Harry Dabbs saddles??

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showjump

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Im looking at a jumping saddle, please can you give me your opinions??
I have a Prestige Paris D at the moment, in comparison.

Thank you.
 
well, i'd have a good look and feel of the panels. i had a HD dr saddle last year with a visiting horse, and Master Saddler (who does all the GB team horses) told me that they have the flocking in sausage-shaped pockets inside the panels, so they are really difficult to alter or reflock, and i got the impression that they can end up a bit like the old stubbens, where it's as if you're sitting on top of 2 rolling pins.
BUT of course this jump saddle might be totally different! i always look for flattish, softish panels, to spread the pressure, fwiw.
 
I tried one and hated it. Felt like I was being tipped forward because they have very curved trees. The panels were quite nice on this one, but prefer the prestige saddles to ride in!
 
Thanks for the replies, yes they do look like they could tip you forward. I will continue you to look.

Has anyone got any suggestions?- i cannot afford a another prestige! (Will have to be brown)

Thanks
 
Barnsby Milton CC saddle if you can find one, they sometimes come up second hand not particularly expensive. There are a couple of prestige saddles on Horsequest at the moment.... John whitaker and Equipe are also worth a look
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I had a HD saddle that i used on a very sharp TB ex-racer, who used to buck and be very tight in the back in any other saddle, got the HD and he loved it! Only saddle that he really used his back in, and relaxed rather than humping. I loved jumping in it too. Would certainly try one in the future.

kerilli - i think that is how the Amerigo panels are put together too?
 
I had one on a short trial for my young horse, we had been having saddling problems and he went really really well in the HD jumping one. I found it very comfy and loved it. Decided not to proceed just because my saddler advised that he couldn't adjust the HD at all (it was a latex/foam type panel) and was unlikely to fit for long.
 
The one I tried had a medium sized front and a small back one. It also wasn't as forward cut as some which suited my horse well as he has such a big shoulder we were finding it difficult to fit a jump saddle. I've now got the Pessoa Legacy XP3 which is a pretty similar cut, but has a layer of flock and an adjustable gullet too.
 
I tried one and didnt mind them. Felt secure in it and didnt tip me forward. However, in comparison much prefered the Barsnby jump saddle so went for that instead. (And it was secondhand too!
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The HD came in wool flocked panels whereas the Barnsby I got was felt panels. Mare hasnt changed shape much since having her so decided to go for it.
 
My HD had a small knee roll at the back, and a medium sized one in front of the knee....i felt very secure it in, even on a sharp little crazy one!!
 
I have jumping HD saddle, its an Avanti (I think?!) Panels are fine, certainly nothing like the old stubbens (yuk & triple yuk).

It has fairly good knee rolls in front & quite a flat seat. I would have preferred slightly bigger knee rolls but my legs are just a bit short. Its quite a big saddle 18" which sat the best on my big horse but I do get a little lost in it!

My only real critisim is that it isnt the comfiest of seats, its a jumping saddle rather than a nice hacking saddle.

Apparently HD saddles need to be fitted slightly differently to other types but never exactly found out why. The fitter that came to me liked it sat back a bit further than I would normally choose.
 
I recently had the saddler fitter out and rode on several, one of which was a Harry Dabbs single flap, I hated it and felt very unsafe on it (have had single flap saddles for over 7 years so not a question of used to more support). Felt like I was perched on the horse and tipped forward, in fact I trotted round the arena and would not even canter on it. Didnt bother to look at the panels as was not even going to consider buying it. Ended up with a Barnsby Original Milton instead which I love.

Also looked at the Prestige Meredith which was lovely, far nicer to sit on than the Harry Dabbs, sadly it didnt fit the horse as well as the Barnsby
 
Have you tried Frank Baines?? They are amazing!! and if your lucky Frank will come and fit it himself!! Cant beat that...! He goes around doing fitting at his stockest! I just seen him last week in Aberdeenshire and he away to go and make me a monoflap XC as i have long legs at no extra cost...! He is a star! I also already have his GP and my sister a jumping - love them all
 
But as you will know, it depends on what fits your horse.
I had loads of problems getting my horse fitted with a saddle. I had 5 saddles fitted by `experienced saddle fitter`. I was told that my horse was difficult to fit. I then went to a different fitter who had a HD made to fit my horse. She had a hybrid of 2 saddles mixed into one as I wanted a jump saddle, but with different bits.
It is brown and made with paris leather so I stick to it. I have had it checked and the saddle area on her back and her back is good and the saddle had to be adjusted and more flocking added. It has been made with foam panels and flocking so it can be altered to fit her if she changes shape.
I find it very comfortable and secure but I suppose that all saddles sit differently on different horses. I sat on an Amerigo amongst others and I found that uncomfortable. I also had an Albion SLK that I felt like I was leaning forwards in.
I like my HD, tho I have only had it about 3 months.
 
Jusr resurrected this as i have spoken to lots of saddlers about a saddle for a pony with a dippy back.. sounds like a few people have worked out that they are among the very few that actually have a CURVED tree which is what they need. (they do different trees though, to suit other types!)You cant make a flat tree saddle fit, with all the padding and pads etc in the world. Wish I could find a 15" for my pony.. cant afford new!
 
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