Thoughts on saddles...

[atlantis]

You are right there. Lavina used to work for Balance and then went off to do her own saddles. So both are made along similar principles I believe.

When I got a Balance saddle fitter out she was more than aware I wanted a second hand saddle. So she gave me all the information I needed and told me the best sites to look out for one. As it happens I bought a new one anyway as Balance had an very new ex demo in the exact size I needed.

As far as I know Lavinia Mitchell used to fit Balance Saddles. I would definitely consider Lavinia or one of her consultants. She's and my instructor sorted my mare out.

Also, have you looked at total contact saddles if you end up staying bareback.

These both look really really interesting. I have had personal recommendations in the past for Lavinia so I'll check back with my friend how she is getting on with hers.

I've said to this saddler I want a slot with her but I don't expect to buy a saddle. I want her to advise me on what makes might suit. Her response to my tale of saddle woes was to say send her pics she loves a challenge. So we'll see but I like her so far.

I think it's too soon to say the solution has gone wrong. I need to speak to their fitter (my personal one is on maternity leave but they have forwarded her my email because they know she knows both of us) so I'll wait to try their advice before I write it off. My horse has a muscle myopathy which means she does MANY more miles under saddle than the majority of horses to keep her well. I went with solution because of their customer service and now I've hit a bump in the road, I'll find out for sure about their customer service - so far I am happy. In fact HQ replied to me immediately but I missed the reply and she sent me another email yesterday to check I had received it as she wants to get the issue sorted out.

That's about as good as you can get. I too feel I need to put the mikes into my mare to make her feel right. We've been pounding the lanes in hand. I had wondered about a general muscle issue with her before we started to make progress with her lameness. I'm just moving her too so she gets more turnout.

I'm definitely going to speak to them at yhl. Looking forward to it even more now!'

 

[ycbm]

For attaching an air jacket to a saddle with closed rings for the stirrups, buy some unbreakable kevlar string from eBay and tie it to the stirrup bars and clip to that. I've done it on one of my WOWs where I don't want the normal strap to take up room on the stirrup bar.

 

[Leo Walker]

I'm Northampton so not a million miles away from you and my fitter is brilliant. Shes independent and doesnt sell saddles. Shes usually with me a couple of hours as she goes through every little tiny thing. She rides hers in treeless so will fit and discuss those as well. I am so lucky to have found her! I dont know if she comes as far as you but if not she should be able to recommend someone similar.

http://www.breathesaddlery.co.uk/

 

[FfionWinnie]

For attaching an air jacket to a saddle with closed rings for the stirrups, buy some unbreakable kevlar string from eBay and tie it to the stirrup bars and clip to that. I've done it on one of my WOWs where I don't want the normal strap to take up room on the stirrup bar.

It's more I don't think it's strong enough or the pad stable enough. I forget how much force the air jacket requires to activate but the BBP would spin round / crumple if I shot off the side still attached I think. I don't really want to find out! It's just a lump of sheep skin with a numnah sewn on after all. I'm only on a 14.2 as it is so there isn't as much time for it to activate than if I was falling from a greater height.

Plan A is to not fall off ever again however!

 

[soloequestrian]

Another vote for Balance saddles, they are brilliant. Balance did make a part-treed saddle a while ago (the Soft Option) but discontinued it because horses were telling them that they preferred the treed option. This is how they work - logic and listening to horses. I wouldn't use anything else now.

 

[Wheels]

I'm Northampton so not a million miles away from you and my fitter is brilliant. Shes independent and doesnt sell saddles. Shes usually with me a couple of hours as she goes through every little tiny thing. She rides hers in treeless so will fit and discuss those as well. I am so lucky to have found her! I dont know if she comes as far as you but if not she should be able to recommend someone similar.

http://www.breathesaddlery.co.uk/

According to her website she does sell saddles lol but if she's good then that's good enough

 

[Leo Walker]

Oops! :lol: To be fair she usually has some in the car, but shes never tried to sell me one, other than to say if I want brand new she can order one for me and to put the odd one or two on to see if similar might suit.