What saddles do you all have on your TBs?

[HelenBack]

I know the answer to the question "what saddle will suit my horse" is "the one that fits him best", but I want to do a bit of window shopping while I wait for the saddler to come.

TB has been in a second hand high wither Thorowgood while I've saved up to get him something decent. I don't like the Thorowgood at all and as discussed by others in posts on TGs and K&M saddles, I feel like it puts me in a chair position.

Am now in a position to proceed so am in the process of sorting out a saddler (another challenge entirely but that's a different topic!). So while I'm getting that in place just thought I'd have a nosey and wondering what other people have found suitable?

Horse will definitely be looking for a higher wither model and I'll be after a GP/jumping type affair and at the moment that's all I know!

 

[Ouch05]

Goodness, my boy has a variety of saddles jump/GP and dressage. The one I have now was first fitted to him as a four year old and still fits now (adjustable) has been regular every 6 months checked and tweaked but still amazing and comfortable. It is a Monarch.

dressage wise the Fairfax always sat well on him.

 

[Annagain]

Can't help on the saddle but highly recommend Helen Reader as a fitter.

 

[AandK]

Mine has a K2 jump. K&M tree was to curved for his back, he has a good wither though!

 

[ycbm]

WOWs.

Currently in a 3U gullet on a DWG panel in a dressage and a GP seat/flaps.

I don't expect to change the gullet, I think that's as wide as he'll go, but the air has been rebalanced several times already since he came out of racing.

I have the GP on the forward stirrup bar and the dressage on the back one.

 

[HelenBack]

Goodness, my boy has a variety of saddles jump/GP and dressage. The one I have now was first fitted to him as a four year old and still fits now (adjustable) has been regular every 6 months checked and tweaked but still amazing and comfortable. It is a Monarch.

dressage wise the Fairfax always sat well on him.

Please don't mention a variety of saddles!!! I haven't ruled out a dressage one down the line actually but that will have to wait for now. Good to hear about the different options though and I'll have a look at both the Monarchs and the Fairfax. I did have an old Fieldhouse actually and I think it was them that became GFS/ Monarch wasn't it? That one was super comfy for me although I now they'll probably have changed now.

Can't help on the saddle but highly recommend Helen Reader as a fitter.

Thanks, I did try Helen a while back and didn't really get on with her so probably wouldn't use her again. A few people are using that Leighton Norris now and seem to speak highly of him so am thinking of asking him to take a look, otherwise maybe Kevin McArdle but I think he's a bit more in the mixed reviews camp!

Mine has a K2 jump. K&M tree was to curved for his back, he has a good wither though!

Thanks, yeah I'm not convinced the TG is the right shape for my guy either actually and did wonder about the curved thing too. A K2 could be a good option so will keep that in mind too.

WOWs.

Currently in a 3U gullet on a DWG panel in a dressage and a GP seat/flaps.

I don't expect to change the gullet, I think that's as weird as he'll go, but the air has been rebalanced several times already since he came out of racing.

I have the GP on the forward stirrup bar and the dressage on the back one.

This would be my preferred option but the fitter just isn't getting back to me and I think I'm done with chasing now. I'm reasonably confident with Wows but not quite confident to fit it myself and I can't adjust the air myself either. I might have a look actually to see if they're still doing those courses for people to learn the fit their own horses. That could be a good option.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Ideal deal and thorowgood t4 sat well

 

[Maesfen]

On a variety of TBs, I've used the Hawk Event (very comfy) a Barnsby, a Parker and a Pennwood. Yes, old saddles but they fitted a variety of horses well - they had to, they'd be wearing them all day.

 

[Annagain]

Thanks, I did try Helen a while back and didn't really get on with her so probably wouldn't use her again. A few people are using that Leighton Norris now and seem to speak highly of him so am thinking of asking him to take a look, otherwise maybe Kevin McArdle but I think he's a bit more in the mixed reviews camp!

I know Leighton and he's lovely but he's very new to it all, I'd prefer to see a few more reviews before using him if that makes sense? I'm definitely not saying that he's not good, just that I'd like a bit more long term evidence to base an opinion on.

