Jump saddles for wide/flat backs

[ihatework]

Annoyingly one of my sporthorse 3yos has a back profile that more resembles a cob, and alas I’m not going to be able to do much with my current saddles.

So need to invest in a secondhand stop gap. But this type of shape isn’t my forte! Any suggestions of brands and models to look at?
Must be jump, must be a recognised brand (for resale ease), must be leather. I’d imagine she will measure around an XW. Has a slight wither, but broad, isn’t completely flat.

 

[Roxylola]

Fairfax works well for charlie

 

[Lillian_paddington]

AH (andrea hicks) worked for me as a stopgap but actually it was a rather nice saddle. I’d had a couple fairfax from my old horse that I tried to put on her but they slipped massively and she hated them. She’s now in a Swedish brand - ergo x2 which is lovely but doesn’t fit your recognised brand criteria. Sbloom on here came out to fit for me, might be worth getting in contact with her as she does a lot of wider horse fittings?

 

[ImmyS]

This describes Finn’s back to a T. I’ve just picked up a second hand WH Black Country saddle on the freedom tree as recommended by saddle fitter and this tree shape fits like a glove (although will need to be widened slightly from W to XW). So I would recommend the jump models on a freedom tree. Beautiful saddles.

 

[RachelFerd]

https://www.amerigo-saddles.com/saddles/dj-pinerolo/

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I was just about to say Black Country with a freedom tree. I also find their jump saddles to be quite comfortable.

 

[sbloom]

AH (andrea hicks) worked for me as a stopgap but actually it was a rather nice saddle. I’d had a couple fairfax from my old horse that I tried to put on her but they slipped massively and she hated them. She’s now in a Swedish brand - ergo x2 which is lovely but doesn’t fit your recognised brand criteria. Sbloom on here came out to fit for me, might be worth getting in contact with her as she does a lot of wider horse fittings?

I forgot you were on here , thank you for suggesting me and my brands.

Yes, AH definitely a prime candidate, ErgoX2 might work technically but second hand even rarer than AH and yes, not high profile in this country....yet!

@ihatework work are you a member of https://www.facebook.com/groups/1641386762817197?

 

[Michen]

Ideal impala is the only one that works for Bear whose a table. With the quilted stitching for more shoulder movement

 

[Widgeon]

Ideal impala is the only one that works for Bear whose a table. With the quilted stitching for more shoulder movement

I was going to say that too, I briefly borrowed one and it fitted my cob beautifully. It wasn't for sale though :-(

 

[Michen]

I was going to say that too, I briefly borrowed one and it fitted my cob beautifully. It wasn't for sale though :-(

I have one for sale! 17 inch black wide dual flap

 

[ihatework]

Fairfax works well for charlie

Good shout - would be the type I might end up keeping.
Do you know what models tend to work better on the (ahem) robust types?! I can always get in touch with them about models if needed.

 

[ihatework]

AH (andrea hicks) worked for me as a stopgap but actually it was a rather nice saddle. I’d had a couple fairfax from my old horse that I tried to put on her but they slipped massively and she hated them. She’s now in a Swedish brand - ergo x2 which is lovely but doesn’t fit your recognised brand criteria. Sbloom on here came out to fit for me, might be worth getting in contact with her as she does a lot of wider horse fittings?

Thank you, will check them out!

 

[ihatework]

This describes Finn’s back to a T. I’ve just picked up a second hand WH Black Country saddle on the freedom tree as recommended by saddle fitter and this tree shape fits like a glove (although will need to be widened slightly from W to XW). So I would recommend the jump models on a freedom tree. Beautiful saddles.

I’ve liked all the Black Country (other than the Wexford) that I’ve ridden in so will keep an eye out for a vicini or quantum on this tree

 

[ihatework]

https://www.amerigo-saddles.com/saddles/dj-pinerolo/

I’m not convinced it would accommodate her width well enough, but Amerigo do seem to have a very good range of jump saddles so could go on the list for when she has matured a bit!

