Harry Dabbs hunter tree

[Shib_xsx]

After my rant the other day about not finding saddles, I’ve found a HD hunter gp, on a hunter tree, for a decent price in the size we’re after.

Has anyone got any experience of them? In theory the front should work but how flat are the rails and the back panels compared to other “cob” saddles?

Thanks

 

[Suechoccy]

I'd never heard of HD until last October when I had an SMS saddler out to try my horse (cob x TB, very flat round back) for fit for a new saddle as his old one no longer fitted. We ended up deciding on a HD close contact saddle. The shoulder points are short (half length?). It's quite a flat saddle to ride in but it makes me sit properly with ease, and my horse seems comfy in it. We had the optional front and rear balance straps fitted too.
I found out afterwards from a friend that HD saddles are used at the ROR yard (very small yard, only 2-3 horses at a time) at the NHRM in Newmarket.

 

[Meredith]

In 2010 or thereabouts I had a HD gp hunter tree MTM for my 15.2 warmblood. She had big shoulders and a flattish back. The half panel is lovely and the future thingy just what we needed. It was one of the comfiest saddles I've ever had.
But
As I am an all purpose sort of rider and always had gp's I expected it to be fine. I found it to be very straight and my knees slid over the knee rolls a bit. if I was ever in a position to need one again I would check very carefully and possibly choose a hunter jump design.
My present pony is a different shape so I have had change saddles.