GFS Monarch DR saddle - opionions & tree shape?

joolie

joolie

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I'm looking for a new saddle for my Welsh D who is fairly flat. A friend of a friend is selling one of these - is the tree curved or more flat? It would obv be fitted by a saddler, I understand they are adjustable but would love some feedback on anyone that has one regarding quality and shape before I even ask about it. TIA :)
 
AlexHyde said:
It's not the flattest tree shape out there. We had one but it just wasn't the right shape for our very flat backed horse.
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Thank you - perfect. another saddle to avoid then, didn't want to waste time even trying if it is a bit on the curvy side :) x
 
Yeah it wasn't bad but didn't stay still behind. Topaz is a very difficult shape as she's completely different when she's working compared to when she's stood still. Ended up with an Equipe but was recommended an ideal suzzannah as well.

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After 7 months of trying to find a saddle to fit I ended up with one of these. My horse has a big wither and shoulder but has a flat wide back. It's worth a look? Also because of his shape and his big movement the back of almost all saddles moves them side to side on him. This saddle less so. But I have been using a wow H girth and it's really helped x
 
Charlie77 said:
After 7 months of trying to find a saddle to fit I ended up with one of these. My horse has a big wither and shoulder but has a flat wide back. It's worth a look? Also because of his shape and his big movement the back of almost all saddles moves them side to side on him. This saddle less so. But I have been using a wow H girth and it's really helped x
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We were similar in that it took a fair while to find the right saddle, mainly dicated by funds!
We thought we'd made the right comprimise with the Monarch but in the end it caused issues as the tree shape just wasn't right and it didn't have the pannel depth at the rear to give it stability. It's made me realise that I shouldn't ignore those little niggles and meant we needed three months off this year, which meant we didn't quialify for summer regionals. I was gutted as its a lovely saddle but you live and learn, and Topaz is a forgiving beast lol, but please do regular checks that its still fitting well. We got by for about 12 months and then the problems came to ahead, don't want to be doom and gloom but just wanted to pass on our experiance as it sounds similar, though we didn't have the wow H girth!

Also just bought a Tekna dressage saddle for my youngster who is a similar shape to Topaz, though currently much narrower. Very upswept panel though so the footprint on the horse is shorter than some saddles, and a more close contact saddle so might not suit those horses who prefer flock.

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AlexHyde said:
We were similar in that it took a fair while to find the right saddle, mainly dicated by funds!
We thought we'd made the right comprimise with the Monarch but in the end it caused issues as the tree shape just wasn't right and it didn't have the pannel depth at the rear to give it stability. It's made me realise that I shouldn't ignore those little niggles and meant we needed three months off this year, which meant we didn't quialify for summer regionals. I was gutted as its a lovely saddle but you live and learn, and Topaz is a forgiving beast lol, but please do regular checks that its still fitting well. We got by for about 12 months and then the problems came to ahead, don't want to be doom and gloom but just wanted to pass on our experiance as it sounds similar, though we didn't have the wow H girth!

Also just bought a Tekna dressage saddle for my youngster who is a similar shape to Topaz, though currently much narrower. Very upswept panel though so the footprint on the horse is shorter than some saddles, and a more close contact saddle so might not suit those horses who prefer flock.

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Sorry to hear that - I don't have a massive budget either so am hoping to find someone locally who stocks a good range of 2nd hand saddles, or will buy and sell on 2nd hand if need be. Have been using a Wintec Isobel Werth which is now moving all over the place and I'm not happy with it! The last thing I want is to keep pressing on and getting it adjusted when my gut feeling is the saddler is fitting a square peg in a round hole. Sadly my mare isn't quite as forgiving and lets me know in no uncertain terms when she is a bit uncomfortable! ;)
 
Haha Topaz is a funny mix of stoic and sensitive! But that is exactly how we felt, kept trying but in the end I felt if the tree shape wasn't spot on then no amount of padding up or down would long term make for a comfortable horse.
As far as saddler's I can recommend Saddle's Direct for second hand saddles and Freedom Saddlery (though Steph does more new than second hand), though not sure where in the country you are.

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AlexHyde said:
Haha Topaz is a funny mix of stoic and sensitive! But that is exactly how we felt, kept trying but in the end I felt if the tree shape wasn't spot on then no amount of padding up or down would long term make for a comfortable horse.
As far as saddler's I can recommend Saddle's Direct for second hand saddles and Freedom Saddlery (though Steph does more new than second hand), though not sure where in the country you are.

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I've had a look on Saddles Direct and they've been v helpful answering emails and describing saddles and fit to me - however they've got nothing in at the minute which is suitable. Could go down the thorowgood T8 cob dressage route but I'd quite like a nice(ish) 2nd hand leather. We are in North Shropshire/South Cheshire so off to do some lengthy research - thank you! x
 
I will agree and say it's not a flat tree by any means. Personally the one I saw didn't seem to be designed with optimal balance in mind, this wasn't just how it fitted on a particular horse but more about how the flap is attached to the tree, and the shape of the tree.
 
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