 

[Roxylola]

Good shout - would be the type I might end up keeping.
Do you know what models tend to work better on the (ahem) robust types?! I can always get in touch with them about models if needed.

Mines a classic. He's wide bit not a table top - there's plenty of pics on here of him though, but of wither and a deep shoulder

If he were just a little narrower I'd have held out for an impala second hand. My saddler also said some Albions will but again trying to get one second hand that's a w-xw at least seemed impossible and the budget for those new is a bit eek £££££

 

[ihatework]

Ideal impala is the only one that works for Bear whose a table. With the quilted stitching for more shoulder movement

Unfortunately, even though I’m not particularly fussy about saddles, the impala is one that just does not seem to fit me!

 

[RachelFerd]

I’m not convinced it would accommodate her width well enough, but Amerigo do seem to have a very good range of jump saddles so could go on the list for when she has matured a bit!

Worth a conversation as they definitely have a big range of tree shapes (rather than one size fits all with a bit of a gullet plate change approach - which feels flawed). Problem with most of the cob type options is that they are not design for good riders on big moving horses - they're high-cantled, deep-seated, excessively blocky wobbly rider's saddles. I didn't much enjoy the impala either based on my experience of riding in one.

 

[milliepops]

Unfortunately, even though I’m not particularly fussy about saddles, the impala is one that just does not seem to fit me!

Nor me, i actually did a dance when i finally flogged mine, hahaha.
could consider a wow if you like them, fairly future proof.

 

[sbloom]

Problem with most of the cob type options is that they are not design for good riders on big moving horses - they're high-cantled, deep-seated, excessively blocky wobbly rider's saddles. I didn't much enjoy the impala either based on my experience of riding in one.

They shouldn't be, they should be flatter seated, reasonably close contact panels, and not too much bulk for the rider, to really work. The specialist wider saddles I fit sure are nothing like that.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Mines a classic. He's wide bit not a table top - there's plenty of pics on here of him though, but of wither and a deep shoulder

I can vouch for the Fairfax Classics as being very decent saddles, though I don't have the jump version - I do have a GPD and a dressage.

 

[RachelFerd]

They shouldn't be, they should be flatter seated, reasonably close contact panels, and not too much bulk for the rider, to really work. The specialist wider saddles I fit sure are nothing like that.

Bar the Ergox2 saddles, some of which look ok in pictures, but I haven't seen in the flesh.... point me towards a cob-type jumping saddle that doesn't look like an instrument of torture to the rider, and i'll eat my hat

 

[millitiger]

I had an absolute table of a horse a few years ago and he had a Pessoa jump that fitted really, really well and was lovely for me to ride in too- I cannot abide blocky, bulky saddles though.

 

[sbloom]

Bar the Ergox2 saddles, some of which look ok in pictures, but I haven't seen in the flesh.... point me towards a cob-type jumping saddle that doesn't look like an instrument of torture to the rider, and i'll eat my hat

Ergox2 are definitely not "cob" saddles but can fit all sorts of shapes and sizes up to XXW in some cases.

https://www.ahsaddles.com/optimus-jumping-saddle

Definitely not instruments of torture and work well for many people, neat flat seat on an old fashioned English jump tree. You're looking at the wrong type of "cob saddles".

 

[RachelFerd]

Ergox2 are definitely not "cob" saddles but can fit all sorts of shapes and sizes up to XXW in some cases.

https://www.ahsaddles.com/optimus-jumping-saddle

Definitely not instruments of torture and work well for many people, neat flat seat on an old fashioned English jump tree. You're looking at the wrong type of "cob saddles".

That's my idea of something horrible to ride in - seat far too deep, unnecessary thigh block, probably not forward cut enough either for my needs. Don't get me wrong - probably a perfectly decent saddle for all-round purposes, but just wouldn't want to be tackling a big XC in it!!

