Devoucoux or Butet Dressage Saddle?

[kit279]

Chestnut horse has rather unfortunately decided that he is not comfortable in a traditional flocked saddle and must have an expensive close contact one with latex panels... I have been riding him in my OH's Devoucoux Makila but it is 18" and too big for me but the horse definitely prefers it, no bucking or getting the hump.

Now, do I go for a Devoucoux Makila or a Butet dressage saddle in my size? Mercifully I can find second hand versions of each but not unfortunately able to try them before buying.

Butet is flat seated, Devoucoux is not. Will that make a difference? I have to say, I really do like my OH's Makila but have great faith in the quality of Butets! Plus I already have a Butet XC saddle and it fits the horse beautifully and he goes brilliantly in that.

Any recommendations?

 

[LEC]

Prestige, Amerigo and Fusion saddles all do latex so do not just confine your search to Butet and Devoucoux.

 

[fingers_crossed]

I asked my physio the same question the other day,andher answer was that the only way to know is to try as she has never seem any horse react the same way to a saddle as another one. And also that dressage and jump saddles are inherently different in shape ... therefore just ecause my devoucoux chiberta was obviously the horses favourite does not mean devoucoux is automatically the brand of dressage saddle he will prefer ... therefore off I toddle to horsesense to test ride lots of different ones first.
If you can keep borrowing is it worth waiting til your at a competition with stands for several brands so you can take your horse over and compare?

 

[Holloa]

I've only ever tried a Butet, and I must say if I could spare the cash I would buy one.... did look for a second hand one, but they are like gold dust! and... they keep their value too...!