Do you own a Shires Optimus leather saddle ?

[aspirit]

I looked for a low end leather saddle and have seen this one . I can't find any reviews from owners of these saddles so please if you have had experience of this saddle can you let me know your opinion. thanks

 

[MizzPurpleKitten]

I have one, its lovely and comfortable, fits my horse wonderfully and nice quality for the price. That being said, the leather under the stirrup leathers has rubber quite easily on mine but otherwise it's fab!

 

[aspirit]

Thanks for your reply I have only seen reviews from people that dont own them .Im very tempted . Just bought a cob three months ago . Did u get it fitted by fitter ? Have you changed gullet ?

 

[Spotsrock]

Bought the synthetic version recently and quite impressed.

 

[MizzPurpleKitten]

Yes fitted by a fitter and have changed the gullet twice (once for the horse the saddle was bought for, and once to try it on another).

 

[competitiondiva]

Comfy and nice leather but wouldn't imo fit anything other than a tb even on a wide/xw gullet!

 

[MizzPurpleKitten]

Mine is on a wide Welsh Sec D and fits perfectly

 

[Hippona]

Didn't fit my Arab....even with the wide gullet in.
Shame really...looked nice and was comfy.

 

[competitiondiva]

Just Perched on my welsh cob cross even in an xw gullet.

 

[NariNags]

Yep went from my tb to my irish draught now being replaced due to sodding children playing in the tack room and breaking the tree

 

[Spotsrock]

Sports coblet but did need x wide gullet which surprised me.

 

[Kallibear]

Saw one on a wide flat horse recently. Terrible fit. They'd managed to get the gullet width right but nothing else suited. Especially the back where the panels are far too sloped and dug in at the sides I'd guess it'd fit well on narrower horses with a defined 'drop' away from the spine towards the loins.

 

[Spotsrock]

The different models use different tree shapes so worth asking a good saddled or stockists.

 

[Em123]

I brought the leather Chester dressage saddle and hated it! The fit was awfull and it just looked tacky (IMO)
Though I only brought it as I rode my friends horse in hers and it was amazingly super comfy and looked good! So maybe my horse made it uncomfy/look rubbish!

Gave it away to a friend in the end!