Stoxx
Well-Known Member
Kerilli, I'd also be v interested to hear what you have to say on them... so if you wouldn't mind........?
The Winning Edge Article H&H - saddles
- Thread starter icestationzebra
- Start date
HBII
Well-Known Member
Kerilli I am nosey too .. so if you have a spare five mins please feel free to drop me a pm!
I bought my mare with a Stubben jump saddle which after reading this I am glad I dont use anymore
.
I bought my mare with a Stubben jump saddle which after reading this I am glad I dont use anymore
Nickymac
Well-Known Member
I have a Butet saddle and a Whitaker which are used every day, and they both seem to fit all the horses in our yard (although there is one hunter that has a prolite pad underneath). I thought it was the lightness of them and the fact that they have latex panels that made them such a good fit? All the other saddles we had have been outed now; they seemed very solid and ungiving, and didn't seem to fit well when the hunters changed shape through the season.
Jo C
Well-Known Member
Patrick has been so much happier and goes so much better in his Albion so I am happy with it, it was however made to measure as he didn't fit any of the normal sizes!
Stoxx
Well-Known Member
How is Patrick Jo?
AandK
Well-Known Member
I agree on the H & S saddles and Saddle Co saddles, I have a H & S jump and a Saddle Co dressage, physio recently commented on how good Andys back is (where the saddle sits) since I got rid of the two Albions I used to have...
Weezy
Well-Known Member
I know that a LOT of saddlers advise people to not use their close contact (ie Dev, Butet, Ideal Springbok) daily, and to use them only once a week or so because they are NOT good for the horses
kerilli, am not entirely sure what it is that bothers you about the WOW saddle - which bit is it that worries you?
kerilli, am not entirely sure what it is that bothers you about the WOW saddle - which bit is it that worries you?
LEC
Opinions are like bum holes, everyone has one.
Have heard Albion have problems with the trees in their jumping saddles but WFP is ultra fussy so cannot quite see that matching up. My saddler said Pessoas never fit anything - the older ones were fine but newer ones were shocking. I have a prestige really like it as wide panels and fits my extremely high withered horse really well with the cut back head.
I have heard the problem with devoucoux is the narrow panels?
I have heard the problem with devoucoux is the narrow panels?
kerilli
Well-Known Member
weezy, it's the fact that there are those big metal plates underneath that attach at an angle, and the edges of the airbags in the panels. Kay Humphries, who knows more than jsut about anyone else i've ever met about saddles, told me that any unevenness, edges, etc inside the saddle will be tranferred through to make pressure points once you put a rider on top.
the fact that it left a lump on my mare's back if i rode her in it for more than 15 mins, a lump that still comes up occasionally now 3 weeks later, doesn't exactly impress me either.
i loved it to ride in, it was the comfiest saddle i've ever sat on, but if it's going to make my horse's back sore, then it's a no-no for me, i'm afraid.
the fact that it left a lump on my mare's back if i rode her in it for more than 15 mins, a lump that still comes up occasionally now 3 weeks later, doesn't exactly impress me either.
i loved it to ride in, it was the comfiest saddle i've ever sat on, but if it's going to make my horse's back sore, then it's a no-no for me, i'm afraid.
Foxglove
Well-Known Member
I think it is very dependent on the horse and what you do with . I did endurance for 10 years, had all my saddles made to measure and checked every 3 months - never once had a back problem, but one of my arabs was very shuffley in walk, just would not walk out. I put my butet on him and the transformation was incredible, not only did he walk out, he actually seemed to enjoy work.
The ironic thing was it wasn't even his saddle, it was bought for my extremely sensitive tb mare (who it also has to be said goes fantastically in it).
I think some makes suit some breeds / types better than others. Everyone will have their preferences and everyone will have horror stories of how one make of saddle damaged their horse back.
I think what shocked me most about the article wasn't that she kept a 'show saddle' but that it was totally different to the one she rode in at home - you couldn't get much different between a devoucoux and an albion!
The ironic thing was it wasn't even his saddle, it was bought for my extremely sensitive tb mare (who it also has to be said goes fantastically in it).
