Jump saddle advice

T

teazle

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 July 2010
Messages
125
Visit site
Could do with some advice on a jump saddle. Had saddler out today and tried both dressage and jump - bought a lovely Kent & Masters S Series Dressage in M/W, but they didn't have a jump saddle I fell in love with. Basically, nothing felt like it was keeping me secure enough. She seemed fairly easy to fit to, said she's somewhere between M and M/W dependent on make.

Though I am small, I'm long in the thigh, so she advised a 17 1/2". The only two I liked were Ideal Nyala and Ideal Impala - Impala better but still not big enough knee rolls for my liking. I know a lot of people like freedom to move in the saddle but I'm only 7st so horse can pull me around enough anyway! Plus need to feel comfortable enough for general hacking etc. I tried a Frank Baines close contact but felt uncomfortable for general use.

Haven't got a fortune to spend (spent more on dressage than I ideally wanted to so second hand would be better) but could do with advice on what to look for?

Also, horse has a wide spine so need something with a decent gullet channel - I've been in a Kieffer jump that is too big for me and saddler said while it is okish, it barely clears the width of her spine. I like the look of the Albion K2 but the gullet looks quite narrow - I need to fit at least 4 fingers into gullet channel.

Much appreciated for any help offered before I buy one online and discover it doesn't work!
 
Was it the monoflap ideal impala or double flap?

I'm 5ft 11" and long knee to hip and have the ideal impala pro monoflap which is super secure

I much preferred it to the normal impala
It comes with girth and stirrup leathers too to match :)
They are very comfy also and my jumping has improved lots
 
ideal saddles are lovely, very comfy and secure. if i could afford one i would haha. i just use gp so cant really help, but have rode in an ideal jumping saddle when i rode for someone else and loved it. also hacked etc in it.
 
Ideal Impala is double flap, Impala Pro in monoflap. I would say if you didn't feel the double flap had big enough blocks for you, then you will find the mono flap worse
 
Would a Kieffer that was fitted to her work? I have just bought a second hand Norbert Koof for my youngster which I will have fitted to him as soon as possible. It is a case of heating the tree and widening it to the correct fitting, but I know that there is enormous flexibility in these... From what I have read.

It has whacking great blocks on it, which I know won't suit most people, but is a lovely quality forward cut jumping saddle with a deep secure seat. I might be glad of these features with my youngster!
 
The Kieffer I've been using isn't a Norbert Koof and while I do like the look of that one, its the actual gap in the gullet between the flocked areas that needs to be wider. I assume that since her one isn't wide enough, others wouldn't be either.

Kirsty+Java - it was the double flap. I am wary of trying a monoflap as I think I like a lot of saddle beneath and in front of me. Whilst I like the idea of being closer to my horse, the actual sensation isn't one I liked!

jesstickle - I tried the Reflex. Didn't even get into canter as I disliked it so much in trot and as I want it to hack in as well, couldn't see the point!
 
Did you get the chance to try a Farringtons international event, I have just bought one after trying all sorts and makes, they have a decent wide gullet, good knee rolls and it feels very secure, much needed for my mares handstands!
 
I tried to other monoflaps - two which felt horrible!

The impala pro feels like a normal saddle but as you said closer to the horse without the weird sensation!
I love the blocks on top as my legs are so secure
 
teazle said:
The Kieffer I've been using isn't a Norbert Koof and while I do like the look of that one, its the actual gap in the gullet between the flocked areas that needs to be wider. I assume that since her one isn't wide enough, others wouldn't be either.
Click to expand...

you are welcome to have a look at it, if you are anywhere near me...

I have just been and had a look at it and whereas you can easily get four fingers width in the gullet through the pommel end of the saddle, it does narrow to three fingers width towards the cantle. I don't know if this is normal or if anything could be done about this. I have been in touch with Kieffer Uk about getting mine altered to fit my boy, so if you would like contact information to enquire further, let me know.

Hope you sort something out.
 
Thanks, but I'm in Suffolk so no way could afford petrol to come and look at a saddle! Thank you so much for looking at the gullet of the Kieffer for me. It sounds exactly the same as the Kieffer Beerbaum I've been using on her, so wouldn't work, but much appreciated anyway :)
 
whatawizard - where did you try your farringtons saddle? I'm in west suffolk and have no transport for horse at the moment so need someone to come out to me.
 
Ive just bought a falcon vss alder. Cost £400 second hand it is lovely, really secure. I didn't like the close contact as was so used to my dressage saddle it just felt awful :mad:
 
Have you thought about and Ideal Grandee? I had one for my old mare but had it with the big blocks, i have a K & M jump at the mo and the blocks on the Ideal are bigger.
Its not quite a jump saddle but i used to jump aff in it no probs and felt it kept me in a good position.
http://www.idealsaddle.com/catalogue/saddle/5
Its also one of the most comfy saddles ive sat in, even a comfirmed dressage saddle only friend aggreed!
 
I have just bought an Albion K2 Jump, it has massive knee rolls & thigh blocks & the seat is sort of grippy, love it & haven't felt this secure jumping for years! I am 5'1 & about 8st if thats any help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top