What saddle do you recommend for hunting?

A

astridday

Active Member
Joined
17 May 2008
Messages
37
Visit site
Help please! I'm looking at getting a new saddle and am looking atthe Ideal Impala/whitakers/albions but need a saddle with a flattish panel, biggish knee blocks and a flattish but comfy seat. Is this impossible?? What works for you?
 
Well I've hunted in a John Whitaker which I love, but with my new horse an Albion fitted her a lot better and so ride her in that, find it very comfy, this is first time I've had an Albion. Have also ridden and hunted in ideals, not sure which model. Have hunted a lot off different horses and I would say that it's trail and error and to go with the one that fits you and the horse the most, and make sure that you will be able to pull your pedals up and down.
 
I'll be interested in the replies as I'm developing a niche range of saddles for larger seat sizes, and one will be a GPJ aimed partly at the hunting market - mine will be reasonably wide at the rear of the seat, moderate twist, wide panels for comfort for the horse (most CC saddles are not ideal for hunting) and then knee blocks on velcro to allow for riders of different sizes.
 
i personally wouldnt hunt in a stubben. infact wouldnt put one on my horse at all. they are made from extremly tough leather which makes them very hard wearing but there is no give in the leather so you end up with a horse with extremly sore back.

with the albions make sure you get a professional saddle fitter to fit them as they dont seem to fit brilliantly of the peg. they were originally designed by a doctor hence they are very comfortable to ride in but they didnt invest the same time into making them as comfortable for the horse. but they do adjust well so if you get a profesional saddle fitter to do them you should be ok.
 
Last edited:
I hunt in an ideal event in hunt pattern! It's designed with slightly further forward cut flaps than the pure event saddle. I have pmed you as my youngster has just outgrown hers.
 
I use an Albion K2 jump but wasn't bought for hunting, was bought for jumping. It's possibly a little too forward cut for those handbrake moments with yer feet jammed forward and leaning right back but I do feel pretty secure in it ;)
 
cheekyvimto said:
i personally wouldnt hunt in a stubben. infact wouldnt put one on my horse at all. they are made from extremly tough leather which makes them very hard wearing but there is no give in the leather so you end up with a horse with extremly sore back.

with the albions make sure you get a professional saddle fitter to fit them as they dont seem to fit brilliantly of the peg. they were originally designed by a doctor hence they are very comfortable to ride in but they didnt invest the same time into making them as comfortable for the horse. but they do adjust well so if you get a profesional saddle fitter to do them you should be ok.
Click to expand...

If you can find them - the sister range to Stubben was the "West Clare" - great hunting saddle and very comfortable for a long day in the saddle. Though if possible dont look at the latter ones with removable blocks - not half the saddle imo
 
One that fits!!

I hunt my ish in a Falcon Event and the cob in an Ideal. Both are very comfortable, and also have very good knee blocks which makes me feel more secure when jumping.
 
I also hunted on a hireling once who was in a black country saddle. Amazingly comfortable saddle but when I tried some of the newer ones I couldn't get one that fitted right or felt the same as that one! Think they do a hunt one though.
 
Ideal Grandee for one horse. It has a flatish seat, and square cantle. Quite large knee blocks and I would describe it as the perfect combination of GP and Jumping.

The other has a straight cut Ideal Working hunter (ie the show style). But that horses' action is much easier to sit to & has very big shoulders.
 
A saddle to fit the horse, and a good seat saver!!! (currently suede Heather Moffat memory foam one). I have, however, learned that sticky bum breeches and suede seat saver means something has to give! Ouch!
 
A Reactor Panel GP saddle. Technically advanced and brilliant at spreading the weight when you are in the saddle for 5 or 6 hours.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top