What saddles do you all use and do you all love or hate them?!

After riding in rock hard saddles when I first ventured into horse ownership, I eventually treated myself and my horse to a lovely Symonds Working Hunter saddle. It was soooo comfy and we both loved it.

Fast forward a few years, and I met my (now) husband. He took one look at my WH saddle and said "You do know that is one of my saddles don't you?" I replied with "Erm....no....what?....you made it?" 😂

The rest, as they say, is history - and I have ridden in his saddles ever since!
 
Gloi said:
I've been using flexible panel saddles for about 25 years now, from back when i used to ride a lot of miles. I started with a Trapezius one and now have a Reactorpanel and a Free n Easy which have fit several horses. I'm using the Free n Easy at the moment and I doubt I'll go back to normal style saddles.
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If you ever come across someone wanting a free n easy, I have one for sale.

Both current horses ridden in Winners Circle saddles that were made for them.

Big horse in a jump, and tiny horse in a customs made hybrid show/dressage saddle. Love them both.
 
Torsion Treeless Close Contact, but I suspect that's not the target saddle type here lol

Edit: forgot the rest of the question, yes I do like it. Fits the wide, flat backed one very well and is super lightweight. I did cut out the closed ring stirrup bars and replace it with a removeable open stirrup bar attachment, as I feel better knowing they'll come off if I get hooked on something. But then I got the saddle 2nd hand and very cheap so it wasn't as scary to take a knife to as it would have been a brand new one.
 
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I have a Whitaker Barnsley pony saddle. Made for tall kids on small ponies apparently 😂

I was in Wintecs before, which were absolutely fine but I do notice I'm more secure in the Whitaker. Comfy. Reasonable priced. Adjustable. The only annoying this is the memory foam "flock" which goes quite hard and needs poked at, but that can eventually be ripped out when it's not fixable.
Nasicus said:
Torsion Treeless Close Contact, but I suspect that's not the target saddle type here lol

Edit: forgot the rest of the question, yes I do like it. Fits the wide, flat backed one very well and is super lightweight. I did cut out the closed ring stirrup bars and replace it with a removeable open stirrup bar attachment, as I feel better knowing they'll come off if I get hooked on something. But then I got the saddle 2nd hand and very cheap so it wasn't as scary to take a knife to as it would have been a brand new one.
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Maybe not for everyone but if I was going to change I would be looking at treeless 👀 instructor keeps threatening to bring her Smart Saddles one for us to try.
 
Chunky Monkey and I love it. My horse moves beautifully in it as it leaves plenty of room for his huge shoulders but also has blocks in just the right places to make me feel very secure and balanced.
 
Stenners said:
My K&M is tipping me forwards!
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Notorious for it.

Baywonder said:
After riding in rock hard saddles when I first ventured into horse ownership, I eventually treated myself and my horse to a lovely Symonds Working Hunter saddle. It was soooo comfy and we both loved it.

Fast forward a few years, and I met my (now) husband. He took one look at my WH saddle and said "You do know that is one of my saddles don't you?" I replied with "Erm....no....what?....you made it?" 😂

The rest, as they say, is history - and I have ridden in his saddles ever since!
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I didn't know that (the bit about meeting AFTER you had one of his saddles), love it!

@Stenners you need to find a route through which fitters can come to you alongside any possible brands that really appeal to you. If you only go the latter route you may find what you like the idea of doesn't work for you, and only the former route they may have nothing that you are happy to live with but you DO need a good fitter.

You're being tipped forwards because the balance point (lowest point, where your seatbones should be, with pubic arch ideally in contact with the seat in front of it) is fairly far back and so you end up being forced to sit there with your buttocks shoved up on the slope to the cantle. Something with a lower cantle, or lower slope up to it, or a more forward balanced saddle that sits you correctly and allows the knee to drop (if your upper leg goes forwards the block can push you back in the seat from the knee) will give you way more options.

You may find this interesting or even enlightening https://stephaniebloomsaddlefitter.co.uk/blog-and-resources/the-search-for-knee-room...

