Hippona
Well-Known Member
Following on from this thread....
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=497377
....I went to R+R armed with lads latest template.
Had a look at Wintecs, Thorowgoods and Optimus range.
Had a discussion with saddle fitter, decided on Optimus GP and left without anything as didn't have any in stock in Havanna.
Ordered one from Rideaway as they let you try and return if no good.
So....I got a havanna GP , measuring guage and several different gullets. Measured up the lad-came up as a MW fitting (makes sense- Wide is too wide and his current Medium fit is too narrow) fitted the gullet easily and tried it on. Looked good - no lifting at the back which has been one the main problems with whichever saddle I've tried. No bridging. Sits behind the shoulder OK. Looked a bit odd as I use high-wither saddlecloths and this has a cut-back head so the saddle cloth was poking up high.....
Anyhow- horse hadn't been ridden for 2 weeks for various reasons- and he's most certainly a horse that is better when ridden regularly- so that plus the wind equalled very fresh horse.....who decided to get loose and ponce around the yard in new saddle. So I took this opportunity to check it for movement and bounce....and it was very secure despite the girth not being done up tightly, no bouncing or sliding up his neck.
Anyhoo.....got on board- went for a verry bouncy ride, plenty of trotting -no lifting/bouncing of the saddle- nice relaxed walk, no-where suitable for a canter
Really comfortable saddle I must say, and all in all I like it. It looks smarter than I thought it would too.
Only thing I don't like is the girths straps are really short- and very stiff- had to go and buy a longer girth to test saddle out
Soo....all in all - so fas so good..... I am keeping it.
Watch this space.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=497377
....I went to R+R armed with lads latest template.
Had a look at Wintecs, Thorowgoods and Optimus range.
Had a discussion with saddle fitter, decided on Optimus GP and left without anything as didn't have any in stock in Havanna.
Ordered one from Rideaway as they let you try and return if no good.
So....I got a havanna GP , measuring guage and several different gullets. Measured up the lad-came up as a MW fitting (makes sense- Wide is too wide and his current Medium fit is too narrow) fitted the gullet easily and tried it on. Looked good - no lifting at the back which has been one the main problems with whichever saddle I've tried. No bridging. Sits behind the shoulder OK. Looked a bit odd as I use high-wither saddlecloths and this has a cut-back head so the saddle cloth was poking up high.....
Anyhow- horse hadn't been ridden for 2 weeks for various reasons- and he's most certainly a horse that is better when ridden regularly- so that plus the wind equalled very fresh horse.....who decided to get loose and ponce around the yard in new saddle. So I took this opportunity to check it for movement and bounce
....and it was very secure despite the girth not being done up tightly, no bouncing or sliding up his neck.Anyhoo.....got on board- went for a verry bouncy ride, plenty of trotting -no lifting/bouncing of the saddle- nice relaxed walk, no-where suitable for a canter
Really comfortable saddle I must say, and all in all I like it. It looks smarter than I thought it would too.
Only thing I don't like is the girths straps are really short- and very stiff- had to go and buy a longer girth to test saddle out
Soo....all in all - so fas so good..... I am keeping it.
Watch this space.