saddle and tack trends................do we think the expensive ones are worthy of their hype

[hollyandivy123]

this is more for a light wondering than anything

but i am thinking of the Selleria Equipe as an example other brands are available

i am in the market for some tack and was hoping to pick people for ideas, if you had an unlimited tack budget or a more realistic tack budget what would consider. obviously well fitting tack to horse and rider goes without saying.......

 

[Baywonder]

IMHO, the 'big brands' are shockingly expensive.

Some of the prices charged for saddles (£3k - £4k +) are simply not worth it. There is no way in a million years I would pay that much for a saddle. The big brand names have massive overheads, sponsored riders, huge advertising and usually a massive workforce to go with it. All of this costs money. Unfortunately, a huge price tag does not always guarantee a better product either.

And as for bridles, again, some of the prices charged are nearly as much as a decent saddle!

 

[milliepops]

I have an equipe saddle and love it, I wouldn't ever buy a new one though unless I won the lottery they turn up second hand quite a lot. And from a rider's POV amerigos feel very similar and seem to hold value even less so again a good bet on the 2nd hand market. For jumping I prefer a Wow, again if in receipt of a windfall I'd love to go new to my spec but you can generally assemble the bits you need from ebay or FB at a much more pocket friendly price.

For me, yes it is worth going to those brands because they offer the right shape for *me* and having sat in a lot of saddles over the years I know what I prefer and what helps me ride best.

Re bridles, if money were no object I'd go bespoke from Issi Russell, I have a very old IR bridle she made and it's held up well despite being abused and I'd love to be able to be really choosy about style and finish and getting a perfect fit at the same time.

My more budget options are a mix of Sabre for long service and classic design, and FSS for affordable shiny things i do think you get what you pay for up to a point, i have 20 year old bridles still in service that were fairly boring but good quality and they still polish up well. I don't think you get that with the latest fashionable stuff, it's more like a consumable.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Saddles have gotten outrageous. As for Equipe, I like them, but they don't work for my horse (I tried many models too). I do agree they show up second hand quite a bit, so you don't have to shell out on a new one.

I ordered a custom saddle, made to measure, and it fit neither myself nor the horse. So that was fun. I ended up finding a saddle hanging around in the company's storage room that worked perfectly ? go figure. Lower price too.

I will also spend the money on Rambo blankets, they last and fit.

When it came to piecing together my double bridle I refused to buy anything at full price. Took me a bit, but I sourced the bridle, reins, and bits all on sale. So you can also try to be a bit savvy about it.

 

[Flame_]

I ordered a custom saddle, made to measure, and it fit neither myself nor the horse. So that was fun. I ended up finding a saddle hanging around in the company's storage room that worked perfectly ? go figure. Lower price too.

This sums up saddle purchasing perfectly!

You have to be prepared to throw money at getting it right, but throwing money at it rarely helps it to be right. I am currently up to my eyeballs in saddle angst

Agree on the Rambos. I've not had one disappoint me. Worth every penny. Eta re. bridles, I'm a biothane convert and I'll never go back. Life is way too short for cleaning and looking after leather bridles.

 

[daffy44]

I agree with MP, I've ridden in a lot of different saddles and I love the Amerigos, they seem to really suit me, and so far I've found a model to suit all of my horses, but they cost an insane amount, so I've never bought a new one. But the price isnt that relevant as all my second hand ones hae been in excellent condition, fitted and supplied by a proper saddler, and been less then half price of a brand new one.

 

[catkin]

When it came to piecing together my double bridle I refused to buy anything at full price. Took me a bit, but I sourced the bridle, reins, and bits all on sale. So you can also try to be a bit savvy about it.

Many years ago I ordered a made-to-measure snaffle bridle for a Welsh D, and the saddler that made it suggested that I had the curb reins and bradoon strap made at the same time so that it could be converted to a double and all the leather matched. Worked beautifully - and the bridle has now been altered to fit Fellboy so it is on it's second pony and still going strong.


Saddle-wise native ponies ridden by adults can be a bit tricky to fit, and suitable second-hand saddles are not easy to come across - so often owners have to look at specialist models which carry a price-premium.

 

[DressageCob]

I love my Equipe dressage saddle. it's so lightweight and comfy. I bought it second hand and it was well worth the money.

I previously had the Equine Olympia, which actually wasn't as good.

I properly wasted money on a made to measure dressage saddle on my little cob. I think it was close to £3k (so pretty much the value of the horse...). It fitted him beautifully but the twist was so ridiculously wide that nobody could sit in it (not me, my friend, my instructor etc). I sold it after storing it for ages, for about 1/3 of what I paid.

Bridle-wise, I do think the Fairfax is worth the money. I had a PS of Sweden before, so same kind of idea, but honestly there was such a difference when I put the Fairfax on. I loved it so much I got a second one for the little cob instead of his Micklem. Again, big difference.

