saddle nightmares!! which one?

[wizbit]

Id love to get a saddle made for my horse, but am not sure which to go for. Ive been looking at The saddle company saddles but very mixed reviews (seem a bit like marmite!) or the kent and masters / fairfax saddles. Does anyone have any experience of any of these?
My boy is short backed, narrower behind than infront and slightly downhill.
Atm he is in an Albion k2 GP which we both HATE but is the only one he will (just about) move in. Although it slips to the right and restricts shoulder movement.
The best he has gone in was a thorowgood GP (but i dont want a synthetic and it felt too bulky for me, was like sitting on a block rather than my horse!). I know the kent and masters and fairfax are made by same company as thorowgoods are they any comfier? and what about saddle company? AGGGGHHHH!!!!

sorry pulling hair out but desperately need something new as cant bear putting that Albion on any longer!
Thanks for any replies (sorry its long!)

 

[Firewell]

I wouldnt get a saddle company saddle if your horse is built downhill... they are great saddles for the right horses but they are very lightweight and are made with very soft serge. I had one for my old mare (she was a bit downhill) and it was a disaster, they tend to widen as they bed down on the horse and it slipped really badly on my mare, it would slide right up her neck and she would end up wearing me and saddle like a scarf!!

If I was you I would ask a saddler to come out and reccommend a saddle to made for you and your horse.

After trying a saddle company saddle, an albion and an Ideal eventually I got a saddler out who reccommended a made to measure black country for my above mare and it now fits my new horse. It was the only saddle that properly fitted my old horse and myself, its fab.

 

[wizbit]

thanks firewall

i do like black country saddles but dont think anywhere in my area stocks them :/ then that brings up the other confusion of good saddlers!! im still yet to find one! lol

 

[Firewell]

omg I know, finding a good saddler is a nightmare as well isnt it! I went through 3, no 4 saddlers before I found my one, 3 of those were master saddlers as well

. Im a bit too far south or I would recommend mine. Good luck, word of mouth is usually best

 

[bitlessbill]

Anthony Bachelor is in Essex and is highly recommended.