 

[sbloom]

TBs vary in shape SO much, I think you're in an area where I can't help much with recommendations for a fitter, but so often it's the fitter that makes the bigger difference. I'm really not a fan of changeable headplate saddles personally, and would always recommend flocked panels for the majority of situations. Fairfax may feel a little different to TG but they are built on similar trees etc so watch out for the same issues as you're currently having. Having the saddle fit the rider really well, not leave you too far behind your feet and help you with a neutral pelvis, is more important than we've ever realised so a fitter who understands rider fit to a higher level and has access to brands that help with that (of "regular" non specialist brands Harry Dabbs can be good for that but not sure what's happening with Vale Brothers being in trouble) can be a game changer.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Mine is in an ideal event saddle and has a throughgood t6 ( I think) for stressage

 

[HelenBack]

I know Leighton and he's lovely but he's very new to it all, I'd prefer to see a few more reviews before using him if that makes sense? I'm definitely not saying that he's not good, just that I'd like a bit more long term evidence to base an opinion on.

Yes I know exactly what you mean, which I think is part of the reason I'm procrastinating a bit (apart from hoping the Wow fitter will eventually get back to me, do you spot a theme occurring for me here?!). On the one hand somebody who is new, and coming to it a bit later in life, could be very enthusiastic, but on the other hand there's a lot to be said for several years of hands on experience. Then again, I've found some of the ones with the most experience have got a bit too relaxed about it all nowadays! It's difficult!

When is your op btw? I thought it was about now. Message privately if you prefer.

TBs vary in shape SO much, I think you're in an area where I can't help much with recommendations for a fitter, but so often it's the fitter that makes the bigger difference. I'm really not a fan of changeable headplate saddles personally, and would always recommend flocked panels for the majority of situations. Fairfax may feel a little different to TG but they are built on similar trees etc so watch out for the same issues as you're currently having. Having the saddle fit the rider really well, not leave you too far behind your feet and help you with a neutral pelvis, is more important than we've ever realised so a fitter who understands rider fit to a higher level and has access to brands that help with that (of "regular" non specialist brands Harry Dabbs can be good for that but not sure what's happening with Vale Brothers being in trouble) can be a game changer.

Thanks, this is all very helpful and makes a lot of sense. Good point on the Fairfax too, I hadn't thought about that. I'm probably a bit more open minded about changeable headplates, although I do understand why you're not keen. Given that I can't get on with the TG and I don't really like Bates/ Wintecs that probably pretty much rules them out anyway. I do think the horse still has some changing to do so it might be better to go with a decent second hand model for the time being and change as and when necessary.

I completely agree with you on your fitter point though, which I think is why I'm dithering so much. I know who all of the options are around here so just have to pick one of them but am quite wary. Window shopping for saddles is an easy option while I think about that. I got on really well both with Wow saddles themselves in the past and with the fitter but she just seems to have gone off grid so I'm going to have to have a rethink.

 

[ycbm]

You're way too far from me, aren't you, I think we've talked about it before? I've got a cheap old movable block GP that might suit you for now, left from when I needed saddles for two, and a pump kit of your own costs about £80.
.

 

[Annagain]

Yes I know exactly what you mean, which I think is part of the reason I'm procrastinating a bit (apart from hoping the Wow fitter will eventually get back to me, do you spot a theme occurring for me here?!). On the one hand somebody who is new, and coming to it a bit later in life, could be very enthusiastic, but on the other hand there's a lot to be said for several years of hands on experience. Then again, I've found some of the ones with the most experience have got a bit too relaxed about it all nowadays! It's difficult!

When is your op btw? I thought it was about now. Message privately if you prefer.



Thanks, this is all very helpful and makes a lot of sense. Good point on the Fairfax too, I hadn't thought about that. I'm probably a bit more open minded about changeable headplates, although I do understand why you're not keen. Given that I can't get on with the TG and I don't really like Bates/ Wintecs that probably pretty much rules them out anyway. I do think the horse still has some changing to do so it might be better to go with a decent second hand model for the time being and change as and when necessary.

