Jump saddles are they worth it?

L

ldlp111

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 March 2009
Messages
6,899
Visit site
Basically I have a kent & masters saddle which is more straight cut than I am used to, I normally have a gp saddle but with more at the front ie better for jumping.
I am now wondering whether to try and find a fairly cheap jump saddle so I can put my stirrups up more, as I have fairly long legs:rolleyes:

Just wondering if they are worth buying or whether to just use the other saddle? I don't jump massive heights although I would like to get back upto 3ft :)
 
In your case I would just use the GP saddle however a monoflap jump saddle has helped my position no end and I do love being able to really feel his movement underneath me XC
 
I have a gp saddle that up in until recently has always suited my needs. But now anything over 3ft on my mare and I feel majorly insecure and feel like I'm that worried about my position I'm hindering her movement. So sorry bank account I'm looking for a jump saddle!
 
Thing is the saddle I have now is very straight cut it's the cob version, you can jump in it and I have only once due to horse injuring herself, but just wondering whether being able to put my stirrups up more would help me stay in the plate more as she is a spooky horse:rolleyes:

But will probably see how i get on with jumping in it for now, less tack cleaning ;)
 
Definitely go for it - one of my daughters has your problem - her legs were too long for her working hunter saddle which she used to compete one of her horses in as it fitted him perfectly. Since getting her a jump saddle she is much more comfy and can put her stirrups up without her legs overlapping the knee rolls. Her position has also improved, well worth the money. On another note it actually makes do for quite a lot of our horses - they seem much more easily fitted!
 
ldlp111 said:
Thing is the saddle I have now is very straight cut it's the cob version
Click to expand...

Yep I've got the Kent and Masters jump version and my friend the cob, and mine is much more forward cut. I didn't have a huge budget as I wanted a DR and jump saddle, but have been very pleased with my KM jump as fits really nicely, and I can ride in it with nice short stirrups for jumping. However I tried schooling in it tonight with longer stirrups and really struggled! But perhaps I'm just used to the luxury of a dressage saddle with massive knee blocks haha! :rolleyes:
 
made a massive difference to my position and security

so yes I would go for it, just make sure you get a really forward cut one as some despite saying jump are not forward cut enough
 
Well i spoke to my saddler and he said I won't find a jump saddle to fit her due to her shoulders hence needing the cob version, I would have to have one made :( @ £1250!!!
 
They make a huge difference - I hate GP's as feel too far away from the horse, with blocks in the wrong place and generally feels very odd!!

I'd rather do dressage in a nice mono flap jump saddle than a GP!
 
Well if the K&M GP fits, surely the K&M Jump would be worth a look? I got mine for <£1k 18 months ago and I definitely feel it's helped make me feel more secure when jumping bigger. :) (not the comfiest for long hacks though, my Ideal was SO comfy in comparison!)
 
ldlp111 said:
Well i spoke to my saddler and he said I won't find a jump saddle to fit her due to her shoulders hence needing the cob version, I would have to have one made :( @ £1250!!!
Click to expand...

Rubbish! You need one that doesn't have padding going down the points of panel - so the flap "floats" on the shoulder and doesn't interfere with her movement

Example - Heritage saddle on eBay with low points:
!BbMZRdg!Wk~$(KGrHqYH-CwEqut7Er(UBKu3uLqeOg~~_12.JPG


Versus an amerigo which won't fit due to longish panel points:

images
 
Last edited:
My previous ISH was - according to my saddler, shaped like a cob which meant most jump saddles would not fit (due to his shoulder). He ended up in a K2 wide (SJ) and I felt secure in it when jumping. You can pick up a second hand one quite easily - mine new cost around £1000 some 2 years ago. Luckily for me, it fits the new horse atm (although probably won't by next year!)
 
