ID x, so will be needing a medium/medium narrow gullet to start off with), I will p.m. you a few pics, if you like. If she passes, I'll have the saddle fitter out on Friday.