DR saddle, thoughts on latex vs trad wool flocking?

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ThePony

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Am dressage saddle shopping and I do tend to dislike the chunky, way off the horse/big knee block saddles so have been having a look at more close contact ones.

The ones that offer a close contact also seem to have latex foam panels rather than wool flock. How is this on the horses back? Always had wool flock, and my saddler does the best job ever of reflocking so it really is lovely, so am concerened about anything different really!

The latex foam feels firmer than the flock, can this cause discomfort or more fatigued muscles even if it fits perfectly? Does sticking dead sheep under it to help soften the feel rather kill the cc feel? Basically I want a lovely cc feeling saddle, but compromising nothing on the comfort of my mare. Thoughts/experiences on this?

Have sat in a few devoucoux which are lovely, and love butet (2nd hand obv!) too, but the thin firmer panels do put me off. My mare is sensitive in her back and when I first got her current saddle it was flocked in synthetic wool which was a little firmer, although the fit was just lovely. There were no problems at first, and although no sensitivity developed, in time she would pull faces when I put her saddle on her back which is totally unlike her. New pure wool flocking, lined with foam and all is well again. I don't want to shell out a small fortune to find that a few months down the line she is pulling faces again and I am stuck with a saddle she isn't keen on and a big hole in my pocket!!

Would love to know how you have found these and any recommendations for a saddle worth trying that might suit us both?
 
Hi, I have a close contact latex dressage saddle (mine's a Luc Childeric) and I completely love it. I was concerned at first that I would be too heavy for it (I'm 11 stone) and that it would hurt Will's back but he goes so well in it and there are no sore spots or anything - I would be mortified if there were! His back rounds under it beautifully and I can put any pad or saddle cloth under it that I like. I'd say go for it! :)
 
Fab to know, thanks! Just googled them, sexy saddles!! If you don't mind my asking, what sort of £ would I be looking at if I were to consider the cc one? Really don't want to go over £2k, which seems to put me into good second hand territory with alot of them?

No-one else have an opinion?! Perhaps if I started a baiting thread commenting on the amount of dead sheep I could fit under my cc I would get more replies!! Could I bribe you guys with cake too?
 
Hi, mine was a demo saddle but only a month old, I bought it for £1200, second hand from Horsesense at Solihull Riding Club. Worth every penny in my opinion. Lovely saddle, soft, comfortable ansd has really helped me with my position :)
 
Oh, that is a reasnobly sensible price compared to some of them (can't belive I am saying that about a number with so many 0s, horses have removed my brain!)! Shall put them on my potentials list and see if anyone round here stocks them to try.
 
AFAIA latex pannel saddles are not recommended for activities that involve a lot of time spent in the saddle (ie hunting) and it is recommended that a pad is used (ie dead sheep). Also, a latex pannel allows for little adjustment, unlike a flock pannel. I have also heard that latexpannels are not recommended for heavy riders.

As I hunt, go on fun rides and long hacks (three hours plus), I would not consider a latex pannel saddle.
 
marmalade76 said:
AFAIA latex pannel saddles are not recommended for activities that involve a lot of time spent in the saddle (ie hunting) and it is recommended that a pad is used (ie dead sheep). Also, a latex pannel allows for little adjustment, unlike a flock pannel. I have also heard that latexpannels are not recommended for heavy riders.

As I hunt, go on fun rides and long hacks (three hours plus), I would not consider a latex pannel saddle.
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See, that is the sort of thing I had been thinking, and it had put me off tbh. It would only be for competing and schooling in, but that means an hour or so in the saddle at a time, and I don't think I'm that heavy (9 1/2 stone on a mediumweight irish 15.3 mare), but if a saddle isn't comfortable enough for a few hours, then is it comfortable enough full stop?

Chatted to the peeps at the devoucoux stand at gatcombe and they obv think latex is the bees knees, and they will do adjustments, but it does worry me. Would be great to get a balanced and informed opinion, but those that sell them are unlikely to give that unfortunatly!

Is there such a thing as a cc DR saddle, but with wool flocking, or are they mutually exclusive?
 
ThePony said:
....but if a saddle isn't comfortable enough for a few hours, then is it comfortable enough full stop?
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I know what you're saying and I totally agree, especially as your horse has a sensitive back. And anyone selling anything cannot be relied upon to give impartial advice!

I'm sure there are CC dressage saddles out there with flock, and if you would pefer something with minimal padding and rolls, how about a show saddle?

eg:-

http://www.barnsby.com/products/saddles-barnsby-pony-working-hunter-dressage-show-saddle/default.asp

http://www.barnsby.com/products/saddles-barnsby-7-series-working-hunter-saddle/default.asp
 
I had also heard latex wasn't that good for everyday use, not sure why but if I was buying something in the price region of £2K+ I would want to be able to use it for more than just one comp a week...!
 
marmalade76 said:
AFAIA latex pannel saddles are not recommended for activities that involve a lot of time spent in the saddle (ie hunting) and it is recommended that a pad is used (ie dead sheep). Also, a latex pannel allows for little adjustment, unlike a flock pannel. I have also heard that latexpannels are not recommended for heavy riders.

As I hunt, go on fun rides and long hacks (three hours plus), I would not consider a latex pannel saddle.
Click to expand...

They are not easy to adjust so if not a perfect fit can be a problem,also if horse changes shape.Not just a quick bit of flocking by the saddler more of a rebuild.
We have a Devoucoux that the panel has gone flat in and is now needing major surgery.
The physio doesnt like them used for long periods of riding either,she suggests using dead sheep under,so rather defeating the purpose of having cc.
 
There are lots of CC saddles with wool flock. I have an ideal impala pro jump saddle with wool flock which is CC, and the Eric Thomas CC dressage saddle I am borrowing is wool flock too. It's also only £800 new, which makes it more affordable - though noone over here seems to have heard of them!
 
Really interesting, thanks!

Those are things I had worried about, and were the reasons that I wasn't just leaping in headfirst with one. Although I plan on only using it for comps and schooling, I would hate if I couldn't use it when I wanted because of comfort/lasting worries. What a waste of £!

Barnsley and stubben are out as their tree shapes just don't suit my girl. She is in a fairfax GP atm, but I hate their new dressage as it is just massive and the twist is too wide. Mare is a wide though so finding something with a narrow enough twist might mean I just have to compromise on that.

Does anyone have the new Ideal cc dressage? OH has the jump version which is gorgeous and his mega sensitve mare loves, so might seek out the dressage version to try (cc and wool panels so might be right if it suits her maj!).
 
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