bumblelion
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking about purchasing new tack for my horse, a very high withered 16.3 thoroughbred, any ideas on suitable saddle makes and makers of thin bridles?
Best saddle brands
- Thread starter bumblelion
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Bounty
Well-Known Member
Saddle Company saddles are fab.... especially if your horse has high whithers through muscle wastage, as the saddle could be repeatedly adjusted to fit him/her as the muscles start to build back up
No advice on bridles though, sorry!
No advice on bridles though, sorry!
bumblelion
Well-Known Member
Thats great I'll look into them, he's currently at rest and has gained lots of much needed weight in the 6 months I'v had him. Looking at bringing him back into work soon, great news that their saddles can be adjusted as he's currently lacking muscle which hopefully should change!!! Thanks
Marchtime
Well-Known Member
I've always had my TBs in Albions, I love the fit. I've also got an Ideal Jessica which fits very well.
Bridle wise I use Jeffries but they aren't overly thin.
Bridle wise I use Jeffries but they aren't overly thin.
bumblelion
Well-Known Member
I'm planning on getting a GP saddle to start with for him, he's not long been off the track racing so want to take my time and see which discipline he enjoys, hopefully xc!! although quite fancy polo!
CBAnglo
Well-Known Member
It really depends on your budget.
If your horse is coming back into work and therefore lacking a lot of topline, I would suggest an adjustable saddle - by which I mean that the tree is adjusted and not just the gullet. I am a bit biased as I am a Saddle Company fitter, but the soft serge panels are really good for bringing horses back into work, and for horses generally. I had a huge task in bringing my skinny anglo back into work after a back injury which meant that potentially he would never be ridden again. 6 months later he is fine with flat work/hacking and now I will be re-introducing him to jumping.
Another adjustable saddle is the Kieffer. They are generally good quality and can be adjusted (but not as many times as the SC saddles). I personally do not like Stubbens and Albions but everyone has their own opinions.
As for bridles, again it is just matter of opinion. I like Kieffer bridles because they are really soft and I like as much padding as possible.
If your horse is coming back into work and therefore lacking a lot of topline, I would suggest an adjustable saddle - by which I mean that the tree is adjusted and not just the gullet. I am a bit biased as I am a Saddle Company fitter, but the soft serge panels are really good for bringing horses back into work, and for horses generally. I had a huge task in bringing my skinny anglo back into work after a back injury which meant that potentially he would never be ridden again. 6 months later he is fine with flat work/hacking and now I will be re-introducing him to jumping.
Another adjustable saddle is the Kieffer. They are generally good quality and can be adjusted (but not as many times as the SC saddles). I personally do not like Stubbens and Albions but everyone has their own opinions.
As for bridles, again it is just matter of opinion. I like Kieffer bridles because they are really soft and I like as much padding as possible.
CheziBrown
Well-Known Member
I found Black Country really good. My horse is hollow at either side of his withers and I found it really hard to get a saddle to fit. It was custom made to fit him and me and is the best thing I have ever bought. Not cheap but definately worth it.
bumblelion
Well-Known Member
Are they harder to clean with the serge panels? And approx how much would one set me back?
Scarlett
Well-Known Member
Another vote for Saddle Company saddles here - I use them on two young TB ex-racers. Both horses go loads better in them and are building up the correct muscles in the correct places under the saddle as the serge panels allow for it unlike some saddles seem to.
My gelding has high withers and had 9 saddles before his Saddle Co, he was very hard to fit...! I got both my saddles from Ebay and paid £260 for a good condition second hand one and £375 for a new one, although that was a bargain.
I've had to have them adjusted a couple of times to fit the horses shape, the last time being at the weekend. Its not any hassle or any great expense and immediately the horses went better in them. Plus I find them very comfortable.
As for a fine bridle go for the Stubben 3000 range....
My gelding has high withers and had 9 saddles before his Saddle Co, he was very hard to fit...! I got both my saddles from Ebay and paid £260 for a good condition second hand one and £375 for a new one, although that was a bargain.
I've had to have them adjusted a couple of times to fit the horses shape, the last time being at the weekend. Its not any hassle or any great expense and immediately the horses went better in them. Plus I find them very comfortable.
As for a fine bridle go for the Stubben 3000 range....
kerilli
Well-Known Member
Ideal Saddles or Barrie Swaine saddles, and Sabre bridles, for me every time.
i've just had my tb (high-withered, ex-race) fitted for 2 new saddles, and the Ideals fitted her best and felt fantastic for me, fwiw.
Barrie Swaine saddles are adjustable and very very comfy for the horse.
i've just had my tb (high-withered, ex-race) fitted for 2 new saddles, and the Ideals fitted her best and felt fantastic for me, fwiw.
Barrie Swaine saddles are adjustable and very very comfy for the horse.
Rocky01
Well-Known Member
I've got two Kieffer saddles and really love both of them, they are also cut back on the pommel so don't ever hit the wither even if very high. I would just try the different ones out in terms of whether or not the fit you as well as the horse as both the Kieffer and the Saddle company can be adjusted to fit the horse.
Also like Kieffer and Passier bridles (though careful on both to make sure that they are padded on the headpiece).
Also like Kieffer and Passier bridles (though careful on both to make sure that they are padded on the headpiece).
CBAnglo
Well-Known Member
Cleaning wise - depends on if you use a numnah or not! I dont for one of mine and so I have to brush the hair off the panels occasionally but it isnt that bad.
Price wise - depends on what you are looking for. There a half leather/half synthetic versions, all leather and buffalo leather versions and the prices vary by model as well (GP, dressage, working hunter, event and jump). As some people have also pointed out, they are frequently sold on ebay and you can just have them adjusted to fit by a SC saddle fitter on site.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Price wise - depends on what you are looking for. There a half leather/half synthetic versions, all leather and buffalo leather versions and the prices vary by model as well (GP, dressage, working hunter, event and jump). As some people have also pointed out, they are frequently sold on ebay and you can just have them adjusted to fit by a SC saddle fitter on site.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
air78
Well-Known Member
I use a Wow on my high withered TB ex recer. It's done wonders for his back and is enlessly adjustable. It was the only saddle I could find which was actualy level on his back. I'd highly recomend one
Otherwise, for value for money I think the Saddle Co ones are very good.
Otherwise, for value for money I think the Saddle Co ones are very good.