And this is always useful to bear in mind https://stephaniebloomsaddlefitter.co.uk/blog-and-resources/why-cant-saddle-fitters-agree. Go with who answers your questions, who you trust, and who seems to offer a saddle that not only fits your horse, fits you and stabilises you from your seat (different from locking you in between a high cantle and big blocks) but fits your circumstances - budget, adjustability, weight, ease of care etc. I would also encourage anyone to choose a fitter, especially if they're coming a distance with a bigger callout, who asks for photos and a lot of background first otherwise you can end up with a wasted day and callout/visit fee.
 
rrawcliffe said:
Oh no, that doesn’t make me feel particularly hopeful about the resale potential of mine 😂
I suppose it depends on where/why it might not fit him - if it’s the sort of thing that could change/work with a different gullet bar or reflocking then I’d say go for it but obvs even with adjustable saddles there’s only so much you can do. You might have better luck getting it back from the saddle bank & trying to sell privately?
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I have tried privately for 6 months before I sent it to no avail!
 
sbloom said:
Notorious for it.



I didn't know that (the bit about meeting AFTER you had one of his saddles), love it!

@Stenners you need to find a route through which fitters can come to you alongside any possible brands that really appeal to you. If you only go the latter route you may find what you like the idea of doesn't work for you, and only the former route they may have nothing that you are happy to live with but you DO need a good fitter.

You're being tipped forwards because the balance point (lowest point, where your seatbones should be, with pubic arch ideally in contact with the seat in front of it) is fairly far back and so you end up being forced to sit there with your buttocks shoved up on the slope to the cantle. Something with a lower cantle, or lower slope up to it, or a more forward balanced saddle that sits you correctly and allows the knee to drop (if your upper leg goes forwards the block can push you back in the seat from the knee) will give you way more options.

You may find this interesting or even enlightening https://stephaniebloomsaddlefitter.co.uk/blog-and-resources/the-search-for-knee-room...

And this is always useful to bear in mind https://stephaniebloomsaddlefitter.co.uk/blog-and-resources/why-cant-saddle-fitters-agree. Go with who answers your questions, who you trust, and who seems to offer a saddle that not only fits your horse, fits you and stabilises you from your seat (different from locking you in between a high cantle and big blocks) but fits your circumstances - budget, adjustability, weight, ease of care etc. I would also encourage anyone to choose a fitter, especially if they're coming a distance with a bigger callout, who asks for photos and a lot of background first otherwise you can end up with a wasted day and callout/visit fee.
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Wow I had no idea K&M were notorious for topping you forwards - its drives me mad! Before that I had a Bliss Loxley Event which I didn't get on with and thats very very forward cut but I had it fitted when I got him because I wanted to event but hey we still haven't got there yet so went back for a GP but an Albion is what I really want but equally open to other options. I just love them and have sat in a friends and they are just another level! He had the K2 GP fitted and I should have just got that!

I have been having a saddle fitter come to me to adjust this saddle but going back to the original saddle fitter that fitted it and also with the option of trying others also. When I first went they asked for photos, loads of questions etc so that have done that :)
 
Quite a few UK brands have a more rear balance to the seats, it can feel more secure, you're back with a lot of horse in front of you which can tell the brain you're safe, but a saddle with a more mid to forwards balance point means the horse finds it easier to carry us, and we usually sit better (depending on pelvis shape and hip conformation). The challenge is that most forward balance saddles are the sort of close contact European saddles that then don't work so well with most horses, especially wider ones, and can feel a tiny bit unnerving being more forwards, until you get used to it.

But thinking about where a saddle loads you on the horse and how well you instinctively sit in it (does it sit you with knees mostly forwards, heels under hips for flatwork, 3 point comfortable seat with neutral pelvis etc) rather than just how comfortable it is will help even in saddles with a mid to rear balance, we can all get comfy in our bad habits! But if you can get a great fit for the horse and a great, more forwards fit for you, it's gold standard stuff :)
 
sbloom said:
Quite a few UK brands have a more rear balance to the seats, it can feel more secure, you're back with a lot of horse in front of you which can tell the brain you're safe, but a saddle with a more mid to forwards balance point means the horse finds it easier to carry us, and we usually sit better (depending on pelvis shape and hip conformation). The challenge is that most forward balance saddles are the sort of close contact European saddles that then don't work so well with most horses, especially wider ones, and can feel a tiny bit unnerving being more forwards, until you get used to it.

