Barnsby dressage saddles and the I Tree, thoughts??

islandspirit

islandspirit

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Just had a new saddler out for a check on my GP saddle and to trials some dressage saddles... Yay!! Two fold question really, firstly she said she would never have put my horse in a GP because its blocking his shoulders. The saddler I bought it from a year ago is very well respected and I have questioned over and over again the suitability and fit of this saddle but kept being told there was nothing wrong with it!! What would you do? And, secondly I have put a deposit on a barnsby dressage saddle with a I Tree, as these are quite new not a lot comes up from a google search and I just wondered if anyone has any thoughts on them?? Thanks for the advice in advance and apologies for any bad spelling, I'm on my phone:-)
 
We have a horse that has proved really difficult with saddle fit. Tried loads of different saddles which supposedly fitted (fortunately all on trial) but before Christmas tried an iTRee. There were some issues with the model they had but it fitted and the horse was very happy with it. The saddle fitter then discussed with me the alterations she felt would be best for me and the horse (part of which was a technical change that Barnsby were making) and I ordered one to be made. No deposit, they left me with the brand new saddle that they had fitted but was not quite what was needed and lent me one of their latest sculptured girth. Due to delays in bringing the next generation into manufacture my new saddle was not available for over 3 months. It arrived on 1st March - absolutely beautiful, design changes done specifically for me were brilliant and when fitted the horse was even happier than the one that had been loaned. Because I'd had to wait so long they gave me the girth they had lent me.

All I can say is I love the saddle, the horse works beautifully in it and the service was second to none.

Especially as this is a young horse who will change shape as she muscles up I look forward to not having to buy another saddle as she develops.

Just wish I could afford one for each of our horses
 
islandspirit said:
she said she would never have put my horse in a GP because its blocking his shoulders.
Click to expand...

With big moving warmbloods many saddles will block the shoulder movement - it seems to be more of a problem with bigger horses. Certainly we have two where this was an important factor when fitting saddles - the horse above now in an iTRee was one. The other currently in a Sue Carson needs refitting again as he grows and it is the shoulders that are the issue..

The other interesting point is one horse which is now retired but had competed internationally as a show jumper could only be ridden in a dressage saddle later in life because she found GP or Jumping saddles uncomfortable round the shoulders and let you know - probably due to the fact she was becoming a little arthritic and her movements were becoming stiffer.
 
I recently bought a Barnsby jumping saddle and am absolutely over the moon with it. So comfy for horse and rider. Also, very good quality and smart looking. I was torn over whether to go for the normal tree or the ITree. My saddler advised me that he thought i didn't really need to get the ITree as my horse was unlikely to change that significantly and he would be able to make small alterations easily anyway, therefore it probably wasn't worth the money. However, he did think they are a very good concept.

I have seen him the saddler since then and I understand there have now been issues with altering the ITree saddles on site which is obviuolsy the main selling point - i.e. the machines not working property and melting the saddles. I understand that Barnsby have sorted this out for any saddle which has been impacted and I think it is just a teething issue which you will get with any new product, therefore i wouldn't let it put you off.
 
I had a barnsby majestic saddle on my mare, was really lovely and didn't block her shoulders. Unfortunately mare has totally changed shape and saddle can't be altered to fit her anymore so I am selling it (already got a new saddle)
 
Ive got Barnsby coming out next week to try my two very different horses in there dressage saddle's.
Can they fit the ITree to any of there range of saddles? If they can what was the extra cost?

Barnsby are coming to two of my horses one is deffinate new saddle but the other im just trying the saddle's as he's currently in a Frank Baines which i find great. So it will be intresting & hopefully i wont find any differance otherwise Barnsby Payment plan will be being used.:eek:;)
 
I went ahead and ordered the saddle but have been one of the unfornunate ones in that my saddle wouldn't adjust at it's 20 hour check so I am currently waiting for a new one to arrive. I went for the Kanter + because the tree shape suited F's back and it is socomfortable to ride in, I use it for everything, hacking and even the odd bit of jumping. As far as I am aware there are only 2 dressage saddles currently available fitted with the ITree. I think their plan is for all their popular saddles to be available eventually. I have to say that the saddle is lovely and it has definately freed F's shoulders up. The level of customer service from Barnsby has been great, they have even lent me a Demo saddle to use while I wait for my replacement to arrive. F is TB with a tad of Irish Draught and his weight can vary up to a saddle width from Summer to Winter so for me the ITree is ideal. I also love how lightweight it is, I have a dodgy shoulder and I think F really appreciates that I can know place his saddle on hi back gently rather than heaving in up onto him.
 
My saddler told me about the Barnsby I Tree when I last saw her and said it would be a very good saddle for a hunter who changes shape throughout the season.

I am very interested in finding out more about them - how much are they? Are they comfy? Has anyone anything else good or bad to say (apart from what's on this post already).

Very interested!!
 
I had a long chat with them at Badminton - I love the concept, although did balk slightly when I discovered that the style I'd want would cost more than my horse did ;)
 
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