Devoucoux Saddles

[Sugar12]

Having a bit of a day dream as to whether I can afford such a saddle however seeing some mixed reviews re Devoucoux. I have a ISH whilst not chunky she isn't exactly TB slight either. I have been eventing in my Kent & Masters GP saddle medium width whilst it is serving its purpose and not causing any issues I would love something that could give me a more secure leg. I tend to ride into the saddle (deep) with a slightly longer stirrups then most mainly due to a pelvic injury.

My other dilemma is the saddle size whilst the width is medium (fairly standard) my GP is a 17 inch seat but my husband bought me a 17.5 K&M dressage last year but not from my usual saddle fitter who was a bit peeved to say the least . The original saddle fitter told me that it was too long on my horse’s back and that she could get me a 17 inch one but that I would be losing 70% value on the one my husband bought and she would be charging me full price on a new one. Given that I didn't even sit on the saddle until she came out and then I hadn't even sat on it tags etc. all on it so it was absolutely brand new. I got a second opinion. My physio whilst not a qualified saddle fitter but is extremely good at her job advised that in her opinion the dressage saddle fitted my horse much better than the GP. So I have kept it no back issues after a year but I only ride once/twice a week in my dressage. My GP was bought for my 15.1HH cob and served me well. My new mare is 16 HH so I am now at a bit of a loss as to whether I should be looking for a 17 inch or 17.5 inch saddle. Any thoughts please.

 

[LEC]

I think it depends what level you are competing at, what your conformation is like and what you want from a saddle. Most short people I know are better off in double flap with a narrow twist. Most tall people seem to prefer monoflap.

A Devoucoux will be completely different to ride in to a K&M. I cannot ride in a K&M. Its balance is wrong, the knee blocks are wrong and the seat too deep but they are great saddles for those who are doing RC and need more security. I prefer the Italian brands myself as tend to be better for their backs. You are currently in a GP and I would try some jump saddles first and see what you like. I cannot ride in a GP at all.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

My daughter bought herself a Devoucoux jumping saddle about 8 years ago. She didn't buy a brand new one, she bought one of the saddles the Devoucoux rep brought for her to try. Needless to say she saved a considerable amount of money. The saddle was in perfect brand new condition so she got a bargain, well at least she didn't pay top money.

She bought the saddle for her new horse. He was a 16h3" jumping machine and she felt really secure in that saddle. She still has the saddle & horse & still finds it comfortable & feels secure.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I've seen plently of used Devoucoux's come up in a nice condition with fair prices. I've always heard that they are more made for the rider, and not for the horse. I am not entirely sure of the truth in that.

I get along with Italian brands such as Equipe and Prestige, but they just don't fit my horse. Not enough wither room and whatnot. So I have to shop outside of my preferences while still finding something that suits him and me.

Have you ridden in a Devoucoux? I've seen saddles I thought I would like, but sat in them and found them horrid for me. So maybe see if you can trial one first?

 

[Sugar12]

I think it depends what level you are competing at, what your conformation is like and what you want from a saddle. Most short people I know are better off in double flap with a narrow twist. Most tall people seem to prefer monoflap.

A Devoucoux will be completely different to ride in to a K&M. I cannot ride in a K&M. Its balance is wrong, the knee blocks are wrong and the seat too deep but they are great saddles for those who are doing RC and need more security. I prefer the Italian brands myself as tend to be better for their backs. You are currently in a GP and I would try some jump saddles first and see what you like. I cannot ride in a GP at all.

I think it depends what level you are competing at, what your conformation is like and what you want from a saddle. Most short people I know are better off in double flap with a narrow twist. Most tall people seem to prefer monoflap.

A Devoucoux will be completely different to ride in to a K&M. I cannot ride in a K&M. Its balance is wrong, the knee blocks are wrong and the seat too deep but they are great saddles for those who are doing RC and need more security. I prefer the Italian brands myself as tend to be better for their backs. You are currently in a GP and I would try some jump saddles first and see what you like. I cannot ride in a GP at all.

I tend to agree I was doing RC with my cob and the GP worked great but now I’m moving up (I hope) to do more eventing. I am finding myself tipping forward jumping as I am thinking it’s a combination of the style my horse jumps and the saddle and of course ME...… I am 5ft 5 a size 12 but I do prefer a monoflap I definitely think its time to try a few different types and see how I ride/feel in them.

 

[Sugar12]

My daughter bought herself a Devoucoux jumping saddle about 8 years ago. She didn't buy a brand new one, she bought one of the saddles the Devoucoux rep brought for her to try. Needless to say she saved a considerable amount of money. The saddle was in perfect brand new condition so she got a bargain, well at least she didn't pay top money.

She bought the saddle for her new horse. He was a 16h3" jumping machine and she felt really secure in that saddle. She still has the saddle & horse & still finds it comfortable & feels secure.

I have my eye on a really nice Chiberta lab that has come up not ridiculously priced albeit I can only view it on photos until our restrictions lift but its weather a 17.5 inch seat with suit my mare. It’s the buffalo leather what one does your daughter have?

 

[Sugar12]

I've seen plently of used Devoucoux's come up in a nice condition with fair prices. I've always heard that they are more made for the rider, and not for the horse. I am not entirely sure of the truth in that.

