Lovatt and Rickets sport saddle

JBAMF

New User
Joined
26 May 2018
Messages
4
Visit site
I found a Lovatt and Rickets Sport 16.5'' saddle with padded knee rolls. I haven't been able to find a comparable saddle for sale on Ebay or on other online sources. It is a really comfortable saddle, but it has some minor wear and tear. I am not familiar with this brand so I would appreciate any advice.
 
Sorry for the confusion. I am looking at buying the saddle and this would be my first. I recently had to move and left a fantastic barn and training program. I always used my past trainer's saddles that were soft and well-maintained. Now I have been borrowing either the lessor's saddles or schooling saddles. I am developing pain in my pelvis, hips and lower back that I have never experienced before after riding. I am gaining confidence in fitting the saddle to the horse, but I lack confidence about the different cost or value of a saddle. I am described as being too nice and perhaps more likely to get ripped-off. Since right now my funds are also limited I want to be more confident about my potential purchase I have attached some rough pictures.
attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php
 
Can't see pics? L&R saddles are out of fashion but it will depend on the condition etc. I have a dressage saddle that is over 20 years old and its great but confess I would like a bit more knee roll at times. Cewrtainly under £500 possibly £250. I wouldn't sell mine as I would get very little for it and I love the saddle. Very little = £100 but it is very worn
 
You sound as if you are in the US? We won't be able to help much with the value of an English saddle in the US, probably. Have a look on eBay for the price saddles like L&R (old brand and unfashionable now) on there. Private sales are generally a bit higher.

Unlike Western seats, 16.5 is a very small saddle for an adult, most will ride in a 17 or 17.5, so make sure it's really big enough for you. In an English saddle, unlike western, there should be some seat behind where your bottom ends.
 
Last edited:
I classify as small female adult so the 16.5" saddle has plenty of clearance for my seat. I plan to keep looking though. Since it is an older design the channel is more narrow through the back so the panels may touch the horse's spine when turning? After additional research I agree with mandyroberts too - although it is in decent condition the asking price of £380 seems too high for this nearly 20+ year-old saddle.
 
Although "fingers' width" isn't consistent, it's a reasonable guide. You can also feel the width of your horse's spine, bringing the fingers of one hand together, and then placing the fingers of the other hand under that bridge you just made, to see how much space you need. Some schools of saddle fitting advise adding at least another finger or even an inch, most say that as long as the channel is the same width as the spine, and the panels are soft and in good condition, you'll be absolutely fine.

Old saddles can be 1-2 fingers wide at the rear, I would say three fingers is a minimum, many horses need four fingers, some schools say some need 5 fingers but as I say, I think that can lead to too narrow a panel, or trying to put too wide a seat on a horse with resulting loss of stability.
 
Top