Help - the saddle company

They don't float my boat. I like their saddles enough by the looks and the quality seems ok. I personally don't find them comfy. I know 4 people who have had them, but none of them have stuck with them long term due to fitting issues. They fitted perfectly when they were new, but then started giving the horses problems.

Fi x
 
I fit saddles for the SC and havent had problems with the saddles over long term. I have dressage versions for both of my horses and I use these as my every day saddles (my events are for serious jumping which I don’t really do!)
I have fitted SC for a fair few people on here – they will probably reply with their experiences. Some of them are onto their 3rd or 4th saddles because change of horse meant the seat size had to be changed (the widths are adjustable up or down 3 sizes which makes them ideal for youngsters).
Like any saddle, the flocking needs to be adjusted once it has bedded down which is why when I fit a new saddle I make a follow up check 3-4 weeks afterwards to check the flocking is ok. It is variable – one my roly poly horse (only ridden by me) the flocking went too low in front within the first 3 months and I needed a reflock after 9 months, whereas the other one (fitted at the same time) for my anglo is still fine 12 months later and that horse is ridden more, and by 3 different people.
 
I take offence to the tatty comment - if they are looked after properly as advised then they do not look tatty at all. The leather is very high quality and is very supple and like all good leather saddles needs to be treated well.

As for comfort and fit - this is an individual opinion and again, like most saddles the fit is only as good as the fitter. I am sure you would agree that every albion/stubben/ideal/barnsby/[insert saddle make] does not fit every horse and that a good fitter is required.

I mostly see remedial cases - every single one of them loves SC saddles because they are so forgiving for the horse. If by comfort you are referring to rider comfort, then that depends on the rider.
 
I hated mine to begin with - but now pony has finally lost some weight, it fits far better - and compared to just about everything else I've tried (had a saddle hand-made by Kay Humphries which lasted 2 days, and just sending back the Barefoot treeless as unrideable-in), I'm coming to quite like it.

Don't think the stirrup bars are in quite the right place yet - still a touch too far forward, but far, far better than being too far back as they are in the Barefoot.

so - strangely enough, I'm back to liking them a lot. Mine doesn't look tatty at all and I didn't really look after it to begin with. Giving it lots of hugs now tho'
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I now have a grand total of 3 (2 WHs and 1 dressage) and love them all dearly!

My dressage saddle is just soooooooooo comfortable - I really feel as though I could ride all day in it! Boo goes alot better in it then my other saddle, even though it is an early model and doesn't have the serge panels - so perhaps isn't as forgiving as the newer models? But even so, she works lovely in it
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I disagree with the tatty comments too btw.

Eceni - I had noticed the absence of your SC saddle from your sig!
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I knew you would come round ...

Out if interest, did you ask them to put the stirrup bars a bit further back for you - not sure if this was mentioned when the saddle was fitted?
 
stirrup fit was only mentioned in context of the fact that the fitter had only just started selling the dressage saddles because previously they were way too far forward but now were 'about right' - which is fair - they are 'about right' - and good enough for now. It's not my beloved Ideal Jessica (sigh...:)) but it's a bloody good saddle - as long as it stands the steep hill test - yet to be done

thank you for your encouragement!

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I'm another fan of these saddles, a huge fan infact.

Having had 8 different saddles for my then 4yo Tb I had almost given up, his narrow high wither and big shoulder caused huge issues. However I took a chance and got a SC saddle and my problems were solved! It took me 3 different SC saddles to find one that suited me, my first was a CC that was too flat for me, then a WH that was to short and now I have an event and its perfect for both of us. I also bought my other horse a GP and again we both love it.

I find them really comfy but had to get a 17.5 - half an inch bigger than normal - in a seat size to feel secure. The event is lovely to jump in and helps my position, the Gp is great for a bit of everything. Yes the stirrup bars are a bit too far forward but thats helped me sit deep and stay on my spooky mare a few times!

My brown saddle has faded slightly more than my black, but its certainly not shabby and they are both used daily, though I do treat the leather regularily.

I'd definately recommend them to anyone, but like any saddle you may have to try a couple first to find the style thats best for both of you!
 
Have you tried putting a loop of leather on your stirrup bar to keep your leather that little bit further back?

A trick of my saddler but workd very well when the saddles want your legs too far forward.

Squip
 
I have a Saddle Company dressage saddle - it is really comfortable for me, and more importantly the horse goes very well in it too. The flocking has gone a bit flat at the front so at the moment I have a slim front riser underneath it, but am confident that will be resolved with a visit from the fitter and some reflocking.
 
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Have you tried putting a loop of leather on your stirrup bar to keep your leather that little bit further back?

A trick of my saddler but workd very well when the saddles want your legs too far forward.

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Neat idea - thank you - I'll try it

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Funny you should say that - the two models I always recommend (and have myself for each of my horses) are the dressage or the event. Unless you are doing serious jumping and need a CC just for jumping, the event can pretty much handle anything.

Of course lots of people are just used to GPs and so feel funny in anything else. I think the WH really is more suitable for showing - cant think of anything that it does better than the event ridden wise.
 
I love mine working hunter with suede seat and knee rolls...have sold the horse but might just keep the saddle just incase I get another
 
I LOVE my event model. A year old, I've cleaned it about 3 times and it still looks like new. I can't imagine how they could look tatty unless dumped and left! The leather is so good it just hardly needs anything. Mine has the suede seat and knees.
 
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