dressage saddle with flair

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VRIN

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Am looking at buying a second hand dressage saddle and have found an albion style with flair.

It seems to fit quite well and I like the more secure feel I get with it but..

know nothing about flair (other than what I read on their site)..

Anyone have thoughts, experience with them, knowledge....
good or bad...

Thanks
 
I had one and it needed checking/adjusting more often than traditional flocking
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I now have an albion SLK with traditional flocking and it's the best saddle I've ever had
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I love my flair saddle but I've been told that they're like marmite - you either love them or hate them. I would make sure you get a good trial in it before you invest to see if your horse likes it. I was also told by my saddle fitter that the bags have a 3 year life expectancy although mine is still going strong and my saddle was fitted with one of the original prototypes!
 
How often did it need checking and adjusting and what was the cost? Does it actually change the feel of riding in it? How do you know when it needs checking?
 
I have an Albion Dressage with Flair and I love it! I tried a Flair on a jumping saddle and hated it ... but it just seems to work better in the dressage saddle!

I get mine checked/adjusted maybe once a year at cost of £40, but usually only if the horse has changed shape or the balance of the saddle appears to have changed. I know some people have problems with air leaking out but mine has always been perfect.
 
just bought a second hand one, didn't really realise it had it to start. Horsey seems to be going nicely in it and it fits lovely. His GP also tends to swing a lot and bounce a bit as he is very short backed and doesn't really have loins. the new one is sitting much better. but I think the girthing arrangment is helping that too.
 
Had dressage saddle fitted with flair just over a year ago and the difference in Pidge is fab. Would never go back to flocked now. Saddle fitter comes out every 6 months to check and or adjust, very easy to adjust.
 
Mine needed checking every 3 months. It depends how much work your horse is doing and how well the saddle was fitted in the first place. Mine wasn't fitted very well to start with and it cost me between £50 - £100 every visit.
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The saddle continually slipped to one side and it wasn't my riding because I didn't have a problem before the Flair saddle and I've not had the problem since
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I like the Flair idea although you need an experienced Flair fitter.
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