Saddles that 'lock you in' and make you feel secure...

[CeeBee]

Following yaddowshad's post about plucking up the courage to ride her horse and how secure her Bates Innova saddle made her feel, I looked it up to see if I could afford one and sadly no way!
I currently have a 2nd hand Wintec for Harvey which I hate as I don't feel secure in it at all. I chose this saddle as H is still growing and didn't want to spend alot.
So, my question is, can anyone recommend a saddle that makes you feel secure that isn't into 4 figures? Don't want to spend loads as will probably need to change as H grows.

 

[[59668]]

An Australian stock saddle

 

[Aoibhin]

i feel securist in the sidesaddle but my Thorougood Maxim was nice too it had nubuck/swade seat & knee rolls for added grip too.

 

[wildwest]

i have a stock saddle for sale going cheap :}

 

[Baileysno1]

If you are after a dressage saddle like that a wintec isabel might be worth a look you can usually get them 2nd hand from ebay, they are adjustable and have a deep seat and big blocks they are a bit of a marmite saddle though so try one before you buy.

 

[Roody2]

yep, I concur with the Wintec Isabel - very comfy and a deeper seat than the regular Wintec dressage so holds you in a bit more. However, even though you can adjust the gullet, they are not always a great fit on some horses.

I also really rate the Ideal Suzannah (I got one after buying new horse that the Wintec Isabel didn't fit). It feels almost like an Albion SLK Ultima at a fraction of the price!! Very secure with good knee rolls and deep seat.

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

I HATED my Albion K2. But I love my Stubben Scandica. In the Albion I always felt 'perched' and I had to buy Clarino and suede seat jodhs specially to help with the annoying slippery leather. I have a very secure seat, but it was always an effort to ride in the Albion. Other people who sat in the Albion also agreed with me after I'd been moaning about it! It just didn't suit me or my horse.

My Stubben is so much better, in a million ways. I feel as though nothing my horse can throw at me will get me out of the saddle, and I have quite a highly strung 17.2 TB, so it is important to have that security. I bought my Stubben 2nd hand and it was very reasonably priced. Saddles have a terrible resale value. My Albion, which was bought new not long ago, and which is still imaculate is worth less than half of what I paid for it. I would always buy second hand if i could from now on.

 

[flossy_123]

i use a wintec Isabel dressage saddle and thats the only saddle that fits my two youngsters! there still growing as well.

 

[m3gan]

I find my Ideal saddle really makes me feel secure it feels like I am sitting in well and has the added bonus of deep knee rolls, I don't know what particular model mine is as I part exchanged my old one for it from my saddler (second hand!)

 

[Bowen4Horses]

it's funny, cos the saddle i feel safest in is my old wintec 2000 (maybe it's cos it's suede-type?). also, it's 16.5". whereas all the other saddles i ride in are bigger and i feel kind of 'lost' in them. i swim around, unable to find my 'seat'.

sadly, my wintec doesn't fit raff (for sale if anyone wants it). i've got a saddle company dressage saddle. i *think* i feel secure in it, i don't really know cos i've only walked about 20ft in it... i think i might get a nice snuggly sheepskin seat saver thing at some point to hold me in...

 

[Welshboy]

[ QUOTE ]
I HATED my Albion K2......

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh! I've just bought a K2 GP - getting it tomorrow.....

 

[flintmeg]

[ QUOTE ]
I HATED my Albion K2......

[/ QUOTE ]

i am the opposite i LLLOOOVVVEE mine, and would buy another, i feel as safe as houses in it!

 

[ISHmad]

I had an Albion K2 and loved it. Sold it a couple of years or so ago to a friend as my horse outgrew it unfortunately. She is really please with it. Never felt insecure in it at all, far from it.

 

[charlie55]

I agree with wintec isabell x

 

[charlie13]

farringtons lovley deep seat in in a jp loved mine to bit but dosnt fit recet horse so sold it to friend

got wintec close contact now and feel safe in it but can some time be a bit wobbley wen my boy throughing a temper tantrum

 

[Spudlet]

In all honesty, I felt totally rock solid on a sidesaddle - loved it, and when I eventually get a horse I want to try more. I don't think they come cheap to buy, but I think some instructors lease them out, don't they, sidesaddle people?

The advantage is that you can grip until your feet go numb!

I had one lesson and if I'd had a bit longer, I think I'd have been up for jumping on it and everything

 

[miss_bird]

I love my old lovetts and ricketts saddle, most comfortable and safest saddle i have ever riddewn in, and still if i have a horse that is playing up if i can i will always pop that saddle on as i feel more secure

 

[charlie55]

External knee blocks really hold you in place x

 

[Flame_]

[ QUOTE ]
I love my old lovetts and ricketts saddle, most comfortable and safest saddle i have ever riddewn in, and still if i have a horse that is playing up if i can i will always pop that saddle on as i feel more secure

[/ QUOTE ]
Ditto. I've got 2 L & Rs in buckskin leather and in seated jods you literally stick in place.

 

[yaddowshad]

Hello, Yaddowshad here. You are right the Bates Innova are very expensive, for me I was lucky enough to be in the position to buy one and Im so glad I was fortunate enough to be in this position. You can find them on ebay, ive seen them around £700.00 second hand. I also have the wintec Isobel Werth saddle with extended blocks, these are also incredibly secure, unfortunately it didnt fit my 18hh. These can be picked up for around £250 - £450. Mine has the extended blocks which are hard to find but they do help your position. Some older Stubbens have really secure seats as well, so dont be put off by the older models.

For me the saddle has given me that extra confidence but not everyone is the same, some people would rather have extra lessons.

If you do get a chance try an Innova and if you like it save like crazy because I love mine.

 

[tucker]

Same as clipclop wintec 2000 lovely deep seat covered with suede

 

[lauraandharvey]

ideal VSD
X

 

[corriehorse]

Has to be my ideal jessica dressage saddle. It is so comfy and has a lovely deep suede seat and I just seem to sink into it.

 

[Dubsie]

Don't know if it will help but a seat saver makes all the difference (according to daughter). S's saddle is a lovely old leather one, but very 'shiny' and she never felt 'right' in it (big for her too). We bought a seat saver 2 weeks ago and it has made a huge difference.

 

[CeeBee]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I have googled all the saddles suggested and like the look of all of them! I had never seen an Australian stock saddle and that would definitely hold me in place!
I think it's just that my Wintec feels so wobbly and as my confidence is at an all time low, it isn't helping! I have a beautiful Kieffer Bonn saddle, bought brand new for my last horse. That was so comfortable and deep to sit in, but it doesn't fit my new horse. It's currently for sale if anyones's interested!
Off to ebay and saddles-direct to see what I might be able to afford.......

 

[Befney3]

I love my Albion Kontrol. It's a nice deep seat & the knee rolls are big enough to keep me in place when Chilli broncs!

I've just bought a Wintec 500 Dressage saddle & will ride in it properly tomorrow & am hoping I'll feel secure in it. I'm not too fussed if it's not as nice as the Kontrol as I only plan to use it for lessons & competing. I'd have carried on dressaging in the Kontrol if it wasn't for the fact that it covers Chillis shoulder & isn't the easiest to ride in with longer stirrups 'cos it's v.forward cut.

Recently I've ridden in my friends Innova & I HATED it!! I felt so pinned in & the blocks bruised my knees. Apparently they're not made for shorties like me. I also ride another friends horsey fairly often & she has an Ideal VSD for him. I don't find it very secure & it's not fab to jump in. She used to have a Ryder & that was lovely.

Saddles really are like Marmite. I always hated Albion jump saddles before I got my Kontrol but I love it & would buy another one tomorrow.