 

[sbloom]

That's my idea of something horrible to ride in - seat far too deep, unnecessary thigh block, probably not forward cut enough either for my needs. Don't get me wrong - probably a perfectly decent saddle for all-round purposes, but just wouldn't want to be tackling a big XC in it!!

It's a flat seat, it can be ordered without the calf block if necessary and actually it is pretty forwards cut, there's a lot of leg room for most riders. However, how your leg hangs, how the saddle supports your pelvis, is a big determinant in how much leg room there is. Amerigo are forward balance so the flap will always sit more forwards of the pommel than in a traditional English saddle.

Each and every rider is SO different, hence we're realising the need for saddles like Ergox2 that are fitted scientifically to your actual pelvic shape, hip conformation and leg length/proportions.

Sure, AH aren't fitted to top competition horses on the whole, but then how many top horses average XXW fitting? I have customers hunting and competing at decent heights. Great saddles for babies and up to mid level competition.

 

[RachelFerd]

It's a flat seat, it can be ordered without the calf block if necessary and actually it is pretty forwards cut, there's a lot of leg room for most riders. However, how your leg hangs, how the saddle supports your pelvis, is a big determinant in how much leg room there is. Amerigo are forward balance so the flap will always sit more forwards of the pommel than in a traditional English saddle.

Each and every rider is SO different, hence we're realising the need for saddles like Ergox2 that are fitted scientifically to your actual pelvic shape, hip conformation and leg length/proportions.

Sure, AH aren't fitted to top competition horses on the whole, but then how many top horses average XXW fitting? I have customers hunting and competing at decent heights. Great saddles for babies and up to mid level competition.

Looks like a hefty deep seat to me?? But then my dream saddle to ride in is approx this fully acknowledging that its no-one elses dream saddle, and probably not the horse's either

 

[sbloom]

Looks like a hefty deep seat to me?? But then my dream saddle to ride in is approx this fully acknowledging that its no-one elses dream saddle, and probably not the horse's either

No, definitely not most horse's dream saddle! It won't be much deeper, I promise you, especially as the photo is likely a 16.5 which brings pommel and cantle closer together. I've had the GP version, on the same tree, described as the "no saddle saddle", and "like bareback only much better". On very wide backs the first two steps are stability, and wide enough rails to let the horse move at T10-13, very few saddles fulfill both, or even either!

Would be fascinating to assess you off the horse and put you in the ideal seat for your pelvis and hips...

 

[RachelFerd]

No, definitely not most horse's dream saddle! It won't be much deeper, I promise you, especially as the photo is likely a 16.5 which brings pommel and cantle closer together. I've had the GP version, on the same tree, described as the "no saddle saddle", and "like bareback only much better". On very wide backs the first two steps are stability, and wide enough rails to let the horse move at T10-13, very few saddles fulfill both, or even either!

Would be fascinating to assess you off the horse and put you in the ideal seat for your pelvis and hips...

Still looks like a bucket to sit in in this second hand version - https://www.thesaddlebank.com/product/17-inch-ah-optimus-jump-brown-wide-extra-wide-s2305/

Although OP maybe this is a useful second hand link

 

[milliepops]

this was the seat i had on my jump saddle after the impala got jettisoned. i think that's quite flat. i liked the really minimal flaps too. i had some a while back with velcro on blocks and just took them off so they were flat, if the saddle is in good balance for you then the blocks don't add a lot.

I do like a bucket with huge blocks for dressage tho

https://wowsaddles.com/products/seat-styles/xc-seat/

 

[ihatework]

Still looks like a bucket to sit in in this second hand version - https://www.thesaddlebank.com/product/17-inch-ah-optimus-jump-brown-wide-extra-wide-s2305/

Although OP maybe this is a useful second hand link

I agree they do look a bit bucket like, but pictures can be deceiving and for the purpose I need might well be worth a trial of it. I only need it for 18 months of baby stuff.

I’ve had wow before (because the horse at the time loved it), wouldn’t rule out again if I was really struggling, but wouldn’t be my ideal saddle to ride in.