Dressage saddle for a wide mare but with a narrow twist

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Walrus

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Not sure such a thing exists...but my lovely mare is half warm blood, half "hunter type" large shoulders and built slightly downhill. We currently have a fairfax Spencer which is professionally fitted and seems to fit her fine (saddler said shes quite tricky due to being a bit downhill and this one was the best). We have done 18 months in this saddle and the mare had progressed really well, it's been checked and adjusted at least twice in that time. However, I have come to the conclusion that whilst the saddle might fit the horse I really struggle, I feel like I'm swimming all over the place, struggle to sit still and sit up. I think it's just too wide and too open if that makes sense. I'm looking for recommendations of brands that seem to fit wider horses but perhaps have a narrower twist? Any suggestions welcome. :)
 
i had problems with my hips and found many dressage saddles uncomfortable and ended up with an albion legend which i found really comfy...could you go to a saddlers and sit on a few different makes in the shop to give you an idea. that is what i did and i was allowed to take 5 to try on my horse while a saddler checked the fit for her. luckily the one that fitted me best was good for my wide horse as well...
 
Mine's in an XW Albion Platinum Ultima NS and like yours has a big shoulder. The twist on my saddle narrow as I'm fairly small. It's the NS that you would need to look for if you could find one second hand.

Albion's customer service are really helpful if you send them the serial number of the saddle they can confirm the configuration and if it has the NS. The Plat Ult also has an adjustable tree, while it has to go to Albion for adjustment if it fits your horse at least you know you'll get to keep it for a while and won't have to
 
I've got an Albion Revelation on Alf, who is wide, has huge shoulders and a high, long wither. I have crappy hips, and it's the first saddle I've been truly comfortable in in a long time.
 
I have a Barnsby Lorenzo used for a similar horse/rider combination.....no longer have horse...so let me know if you would like any details! It was very comfortable with my narrow pelvis, but sat on broad horse well....what size do you need?
 
Have a look at Heather Moffett's Vogues. My horse has big shoulders so struggled with fit. Look like a normal saddle but are treeless so completely adjustable. It holds you in and helps you sit in the correct position.
So comfy (memory foam seat!), wouldn't ride in anything else and my horse's movement has improved because she isn't trapped at the shoulder. I think you can trial them too.
 
I've got the new Albion K2 Dressage, Rose is Wide now and I am old and slim hipped but the saddle has a narrow twist which suits me well. It's adjustable by my saddler (been widened twice now) and was relatively inexpensive. I went for it because I am also long in the hip to knee so many of the very blocked sddles were uncomfortable.
 
X prestige Helen k or the Erreplus Vitoria. Both suit my wide horses (though roonis legs all come out the same hole currently lol) and have a narrow twist.
 
This ^^^ as per SBloom. Mine is only a medium width but wider behind the withers and an ultra narrow twisted well known make of German bespoke saddle made him sore so it’s well worth while properly checking the fit as quite a few of the European narrow twisted saddles are a slightly unusual shape under to accommodate IME.
 
Thanks all, I'm not even sure we need as much as a narrow twist, I find the spencer just so bulky I struggle to get my leg on properly, particularly in lateral work. Speaking to my instructor she has offered to come with me to the saddlers which makes me feel much better to have her there if I try a few different saddles. The comments here have really helped as I've not looked to closely at other brands, looks like our local saddler has some of these so hopefully I can try a few!
 
oldie48 said:
That's really interesting, would using a something like a properly fitted ViP pad help to distribute the wight more evenly?
Click to expand...

Corrective pads should only be used to compensate for panel, flocking, possibly tree angle at the front, they should never be used to compensate for rail shape, a pice of foam, sheepskin, gel can't make up for the wrong shape of wood being on a horse's back.
 
have you tried a "hip saver", they are attached to the seat and lift you slightly to give a narrower feeling twist, the saddle is the same for the horse.
 
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