Pick a saddle, any saddle!

[benz]

So at work I've been tasked with buying new saddles for the new arrivals, does anybody have any recommendations/avoids? Other horses are currently in solution saddles but just interested to hear if there's anything 'better' out there that I might want to look at although there's nothing really wrong with the solution saddles so no problem just to get more of the same. Looking for:

English style for hacking with a fairly deep seat, I like vsd types personally.

Good quality and workmanship and fitter to come out initially and at least every 6 months so a good after sales service too

No specific budget so if you enjoy spending other people's money it's your day

Horses are: round little coblet, round short backed friesian type (with driving pony shoulders), big strapping cobby thing (if he passes vetting). Any ideas?

 

[BlackRider]

How about the Heather Moffatt Flexee - that can adjust as the horse changes shape, and they seem well put together,

 

[webble]

Depends on the budget but solutions are lovely. A flexee would be a good budget option

 

[w1bbler]

Andrea hicks native pony & cob should be able to help all those.

 

[Willow1306]

If you're in a position to be able to get more solution saddles, I'd do that!

 

[Tern]

You have very much 3 horses that could be a problem to saddle.. Cobs may have no whither and friesian may simply be "difficult"

Native Pony Saddle Company
Sturgess Saddlery
Bates (These mark v. easily though)
Silhouette
Black Country Saddles

If I can think of anymore suitable for the wider horses then I will! I'm guessing Wintec are off the picture?

 

[benz]

Thanks all, solution seems to be a popular choice

Flexee has been considered but I'm worried the owners will find the feel of it too odd.

Andrea hicks I've not heard of I will google thank you

Friesian type was recently ridden in a bates and apparently went well could well, it was one I was looking at

Again the others I've not heard of but will research

am I being snobby by saying no to a wintec? Our current saddles are super comfy, am a bit spoilt!

 

[BSL]

Semi flex, Barrie Swain That is what I use. But I have to say my daughter has a wintec on her horse that fits like a dream for them both, and isn't that what it is all about? Comfort for horse and rider.

 

[Tern]

am I being snobby by saying no to a wintec? Our current saddles are super comfy, am a bit spoilt!

Of course not, a lot of people dislike them (I find them very slippy seat wise) but use them for horses that are going to change shape. ie. cobs.

 

[kez81]

Solution or Heather Moffett saddles. I find Heather' s Vogue fits big Friesian types really well and have FlexEEs as my every day saddles. Really comfy and easy to adjust as horse changes shape. I do love solutions too and both have excellent fitters and after sales.

 

[kez81]

Oh and no its not snobby to say no wintecs, I hate them personally and would happily chuck them on bonfire!

 

[LottieAdams]

Stubben saddles are good if you want something that will last, equipe saddles are absolutely beautiful and quite easy to get hold of second hand, i have one - so easy to look after and beautifully made, also, berney saddlers kilcullen make beautiful saddles, we bought one when we were over in ireland, made to measure brand new for under £900. The best part was we got to watch them make our saddles from scratch - amazing

 

[benz]

Lots of shopping ideas thanks all!

I used to work at a trekking centre with wintecs and have bad memories of a sore and sweaty behind, oo-er!

 

[Pinkvboots]

I will only use Lavinia Mitchell saddles now they come up so much wider than many makes and are so comfortable to ride in.

 

[BSL]

Oh and no its not snobby to say no wintecs, I hate them personally and would happily chuck them on bonfire!

But surely, better a Wintec that fits and the horse moves comfortably in, than an expensive alternative that doesn't? I have seen so many people with saddles that suit them because they have the "Name To Be Seen With" but don't fit the horse. To me that is a big no, no.

 

[Spotsrock]

But surely, better a Wintec that fits and the horse moves comfortably in, than an expensive alternative that doesn't? I have seen so many people with saddles that suit them because they have the "Name To Be Seen With" but don't fit the horse. To me that is a big no, no.

True, if they fitted anything perfectly! The problem with treed saddles that fit anything is they tend to fit anything ok but not well.

OP have you looked at sensation by nickers? I won't use anything else, with a relatively local fitter you could get the after care you want

 

[hippocobamus]

Being in a position to be able to buy more solution saddles is the sort of job I dream about! Lucky you - sounds like a great job, spending other peoples money on saddles!

 

[FfionWinnie]

I love my AH (Andrea Hicks) jumping saddle. She will design whatever you want. Proper cob saddles so mine fits all my cobs nicely. Used to be Native pony and cob saddles but name changed to avoid confusion with another company. I ride in mine daily. It's very comfy for me and the horse and I will be getting a dressage saddle this year hopefully.

 

[holeymoley]

From the sorts you have described I would have to say either native pony saddle co , or ideal . Personally I would go for as straight a cut saddle as you can get that would suit your needs as they all have large shoulders!

 

[FairyLights]

I love wintecs and thorogoods. If you want leather theres lots of companies Lavinia Mitchell seem good.

 

[L&M]

I have always owned cobby, short backed types and have found Ideal saddles very good.

 

[3OldPonies]

I'm an Ideal fan as well.

But, rather than focusing on the make of saddle wouldn't it be better to get something that fits horse and rider and to hell with who makes it? I've always been taught to worry about the fit first, then the cost and then who made it. Obviously some makes are considered better than others, but that shouldn't make you rule out some just because the makers name isn't fashionable.

 

[Sukistokes2]

Heather Moffett, I have one its great. I have heard solutions are great. I am waiting for A fitting from Andrea Hicks saddles (used to be native saddles). I have had dealings with the Native saddle company( also know as Saddle exchange) and would not go back to them if they paid ME to take a saddle.

 

[Flame_]

I have a Reactor Panel VSD and love it.

 

[mega spoilt ponies]

Nick dolman bespoke saddles (similar to barry swain). Fab for the horse.
Warning- i bought a new bates for my Friesian and it crippled him - as with wintec, they are not designed for wide types- even the wide versions! The tree is no good for them.
And i wouldn't put a stubben near a cob type.

 

[B&J]

Wow saddle for the Friesian type, black country for the cob or K&M cob GP

 

[godfreyy]

I have a GFS saddle on my Welsh D and a Falcon on my Irish Cob - both very very comfy and love doing everything in them! I find them both very supportiv as well!

I have a Wintec Dressage saddle on my youngster (Hanoverian x) due to changing shape as he grows, and suprisingly that is also quite comfy (though it's not my GFS or Falcon......)

 

[Highlands]

I will only use Lavinia Mitchell saddles now they come up so much wider than many makes and are so comfortable to ride in.

We have one and about to get another, good system!

 

[mdfreeman37]

I'm currently using a Heather Moffett and love it We also have solution saddles for our other horses as my other half loves them as well. Solutions aren't cheap but if your lucky you can pick up one at reasonable price second hand and solution have been very helpful when we had questions as has heather moffett.

 

[ponies4ever]

I LOVE my brand new kent and masters gp. I have a wierdly shaped cob who has enormous shoulder and is quite wide but still has wither. She has a mw one and fits beautifully.