 

[brighteyes]

Found some really good, English (REAL English) leather bridlework and bought enough to see me through - it lasts, so not intentional. Never found any to match the quality, then learned the guy used to make for Kate Negus.

Saddles - rarely found Barnsby Whitaker (the John Whitaker model) under £300 on Ebay, but you have to know what you are looking at. Fit everything we have put them on and very comfy. CBA with all this M2M and reflocking crap. SJ model, so no good if you are into dressage. Too old now to care about fashion!

Just to poke the hornet's nest again - if it's in a X-wide fit IT'S TOO BL00DY FAT! I'd fetch that down a size fitting, but I think Arabs qualify wide fits, somehow.

 

[DressageCob]

Just to poke the hornet's nest again - if it's in a X-wide fit IT'S TOO BL00DY FAT! I'd fetch that down a size fitting, but I think Arabs qualify wide fits, somehow.

Interesting you should say that! My little cob isn't fat but has no wither, a big shoulder and a flat back. The saddle fitter for the M2M saddle assessed him as an XXXW. But he's currently in a Bates GP MW and that fits him nicely.

If you use one of those flexible sticks to measure width I can see how a native or cob would end up very wide without actually being fat.

 

[LEC]

I love Equipe and Amerigo. It’s all I have at home. Never buy new though, I refuse to lose 20% just by sticking it on horse. 2nd hand you don’t pay VAT and you don’t lose out on the brand new premium.

I don’t believe in made to measure. I think it’s a con. The amount of good stories to come out of it is minimal.

I don’t tend to spend much on bridles. I am too cheap but I have 3 mono crown ones. I am not convinced they make any difference whatsoever, though I have always been obsessed about browband length so could be why. I have bridles which are very average leather still going strong 15 years later that I paid £30 for so yet to be convinced spending £400 makes any difference.

I really don’t spend much money on kit. I tend to buy once, buy well and look after it. I have also had a lot of free kit over the years which has helped - Ecogold and Equipe Stirrups.

 

[RachelFerd]

Much like cars, saddles are one of those things where I can't understand why you'd buy new when the second hand market is far better value.

It's pointless to recommend specific makes, as every horse and rider is different. However, in the jumping saddle market in particular, I can't think of many 'cheaper' brands producing a jump saddle which isn't inherently rubbish. There are few/no cheap options with a flat seat and forward cut without obstructive knee/thigh blocks. I pity all of the poor people attempting to have a good lower leg position in terribly designed saddles which don't let them ride properly.

FWIW my horses are in Stubben saddles to jump in. Not trendy, but the Zaria (double flap) that I bought second hand is really lovely to ride in, flat seated with no obstructive blocks. My Siegfried is now rather old, but is very well balanced and has suited a range of horses. The slightly more curved tree of the Stubbens work for my thoroughbred-y types and haven't cost the earth.

Older horse is also in a Devoucoux dressage saddle which is beautiful - but bought second hand for far less than 50% of original RRP! However, it doesn't make me any better at dressage than the £100 Wintec Pro did....

 

[Lyle]

I'm a bit of a leather snob- I love quality, handmade with English Leather. Not 'English' leather mass-produced. I can find beautiful handmade bridles, that new were eye-wateringly expensive, so much cheaper second hand, which are still far superior and cheaper than the range of $300 mass-produced in India bridles available in shops/online. I personally don't think there's a nicer look than the obviously older, but well cared for, quality leatherwork

 

[nikkimariet]

Both of my saddles have been bought from new (X Prestige Helen K and Erreplus Connect). Both eye watering prices. BUT totally worth every penny. I couldn’t find what I wanted second hand (the latter is a new release so I’d be very lucky lol). I have a condition that means I’m a bit precious about my back. So if that’s the price tag then that’s the price tag. And my horses both like the saddle. For me it’s less about trend and more about comfort. I don’t skimp on that, for me or the horse.

I did manage to nab my dream jump saddle at a bargain second hand price, they are like hens teeth. Because I don’t jump as a first port of call, I was happy to settle for another option that worked just as well (but ultimately knowing this brand really agrees with me and the horse and my saddler knows them well I couldn’t resist a second hand option!).

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I do buy new tack sometimes, including saddles, because I am very particular and meticulous when it comes to caring for my stuff. People's definition of "immaculate" often does not match up with mine.

If I buy new I know I can use and preserve it as I want. Any damages are self inflicted and no surprises!

 

[Nicnac]

Brands have to pay for their expensive marketing somehow and no I don't think they're worth the hype.