When backing my then 3yo, my instructor said get a good dressage saddle and a good SJ saddle. I thought - twaddle, ive always survived in a GP.
I now have the DR and the SJ and will never change! Im not a major competitor, but the specialist saddle does what they are meant to:)
 
I also think that's twaddle OP - my little beige pony had to have an XW with lifted points because of his shoulders - but I found one second hand - and it was an Albion. Cost me about £500.
 
She's in a K& M cob saddle, not a normal gp one due to her shoulders. Well I can't really phone the saddler and say that's twaddle!! He's studied I haven't. So what am I supposed to do? :(
 
ldlp111 said:
She's in a K& M cob saddle, not a normal gp one due to her shoulders. Well I can't really phone the saddler and say that's twaddle!! He's studied I haven't. So what am I supposed to do? :(
Click to expand...

Find a different saddler ;) The two I think are good in Somerset are Nat Underwood (though also v expensive) and Julia Garrett. It was Julia who came up with the albion XW jump saddle with the points of the tree lifted for my rotund beige horse to avoid restricting his shoulder. Coincidentally, I sold him without a saddle, so that one is up for grabs now.... ;)
 
Don't think she'd need an XW unfortunately, and I had Julia out to begin with and unintentionally managed to make out I was bad mouthing her which wasn't my intention :( just wasn't sure if saddles moved that much etc ended up taking saddle back she did for me as didn't really get on with it so don't think I can go back to using her :(
 
A lot mores WH/WHPs are being shown in jumping saddles now rather than showing saddles, and judging by the size of the shoulders on some of those then there must be some sort of jumping saddle that fits that shape :) I know some who have Antares or Butet saddles, but I think there are some cheaper makes too - could do some digging if you need me to?
 
BronsonNutter said:
A lot mores WH/WHPs are being shown in jumping saddles now rather than showing saddles, and judging by the size of the shoulders on some of those then there must be some sort of jumping saddle that fits that shape :) I know some who have Antares or Butet saddles, but I think there are some cheaper makes too - could do some digging if you need me to?
Click to expand...

Thanks, more info the better :)
 
If you are interested I have a K2 jump wide fit for sale. It fits my ID who has mega big shoulders and I had this problem with him until I found out about the shorter points that are angled back to accomodate the shoulder. Only reason I am selling is I really missed my Stubben MF and managed to find one that was wide enough for him.
 
Right, asked about and one has an Eric Thomas monoflap saddle, not sure how much they are but I think they're cheaper than your big names... They seem to come up on ebay every now and again, but some saddlerys might be able to get hold of them.
 
Ok thanks will look into this abit more, but guess will have to make do with saddle i have for now blooming awkward horse :)
 
What I don't understand is I managed to find a jump saddle that would fit my cob, it was a fieldhouse but didn't fit her as the tree was too wide, so how come I won't find one to fit her? Surely he's got just as big shoulders??
 
I use a WOW saddle with event flaps. Works well and I get away with using it for the dressage phase too. I'm not a fan of SJ saddles as find they are just too minimal (dont like such a low cantle for example). Its personal choice really! Whatever you're comfortable in.
 
My saddle is an Ideal Impala pro Monoflap

My horse has massive shoulders -

If you go on my profile Go on the thread titled something like - "What saddle for a horse of this shape - pics"

And my opening post shows my horses shoulders which are absolutely massive!!

A monoflap as a previous poster said has short panels so doesn't affect the shoulder

I was always told he couldn't have a jump and after having 4 saddles In 6 months surprise surprise the one that fits properly and he moved best in is a jump

Saying that as soon as we tried a K2 he wouldnt stride out or get the correct canter lead so it also depends on what the horse "likes"

You will be able to find a jump one that fits
They are worth it my leg position in flatwork length is 100x better than my flatwork position in my old Jeffries GP!
 
I use a WOW xc saddle for all phases. My boy has incredibly large shoulders, so much so the only 'normal' saddles that would fit him were dressage saddles and they still got moved around by his shoulders. The WOWs are fab because the flap sort of sits on top of the shoulder but completely allows the shoulder to move underneath :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top