I get along with Italian brands such as Equipe and Prestige, but they just don't fit my horse. Not enough wither room and whatnot. So I have to shop outside of my preferences while still finding something that suits him and me.

Have you ridden in a Devoucoux? I've seen saddles I thought I would like, but sat in them and found them horrid for me. So maybe see if you can trial one first?

I haven't ridden in them just admired from afar so I will have to ride in them first in which case it could all be a moot point!!!!!

 

[Squeak]

I've seen plently of used Devoucoux's come up in a nice condition with fair prices. I've always heard that they are more made for the rider, and not for the horse. I am not entirely sure of the truth in that.

I had a couple of devoucouxs and having seen a saddle shape dip on horses muscles from a made to measure devoucoux I wouldn't touch them again with a barge pole.

 

[Sugar12]

I had a couple of devoucouxs and having seen a saddle shape dip on horses muscles from a made to measure devoucoux I wouldn't touch them again with a barge pole.

any thoughts on Childeic saddle a friend of a friend has the rep coming to my area soon and just text me in case I wanted to try them TBH I hadn't even considered them simply because I know nothing about them.

 

[sbloom]

Saddles vary in length, you can't know which you need I'm afraid. Cart before horse here, I know they're pretty but there are so many other things to consider and I would say that starting with what fits your horse is important, having an idea of what you might like is helpful. If your horse is an unusual shape start with an appropriate fitter who may or may not be qualified, but starting with a recommended fitter that covers your area is usually a good plan, especially with an average shaped horse.

I would agree they are not made primarily with the horse in mind. French saddles come from a very limited number of fitters, so you're also dependent on whether you get on with them, their reputation, customer services etc, so Google that first too. Some French brands use reps, many people would have a big discussion over what experience their reps/fitters may have. It's a whole different world from having an English, or even Italian or German, saddle fitted where you are more likely to get a depth of experience. Childeric is probably at the better end of things in terms of different fits for the horse.

I personally would say you have many other places to look before spending that kind of money.

 

[EventingMum]

A horse I had came with a dressage and a jumping Devoucoux and I didn't like either. Both had been fitted by a Devoucoux fitter not long before I got him and yet when I changed him into my Albion dressage saddle and my Ideal monoflap jumping saddle (a Stirlingshire Saddlery Patriot) we went so much better. I had a laugh when the Devoucoux fitter told friends that you couldn't possibly compete about BE Novice in something like my Patriot and yet my son felt happy and secure at old 2* (now 3*) in one and know a few have been round Badminton so I think there is a lot of prestige in the name Devoucoux and a lot of misinformation spread by their reps/fitters. Also for a while, there were quite a lot of people not happy with some of their fitters and their customer service.

 

[Sugar12]

Update..... so I tried the Childeric saddle and the first one thought lovely comfortable etc. but not enough to part with my hard earned money . however the rep did ask me did I have any hips issues as I was riding defensively which I do have problems more and more with my pelvis / hips (just put down to old age ) .The second saddle I tried was WOW the comfort I felt I sat better etc. but the real selling point was how my mare rode. I could have done a serious dressage test she was moving so well. So off we went jumping and first few jumps fab and then I got my stride / approach wrong which would normally mean she would knock a pole trying to lift up but she made a huge effort from stop and cleared it. I asked if she would take a photo of me sitting in the saddle and even my non horsey husband could tell how different my position was. I tried a few more but nothing came close to the eventing saddle and there was no hard sell.

 

[Cragrat]

it's a fabulous feeling when you find a saddle that brings out the best of both partners in this crazy dance we do together. You think your existing saddle is fine, no soreness caused, no problems.... then you find one that enables both of you to lift to another level - like just the right seasoning in a pie - really happy for you

 

[Red-1]

any thoughts on Childeic saddle a friend of a friend has the rep coming to my area soon and just text me in case I wanted to try them TBH I hadn't even considered them simply because I know nothing about them.

I have a jump one, it is super grippy buffalo leather, is balanced, is minimalistic. The reason I got it though is because it is quite flared open at the front, so the shoulders float under the flap. Much better than a GP or less well made jump, where the shoulders push the saddle back.

Undecided whether to sell or not as I'm not sure Rigsby-cob needs a Childeric jump LOL>

 

[Sugar12]

it's a fabulous feeling when you find a saddle that brings out the best of both partners in this crazy dance we do together. You think your existing saddle is fine, no soreness caused, no problems.... then you find one that enables both of you to lift to another level - like just the right seasoning in a pie - really happy for you

really lovely thank you xxx

 

[Sugar12]

I have a jump one, it is super grippy buffalo leather, is balanced, is minimalistic. The reason I got it though is because it is quite flared open at the front, so the shoulders float under the flap. Much better than a GP or less well made jump, where the shoulders push the saddle back.

Undecided whether to sell or not as I'm not sure Rigsby-cob needs a Childeric jump LOL>

I jumped 1.05 with my 15.1hh cob and she loved the Kent & Masters GP never had a back issue with it. But my 16.1h ISH is a completely different build and I was barely getting over 80cm despite her being much more athletic . So I really do think its what works for your horse and you. That being said now that I have sat/rode on a Childeric I think it would be very hard to go back . xxxx