Saddle Company Saddle?

S_N

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 June 2005
Messages
14,109
Location
Toliman
Visit site
Any ides where I can find a 17.5 inch GP SC saddle in 1/2 and 1/2 and HAS to have a square cantle - pref in black. I've looked on ebay and can't see anything. My 18inch round cantled SC saddle is simply too long and I need to sort this out ASAP so I can get going with B, now I am back to full fitness after her try outs for the Olympic gymnastic team in the summer. HELP!!!

Also in Stable Yard, but in here as more people viewing.
 
Fair enough. But if the saddle fits the horse then i wouldnt worry about what shape the cantle is if you find the right one otherwise.
 
I beg to differ. A square cantle gives the rider more room in the seat - which is essential for me as I am a) very tall and have a longer then average hip to knee measurement and b) my derrière needs the room! Also, the square cantle provides a wider contact surface area for the horses back.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I beg to differ. A square cantle gives the rider more room in the seat - which is essential for me as I am a) very tall and have a longer then average hip to knee measurement and b) my derrière needs the room! Also, the square cantle provides a wider contact surface area for the horses back.

[/ QUOTE ]

I now have a smaller seat size Fieldhouse saddle (round cantle) than my old Verona Cob and I have oodles more room in the seat.

One one gripe with my old Saddle Co saddle was that the seat was too "scooped" and made you sit in one position only. Couldn't move in the saddle for jumping etc as it was too deep and too "you must sit here".

Nice and comfortable for hacking etc, but I just didn't find it a true GP when it came to jumping. I am only 5ft 4 too and my knees were off the knee roll in mine just when schooling, never mind jumping. The Fieldhouse is only a VSD and I have much more room for my short legged knees.

As I say though, I had it for three years and loved it at the time. I just became more aware that it wasn't doing me any favours for farm rides and jumping and there was no need for more than one all purpose saddle.
 
C, I do not want this saddle for life! I need it NOW and I need it as I KNOW it fits me AND it will be adjustable for B as she is brought back into work!!! I did not start this thread to get into a discussion as to the pro's and cons of this make/style. You forget I am on my third SC saddle and looking for my 4th, but this will be the 3rd horse, hence the changes!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I beg to differ. A square cantle gives the rider more room in the seat - which is essential for me as I am a) very tall and have a longer then average hip to knee measurement and b) my derrière needs the room! Also, the square cantle provides a wider contact surface area for the horses back.

[/ QUOTE ]

I beg to differ too!
smile.gif
Its the panel that gives surface area on the horses back, not the cantle. The cantle shape is dictated by the tree but it is the length and type of tree that affects surface area, not the shape f the cantle. Also, not every saddle maker makes the same saddle in a round cantle and a square cantle version. Some saddles only come as round OR square, not both because of the tree type. So picking a square cantle might be better for you but you need to check that the square cantled tree is suitable for your horse.

I would also disagree that a square cantle gives you more room for your long upper leg. The seat size, cut of the flap and style of the seat will affect this but not the shape of the cantle. A square cantle is no different to a round one for leg length, you just have to find a saddle that is styled to suit
 
[ QUOTE ]
C, I do not want this saddle for life! I need it NOW and I need it as I KNOW it fits me AND it will be adjustable for B as she is brought back into work!!! I did not start this thread to get into a discussion as to the pro's and cons of this make/style. You forget I am on my third SC saddle and looking for my 4th, but this will be the 3rd horse, hence the changes!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry.
frown.gif
 
i have a 17.5", square cantel, pretty sure its 1/2 and 1/2 but it is brown that is for sale.
i had the exact same problem - changed horse, and my 18" was too long. it is possible to have your saddle changed, panels adjusted, so that it is shortened to a 17.5. that is exactly what i did, took about 10days and cost £170
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I beg to differ. A square cantle gives the rider more room in the seat - which is essential for me as I am a) very tall and have a longer then average hip to knee measurement and b) my derrière needs the room! Also, the square cantle provides a wider contact surface area for the horses back.

[/ QUOTE ]

I beg to differ too!
smile.gif
Its the panel that gives surface area on the horses back, not the cantle. The cantle shape is dictated by the tree but it is the length and type of tree that affects surface area, not the shape f the cantle. Also, not every saddle maker makes the same saddle in a round cantle and a square cantle version. Some saddles only come as round OR square, not both because of the tree type. So picking a square cantle might be better for you but you need to check that the square cantled tree is suitable for your horse.

