Saddle help for a Hunter-type that dabbles in Dressage?!

Foxford

Foxford

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I'm looking for a new dressage saddle and I'm a bit lost, so I thought I'd solicit some advice from you knowledgeable lot!

Horse is currently in a falcon hawk dressage (basically a jeffries). The tree is fitting fine, but I need adjustments made to take some flocking out as he has filled out so much in the last couple of years. His shoulders have grown and I think the saddle is starting to affect his movement. Also, I would prefer something a little more close contact if possible. Horse is flat backed with an average height wither and huge barrel - typical MW hunter type.

The musts are;
-needs to be available in a generous wide fitting
-needs a wide gullet to reflect the size of his mammoth spine!
-not impede his action as he has enormous shoulders!

Not bothered about;
-Blocks (although don't want to be "fixed in" as I have long legs)
-Brand
-Price (I hope to source second hand so would be happy to go for a high end make, or a mid range)

Initial leanings are maybe to a black country, barry swain or an equipe, as I've heard they fit similar shaped horses well.
Any thoughts or experiences very welcome!
 
Have to say ive been very impressed with the saddle company saddles for my chunky ISH, many options around the type of saddle plus you can choose the tree and style that suits horse then saddle type built on top.
Im going VSD with a GP tree as the close contact one didnt suit her shape.

Plus the fact they are adjustable and serge ticks all my boxes!
 
I have a Black Country WH saddle on my horse who sounds a very similar shape to yours. It is pretty straight cut and feels lovely and close contact. I was sent off by my saddler to find something with an 'open front arch' and he is very pleased with what I came up with. Pony loves it and is very free through her shoulder.
 
Thanks dianchi. I had a thought at the back of my mind to try a Saddle Company - I believe they are quite well regarded. I can certainly give one a try! Serge sounds good to me too...

Thanks Sprig, great minds - I had thought to try a WH as a dressage saddle, as the slight angle of the flap may help me find somewhere to put my thigh. Also I don't care about blocks so it could be a winner! :)

As a random aside, the dressage saddles of yesteryear (I'm thinking of the photos of Reiner Klimke) look like show/WH saddles to me??!!
 
My WH does have blocks, but not very big ones. I love it and do dressage, endurance and jumping in it and always feel very secure. I paid £300 second hand for mine in excellent condition. I think I got a bargain!
 
I have a Black Country Eloquence on my 16.3 Irish boy who sounds similar to yours. He's only 5 so I'm hoping he doesn't change too much as I absolutely love it and am now lusting after other Black Country saddles! Obviously it comes down to what fits but I did a lot of research and the BC saddles do get very good reviews.
 
WOW saddles with their various panels and plates could be an option. I know someone who is an Inter 1 rider using one on her huge-shouldered WB and she absolutely loves it. It is fab to look at, too. She also shows him and uses the WOW for WH.

If you want something more budget, Kent and Masters or even Thorowgood all have wide gullets. At the more luxury end of that family, the latest Fairfax Monoflap has a cut back shoulder. It's also fully adjustable. It's quite nice to sit on, too.
 
Sprig said:
My WH does have blocks, but not very big ones. I love it and do dressage, endurance and jumping in it and always feel very secure. I paid £300 second hand for mine in excellent condition. I think I got a bargain!
Click to expand...

You lucky devil!!! :D

I don't despise blocks per se, but I have a wonky hip so I hate to feel "held in"!
 
Newlands said:
I have a Black Country Eloquence on my 16.3 Irish boy who sounds similar to yours. He's only 5 so I'm hoping he doesn't change too much as I absolutely love it and am now lusting after other Black Country saddles! Obviously it comes down to what fits but I did a lot of research and the BC saddles do get very good reviews.
Click to expand...

Thanks Newlands, I know a few BC fanatics and the eloquence is a lovely looking saddle.
 
HeresHoping said:
WOW saddles with their various panels and plates could be an option. I know someone who is an Inter 1 rider using one on her huge-shouldered WB and she absolutely loves it. It is fab to look at, too. She also shows him and uses the WOW for WH.

If you want something more budget, Kent and Masters or even Thorowgood all have wide gullets. At the more luxury end of that family, the latest Fairfax Monoflap has a cut back shoulder. It's also fully adjustable. It's quite nice to sit on, too.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I am a bit scared of WOWs as they are so different to anything I've ever had before. I think I will look into them if I can't find an "off the peg" solution. :)

Interesting about the Fairfax, I didn't know they were part of Thorowgood!!
 
You may find that the gullet shape on all the adjustables is too much of a V-shape for your horse, rather than an inverted U, which is what we found. It means regardless of how wide you go the fit is not going to be right.
 
Big shoulders don't need special treatment in most cases IMO, they just need a tree that stays well back off the shoulder (after all the shoulder blade shouldn't hit the points if the saddles in the right place) and is flat to give them room to move. About the only time shoudlers are a problem is if there is an asymmetry further forwards, or the horse has a very prominent shoulder blade and a dip with lack of muscle (or natural conformation) behind, when fitting a jump saddle can be challenging. A dressage saddle, well fitted, should never cause shoulder restriction. Consider looking for specialist wide saddle brands which will have short points and flat rails as well as flat panels etc.
 
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