I completely agree with you on your fitter point though, which I think is why I'm dithering so much. I know who all of the options are around here so just have to pick one of them but am quite wary. Window shopping for saddles is an easy option while I think about that. I got on really well both with Wow saddles themselves in the past and with the fitter but she just seems to have gone off grid so I'm going to have to have a rethink.

Long story but it's been postponed until the end of this month as it's suddenly started to improve by itself - not enough to cancel but enough to question whether to go ahead. Going t ogive it a few weeks to see if it improves more before making a decision.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Hacking chum dug out her lovely Stubben dressage saddle when she got her ex-chaser 17 months ago, saddler came out and with a few tweaks it fitted nicely. (had been stored the previous 5 yrs)
She likes it so much that last xmas she got a Stubben jump saddle too!

 

[HelenBack]

You're way too far from me, aren't you, I think we've talked about it before? I've got a cheap old movable block GP that might suit you for now, left from when I needed saddles for two, and a pump kit of your own costs about £80.
.

Yes, I used to live very close to where you are now but am miles away now sadly, and I just don't feel confident enough about fitting it myself to buy it off you. I appreciate the thought though.

Long story but it's been postponed until the end of this month as it's suddenly started to improve by itself - not enough to cancel but enough to question whether to go ahead. Going t ogive it a few weeks to see if it improves more before making a decision.

Oh wow, I'll keep everything crossed for you then that things carry on to improve. Would be brilliant if it carries on to get better and you don't have to go ahead.

 

[catembi]

I have premier equine synthetic saddles…a jumping one and a dressage one. I really love both saddles. I have 2 x ex racers, a 17hh chunky and a 16.1 finer model. You can change the gullets in them quite easily.

 

[sportsmansB]

I had a Prestige elastic professional jump (but was comfy enough to use for everything) on my old mostly TB. Curved panels and more filling at the front for the dippy bits and she had a prominent wither. They are heat-adjustable by a saddler so not a removeable gullet but can change slightly as the horse changes. I really rated it. Also I bought it for about £1300 new and still got £900 back on it about 5 years later which was good enough I thought.

 

[JBM]

Had an ideal on mine

 

[YourValentine]

Will Saddlesdirect come out to you? I used them, they ask for pictures and a description of your horse and your height etc and bring a variety in budget that might fit.
I know they use different people in different regions but the lady that came out to me was great.

 

[TheChestnutThing]

I have a PE event mono (cheap and cheerful but fits us both beautifully and it’s so comfy), a custom made Kruger with straight cut panels to allow for a big shoulder and forward flaps and an old school passier for stressage that everyone thinks I’m mad to ride in (it’s the type with no knee rolls etc) but he loves it. I used to have a Passier event aswell but as too big for me and he needed straighter panels for his shoulder.

I’ve previously had my other TB’s in a Bates Caprilli, JC Sapphire and a Keiffer with a cut back wither (regret selling this one).

 

[sbloom]

Just be sure whoever you use understands rider fit to the extent they at least use photos of a rider in a well fitting saddle when promoting how they fit the rider!

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid034gjZXNDc3BFWjrr5wm8fAGsVa6cL76GWMdatWL6YrEgWwUq7jGbbKvHWSjnwQTwAl&id=100064673716393

 

[HelenBack]

Just be sure whoever you use understands rider fit to the extent they at least use photos of a rider in a well fitting saddle when promoting how they fit the rider!

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid034gjZXNDc3BFWjrr5wm8fAGsVa6cL76GWMdatWL6YrEgWwUq7jGbbKvHWSjnwQTwAl&id=100064673716393

Yes I know what you mean, and I saw some discussion about that photo a couple of weeks ago before yesterday's post about. I wonder if their apparent lack of understanding about rider fit / position is due to all the stuff discussed yesterday though, i.e. the fact that it almost seems to be the norm to ride dressage with an arched back nowadays.

