Nightmare of saddles!

[RHM]

I am struggling so much to find a second hand jump saddle for my new mare. Having rung round the usual fitters and having been told they are like hens teeth. They have suggested I have a look on eBay and then they come out to tweak fit, so what are everyone’s thoughts on these saddles:
- ideal impala pro?
- Kent and masters S series - seems to be quite a few of these about!

She does have some atrophy from a badly fitting saddle in the past so will hopefully building up and changing space somewhat so bonus points for a more adjustable saddle or one with a much wider gullet so it can be used with shims. Any recommendations or thoughts welcomed!!

 

[emilylou]

No point in getting an opinion on a saddle without knowing anything about the shape of the horse.. I've just bought a lovely second hand Harry Dabbs Italiano from ebay which fits my big shouldered ISH a treat

 

[AFB]

Second hand jump saddles are far from rare, so I think we need to know what it is about your search criteria that makes it so?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

What brands did the fitter suggest that you look for?

 

[IrishMilo]

My friend has a Kent and Masters GP and I absolutely despise it.

 

[RHM]

She has massive shoulders and a flat back but also some wither. She has a very wide rib cage but has atrophy on her shoulders from a badly fitting saddle in the past.
They recommended the above two brands and said anything with a flat tree would suit her. As long as it has a wide gullet.

Apparently they just don’t get many in and when they do they sell within days as a lot of people are looking for the same thing unfortunately!

 

[Henry02]

Second hand jump saddles are far from rare, so I think we need to know what it is about your search criteria that makes it so?

but saddlers never seem to have many/any in stock ...

 

[RHM]

but saddlers never seem to have many/any in stock ...

Unfortunately so! Bar the atrophy she isn’t a particularly unusual shape so hopefully won’t be the hardest to fit!

 

[Otherwise]

Have you sat in either/both of them on your horse? I had an ideal impala 1450 which I loved but tried a kent and masters jump saddle at the same time and absolutely hated it. Neither are the exact models you're looking at but the two saddles I tried rode very differently.

 

[RHM]

Have you sat in either/both of them on your horse? I had an ideal impala 1450 which I loved but tried a kent and masters jump saddle at the same time and absolutely hated it. Neither are the exact models you're looking at but the two saddles I tried rode very differently.

No that’s the most frustrating thing. Hate buying saddles like this! I have ridden in a friends dressage ideal and found it comfortable but that doesn’t really mean a lot!