Saddle company saddles?

I have one for dressage, it's really lovely, light-weight, some horses seem to really like the feel of them on their backs and they are adjustable. Good value for money I would say!
 
I have a close contact jumping saddle and loved it. Sadly tree is the wrong shape for new horse so it's just sat gathering dust!

I loved that it was adjustable, light, and the horse it was originally fitted too went really well in it.

Having used it on a youngster though, I did feel a bit insecure - it's not very good at holding you in position as there are no knee rolls to speak of!
 
Thanks guys, I was wondering whether one would suit a TB shape or whether they're better suited to a particular 'type'
 
I have one. A square cantle dressage saddle. I love it so much, am selling my old leather saddles. Was keeping them incase they fit another horse in the future but so happy with my SC saddle that I will just order another one if ever I need another saddle.

Very affordable, cheap to maintain, comfortable and very light. Wouldnt consider putting a heavy, hard, leather saddle on my horses back again.
 
deicinmerlyn said:
How are they adjusted and do you require specialist help?
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I get mine fitted by a saddler who takes a template and sends the template and saddle to the SC. You could do the template yourself. The SC put the tree onto a machine and can make necessary adjustments. They will also add more surge lining if required.

My pony put on lots of weight and I had both of the above done plus the call out of the saddler and the template etc. Changes didnt cost more than £60 and this included postage and saddler.

If I later decide to change my dressage to a jumping saddle for example, the SC can change the flaps etc for you too, keeping the rest of the saddle the same. My pony is very small and fine and the dressage saddles would have smothered her so the SC added working hunter flaps which do the same job. I also had a square cantle because although my pony is small, my bum isnt! :(
 
I know people who have have them and mixed reviews.
All came from a qualified saddle company fitter and were new

2 people love them, they can be adjusted if your horse changes shape, are reasonably priced etc. They have had a really good experience and would have one again.


I do know a couple of people who had really bad experiences. They do not seem to fit every horse (no saddle does) and the fact the fitter was a Saddle Company person, didn't give her anywhere to go when that make wasn't working.
In one case when the saddle had to be readjusted for about the 6th time, the fitter blamed the fact that more than one person rode the horse. Well the horse was on working livery in a riding school and that was made clear when the saddle was bought.
They ended up having to sell the saddle, losing alot of money and getting another make from another fitter.

Their experience has not put me off saddle company saddles,(I could quote similar bad experiences with Devoucoux) but has put me off using someone who is a representative of one brand as they have too much of a vested interest in trying to make the saddle work when it clearly doesn't.
 
A frirend of mine loved her SC GP so much I ordered one - the Event model. To be fair, it wasn't the right saddle for me or the horse, but it really was truly awful. It wasn't really right on delivery, it wasn't right after another adjustment and when another saddler saw it he just grimaced and said he'd not even part-x it. I sold it on Ebay and it had been sat on about five times as I just didn't get on with it. Having said that, I know people tend to love their GP and dressage models. For me, they come up small in the seat and I feel I have the cantle far too close to me.

Another option are Humphries and Swain saddles, which like SC have serge panels, but they often also have Owen (half) panels, fab for horses wiith big shoulders, and they have a degree of adjustability built in. Having owned both brands, I'd rate H&S as the best saddles I'e ever sat in. Amazing quality, workmanship and fit. Really wanting another!
 
I love my dressage version. Bought it off ebay and for £60 was adjusted for me. My trainer and chiropractor recommended them for youngsters.
 
Ive got a dressage one. Cant wait till I back riding. He went well in it which is a very good thing as the we had problems with the last saddle it caused damage to his back.
 
The saddle-fitter needs to have a specific machine to adjust them, or you can send them to the factory.

I wouldn't buy any saddle unseen. The horse should be fitted with a variety of saddles by a qualified and experienced saddle fitter and the rider should spend time riding in 3-4 of them before making a final choice. No make of saddle will fit any and every horse.
 
katelarge said:
A frirend of mine loved her SC GP so much I ordered one - the Event model. To be fair, it wasn't the right saddle for me or the horse, but it really was truly awful. It wasn't really right on delivery, it wasn't right after another adjustment and when another saddler saw it he just grimaced and said he'd not even part-x it. I sold it on Ebay and it had been sat on about five times as I just didn't get on with it. Having said that, I know people tend to love their GP and dressage models. For me, they come up small in the seat and I feel I have the cantle far too close to me.

Another option are Humphries and Swain saddles, which like SC have serge panels, but they often also have Owen (half) panels, fab for horses wiith big shoulders, and they have a degree of adjustability built in. Having owned both brands, I'd rate H&S as the best saddles I'e ever sat in. Amazing quality, workmanship and fit. Really wanting another!
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It is Kay Humphries (Humphries and Swain) who fitted my saddle and who sells SC saddles even though she has her own saddle design (mega expensive but totally worth it if you can afford it). She highly recommends them!

I have Kay come out and look at my saddle every 6 months and she never has a bad word to say about them!

Kay is a lovely lady and always happy to give advice over the telephone if you are unsure about what may be suitable for your horse. She can be brutally honest but I can asure you that her advice is second to none!

http://www.nortonandnewby.co.uk/
 
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