Reputable saddle brands?

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LHIS

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As the name suggests - I'm looking to buy a new saddle and have had my heart set on a particular brand. However, the saddle I currently use and was ready to buy from the current owner is being withdrawn from sale, owner has changed their mind. Whilst they've said I can still borrow said saddle, I want my own.

The saddle I was going to buy was a solution treeless, and though I could buy new they've done away with the one I want, and none of the ones they currently have on offer are quite right (closest is GP native, but he hasn't got a flat back as the saddle is designed for - I'd need to pad it up and this looks a bit cumbersome).

I have a good budget (was ready to buy a new solution saddle as a plan b) and would go back to a treed saddle but it must be a really good make. I'm after a GP saddle. It's for a Welsh X (he's quite cobby, medium build, not too round, short ish back).

I've ridden in treeless for so long I know zilch about treed brands, so I'd like so suggestions and pointers please?
 
I use Strada saddles, I have a dressage and endurance version but I think they do gp versions, great fitting service and won't try to sell you a saddle if it won't fit! They are expensive but well worth the money I think.
 
I have a Fairfax (dressage) saddle and I love it. Not the new monoflap version but the precursor to that apparently. A lot of scientific research goes into Fairfax saddles and this does increase the price a bit but I think it is totally worth it.
 
I would stick with the Solution - have you contacted the company to see if they can help find the model you want?
 
ozpoz said:
I would stick with the Solution - have you contacted the company to see if they can help find the model you want?
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Yes, I've been on the look out for a few months now for one to buy that fits the bill. My instructor is a recommended fitter of theirs and has put the feelers out too, but with no joy. There are a few for sale, but they're all Havana and it has to be black.
 
What about a wanted ad? As long as the saddle can be collected. I don't ride in a treeless but my friend does and doesn't like riding in a treed saddle now..

If you do want a treed, perhaps look at th Albion K2. It's good for horses with be shoulders or straight (cob) in the back
 
Luci07 said:
What about a wanted ad? As long as the saddle can be collected. I don't ride in a treeless but my friend does and doesn't like riding in a treed saddle now..

If you do want a treed, perhaps look at th Albion K2. It's good for horses with be shoulders or straight (cob) in the back
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I've had a wanted ad in place for a while (and I keep renewing it). There are solution saddles for sale, they're just all not what I want (bad condition - underneath often distorted, Havana, too big/ too small, not the right model). It's getting quite frustrating!

I had looked at the Albion K2, it's on the possibilities list! :)
 
LHIS said:
The saddle I was going to buy was a solution treeless, and though I could buy new they've done away with the one I want, and none of the ones they currently have on offer are quite right (closest is GP native, but he hasn't got a flat back as the saddle is designed for - I'd need to pad it up and this looks a bit cumbersome).
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My cob has the Native GP and when he goes through his marginally slimmer periods, I do use one of the full length pads, but I don't see it as a big deal. I've also fitted it to a couple of other horses which have needed pads with it, and it's always worked brilliantly, so I wouldn't be put off by the idea of having to use a pad, especially as you know that you like the saddles. Or what about one of the other models? I've been eyeing up the new event GP that they do, but I really don't need a new one at all as hippocob loves his Native, but they do look very smart (no pun intended) and I am a bit addicted to solution saddles now.
 
My own experience with treeless saddles has been that, whilst some of them look a little unconventional, Barefoot saddles are comfortable to ride in and are very easy to get to fit pretty much anything (I have one of their Nevada western saddles, and I've had it on my 13.1hh Highland; a 12.2hh coloured coblet; and two 14-15.2hh riding school cobs, one of which has shark withers, and it's been a neat fit on all of them - you can change the pommel arch for extra flexibility).

Regarding treed saddles, we've had a few decent ones. There was an old Dever working hunter saddle that was very nice, we found a gorgeous Sankey at one point, but got pipped to the post at the last minute as regards actually buying it. Currently we have him in a VSD of some sort, but I can't for the life of me remember what make it is. The side-saddle is a Mayhew, but that's probably not very relevant to your query.
 
I have an Equipe expression monoflap on my cob and it fits her like a glove.
The other option would be to maybe look at wow saddles as you can customise them a lot to suit what you want. I believe they are around the 2.5k mark brand new but in theory should 'fit forever' as they can be adjusted in so many different ways.
 
hippocobamus said:
My cob has the Native GP and when he goes through his marginally slimmer periods, I do use one of the full length pads, but I don't see it as a big deal. I've also fitted it to a couple of other horses which have needed pads with it, and it's always worked brilliantly, so I wouldn't be put off by the idea of having to use a pad, especially as you know that you like the saddles. Or what about one of the other models? I've been eyeing up the new event GP that they do, but I really don't need a new one at all as hippocob loves his Native, but they do look very smart (no pun intended) and I am a bit addicted to solution saddles now.
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Haha thank you :) yeah the native GP is the closest, but my instructor who is a recommended fitter of the solution brand doesn't think it'll be right for him. I have looked at the event GP - but it seems to be a lot more saddle than we need (realistically we are never going to 'event', I'm not brave enough! We might have a fun ride round Somerford Park at best!). I'd feel like a bit of a fraud riding around in an eventing saddle that will never fulfill its potential! Haha. I will look at both models again though, my instructor can have demos sent out to her and I can try them.
 
If you have a good budget and want a beautifully made back friendly saddle get a Barrie Swain preferably fitted by Kay Humphries. Nick Dolman saddles are similar and also very good.
 
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I fit for AH SAddles that has been mentioned, happy to answer any questions :).

OWLIE185 said:
I have mine custom made to ensure a good fit.
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If only it were that simple, if you read through posts on here you'll see that going custom made is no guarantee of getting a good fit, you don't get a legal trial period which you are entitled to with a standard saddle (even if the fitter doesn't tell you!) and you have a saddle that is often harder to sell on. I like fitting from stock for all those reasons.
 
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