Saddle - a what to do

[toomanyhorses26]

I have just got a bonus through from work and I want to get myself a new saddle as my current one although comfy for me doesn't do me any favours position wise and also its right on the verge of not fitting the horse although he seems ok in it. I have about £700 to spend so thought I would go for a good gp that I can do a bit off everything in poss a kent and masters or black country (both recommended to me by saddler) but have started to think whether I would be better looking at two older saddles and get a specific jump/event type and a dressage type and then keep my current saddle just for showing. We don't compete at any high level but he does have a rather large jump and in my current saddle I have absolutely no support when he puts me into orbit so I don't want to be stuck in the same position I am now and its a similar story with flatwork in that he has a big stride and is very bouncy so whether a proper dressage saddle might help . Im not bothered about new or second hand and equally not attached to a particular make as long as it fits Any advice ??

 

[NeedNewHorse]

Hi,



I have a kent and masters (is it the changeable gullet one you have been recommened leather?) this is a really good saddle, I love it because I wanted something quite forward as my mare can be very spooky (like stopping dead and dropping shoulder) so I wanted some good knee rolls. I find it really comfortable to ride in. It cost £700 but I am going to get the synthetic thorowgood Richard Davison dressage saddle, as that isn't too pricey but at least I have a good GP which should last and hopefully fit because I can change it around. My saddler too recommened this one to me. Also, you can buy bigger knee rolls and move them around, something I really liked about this saddle.
x

 

[CAH7]

IME a dressage saddle and a jumping saddle will put you in the right place, and once you've had one of each you may find it hard to go back to a GP! A decent saddler may let you p/ex yours, and should have a boot full of dressage and jump saddles that you can try, altho of course you may need to extend your budget a bit... Best of luck!