Saddle Issues

justine1559

justine1559

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 May 2009
Messages
90
Visit site
Hi

Earlier this year I replaced my Albion Kontact Lite saddle with a CWD SE02 saddle and I’m really struggling to feel secure in the CWD. Since the change of saddle I’ve had a couple of falls out competing, having never fallen out competing in my Albion. Obviously I’ve scrutinised my position and I get lots of training but the change in saddle seems to have resulted in my position not being so secure.

My horse is very compact, small, quite short in the neck so there’s not a lot in front of you but the Albion used to keep me in the ‘plate’. The only reason I changed saddles was that I felt (and a lot of people commented) the Albion was very heavy so I’m just wondering if anyone has any suggestions of a saddle like the Kontact Lite but lighter. Any other observations/suggestions very welcome.

Thanks so much.
 
No idea of what will suit but definitely agree that the wrong saddle can have a huge impact on the riders position and security, if that is combined with the horse having more freedom to use itself then the rider may struggle even more.
I think you need to try a few and see what works best, one of ours went from an Albion to an Amerigo vega which worked best for horse and suited the rider but we did try loads before finding the right one.
 
Would you not go back to the Albion? In the scheme of things it can't surely be that heavy that it makes a significant difference to the horse?

I fell off and broke all my ribs on one side at a saddle fitting because the saddle was too big for me and I just got jumped off so it is definitely possible it's the saddle.
 
Oh dear - reason no. 1 for not always listening to yard experts lol

Sorry you're having problems OP - it could definitely be the saddle. The albion kontact lite is a very different style and shape to the CWDs in both seat shape and panel shape.

If you and the horse were both happy in the Albion then I would be inclined to go back to that. It can only really be a few lbs heavier than other saddles surely and that is a very small percentage of overall weight the horse carries.
 
It's downright dangerous to jump in a saddle that does not suit you .
Just get rid of the new saddle and go back to the brand that suits .
I know exactly which jumping saddles suit me and I am totally useless in ones that dont .
Expensive lesson but much better than getting broken yourself .
 
Thanks all of you for the replies, it's always so helpful to get informed and supportive messages.

I'm so pleased that I'm not going mad, when I mentioned it at the yard I was told I was 'clutching at straws' but I've had my horse for 3.5 years and we've been competing for 3 years so we know each other and it's been so odd. Wheels you are right that I definitely felt some pressure to change my saddle. I think I'm realising that she and I jumped really well in the Albion (she didn't seem bothered at all by the weight), were going out eventing getting placed and that the saddle suited us both. Bit of an expensive lesson for me but as Goldenstar said it's dangerous to be riding in something that isn't suiting me.

Thanks everyone.
 
Unless you're borderline too heavy for the horse then the only time a saddle is too heavy is if you can't lift it easily. A horse can take a saddle a few pounds heavier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top