Saddle ideas

madhector

madhector

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Joined
12 December 2006
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Location
soon to be up north!
www.darlingdressage.co.uk
J currently has a wintec close contact saddle and a wintec pro dressage. Both of theses were bought as a temporary measure till I had more money and I was sure he was going places. I am not convinced that either of them fit him 100% now (even though they were both professionally fitted by a highly respected fitter) I have her booked to come out and check them but am tempted to upgrade to one nice leather saddle, as don't like riding in the pro dressage.

I would just like some recommendations really, as I can then mention them to the fitter so she has an idea what to try. It would be to event in, but I would have to do the odd dressage.



Thanks
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Don't know exactly where you are in Suffolk but I can recommend an exellent qualified sadde fitter with a good range of saddles (she has always found something for my motley crew). OH evented for ages using a Barnsby GP (did novice) and found he could manage that height without it being too uncomfortable. I would suggest get the fitter to bring as many different makes as poss. so you can try them out and see which you like and what is best fit for your horse. PM me if you need saddle fitters no.
 
Do highly rate Barnsby saddles, beautifully made and designed to have alot of scope for adjustability within their saddles with flocking. Do you want one for everything, or you srticking with Jump and dressage saddle?
 
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I like the Auror jump saddle and also the Milton jump saddle, very nicely designed saddles.... if I changed mine, it would be what I get....
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I think its been said on here before, but really don't go for a GP saddle. It's much easier in my opinion to do dressage in a jumping saddle than to struggle doing all three phases in a saddle which doesn't put your leg in the correct position for any of them. It's important that you're in a secure and suitable saddle for cross country, and personally General Purposes do not achieve this.

Albion have found a real niche in the market. They are fairly priced and cheaper in comparison to many of the compairable saddlers. Nevertheless, they have maintained excellent craftmanship and leather, and retain their price and last for a long time.
 
ditto lifeslemons really... I think GP saddles encourage a "comprimised" position for both the dressage and the jumping. cost wise for the cost of a brand new nice quality GP saddle from a well known make, you could get a nice 2nd hand dressage and 2nd hand jumping saddle if you keep looking in the right places!
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Going with lifeslemons on the "general purpose means no purpose" suggestion. Some *very* jumping oriented GPs work okay but otherwise I've just found them annoying on the flat and unsafe over fences. For lower level work I find I'm fine to do dressage in a jumping saddle, although I do favour ones with little padding and blocks instead of rolls so they tend to be a bit easier to adjust position. Jumping in a saddle that interferes with your ride is not only dangerous but potentially bad for your horse's development; doing dressage in a properly fitted jumping saddle may not allow you the most scope for perfection but it's unlikely to do serious harm. Just don't expect to be able to sit in the same position as you do in a dressage saddle - you will just end up fighting your tack and resign yourself to having to ride a little shorter, which is more appropriate for a young horse anyway. In fact I've had a few young horses who actually did better flatwork in their jumping saddle as it positioned my weight a little more forward, more in line with their "greener" point of balance.

If I had to choose one I'll always go with a proper saddle for jumping since it is so much more a safety and training issue. I don't think I realised what a big difference it made until I rode in a jumping saddle that really fit me.

I looooove my Passier but they aren't for everyone. Albions, Barnsbys, newer Stuebbens . . all time tested. Some people really like the Bates line - I've quite liked the ones I've ridden in. Can't speak for Wows and the like as have never ridden in one.
 
Lovett and Ricketts buffalo skin leather. I've now got a GP and a dressage, both the most comfortable and secure saddles I've ever ridden on. Seriously worth a sit on if you can get hold of one to try. They do made-to-measure but most of the off the peg ones suit quite wide, flat backed horses.
<font color="brown"> www.landrsaddles.com </font>
 
I have the barnsby milton jump and love it ....... horse goes better in that than made to measure gp on flat ....... have done BE tests in it ..... scored his best mark in it! lol!! i dont find it hard to ride in on the flat at all.
 
WOW with 2 sets of flaps?

This might also be good if you think he's going to change shape eg if he muscles up more or whatever, as they are infinitely adjustable.
 
I did exactly the same as you! Bought a wintec isabelle but now time to upgrade.

Having tried loads of saddles and loads of fitters the one I have went with is WOW. Can be adjusted depending on your horses condition and level of fitness. I chose a deep seat for dressage and dressage flaps. I am also going to get jumping/GP flaps as I want to shorten my stirrups to hack (he is mr spookey) and maybe even teach him to jump. I think I will be ok with the deep seat as it is 18'' and gives me plenty of room. There are also 2 positions for the stirrup bars so easy to alter that too.
 
Thankyou everone for all the ideas, given me lots to look at. I am definatly going for a jump saddle now as will hopefully be able to afford a secondhand dressage in a years time. And will only be doing intros/PN this year anyway so will be fine with just a jump saddle. I actually prefer doing flatwork in my CC than in the pro dressage.
 
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