Buying a new saddle... Wwyd?

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chestnuttyy

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So I had the saddler out this morning and as suspected I need a new saddle. We tried a Hastilow Concept saddle and he went beautifully in it. The Hastilow saddle is built on the same tree as the Kent and Masters saddles and the saddler said they would also fit him (both are adjustable too).

My budget COULD (at a push) stretch to a new Hastilow, which is what we tried or I could spend less than half on a kent and masters.

Would you spend the extra and get better quality? Or go with the K&M? I can find second hand K&M saddles too, but not the Hastilow.

Bit stuck.. opinions please!!
 
Faracat said:
Could the saddler bring one in the right size so you try the K&M before you decide?
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I don't think so... They would have to order it in. They're built on the same tree so I think it would fit my horse fine, it's just whether I'm as happy in it to ride in. Decisions decisions!
 
Or you could go even cheaper and get a thorowgood. They're built on the same tree as the kent and masters. I've just bought a t8 compact thorowgood and for someone who is very anti synthetic I've been very impressed with it. It looks great.
 
What is your horse? If he's 9 y/o horse of a lifetime keep forever type and you can afford it - go for nice one, not much else you own will you use for an hour every day for 10+ years.
If he's nice for now but likely to be sold in a few years then save your cash - even adjustables mighy not suit new horses shape
 
Polos Mum said:
What is your horse? If he's 9 y/o horse of a lifetime keep forever type and you can afford it - go for nice one, not much else you own will you use for an hour every day for 10+ years.
If he's nice for now but likely to be sold in a few years then save your cash - even adjustables mighy not suit new horses shape
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This is a fair point. He's 8 and providing nothing too drastic changes I intend to keep him forever.

He's also been a nightmare to fit a saddle to, so to now have a CHOICE is unexpected! I'm nervous about ordering a saddle I've not ridden in and it's still a lot of money, which is why I was leaning towards the more expensive option. He was like a different horse when I rode him in the Hastilow saddle!
 
I'd be very wary of just going on the tree - there is a whole lot of saddle built onto it that can change the way it sits. I would always want to try a saddle properly before buying to see what the horse thinks about it.
 
:) in that case I think the Hastilow wins... He went beautifully in it, it was ultra comfortable and it should last us a long time. I've been looking at k&m reviews and apparently the leather can wear very badly.

Think I just need to bite the bullet!
 
My kent and masters was comfy but tipped me forwards - it is advised you go up half a seat size to stop this. Unfortunately I didn't know this at the time. I sold it not long ago as it was too forward cut for my big shouldered Connie.
 
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