wynnwith
Active Member
Hiya I'm looking for a new dressage saddle and like the look of the ideal suzannah, bates innova and Albion slk ultima. Also like the jaguars but heard bad things about them. Does anyone have any opinions/advice?
Dressage saddle advice
- Thread starter wynnwith
- Start date
P4NN
Well-Known Member
I have an ideal suzannah. An absolutly beautiful saddle!! Ive had major pelvis surgery so Im a little particular aout what I sit on these days. I wanted an albion SLK ultima but couldnt really afford one so when the saddler bought the ideal suzannah to try he also got me to try the albion to compare it, as the ideal suzannah is a copy of the SLK Ultima. I must admit Im glad I couldnt afford the albion because it was hard and felt like it was pinning my legs back!!
The plus side of the ideal was that it was comfyier and cheaper, although it is best to get your saddle fitter to bring a couple of makes and find out what fits your horse best first then look at what suits you as a rider?!
The plus side of the ideal was that it was comfyier and cheaper, although it is best to get your saddle fitter to bring a couple of makes and find out what fits your horse best first then look at what suits you as a rider?!
kerilli
Well-Known Member
The suzannah is lovely, i've ridden in loads of dr saddles over the years and this is the first to feel as if it was formed around my natural position, super to ride in. They'll do the panels in whatever materials you choose, too.
Divasmum
Well-Known Member
My daughter used to have a jaguar and it was LOVELY. When her horse was sold it didn't fit the new one so sadly was sold. She has a Martin Wilkinson one now which is also excellent.
millitiger
Well-Known Member
i have a jaguar and it is beautiful, lovely to ride in.
i use it on Pilfer who actually failed the vet 5 years ago with a very stiff shoulder and he is very sensitive to ride on the flat.
he would let me know immediately if he didn't like a saddle but he goes very nicely in the jaguar.
i would have another one for my other horse like a shot if i could afford it!
i use it on Pilfer who actually failed the vet 5 years ago with a very stiff shoulder and he is very sensitive to ride on the flat.
he would let me know immediately if he didn't like a saddle but he goes very nicely in the jaguar.
i would have another one for my other horse like a shot if i could afford it!
Tempi
Well-Known Member
Albion SLK Ultima over any of those, my mare has had her Ultima for nearly 9 years now and its still in fantastic condition. The leather is brilliant and they are so comfy.
I had an Ideal and had loads of problems with it, the flocking kept bunching up and going lumpy. I sold it in the end (after getting it reflocked).
I had an Ideal and had loads of problems with it, the flocking kept bunching up and going lumpy. I sold it in the end (after getting it reflocked).
dressager
Well-Known Member
Jaguar - very nice to ride in. Have seen them give certain horses a very tight/sore back as the panels are very narrow so make sure it's properly fitted.
Bates Innova - fitted my horse well (16.2h high withered WB) but I hated it to ride in! The extended blocks are crazy big and encourage you to lock your knees into them.
Albion - I tried just about every Albion as they came highly recommended, but found them wide to ride in and just didn't feel quite right.
I know I'm fussy! I went for an Amerigo, but my advice is just try out every saddle you can as it's so individual.
Bates Innova - fitted my horse well (16.2h high withered WB) but I hated it to ride in! The extended blocks are crazy big and encourage you to lock your knees into them.
Albion - I tried just about every Albion as they came highly recommended, but found them wide to ride in and just didn't feel quite right.
I know I'm fussy! I went for an Amerigo, but my advice is just try out every saddle you can as it's so individual.
horseywelsh
Well-Known Member
i too have an ideal suzzanna after tyring lots of different makes, types (even some pricey ones). Love love love the ideal, it's so comfy
I have 3 ideal saddles (diff models) not had problems with any re stuffing, but i do regularly have them checked, rebalanced etc.
Halfstep
Well-Known Member
Unlike Tempi I've had a great experience with my Suzanna, lovely saddle, very well fitting (of course this has to do with the saddle fitter's skill more than the saddle itself), and mine is now three and a half years old and is good as new.
I really like the Albion to ride in. Never ridden in the Bates. The Jaguar is nice for the rider but not great for some shapes of horses' backs because of the banana panels, ditto the Amerigo. I think these saddles have to be fitted really carefully by a specialist fitter.
I really like the Albion to ride in. Never ridden in the Bates. The Jaguar is nice for the rider but not great for some shapes of horses' backs because of the banana panels, ditto the Amerigo. I think these saddles have to be fitted really carefully by a specialist fitter.
Orv
Well-Known Member
I have an Ideal Susannah, which I get on well with. But now on the hunt for a Bates Innova with extended knee blocks.
I have long legs and felt more secure in the Innova
I have long legs and felt more secure in the Innova
charlie55
Well-Known Member
I tried quite a few on my lad but he is very hard to fit one to, hes a very chunky 16.3 WB with no withers and a flat back.
Im 5'2 and quite petite, after riding in some that my saddler brought up, i actually went for a kensington one, its suede seat and suede external knee rolls, keeps little me very secure when he does he's show off huge trot and very over the top flying changes!! Some of the bigger named saddles i didnt feel that secure in, second choice would be wintec isabel (sp), 3rd suzannah, and 4th would be jaguar for me. x
Im 5'2 and quite petite, after riding in some that my saddler brought up, i actually went for a kensington one, its suede seat and suede external knee rolls, keeps little me very secure when he does he's show off huge trot and very over the top flying changes!! Some of the bigger named saddles i didnt feel that secure in, second choice would be wintec isabel (sp), 3rd suzannah, and 4th would be jaguar for me. x
Firewell
Well-Known Member
I had a suzannah and it was horrible. It didnt fit my horse, was far to big and bulky and slid all over her back. She had to have 3 months off for her back muscles to repair. In fairness I dont think It was the saddles fault, it was just the wrong saddle for my horse and I and was mis-sold by a master saddler.
I think if you have a big warmblood type they are fine, not so good on petite Tb's as they are very bulky.
I cant abide saddles which lock my leg in place with massive blocks or are too bulky so that affects my opinion. The best dressage saddle ive sat in is the black country vininci mono flap dressage saddle http://www.blackcountrysaddles.com/saddles/dressage/1.
I felt so close to my horse, I was finally around my horse instead of perched on top, it was really wow. Its personal preference I guess but I would recommend anyone to try it. Its a bit like marmite though I think!!
I would pick the above saddle over any of the ones you've mentioned
I think if you have a big warmblood type they are fine, not so good on petite Tb's as they are very bulky.
I cant abide saddles which lock my leg in place with massive blocks or are too bulky so that affects my opinion. The best dressage saddle ive sat in is the black country vininci mono flap dressage saddle http://www.blackcountrysaddles.com/saddles/dressage/1.
I felt so close to my horse, I was finally around my horse instead of perched on top, it was really wow. Its personal preference I guess but I would recommend anyone to try it. Its a bit like marmite though I think!!
I would pick the above saddle over any of the ones you've mentioned