Cavaletti saddles

Not heard of them till now.
They do say leather with flocking, but don't mention what the tree is made of.

There are now a number of new saddles out since xmas that all use a plastic tree and have changeable gullets - the Jeffries Wembley Pro, the Premier Equine range to name just a couple.
 
I only ask because my saddler has ex demo one for sale I’m thinking of getting for my pony but I hadn’t heard of them before. They look decent enough. Similar to Kent and masters.
 
I had one of their dressage saddles which resembled a GP rather than a dressage saddle. Fitted my horse lovely but I just couldn't hold an effective position - kept slipping forwards. Thought it was only me but other riders suffered the same indignity. Swapped it for a lovely Ideal saddle instead! Quality wise the saddle was fine and the adjustable gullet a bonus.
 
From the ones I have seen, bit rough round the edges, machined on skirts denotes mass production methods, basic saddles, nothing special.
Leather not the best I have seen, have far better hide in my workshop.
2 week trial is not that helpful if you are buying a brand new saddle for a youngster or unfit out of work older horse, it will change shape as it gets fitter, that can take a few months, not 2 weeks. Horse's can change quite drastically, it's not just the head/gullet width that determines the fit.
Oz
 
cremedemonthe said:
From the ones I have seen, bit rough round the edges, machined on skirts denotes mass production methods, basic saddles, nothing special.
Leather not the best I have seen, have far better hide in my workshop.
2 week trial is not that helpful if you are buying a brand new saddle for a youngster or unfit out of work older horse, it will change shape as it gets fitter, that can take a few months, not 2 weeks. Horse's can change quite drastically, it's not just the head/gullet width that determines the fit.
Oz
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I'm not looking for a fancy saddle, just a comfortable one that fits and can be adjusted. Pony is only hacked 1-2 times a week. What would you suggest? I am also only looking secondhand as cheaper, hence this saddle has come up as my saddler has an ex-demo one for sale half the price.
 
Secondhand is good, I still would never recommend people to buy new, even half price, these saddles rrp for around 800 quid if the prices are still the same as they were when I saw one last?
Half price 400 quid is still more than a good secondhand saddle can be had for.
I have actually refused to sell new saddles to people with youngsters/out of work horses as I just know in 3 months time it won't probably fit.
Up to you, your money but I'd keep looking for decent secondhand if it were me, they are not only cheaper but are more broken in and give a little more, helping the horse to get used to it.
Any brand new saddle will lose 50% of their value as soon as you buy them.
Oz
 
cremedemonthe said:
Secondhand is good, I still would never recommend people to buy new, even half price, these saddles rrp for around 800 quid if the prices are still the same as they were when I saw one last?
Half price 400 quid is still more than a good secondhand saddle can be had for.
I have actually refused to sell new saddles to people with youngsters/out of work horses as I just know in 3 months time it won't probably fit.
Up to you, your money but I'd keep looking for decent secondhand if it were me, they are not only cheaper but are more broken in and give a little more, helping the horse to get used to it.
Any brand new saddle will lose 50% of their value as soon as you buy them.
Oz
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I have previously owned a Kent and Masters and really like them so was thinking more like that. I have never seen one less that £400 though! :rolleyes: I’d also been looking at Thorowgood!
 
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ktj1891 said:
I have previously owned a Kent and Masters and really like them so was thinking more like that. I have never seen one less that £400 though! :rolleyes: I’d also been looking at Thorowgood!
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Sometimes I see secondhand saddles being sold on facebook, good makes and under priced very often too.
Look in the local horsey facebook groups, if you find a good looking one then at least if it's local you can go and see it.
Your saddle fitter or saddler, whichever you use, should be able to advise you on this.
 
"Has to be adjustable" - I see it a lot.

1. The tree AND panel have to be the right shape in the first place, and I see more fitted that are not the right shape than are.
2. Horses don't just change in width at the front, their spines don't widen but their muscles do - the channel will NOT need widening therefore but the tree shape and panel shape may end up being unsuitable. Most horses get flatter as they get wider, especially through the middle of the saddle and will need flatter and wider rails. Most trees, when a wider headplate is put in, will get very fractionally curvier, so horse and saddle move in opposite directions. Up or down two tree widths? More likely than not to need a different tree or panel or both.
3. Young horses - they'll be most likely to need a different shape, go second hand whenever possible unless you find an adjustable that fits RIGHT now, but don't depend on it continuing to fit.
4. Seasonal changes - arguably the best use for changeable headplates but in my experience only some horses actually change angle, most would be better with a flocking or padding/shimming change between seasons.
5. Wooden trees - most can be adjusted somewhat. If you buy from new, have an appropriate brand (eg non adjusta Albion trees should not be touched) and a fitter who will do this then you can usually make a handful of adjustments, usually max two sizes wider, and one size narrower, but you can't go in-out-in-out. A second hand saddle is more risky to adjust.
6. Headplate shape - most are narrow, TG/K&M is especially narrow, an upside down V rather than a U, a wider pommel can be useful in many circumstances. Wintec/Bates has a kink in it which can cause pressure.

Hope that summarises!
 
My saddler sold me a second hand saddle for Mr B, who arrived lacking muscle and condition, then 6 months later sold me a new saddle, took back the second hand one and credited the price against the new one. so effectively I had a free saddle for 6 months until the horse was in better condition. That's what I call service and why he's been my saddler for 20 years! He's done this several times, will just say, don't buy a new saddle yet. FMIW I just don't like kent and master saddles, I find them very uncomfortable.
 
I bought a dressage one for the baby cob. It fits him and me nicely - I like the knee blocks as they keep you secure and they are adjustable, so easy to move around. He is a very wide fit which did cause problems with other saddles. The Cavaletti is adjustable and does have a WWW. It was a reasonable price to pay and will last him a good couple of years until he is more established in his shape and we can upgrade to something a bit more expensive. One of the ladies on the yard has the GP version and she also has no problem with it.
 
Well I still like mine, using it on different horse now. My saddler really rates it, says it’s nice quality leather and well made.
they do monoflap ones now as well.
 
sbloom said:
Very interesting if it is, no hint of it on either website. Bliss themselves are ex Black Country background.
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No, I looked on the Cavaletti website, no mention there and I was curious ... but definitely there's a link. Cavaletti seem to be based at the same address as Bliss in Aldridge, too.
 
OldNag said:
No, I looked on the Cavaletti website, no mention there and I was curious ... but definitely there's a link. Cavaletti seem to be based at the same address as Bliss in Aldridge, too.
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I only ever knew of the London address for Bliss but that may have been more marketing than reality, and may have changed anyway.
 
I worked with Loxley getting a custom saddle a few years ago. I noticed that both Loxley and Cavalletti were using the same gullet plates for their adjustable saddles. I spoke to a rep who said that the new Cavaletti are based on the Loxley trees. Also, I could see the marketing photos, logo, etc. looked very similar. I'm anxious to see one in person. They look nice in the photos, especially the monoflaps. I also like that the shape of the gullet plates for the wider sizes ... more the upside down U than V. I just wish it were easier to demo them in the US!
 
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