Saddles - how do you choose?

[cold_feet]

I’m at a loss, please help! I currently have an Albion jumping saddle that came with my horse. It has been fitted and checked regularly and suits him well. BUT I am finding it increasingly unsuited to the way I ride. I mostly do hacking, endurance and pleasure rides, the longer the better. I’m finding that my leg position is too far forward and I am constantly adjusting myself to bring my legs back underneath me. I have decided a new saddle is a priority. Obviously it has to fit my horse, but must be comfortable for me too.

Ideally I’d like an endurance saddle, and have searched around to see what is available. But how on earth do I choose? Second hand ones seem few and far between, Saddlery stores seem to supply or stock one brand only, and others (like Strada for instance) only sell direct or via the web. Ideally I’d like to try several different types, but how can I do that without traveling all over the place? How did you decide on your saddle? And does anyone on here have an endurance saddle?

 

[be positive]

I have no idea about endurance saddles but for what you are doing the jump saddle is not suitable by any stretch of the imagination so you may find it worth looking and trying a few straighter cut saddles such as vsd/ working hunter, not dressage ones as such but one that will have the stirrups set further back and no big knee rolls trying to pull you forward into them, it should be easier to find a saddler with some second hand and could suit you well.

 

[cold_feet]

Thank you BP, that will probably be the way to go, but what I would really like to do is try some endurance saddles just to see how they differ from standard saddles.

 

[silv]

These saddles are massively popular here, I see people using them for endurance, trekking, hacking and dressage, I am pretty sure they would be available in the UK and being synthetic not too expensive. Any saddlery that stocks bates should be able to get one for you to have a look at.

http://www.tackshop.co.nz/saddles-a...saddles/wintec-pro-endurance-saddle-cair.html

 

[cold_feet]

Thanks silv, I’ll add this one to my list! I usually dismiss synthetic, but I like the look of this one.

 

[Cortez]

Why don't you contact someone from the UK endurance society and see who they recommend? I'm sure there is a saddler that specialises in and carries endurance saddles; see if you can get a contact.

 

[little_critter]

The Strada website has a forum section where people buy and sell their used Stradas. Maybe see if there are any near you?

https://ilgacottle.websitetoolbox.com/

 

[cold_feet]

Now why didn’t I think of that? Thank you Cortez.

 

[sbloom]

In general, especially at lower levels of endurance a well fitting saddle that suits your natural leg position is the best option. Endurance saddles vary hugely and in searching for one the very best fit for your horse may be neglected. All bench made saddles can have an endurance kit added as a custom option, you can even add all this stuff to a used saddle (front and rear dees and a rear staple kit). I would personally recommend a high performance pad such as Thinline or Jen X Equine from the US, or at least a really good sheepskin for both training and competitions.

So I would say go for a GP, VSD or even a WH with a great fit, reasonable depth flocked panel, then your horse will be happy, flap and seat balance to suit you. Just find a good fitter .