Still in saddle dilemma!!

[lauren_237]

This follows up from my Quantum post from the other day..

We're still debating whether to go for a traditional saddle or the Quantum. What I was wondering is, if you have had a saddle fitted by a member of the Master Saddlers how often have you had to buy a new saddle for the same horse? Or is it just a case of re-flocking?

What I've heard is that people can get through quite a few saddles in their horse's life, even if the saddle was made to measure initially. So just trying to weigh up the pros and cons, costs etc for each so any thoughts are greatly appreciated as I feel like I don't know enough to make an informed decision!

 

[whatawizard]

It all depends on the age of your horse, type of work its doing as to how much it will need changing, at least with Quantum you have all the adjustment you could ever want also consistency of very even panels which is very important and difficult to achieve with conventionally flocked saddles. My particular horse at the age of 12 can still alter from M to Mw and back again within the space of 3 months. One of my clients has a dressage horse that changes 2 sizes each way depending on time of year and the work he's doing and gets very sensitive if its not right, he has changed endless times between the age of 5 and 8 which would have been a total nightmare with conventional saddles. If you and your horse both felt good in the quantum then go for it.

 

[lauren_237]

Thank you for replying

I felt very comforatble in it, was really supportive and I could have sat in it for hours! The one thing I did notice was that Jack was swishing his tail, throwing his head around and grinding his teeth for the first 5 -10 minutes of having it on, each time.....does this mean it's not comfortable for him or is it just because it's completely different from anything hes had on him before and he's just not used to it? I know it's hard to give an answer, particularly when you don't even know the horse, it's just worth a shot

 

[KatB]

If you get a good saddle fitter and a wool flocked saddle, there is absolutely no reason why, past a certain age your horse will change enough to warrant a new saddle at any stage unless it is particularly fat/thin at the moment. Even the close contact makes such as Prestige, Jaguar etc can be adjusted to the changing shape of your horse. I had a dressage saddle on my horse from the age of 4-7 where he changed alot, but other than changing the flocking slightly, the saddle was still fine.

Whereabouts in the country are you?

 

[lauren_237]

That's what the saddle fitter did tell us...that we'd have his saddle forever but after talking to people it got me thinking! I'd be happy if just re-flocking was needed, but I understand that i'l never really know until I try it

I'm in Shropshire...