I think some makes suit some breeds / types better than others. Everyone will have their preferences and everyone will have horror stories of how one make of saddle damaged their horse back.
I think what shocked me most about the article wasn't that she kept a 'show saddle' but that it was totally different to the one she rode in at home - you couldn't get much different between a devoucoux and an albion!
ann-jen
Well-Known Member
I wondered a bit about the metal plates too as they look a lot more obvious than in a conventional saddle where they would be 'hidden' under the panel. I would say that they are not in an area that contacts the back and regularly checking my saddle with the Port Lewis pad I've never found there to be any pressure points associated with them in my experience.
I have experienced the ridges between the airbags in my old panel. They weren't causing my horse any discomfort but I got them check by the saddler to be on the safe side. Basically the airbags sit within a foam liner which can sometimes become worn and so you can feel the airbags more easily. It was a simple job for my saddler to remove the foam liner and replace them with new ones and then the panel returned to normal. I have heard of instances where the bags override each other and I would suspect this could potentially cause some problems - I suspect it would be caused by overinflation of the bags that could cause them to move slightly??? A competant fitter is a must.
I've had ups and downs with my WOW but would say the benfits for my mare far outweigh any more minor problems I've had with it.
I have experienced the ridges between the airbags in my old panel. They weren't causing my horse any discomfort but I got them check by the saddler to be on the safe side. Basically the airbags sit within a foam liner which can sometimes become worn and so you can feel the airbags more easily. It was a simple job for my saddler to remove the foam liner and replace them with new ones and then the panel returned to normal. I have heard of instances where the bags override each other and I would suspect this could potentially cause some problems - I suspect it would be caused by overinflation of the bags that could cause them to move slightly??? A competant fitter is a must.
I've had ups and downs with my WOW but would say the benfits for my mare far outweigh any more minor problems I've had with it.
hotellie
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Saddle co is completly different to Ideal..
I have a saddle co event saddle for jumping my horses- LOVE THEM, and they are only £550 new and made to measure!
[/ QUOTE ]
i also love my saddle co event saddle but mine was way more expensive...aggggghhhhhhh maybe i was ripped off mine was 1000+!
Saddle co is completly different to Ideal..
I have a saddle co event saddle for jumping my horses- LOVE THEM, and they are only £550 new and made to measure!
[/ QUOTE ]
i also love my saddle co event saddle but mine was way more expensive...aggggghhhhhhh maybe i was ripped off mine was 1000+!
Weezy
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
weezy, it's the fact that there are those big metal plates underneath that attach at an angle, and the edges of the airbags in the panels. Kay Humphries, who knows more than jsut about anyone else i've ever met about saddles, told me that any unevenness, edges, etc inside the saddle will be tranferred through to make pressure points once you put a rider on top.
the fact that it left a lump on my mare's back if i rode her in it for more than 15 mins, a lump that still comes up occasionally now 3 weeks later, doesn't exactly impress me either.
i loved it to ride in, it was the comfiest saddle i've ever sat on, but if it's going to make my horse's back sore, then it's a no-no for me, i'm afraid.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well you just have to be a vigilant owner and check your saddle does not have any uneven edges - mine certainly has none, I strip mine rather a lot and if there was anything causing pressure onto the air panels then I would know about it.
I would suggest that the saddle you rode your mare in was not set up correctly.
Don't get me wrong, I have had my troubles with WOW believe me, but the prob you have mentioned is not something that will ever concern me, at least I CAN strip my saddle right back and know what is going on inside - not something many people can do!
weezy, it's the fact that there are those big metal plates underneath that attach at an angle, and the edges of the airbags in the panels. Kay Humphries, who knows more than jsut about anyone else i've ever met about saddles, told me that any unevenness, edges, etc inside the saddle will be tranferred through to make pressure points once you put a rider on top.
the fact that it left a lump on my mare's back if i rode her in it for more than 15 mins, a lump that still comes up occasionally now 3 weeks later, doesn't exactly impress me either.
i loved it to ride in, it was the comfiest saddle i've ever sat on, but if it's going to make my horse's back sore, then it's a no-no for me, i'm afraid.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well you just have to be a vigilant owner and check your saddle does not have any uneven edges - mine certainly has none, I strip mine rather a lot and if there was anything causing pressure onto the air panels then I would know about it.