I would also disagree that a square cantle gives you more room for your long upper leg. The seat size, cut of the flap and style of the seat will affect this but not the shape of the cantle. A square cantle is no different to a round one for leg length, you just have to find a saddle that is styled to suit

[/ QUOTE ]

This is a verbatim reply from my saddler who is sitting here with me "A round cantle is more of a dish to the seat and a square cantle is slightly flatter at the point where the seat rises into the cantle, this effectively gives the rider an extra 1/4 inch. Which is therefore a compromise when I need an 18inch seat, but my horse a 17.5 inch pannel wise. This is actually a generally accepted fact that square cantle give you extra room in the seat, due to the shape. Agreed regarding the flaps and style, hence why I require a GP and NOT a dressage or WH. With regards to the tree, with this particular type of saddle we know it is the same tree. As for the surface area on the horses back, a square cantle is physically wider (I can take photo's to prove this), therefore spreading the weight of the rider over a larger area - not only lengthwise (effectively 17.75inchs, rather than 17.5ins), but also width ways around the horse back."
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
C, I do not want this saddle for life! I need it NOW and I need it as I KNOW it fits me AND it will be adjustable for B as she is brought back into work!!! I did not start this thread to get into a discussion as to the pro's and cons of this make/style. You forget I am on my third SC saddle and looking for my 4th, but this will be the 3rd horse, hence the changes!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry.
frown.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Don't be
laugh.gif
 
SN you are correct in that the square cantle gives you more bum room than the round cantle - but they are exactly the same tree so no more surface are on the horses back - however you may be looking at the cob saddle which is far wider than the round cantle and also has a square cantle so looks very similar to teh standard GP. The other one to have a look at would be the Saddle Company event saddle as that it again square cantle but slightly more forward cut so would give you even greater length from hip to knee and isver similar in fit to the square cantly GP ( ie is not a close contact saddle) The other option would be to get an SC 18" and have the back gussets reduced to minimise the length of the panels on B's back. that would give you maximum seat room. If you want to Pm me I am happy to help

J
 
Hi J, long time no speak! What I said yesterday, was with my SC saddler present. Looking at the back of the round v's square cantles there is a definite difference in the panels under the seat - there really does appear to be more coverage over the horses back sideways with the square cantle. We were comparing GP's. I am now confused.
 
SN - They are honestly the same tree so if it was genuinely like for like it could be that the square cantle has been sat on and the round cantle hasn't which would squash the panels a bit flatter - also it does depend on how she stores her saddles as putting one on tope of the other does flatten panels. Also were they brand new saddles, staright from the factory or had one been made to a different standard? If I was fitting for you I would be looking at a 17.5 saddle company event, far more leg room and a square cantle for your shrinking bum. Or I would be gettting one of your 18" saddles and sending int back to dave to have shorter gussets put in to shorten the panels = much the cheapest option and doesn't increase your SC collection. PM me and let me know who your fitter is.
 
The point about the square cantle dispersing more pressure is related to the fact that the rider's weight is spread over a larger surface. The seat itself is physically wider at the back where it rises into the cantle - the tree is exactly the same otherwise. The panels of course are dependent on how they have been designed.

I am loath to reduce the panel length as this will tip the saddle out of balance on this particular horse. The issue wasnt the tree or the style of saddle for the horse or rider, it was simply just too long and the back of the panels went further than the last rib. Added to the fact that SN has a long hip to knee measurement, this means that even in the 18" when she shortened her stirrups even a hole her knees were over the knee rolls. Agreed, an event would be ideal, but these are rarely available so thought there would be more chance of finding a GP. We tried a WH in the correct seat size and a GP and really the GP was much better.

We tried a round cantle 18" and a square cantle 17.5" in approximately the same model (the 18" was a slightly older version so had slightly more forward flaps) and there was really only about 1/4" difference in the seat, whereas the difference in panel length on the horse was very dramatic.
 
Ha haaaa My derrière is decreasing for sure - nothing LIKE the size it was the last time you saw me when Tops was still alive (he was pts over 3 years ago now too!) It's no longer a size 28/30, but an 18/20 - which I seem to be stuck at
mad.gif


Regarding the 2 saddles - the 18inch round cantle was mine, well ridden in! The 17.5inch square cantle is a friends (which she is selling), but it's the wrong style of flap for me, and that was actually less bedded in than mine.
 
CB Anglo
May be worth trying another 'new' 18" as some of the older round cantle versions have a bigger gusset - which does increase the overall length quite dramatically. They look almost like 'fins' behind. Dave can do them with gussets that finish level with the back of the seat and most new ones are now built like that. I know what you mean as some of teh older ones do look very long behind the seat. You will definitely find a GP much easier to get hold of than an event - but I have seen several SC event saddles on ebay so they do come up.
 
Hi Bosworth

No, the panels arent really protuding so much on this particular saddle - the mare is actually very short backed for her size. Even the 17.5" saddle is pushing it in terms of panel length. I did think about shortening the gusset, but the amount I would need to have it shortened by would have put the saddle out of balance and also as this is an older model, it really isnt worth the cost. To give you an idea on dating the saddle, it doesnt have knee rolls.

I recently saw an 18" event on ebay, havent seen a 17.5" recently and as the mare is coming back into work now, a saddle is needed ASAP hence the GP request. Obviously would also look at event models!
 
Top