I don't think you're picky, i think that once a rider learns how to be effective and sit with the horse rather than on it, you really notice the difference that a good-for-you saddle can make. I CAN ride in others, i'm not about to fall off
but like choosing a pair of shoes that fit you before going for a long walk, you need a saddle that lets you do what you need to do, comfortably.I don't think you're picky, i think that once a rider learns how to be effective and sit with the horse rather than on it, you really notice the difference that a good-for-you saddle can make. I CAN ride in others, i'm not about to fall off
yeah. holding the saddle out in front of you, looking down the channel you could see how there was a twist. another was twisted and also had slightly wonky panels, i think i was really unlucky.
Not really, the true/original close contact saddles are also jumping saddles, though of course there are now dressage versions (perhaps even GP etc) and they do not have memory foam. See The Truth Tack Review I mentioned higher up to see the type of foam they use. Strada also do not have anything like the classic close contact trees in them, completely different shapes. As I said above, there is no single definition of either a close contact fit, or a close contact saddle, but the closest to universal is a certain type of continental jump saddle on a (not memory) foam panel.
I will use an example of tree shape in CC style saddles; the Equipe comes in a XXW (maybe only in some models?) but because of tree shape this width still has a very narrow pommel and a narrow twist. The way that I fit, no XXW horse should be a narrow pommel or twist. They just don't go together, and you can find research done by Latif in 2018 into twist width. Narrow twists aren't just a bad idea on wider horses, but this piece of research shows the narrower the twist the more pressure, on average, under the twist on all shapes of horses.
A narrow pommel means the front of the tree doesn't wrap AROUND the horse, it sits like an old fashioned dolly style clothes peg, usually giving more pommel clearance (height) compared to a wider pommel, presenting a challenge to get the tree points parallel to the ribcage in many cases while keeping the saddle in balance. The same applies to the TG/K&M/Fairfax headplate, a very narrow V shape.
They work great for some horses (and oh that we understood everything about fitting saddles, we really don't, we have LONG way to go, as with all equine professions and sciences), and some fitters will be brilliant at getting good results with them, but if you run into issues, consider all of this. It's like Wintecs, because they have a "kink" in the headplate, tend to cause pressure at the bars, not on every single horse, but it's the most common reason for them not working.
Back onto pommel and twist width one fairly modern approach to saddle fitting, Saddle Fit 4 Life, recommends a wide pommel, and at least slightly wider twist, for all shapes of horses, allowing a narrower horse to have literally an upside down U with a narrow angle at the points, to match the SHOULDER angle, but a very wide head to give space around the wither. So arguable a narrower horse, especially with prominent spinal processes in a higher wither, needs space laterally at the wither and that means a wide head.
There are many different saddle fitting methods, mine is on a medium wide pommel shape, fitting to the ribcage angle with short points, a moderate to wide twist and flatter trees. Because tree shape is such a mystery, for reasons valid and less valid (ie they can't be seen makes it valid, the lack of education/interest/understanding less valid) it's easy to not consider it, because it's not obvious and not easy to understand, but it's a good idea to understand the material of the tree in your saddle, how adjustable it is (and are there any downsides and limitations to the angle change) and the fitting implications of the overall tree shape. New research is coming through all the time, it's worth being up to date on it and asking your fitter, or a brand you're considering, how their trees (and panels) fit the horse.
THEN we get onto saddle fit for the rider
Not really, the true/original close contact saddles are also jumping saddles, though of course there are now dressage versions (perhaps even GP etc) and they do not have memory foam. See The Truth Tack Review I mentioned higher up to see the type of foam they use. Strada also do not have anything like the classic close contact trees in them, completely different shapes. As I said above, there is no single definition of either a close contact fit, or a close contact saddle, but the closest to universal is a certain type of continental jump saddle on a (not memory) foam panel.
I will use an example of tree shape in CC style saddles; the Equipe comes in a XXW (maybe only in some models?) but because of tree shape this width still has a very narrow pommel and a narrow twist. The way that I fit, no XXW horse should be a narrow pommel or twist. They just don't go together, and you can find research done by Latif in 2018 into twist width. Narrow twists aren't just a bad idea on wider horses, but this piece of research shows the narrower the twist the more pressure, on average, under the twist on all shapes of horses.
A narrow pommel means the front of the tree doesn't wrap AROUND the horse, it sits like an old fashioned dolly style clothes peg, usually giving more pommel clearance (height) compared to a wider pommel, presenting a challenge to get the tree points parallel to the ribcage in many cases while keeping the saddle in balance. The same applies to the TG/K&M/Fairfax headplate, a very narrow V shape.
They work great for some horses (and oh that we understood everything about fitting saddles, we really don't, we have LONG way to go, as with all equine professions and sciences), and some fitters will be brilliant at getting good results with them, but if you run into issues, consider all of this. It's like Wintecs, because they have a "kink" in the headplate, tend to cause pressure at the bars, not on every single horse, but it's the most common reason for them not working.
Back onto pommel and twist width one fairly modern approach to saddle fitting, Saddle Fit 4 Life, recommends a wide pommel, and at least slightly wider twist, for all shapes of horses, allowing a narrower horse to have literally an upside down U with a narrow angle at the points, to match the SHOULDER angle, but a very wide head to give space around the wither. So arguable a narrower horse, especially with prominent spinal processes in a higher wither, needs space laterally at the wither and that means a wide head.
There are many different saddle fitting methods, mine is on a medium wide pommel shape, fitting to the ribcage angle with short points, a moderate to wide twist and flatter trees. Because tree shape is such a mystery, for reasons valid and less valid (ie they can't be seen makes it valid, the lack of education/interest/understanding less valid) it's easy to not consider it, because it's not obvious and not easy to understand, but it's a good idea to understand the material of the tree in your saddle, how adjustable it is (and are there any downsides and limitations to the angle change) and the fitting implications of the overall tree shape. New research is coming through all the time, it's worth being up to date on it and asking your fitter, or a brand you're considering, how their trees (and panels) fit the horse.
THEN we get onto saddle fit for the rider
100% Exmoor