Either way, it's just really difficult because it's so easy to talk yourself out of any fitter if you're naturally a bit mistrustful like me. Either they're not experienced enough or they're very experienced but a bit lazy or lots of other reasons really. I'm just going to have give one of them a try and be prepared to move on if it doesn't work out. I think I have a bit of a plan anyway though as I think the horse will still change shape so I have decided I would rather go for second hand for now so I can still get something decent and then sell it on in a while if needs be.

Not much danger of me sitting like the girl in the photo anyway though. If I do get a dressage saddle at some point it will be minimal in design as I can't stand being wedged in by big blocks and high cantles and much prefer being able to actually move a bit. Also have a natural tendency to slouch forward a bit (in life as well as in the saddle) so sitting up at all is a good achievement for me!

 

[muddybay]

I have a k2 and a monarch for my tb and they seem to work quite well

 

[Maesfen]

Just be sure whoever you use understands rider fit to the extent they at least use photos of a rider in a well fitting saddle when promoting how they fit the rider!

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid034gjZXNDc3BFWjrr5wm8fAGsVa6cL76GWMdatWL6YrEgWwUq7jGbbKvHWSjnwQTwAl&id=100064673716393

I've got to say that those pictures really illustrate the ugliness of today's riding position. Leaning back, arched back, arms pulled out of their sockets and don't get me started on the stiffness of the legs but it all goes hand in hand with so many over horsed and can't ride one side of their horses naturally so they have to strike that pose when riding but you wouldn't expect it just on a saddle horse.
A dressage rider I'm certainly not, don't know the first thing about it but I do know today's riders aren't anywhere as natural as they should be; there's so much tension everywhere Riding's not meant to be a combative sport but a stranger could be excused for thinking the rider is fighting with their horse in some cases when dressage should be about lightness and partnerships.
Sorry OP, completely away from your subject; I apologise. x

 

[sbloom]

And it's SO not about whether this young rider is a good rider or not (how we define that has surely changed over the decades anyway), it's about how she's been trained, and how the saddle sits her. I don't care about ugly in and of itself (and I know that's not what you mean), but I do care about us making ourselves not only the best possible "load" to carry, but also to understand how to facilitate a horse to move as well as possible under us. If we don't do that, or our trainers and saddle fitters help us to do that, then it could indeed be said to be ugly.

 

[Maesfen]

And it's SO not about whether this young rider is a good rider or not (how we define that has surely changed over the decades anyway), it's about how she's been trained, and how the saddle sits her. I don't care about ugly in and of itself (and I know that's not what you mean), but I do care about us making ourselves not only the best possible "load" to carry, but also to understand how to facilitate a horse to move as well as possible under us. If we don't do that, or our trainers and saddle fitters help us to do that, then it could indeed be said to be ugly.

Absolutely agree with you and we both have the same ideal. I was brought up to accept any saddle had to fit the horse first and foremost; the rider had to adapt to that saddle and sit naturally to go with that horse. I just find today's saddle design so unnatural if that makes sense and I suppose a lot of that is down to present day trainers expecting riders to look like puppets (to me, I might add,) probably not to anyone else considering the trend is so prevalent now.

 

[sbloom]

Absolutely agree with you and we both have the same ideal. I was brought up to accept any saddle had to fit the horse first and foremost; the rider had to adapt to that saddle and sit naturally to go with that horse. I just find today's saddle design so unnatural if that makes sense and I suppose a lot of that is down to present day trainers expecting riders to look like puppets (to me, I might add,) probably not to anyone else considering the trend is so prevalent now.

Yet in fact we find now that, within certain types of fittings, selecting a saddle, or making adjustments, that helps the rider align and function optimally can make a bigger difference than tweaking the fit for the horse. If you can simplify the fit for the horse so that the area immediately under the rider allows the horse's back to lift, then stabilising the rider makes more difference than you can imagine.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Had an ideal on mine

I had an Ideal Impala on mine. I loved it and it seemed to fit him very nicely (was fitted by a saddler)