My saddle dilemma no 1: Star

P

Puppy

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 February 2006
Messages
31,648
Visit site
I had the saddler out to the girls this week, expecting the worst as they've both changed shape so much this summer, and sure enough the diagnosis is an expensive one
crazy.gif
I think Star and Be are going for a personal best in bills this month
smirk.gif


Firstly Star: Star is at that age now (into her 20s) where her back has droppped quite a bit recently, and so she now has much more prominent withers. The verdict was that the only saddle that is really going to fit her new shape is a stubben
crazy.gif
I flipping hate the looks of stubbens
blush.gif
tongue.gif
so wasn't thrilled with this. (*humph* Why couldn't the old girl give me an excuse to buy another albion?!
tongue.gif
) But of course with Star being Star (AKA her Highness
smirk.gif
) I should hardly be surprised that she has to have something top of the range, brand new and expensive - we always joke that she has princess and the pea syndrome
grin.gif


Anyway, it is looking pretty likely that we shall have to buy a new one if we are to have one that is going to fit her, me and Mum, and be the right shape for what I want to do with her, (and a colour I don't loathe too much
tongue.gif
) I don't think my saddler is going to be able to lay her hands on a second hand one that ticks all those boxes...

SO, what model do people recommend??
smile.gif
Or not??
smirk.gif


I am supposed to be going to sit on some next week to see which I like the feel of, and it would be worth having some reviews in advance. I'm told some are very hard seated, is that right?!
crazy.gif


Any feedback would be much appreciated
smile.gif
 
suggest black country saddles too, comfy seat and do a good thoroughbred panel with freedom wither gusset, fitted one to a 22 yr old thoroughbred horse recently and fitted very well. don't rule out other saddle manufacturers if you dont find stubben comfy just use another saddler who has wider range of options! all walsall saddle stockists have a thoroughbred panel or cut back head tree for this sort of horse, dippy back probs are just cured with good and suitable flocking good luck! (I'm not a saddler my friend has posted this for you, she's a master saddler!)
blush.gif
 
Whats your budget and your thoughts on the wows? I despise stubbens with a passion I must admit :P

I dont see why her dipped back or prominent withers should leave you with no choice but stubben.
 
[ QUOTE ]
(I'm not a saddler my friend has posted this for you, she's a master saddler!)
blush.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

LOL! Well thank you to BOTH of you then
grin.gif


She's not a TB, she is ISH x Han and VERY substantial around the chest and shoulder, (photo last winter before her back dropped a bit)

Bessie4-1.jpg


So does the above still apply??
confused.gif


H. x
 
Well the budget is going to have to be pretty decent I think
crazy.gif
Hence we are prepared to buy a new stubben if that is what is required. She's a very dear old girl,
smile.gif
and we want the absolute very best for her
smile.gif
With all that this horse has given me over the years I think I'd buy her ten if she needed them
smile.gif


I'm not sure about Wows... I've heard such mixed reports
crazy.gif
What kind of a budget would I need for one of those?!

I don't think it's just her prominent withers. It's also about the whole curve of her back. My saddler (who is a master saddler) did explain very well as she put on a few different saddles, and the logistics of it as she explained it did make perfect sense with it all there in front of me, but I confess I couldn't find the right words myself to repeat it back to you
crazy.gif
 
I think the new club saddles are just under the £1k mark (but dont quote me on this)

Its just the specialise in fitting strange shaped backs (and im the owner of one of these also
wink.gif
) so it was just a though that sprung to mind. Would also give you a bit more flexibility should she change shape more.
 
a wow would set you back about £1500, i must say i have had mine for a while and its lovely, especially when i rode ona couple of other saddles the other day and they felt so hard and uncomfy!! i love the fact that they are single flapped as well:)
and of course the fit is a lot better, my mare has high withers and dips behind her shoulder as a TB and this fits really well.
 
Owch!! Your price is a little higher than Tierra's
ooo.gif


Fran you're in my area roughly, I take it you had a good fitter then??
smile.gif
 
I think Stubbens are heavy and very restrictive personally. Wouldn't have one even as a gift! Have you thought about treeless saddles? Then it wouldn't matter if she continued to change shape, and it would be a one-off cost to you. www.totalsaddlesolutions.com The page about "Why go treeless" makes interesting reading.
 
£1500 is for the wow competitor. They launched a slightly lower model called the wow club.

I looked it up for you puppy and they retail at just under the 1k mark:-

http://www.wowsaddles.com/

The headplate and panels on them are still interchangeable but you dont get flair as standard or interchangeable flaps.

My boy had to have special panels on his to fit his peculiar back.. which is why they sprung to mind with your horse.

A bit more than a stubben i guess but much more adjustable (iirc - new stubbens are around £700 - £800?).

Just something to consider for her!
smile.gif


GL in your searches either way
laugh.gif
Shes lovely
smile.gif
 
Oh gosh yes. I was chatting to someone at a horse sale this week, and mentioned Star, and that she was 21, he said "Well you don't still jump her do you?".... erm, well I was rather planning on hunting her for our first time ever this year
tongue.gif


She's been with me for half her life, and is totally sound, never had a day's lameness!!
smile.gif
That photo was taken last March. She wintered out, (hunter clipped, in a good rug) and worked for a good two or three hours most days - I have never known her so well and happy in herself, she thrived on it
smile.gif
She's not only my first horse, but also a horse of a lifetime. I adore her.
smile.gif
(Ooh, and I saw two of her siblings at Blenheim t'other weekend
smile.gif
) Oh, and she would HATE to be called old!!
grin.gif
 
Oh, thank you DD
laugh.gif
a positive reponse to give me hope (I was getting a bit down there, being stuck between trusting my saddler and wanting the best for Moo) And thank you for the website.
smile.gif
Can I ask, what model do you have that you like so much
smile.gif
H. x
 
I have a Siegfred MF Spezial (MFS). Which means it is a very forward cut jumping saddle with massive blocks. Which is why I like it, they are good jumping saddles, I find it similar to the K2. I have been hunting all day in mine and could still walk at the end of it.

The Name ie Siegfred, Roaxanna, Parzial refers to the type of level that it is made from. The letters are the type of saddle. ie D (dressage) S (Jumping) VSS (GP jumping) VSD (GP Dressage. MF and MFS is proper jumping
 
I have a siegfried RC special as well. It's a monoflap is that why it's an MF? Anyhow it's lovely. Fit's Star and me really nicely. I would definately buy another one (or rather my OH would!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top