TB saddle

McNally

McNally

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I have enquired as to the best TB saddles before but it was always a maybe when i can afford it kind of thing!
Now i have a new horse and the saddle is not right for me . I cant afford a lot but am thinking of a budget of about £500- is this realistic? would want second hand leather.
I have emailed the few local saddle fitters and asked for prices to travel and fit etc but what makes in particular should i be looking out for?
Or is there a cheaper range of new i could look for a stockist for?

The saddle i currently have is a T6 high wither which is in perfect condition so i could part X maybe- as i dont like the saddle i dont think i'm interested in the Kent and Masters as i assume they will feel the same to ride in? (but tell me if i'm wrong!)

Old horse has a GFS which i find really comfy and secure feeling- do they do a high wither version? (does a TB actually need a special HW saddle even?)

Thanks in advance!
 
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If he has high withers then yes.. ;)

Your saddler is probably best equipped to advise you about that.

Other than that, not sure about makes. Comfiest saddle I ever sat on was an albion.
 
I had a made to measure one for both of my TBs - one has now outgrown it as she expanded rapidly. It is a beautiful English leather dressage one made by Matt Marlow - if you're interested, PM me - I keep thinking I must sell it. I paid around £900 for it and it's been used about 30 times that's all....I got her a made to measure one before I really should have done! I can PM you some photos if you're interested.
 
TBs can vary in shape massively - from wide flat show hacks to high withereed low backed ex steeplchasers. Honestly the best thing you can do is wait and see what the fitters bring out. Find a fitter you trust and work with them. Most makers will do a high wither style so you should have lot sof options, just don't let the fitter go too narrow - I recently fitted a horse with a very high wither with an extra wide saddlewhich matched the angles of the ribcage - it was clearance (ie height, a deeper panel, on in this case a carefully adjusted ReactorPanel) it needed at the front, not a narrow width.
 
I think you are correct in going for a good second hand english leather saddle, I also think you could wait for such a one to come on Ebay, as I did, when I got a Jeffries saddle for £218 delivered, I waited three weeks before the right one came along, and of course I could have re-sold it if it did not fit, but it did! It is probably eight years old, but in excellent condition, recently re-flocked, I would also go for a flocked not a cair saddle as it may need to be checked and adjusted regularly.
I had a look on ebay today, but nothing struck me, I was looking at 17 or 17.5 inch saddle over £350, only a few were cut back [withers], and none mentioned they had been used on a TB, which is important too.
 
2nd hand WOW? I had mine refitted from a chunky ISH to a thin TB, then altered as the TB filled out.

I think WOW saddles are a bit marmite i.e. love/hate, but I **LOVE** mine!
 
sheep said:
If he has high withers then yes.. ;)

Your saddler is probably best equipped to advise you about that.

Other than that, not sure about makes. Comfiest saddle I ever sat on was an albion.
Click to expand...

Haha, Yes that may have sounded not the brightest question- Just I search sites for saddles that state High Wither whereas friends with Tb's seem to just go for a make they like so i assume some styles just suite?

My other horse had an Albion with his last owner and yes i loved it but it was a K2 jump saddle and out of my budget!

One of the saddlers emailed me back saying to look at the second hand list on their site- if i buy a saddle its free call out and fitting. Nothing on the list specifies HW which brings me back to the above!- guess a phone call in order tomorrow to discuss would be best.

I have watched a few on ebay but am very cautious- having borrowed a few off friends that fit their Tb's perfectly but dont fit mine- have missed a few amazing bargains.

Holly Hocks will pm you

Thank for the ideas
 
Yeah I guess it depends on your horse. Is it possible to take him to a saddlers so they can try a few on him? My tb was v high withered (actually it made getting a saddle to fit quite a challenge) whereas others are fine with 'normal' saddle.
 
My tb has a saddle company event. I absolutely love them but as someone said, they're a bit like wow, you either love them or hate them. They're fully adjustable so easy to buy second hand (always got lots on ebay) as they can be adjusted as many times as you like. Suits my boy down to the ground as he's always changing shape! They're a kind of made to measure saddle. You do need a saddle company fitter though but there's quite a few of them about and they're no more expensive than any other saddler/fitter dependent upon the distance! The saddles come in either full leather or part leather (tops leather, underneath's synthetic so you can't even tell!). I got a full leather event and had some extras put in such as nubuck seat, knee rolls and a gel insert under seat which is so comfy! Cost me about £1100 but the part synthetic are much cheaper brand new and second hand are very cheap!
 
McNally said:
One of the saddlers emailed me back saying to look at the second hand list on their site- if i buy a saddle its free call out and fitting. Nothing on the list specifies HW which brings me back to the above!- guess a phone call in order tomorrow to discuss would be best.
Click to expand...

A good saddle fitter will be asking questions about you and your horse and will then be able to tell you if they have anything suitable. I'd be wary of anyone who wants you to search their list of saddles and for you to decide what might work! So make aure they are an experienced saddle fitter - a saddler makes saddles. And this applies to the SMS system - a Master Saddler is not qualified to fit saddles, you need an SMS Qualified Saddle Fitter. That's not to say a non-SMS fitter isn't any good - I have plenty of training and experience in fitting my range but am not SMS.
 
I have a collegiate saddle for my girl, it has an adjustable gullet so will be able to be adjusted when she changes shape. Cost £250 second hand.
 
I have an Albion x country tb saddle I think they do tb in all styles and can make for you at no extra cost my tb is the weirdest shape horse you would ever set eyes on and this was the only saddle out of what felt like a million that fit was expensive but now coming into it's 9 th year and only had to have it reflocked 3 x defiantly worth trying a few then look out for 2nd hand ?
 
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