Balance Saddles

[TallyHo123]

I have a 6yr old tb mare whos been out of work for nearly 2 years with having a foal etc.
I have only owned her since she had the foal so ive never ridden her.

Im about to get her a saddle and get on her, i have been told about balance saddles and was just wondering if anyone had one?had experience of one?

Thanks

 

[Bounty]

Welcome to HHO!

I've only ridden in one Balance saddle but I really didn't like it at all. With all the pads and shims underneath it I felt miles away from the horse.

Perhaps look at Saddle Company saddles? They can be adjusted infinitely to change shape with the horse as it puts on muscle, have really soft serge panels and are very good value for money

Good luck with your mare

 

[EMF1]

Someone that i ride for has a balance saddle, i absolutley HATED it to start with, but it does grow on you, well it has me anyway!

 

[Silverspring]

[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps look at Saddle Company saddles? They can be adjusted infinitely to change shape with the horse as it puts on muscle, have really soft serge panels and are very good value for money

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you mean the Reactor Panel saddle that the Saddlery co have the franchise to sell? I have a Free'n'Easy saddle, absolutely love it and it fits my Arab like a charm. They are about the same price as the Reactor Panel which I believe is £1,600 - £1,700 at the moment.

 

[CBAnglo]

Funnily enough, the new pony Balance saddles are actually made by the Saddle Company for Balance. I was up at the factory last week having a look inside one to see what had been done with the tree and the gullet. Very interesting.

For the money though, I would look at a Wow to be honest. I have only sat in an adult Balance once and I felt miles away from the horse and there is a lot of faffing about with shims and pads. I didnt get on with Wows any better but if nothing else they resell a lot better than Balance saddles and there are more options in changins bits around.

A friend of mine has bought an adult dressage and jump version and to be honest neither puts her in a good position. Not sure who makes the adult versions.

 

[Bubbles]

I've got a John Hamilton Balance saddle at the mo which I don't use, it's horses for courses I suppose, I didn't get on with it, but last horse really did (he was completely freaked out by the Wow we tried on him).

TBH they are expensive for what they are, but IMO still miles better than the treeless saddles that I have seen. In your situation I suppose at least with an unmuscled horse you could pad out the saddle as much as poss until she develops a bit more: you wouldn't have to buy a new saddle every six months when she changes shape!

 

[marshdaisy]

Hi, I have a Balance saddlef or my TB ex-racer and it's been great. Her back stays soft and and she moves much better. She did have a sore back and had physio and got the Balance when her back was better, and it's stayed that way

I was put off originally by the pads/shims but when I actually tried it it was really easy - just like using any other back pad e.g a prolite, with the advantage that as her muscle built up i could change to a slightly thinner shim. I have found that the shims don't move or anything, and use them with ordinary numnahs not just the ones sold by Balance. Hope this helps. Good luck

 

[TallyHo123]

Thanks for everyones help

the person who i sold my old mare too has started riding her in one and she is going fab, shes alot happier in it! thats why i thought i might try one, i tryed out the saddle on my old mare and it didnt feel uncomfortable or anything.
ill keep thinking!