is this the best option ??

[Megibo]

Long story short, my mare's saddle doesn't and won't fit. I can't afford to buy her a new one until next year (a properly fitted decent one) so was thinking in the meantime I should get one of these:http://www.hold-your-horses.com/epa...cts/100809-0025&ChangeAction=SelectSubProduct as I'll just be hacking and light schooling, plus it's all I can afford at the moment.
What do you think? Good idea or ..

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

for that price you can buy a good english saddle that fits or could be adjusted. talk to your local saddler does he not have some second hand or trade ins???????. i got a fab stubben off ebay for less than 250 it is immaculate, but yes i did know the horse and the fit, and had it checked on arrival to the horse.

 

[xRobyn]

What of course you can said! I acquired a 2nd (probably 3rd or 4th!) hand ENGLISH LEATHER GP saddle and had it fitted all for £250! There are bargains out there!

 

[Megibo]

hmm ..ideally i DO need a saddle that will change shape with my nagling as she changes shape a lot

 

[scatty_mare]

I'm not sure about these treeless saddles. Some people swear by them, so I think they must suit some horses (witherless ones mainly) and some riders - but not my horse, and not really me. The one I tried (which was different to the one you've linked to admittedly) was like riding on a bareback pad and, while not unpleasant, seemed a bit overpriced.
I'd tend to agree with the others and go for a 2nd hand well-fitted leather gp saddle if you can. Sometimes saddleries will let you take home a selection to try.

 

[be positive]

A horses shape doesnt change that much,if the tree is right the flocking can be adjusted if they gain or lose weight and good management should prevent the changes from being too drastic.
A good 2nd hand saddle would be a better investment than a treeless imo.
Find out her width and have a look around there are some bargains around at the moment.

 

[MrVelvet]

how about a thorowgood with interchangeable gullet? they start at £320 brand new! ?? although tbh out of treeless saddles the solution is the least hideous

 

[Megibo]

Can't afford from the saddlers around here! And too scared to buy off ebay!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

My current large Fuzzy came with (I am told) a very expensive treeless saddle.
If I was just hack in walk/trot/slow canter it would be fine, but as I like to jump a bit xc & school whilst out, its just not for me.

Within 2 weeks of getting big Fuzzy, I got local saddler out with many 2nd hand saddles in his van - there were only 2 which fitted well - one brown the other black. Suprisingly these were both the CHEAPEST of the ones he had!.
Most pricey was £1k, the one I settled on was £185 & was (is) in very good nick but just needed a little flocking in which he did whilst he was there.

I had £500 to spend at the time, so the savings went on a new bridle & also new boots for me

I didn't choose the cheapest - I got the best one that fitted