I would suggest that the saddle you rode your mare in was not set up correctly.
Don't get me wrong, I have had my troubles with WOW believe me, but the prob you have mentioned is not something that will ever concern me, at least I CAN strip my saddle right back and know what is going on inside - not something many people can do!
custard
Well-Known Member
Scuse my ignorance but have never looked that closely at a Stubben so what do you mean by the rolling pin thing?
Was seriously tempted to blow the budget with the new horse on a fancy new leather saddle but on advice of my well trusted saddler have opted for the T/Good hi wither GP with changeable headplate. She also fits/makes side sadddles so knows her stuff and persuaded me firstly not to have a dressage saddle on a 4 year old.
The thing I liked about the T/Good was the wide gullet and wide panels, she can also adjust the flocking quite a bit. This, she said would be right for the next 12-18 months with regular check ups.
I've never understood this thing the pro's have about using one or two saddles to suit all. Made a visit to a well known SJ a few years back and all they had was a selection of different pads/numnahs, gah!
Was seriously tempted to blow the budget with the new horse on a fancy new leather saddle but on advice of my well trusted saddler have opted for the T/Good hi wither GP with changeable headplate. She also fits/makes side sadddles so knows her stuff and persuaded me firstly not to have a dressage saddle on a 4 year old.
The thing I liked about the T/Good was the wide gullet and wide panels, she can also adjust the flocking quite a bit. This, she said would be right for the next 12-18 months with regular check ups.
I've never understood this thing the pro's have about using one or two saddles to suit all. Made a visit to a well known SJ a few years back and all they had was a selection of different pads/numnahs, gah!
kerilli
Well-Known Member
umm, weezy, this was a brand new saddle fitted by the best fitter in the country according to people on here! you can't strip it back and see what's inside the panels (the edges of the airbags where they meet, etc) and that's one big problem area, i think.
custardsmum, the stubben 'rolling-pin' thing is the shape and hardness of the two panels under the saddle, right under where you sit - they are narrow, rounded and hard, about 3" apart, either side of the spine, and look and feel like two rolling pins. compare them to a serge-lined saddle and you can really really see the difference. the serge saddles have about twice the bearing surface just for starters. that has got to be a lot lot more comfortable for the horse.
custardsmum, the stubben 'rolling-pin' thing is the shape and hardness of the two panels under the saddle, right under where you sit - they are narrow, rounded and hard, about 3" apart, either side of the spine, and look and feel like two rolling pins. compare them to a serge-lined saddle and you can really really see the difference. the serge saddles have about twice the bearing surface just for starters. that has got to be a lot lot more comfortable for the horse.
custard
Well-Known Member
Aha, now I know what you mean, horrible! Am too a big fan of serge and will probably opt for this when he has a proper grown up saddle.
Side saddle fitter is and agent for WOW but to her credit she disuaded me from buying one at the moment. I think all these adjustable saddles have their place but would still not alter mine, would get her to do it.
Side saddle fitter is and agent for WOW but to her credit she disuaded me from buying one at the moment. I think all these adjustable saddles have their place but would still not alter mine, would get her to do it.
Fiona
Well-Known Member
I used to have a saddle that lifted off my horse's back like that years ago, but realised it didn't fit and sold it on. I was about 18 at that stage, so if I knew it wasn't right, surely it should be obvious to a professional rider.
Fiona
Fiona
ann-jen
Well-Known Member
Actually you can open up the panels to see where the airbags are and if they are overlapping. All you have to do is unscrew the bolt at the front and slip each panel off. Each piece is sealed with a flap of velcro which can be opened to check the airbags/liners quite easily.
Daisychain
Well-Known Member
What an interesting post, totally agree about the stubben saddles, where i was helping out last winter at a hunt yard all their horses were kitted out with stubbens, they were always having back trouble and they didnt use any numnahs either... must admit i have been very impressed with the saddle co. saddles.