I have a new Albion saddle, well it was when I bought it 9 years ago, but it was under £2k. I don't like foam saddles but only because they're a PITA if they need adjusting and have to sent off so you're without a saddle for ages. I rode in a Childeric and loved it but then saw the price. Also admired a Sue Carson saddle at Badminton then found out it was £6k. Who pays £6k for a saddle?!

Any brand that has a huge stand at Olympia and offers Prosecco (even if it was vile) on tap throughout the show is going to be overpriced for what it is

 

[AUB]

Yes, in some cases it’s worth the hype.

I recently bought a Finesse bridle to see if it really was all that. I didn’t really care for the look of it, but was curious as everyone said it was really amazing. It was used and I knew I could sell it for the same price if I didn’t feel a difference. But it seriously transformed my mare. So totally worth the price! Now I’m just contemplating selling a kidney or my firstborn to get a double as well...

My saddle is an Equipe and I love it. My horse is easy to fit, so I just had to pick the saddle I felt most at home in.

Saddle pads are PS of Sweden, Equestrian Stockholm and Le Mieux. I don’t need many saddle pads as I only have one horse, so I don’t care if they’re a bit pricey (and most are actually bought on sale). I only have 5 pads total, I think most people have many more and that’s probably just as expensive as me having 5 that are actually all getting used regularly.

 

[tallyho!]

Just to poke the hornet's nest again - if it's in a X-wide fit IT'S TOO BL00DY FAT! I'd fetch that down a size fitting, but I think Arabs qualify wide fits, somehow.

Very not true. It depends on the ribs. If you can see a blade where the whither should be... your saddle is too narrow.

Also, ideally (even for tb's) you should aim to be able to see muscle either side of the spine. If you can't then the horse is either malnourished/hollow or the saddle is poorly shaped/too narrow in the gullet.

 

[Hallo2012]

Very not true. It depends on the ribs. If you can see a blade where the whither should be... your saddle is too narrow.

Also, ideally (even for tb's) you should aim to be able to see muscle either side of the spine. If you can't then the horse is either malnourished/hollow or the saddle is poorly shaped/too narrow in the gullet.

stole my words.

many native and cob types will be XW or XXW whilst being fit and not overweight.

my B is XW and can easily do 3 sets of 4.5 min strong canter up and down hill.....i would actually say any type of horse in anything narrower than MW isnt narrow, just atrophied or under fed.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

stole my words.

many native and cob types will be XW or XXW whilst being fit and not overweight.

my B is XW and can easily do 3 sets of 4.5 min strong canter up and down hill.....i would actually say any type of horse in anything narrower than MW isnt narrow, just atrophied or under fed.

Just like it isn't true that all XW are just fat, not all under MW are starved or atrophied...

Skylla is a M, not skinny and has a decent top line, it's just her shape. I'd be tempted to agree about smaller than a M as I've never known any healthy horse be a N or NM.

Back to the Q, I don't think the expensive ones are really worth the money, but as someone who has bought two v. expensive saddles new (Equipe Olympia and an Utopia saddle) sometimes it's just what fits the best. If you have a tricky to fit horse buying second hand is a mine field, hardly anyone knows what tree is in the saddle or if it was made with any specific adjustments for the horse it was originally bought for, so it's pot luck and can end up just as expensive as buying the bloody thing new in the first place (not speaking from bitter experience here at all ).

 

[planete]

Just like it isn't true that all XW are just fat, not all under MW are starved or atrophied...

Skylla is a M, not skinny and has a decent top line, it's just her shape. I'd be tempted to agree about smaller than a M as I've never known any healthy horse be a N or NM.

Back to the Q, I don't think the expensive ones are really worth the money, but as someone who has bought two v. expensive saddles new (Equipe Olympia and an Utopia saddle) sometimes it's just what fits the best. If you have a tricky to fit horse buying second hand is a mine field, hardly anyone knows what tree is in the saddle or if it was made with any specific adjustments for the horse it was originally bought for, so it's pot luck and can end up just as expensive as buying the bloody thing new in the first place (not speaking from bitter experience here at all ).

Which is why I have now bought a Heather Moffett Flexee as my funds are definitely limited.

 

[sportsmansB]

My horse is really fussy with saddles, and a bit of an awkward shape, and I am not the worlds bravest jumper or XC and need to feel secure, and have a long thigh so I did spend money on my jumping saddle. I had the money and it works for both of us, and I had a decent trade in to reduce the pain so I went with it.
If I hadn't been able to, I probably could have eventually found one which suited both of us, but the one I have works. Its a prestige and it was expensive but I hope to have it for years. I've also wasted money over the years buying second hand and trying to make it work and struggling to sell on again.

