If you had ~£400 for a new saddle what would you buy? FlexEE??

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Hedwards

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So, I get my 2012 annual bonus next month, the vast majority of which will be paying off a loan i got to buy a car a couple of years ago, however I think I'll have around £400 that i want to put aside to buy a saddle for Mickey. He currently has an older jeffries falcon event saddle, lovely and plan to keep that for jumping etc. however, as i'm really mainly interested in dressage/schooling, I'm after a dressage saddle, so what would you all recommend within that budget? Mickey is a 16hh TB, here he is so you can see his shape (currently out of shape and very fluffy due to both him & me having poor health for a few months on top of the really *****ty weather!) but back in regular work now, so looking marginally fitter then this photo.

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I've seen the Heather Moffett FlexEE saddles, and am tempted, however having never had a treeless, and always been a 'treed' saddle girl I dont know if they'd be right for me?

So any advice?
 
I would get a saddler out and/or get 3 saddles out on approval from saddles direct and get the saddler to fit a number of saddles and the saddles direct ones and sell you a really good second hand saddle.

£400 would buy a really good second hand saddle but only a rubbish new one unless its a synthetic.

Unless you are used to treeless I would def want to try it out before you committed. Preferably for a reasonable period, it doesn't suit everyone
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
I would get a saddler out and/or get 3 saddles out on approval from saddles direct and get the saddler to fit a number of saddles and the saddles direct ones and sell you a really good second hand saddle.

£400 would buy a really good second hand saddle but only a rubbish new one unless its a synthetic.

Unless you are used to treeless I would def want to try it out before you committed. Preferably for a reasonable period, it doesn't suit everyone
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Sorry, i shouldnt have worded my post quite like that, i dont neccessarily want a 'brand new' saddle, so happy to have 2nd/3rd hand etc. just really looking for peoples opinion on makes/types of saddle that would be recommended. havent used saddles direct before, but on looking this morning there are a few dressage saddles within budget, like an Ideal Jessica, and have a fab local fitter (doesnt sell unfortunately).

Thanks for the info on treeless, I have to say I've never considered them before, but the flexEE looks just like a 'normal' saddle it did catch my eye.
 
The FlexEE def rides like a normal saddle so Id give it a go - def find your local agent and ask for a trial - at least with a new flexEE there is no worry over twisted/damaged tree, uneven stirrup bars/girth straps or v squished flocking which is no longer shock absorbing properly !
 
Patterdale said:
I've just bought a Jeffries Stamford WH, it's amazing!
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Interesting... there's a wide variety of prices on these, theres a BNWT for £449 (Buy it now) and another for £699... I do like the Jeffries saddles, and really hadnt considered getting a WH at all...
 
TigerTail said:
The FlexEE def rides like a normal saddle so Id give it a go - def find your local agent and ask for a trial - at least with a new flexEE there is no worry over twisted/damaged tree, uneven stirrup bars/girth straps or v squished flocking which is no longer shock absorbing properly !
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Yeah, have been in contact with HM about finding a local EE agent, so will see what costs of the 'fitter' work out like as there isnt one 'based' in my area...
 
Personally, I would get a new thorowgood T4 or T8. They are nice and light and easily adjustable should your horse change shape. I also like albions, though it would have to be second hand for £400.
 
The FlexEE isn't treeless ;)

I have a dressage model, and a GP on order. Having used virtually every popular (and some not so popular) make in the past, I can't imagine using anything else now.

It is so comfy, makes keeping the correct position effortless, and doesn't look like a synthetic cheapie either.
 
LittleBlackMule said:
The FlexEE isn't treeless ;)
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Well, they are... a direct quote from Heather Moffett on the FlexEE facebook page

"they dont need 'fitting' as such as they are a treeless saddle in all but appearance. We can advise by wither template and photos if there is no one going your way"

(this is in response to me asking for the location of a fitter near by)
 
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