What dressage saddles have you got on your high withered TB x ?

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Louby

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My new horse is ID x TB but I would say probably a teeny bit of ID as he looks like a TB. High withers and large shoulders but a MW width. Just had to sell my gorgeous saddle as although it started off sitting great, it ended up sat too far back so Im looking for something no more than 17 inch. Keep reading Kent and Masters, high wither version but havent seen one in the flesh. Hoping not to spend a fortune yet as he will change shape, so am happy for a second hand one at the mo. Albions I think will be just too bulky, Ive seen a Spalding cut back head, Anky, Jessica and Kieffers that look like they will accomodate his wither. Its so tempting to take a chance on Ebay as they are so much cheaper but I know I will regret it and end up with saddles that dont fit. My other issue is getting a good saddler in the NW that sell second hand as tried a few in the past with not so good results.
Thanks for any replies :)
 
Bates dressage on my shark fin withered TB. After endless fittings and a lot of money wasted, it was the only one which fitted perfectly. She also has a huge shoulder and is a MW
 
Thanks, is it the Isabelle? Ive seen a few of the wintec versions for sale and thought may be worth taking the risk to try. Its a nightmare as Im no saddle fitter but sometimes I think we have more idea than some who proclaim to be fitters!
 
No personal experience but my friend has high withered TB and has struggled with saddles despite much expense with saddle fitters, etc. She is now more optimistic having been told about Harry Dabbs saddles and had good chat with the HD chap at YHL yesterday. Might be worth an investigation.
 
Louby said:
Thanks, is it the Isabelle? Ive seen a few of the wintec versions for sale and thought may be worth taking the risk to try. Its a nightmare as Im no saddle fitter but sometimes I think we have more idea than some who proclaim to be fitters!
Click to expand...

No it's this one
http://www.rideaway.co.uk/bates-new-dressage-cair-saddle

I ended up having to buy new as I wanted the interchangeable gullet but I also wanted the internal pocket system so that you can alter the height of the front or back as required as well. Some of the older ones dont' have the internal pocket system in, so if you're going to buy second hand, it should say "IP" on the flap of the saddle if you want the internal pocket system as well as the interchangeable gullet.
 
I had a Thorowgood T8 dressage in high withered version - same tree as Kent & Masters as I understand. I like it a lot to ride in and it worked for my horse's shape very well, although he didn't like it at all and I had to get rid of it quickly- but he has had back problems.

Now in a Barry Swain semi-flex tree and that works really well for him - v high withers and a huge shoulder!
 
Thanks, I can see this is going to be a nightmare :( Ive tried my old Harry Dabbs but he didnt like it at all, it was the Jaguar one though, just thought the curvy tree would suit him. Will have a nosey at the Bates now, thanks but be my luck to find something that fits and he wont like that either! I think its definately going to be the saddler route, at least I may have some chance of exchanging it if it doesnt suit, just got to find a decent saddler now.
Thanks again
 
Thanks Ive seen a few different models, they seem to have good cut back heads, can you remember if yours had a deep gusset? Ive got it in my head to clear the wither yet keep the saddle level it will need a deep gusset or panel, cant remember the proper terminology :)
 
Just google imaged and ooooh I like :) Theres one in Saddles Direct too, 17.5 and I need 17 but def worth a trip. Thanks
 
The sizing is different in that they actually come in sizes 0 1 and 2. 1 is equivalent to a 17" I think.

So comfy, I've still got mine and hoping to get it adjusted for my new horse eventually as the tree can be heated and changed on a special bench.
 
Another one with a kieffer, horse got huge withers,not big through the shoulder. Got mine very cheaply,as it had been ordered for someone who then didn't want it! Very comfy. Mine also has the tree you can adjust so I'm hopeful that it'll be able to be adjusted to fit my new youngster when the time comes that he needs a dressage saddle.
 
my v high withered TB did well in a Kent and Master hi-withered GP, so imagine he'd have done well in the dressage version too. As it was we got a good deal on a secondhand Prestige Optimax - and that fitted him beautifully.
 
Thanks, Ive been told Kent and Masters, Keiffer, Passier, Farrington (Derby House Kentucky) are all worth trying and keep looking at the Isabelle online. Ive had such bad experiences with saddlers, bar one but they are top end and mainly new saddles, that Id like to try if possible some of these makes first. Have you found you need a deep gusset too to keep it level?
 
I have a barnsby kanter (with the NGage blocks) for my TB x conny. She's got withers, but decent shoulders though. It's very comfy and she goes beautifully in it.
 
I have an Ideal Suzannah with a slightly cut back head on a 3/4 TB with very high withers and big shoulders. Fits a treat, though is now for sale as horse retired from everything bar the odd hack.
 
Gosh there seems to be loads, thanks for replying
Out of interest does anyone know what MPD or LDR stamped on the Kent and Masters flap stands for. Both look the same saddle?
 
Bates Isabelle definitely. The newer ones have the inbuilt shim system and the head is quite cut back. Best saddle I've ever bought and the first one I've been truly happy with fit-wise on my tricky ex racer.
 
We have a high either version of the Kent and Master on our ISH. She has a high and long wither and proved to be tricky to fit. This fits a treat and she has already gone up a.width fitting since she has had it.
 
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