 

[QueenBella]

I will confess I am a bit of a tack snob

I bought myself a Prestige Michel Roberts saddle last year second hand for a third of the new price. Absolutely adore it and everyone has ridden in it loves it. Saying that, I have used Whitaker and Ideal saddles before and they were both fine but not as comfortable as the Prestige. I wanted a CWD as you see that everywhere at shows but I've read a few horror stories about them re the flocking. For saddles of upwards of 5k you wouldn't think they would use bad flocking!

As for bridle/martingales etc, all mine are CWD and they are holding up amazingly. I get mine when they do sales on the website, any bit off helps. Definitely the nicest leather bridles I've used. (I also forgot the clean my bridles before putting them into storage for the winter and thankfully not a bit of mold on them!)

I did buy a pair of CWD reins because I wanted everything to be the same brand. I don't really care for them, got the ones with the stoppers and they are great but I have since discovered Henry James reins and will definitely purchase them next.

 

[Austen123]

im definitely in the buy well, buy once camp.
I have a new equipe jump saddle, there were none second hand that would post in the right size and i agree with the comment that someone's immaculate is not always the same as mine would be. I also am meticulous for looking after my leatherwork. i have a matching equipe bridle.

With rugs, i am more than happy to buy rambo new for the same reasons as above, but i always am looking out for sales here and there. I have bought a rambo fly rug and fleece second hand on fb and i have been lucky they were both as described.
Well fitting rugs and tack are totally worth investing in.

 

[Surbie]

.

 

[tallyho!]

It's not the money I have a problem with. I would pay thousands for a good saddle - I don't care what name it was labelled with, whom they sponsor or not and how much advertising. It's if it was made well i.e. by a master saddler and it fits my horse perfectly.

Lots of modern saddles look as if they're made to fit a knife.

 

[sbloom]

Saddle-wise native ponies ridden by adults can be a bit tricky to fit, and suitable second-hand saddles are not easy to come across - so often owners have to look at specialist models which carry a price-premium.

I'm trying not to giggle a little, to me a price premium means that the margins are larger, the company is making more money. I wish. The saddles I fit aren't cheap, but value for money they're up there. Conversely the brands with champagne stands at the big shows, customers are paying for that.

Just to poke the hornet's nest again - if it's in a X-wide fit IT'S TOO BL00DY FAT! I'd fetch that down a size fitting, but I think Arabs qualify wide fits, somehow.

Absolute cobblers. I fit horses that are XXXW without actually being significantly overweight. XW isn't that wide. A good topine on a low withered flat backed shape will almost always be XW upwards.

stole my words.

many native and cob types will be XW or XXW whilst being fit and not overweight.

my B is XW and can easily do 3 sets of 4.5 min strong canter up and down hill.....i would actually say any type of horse in anything narrower than MW isnt narrow, just atrophied or under fed.

Absolutely, and I set MW as my "healthy minimum", M is borderline. Tree points are straight in most cases, a horse with muscle loss is not, and even some very high withered horses can look like they're narrower if you look higher up their tracing, so opinions can vary about how wide or narrow an angle to fit to them. I definitely go wider and shim, but of course they can be fitted too wide which causes as many issues.

 

[ihatework]

You can really tell the difference when riding in saddles designed for the competition market. So to that end, high priced saddles do have their place. That said I would avoid paying for new wherever possible. There are complete bargains to be had on secondhand high end saddles, and provided you know what you are doing you buy the saddle you try and know suits. In the past I’ve bought new and on each and every occasion it has been a waste of money.

Bridlewise I will buy new but only if I can’t find what I want secondhand (which I usually can if I’m patient). I’m quite fussy about bridles and like really good quality, not these cheapo shite mass produced ergonomic stuff that is flooding the place at the moment.

I winced recently when I bought a brand new fairfax breastplate, but I have to admit it’s far superior to anything else I’ve used. I did borrow one first to make sure though. And then joked that the breastplate cost more than the bargain jump saddle!

 

[SmallSteps]

Just to poke the hornet's nest again - if it's in a X-wide fit IT'S TOO BL00DY FAT! I'd fetch that down a size fitting, but I think Arabs qualify wide fits, somehow.

This one pictured was an XXW at that point, wouldn't get fat if he slept in the feed room. Unbranded saddle sorry but I've tried Equipe & CWD and honestly they made me feel like I'd had ten years of lessons and yoga right there, life ambition to own a decent saddle!

 

[ycbm]

Just to poke the hornet's nest again - if it's in a X-wide fit IT'S TOO BL00DY FAT! I'd fetch that down a size fitting, but I think Arabs qualify wide fits, somehow.

So untrue I wouldn't know where to start. My lightweight is slimmer than most horses and is in XW and my PRE is carrying little extra fat, ribs easily felt, and in an XXW.

This thread is reminding me just how grateful I am that both my horses and I like WOWs, that they have a strong second hand market, and I can adjust them instead of changing saddles.
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