But thinking about where a saddle loads you on the horse and how well you instinctively sit in it (does it sit you with knees mostly forwards, heels under hips for flatwork, 3 point comfortable seat with neutral pelvis etc) rather than just how comfortable it is will help even in saddles with a mid to rear balance, we can all get comfy in our bad habits! But if you can get a great fit for the horse and a great, more forwards fit for you, it's gold standard stuff :)
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This is good to know thank you! He's a Cob x (we think Cob x Welsh D x Tb) and 15.2 so when he's lean and clipped he looks more like a TB but when he's fluffy and put on more weight he looks more cobby! Any brands you'd suggest considering or you think probably wouldn't really work on him? I always said my K&M wouldn't be my forever saddle but didn't expect it go wrong as quickly as this!!
 
I’m actually not that fussy about saddles. I find it varies depending on the horse and what feels right on one doesn’t give the same feel on another.

Over the years I’ve pretty much gravitated towards European close contact jumps. Currently horse switched to an Equipe from a Prestige. If pushed I’d say I prefer the prestige of the two.

I like Black Country on horses that are a bit broader.

For years I rode in a K2 jump, would happily have that again as a hacking saddle, but my current jumps are better for a good neutral position whereas the K2 a bit more armchair.

I had a WOW dressage for a horse that particularly liked it. I got used to it but I wouldn’t rush back unless the horse demanded it.

Cannot stand any Voltaire I’ve ridden in.

Love Butet. Quite like devocoux. Couldn’t quite get butet to sit right on current horse.
 
Stenners said:
This is good to know thank you! He's a Cob x (we think Cob x Welsh D x Tb) and 15.2 so when he's lean and clipped he looks more like a TB but when he's fluffy and put on more weight he looks more cobby! Any brands you'd suggest considering or you think probably wouldn't really work on him? I always said my K&M wouldn't be my forever saddle but didn't expect it go wrong as quickly as this!!
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I don't have much of a background with narrower horses (my average fit for maybe 13 years used to be close to a XXW!), I do fit more of them now but recommendations would be advertising as far as TFC is concerned. I use my real name so you can find further thoughts online :)
 
I have a Frank Baines Omni that's fitted for my Standardbred. We both really like it, though the few other people (all women) I've put in it have not liked it. The saddle fitter said that I have relatively short femurs, which would be part of why the saddle fits me. The saddle fits my horse who has a somewhat short, straight back with withers fairly typical for warmbloods. It is unfortunately a bit long for my Icelandics.
 
Ideal Impala, incredibly comfortable, bought second hand on Facebook and my saddler has adjusted it. Other saddles I have in my tack room are a Native Pony Saddle company WH and a Humphries & Swain GP, also an Albion VSD that belongs to my YO which I hate because it's so slick after having got used to suede.

I wouldn't touch K&M, sorry.
 
I have a Lavinia Mitchell GP which is lovely and comfortable. My saddler fitted it 8 yrs ago so he could fill out into it so he’s had it shimmed using a prolite pad which were adjusted regularly as he filled out. Got as far as no shims but he’s had some time off so has lost top line so back to shimming for now. He’s always gone well in it and I’m so pleased I haven’t had to have multiple saddles. I’ve even been able to use it on my young horse with a wither pad although possibly now need something different.
 
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Love Ideal. I’m now back to a very old Ideal after selling my lovely Ideal after horse changed shape and I decided to buy him a brand new all singing and dancing Kent and Masters. Bad decision. I persevered for over a year with it, I think I even posted on here about it. I found it very uncomfortable to the point it was making me very sore every time I rode. I was subconsciously tipping my weight on to my seat bones which in turn was giving me back pain. Sold it and got a very old Ideal(horse is almost retired) and it was like sitting on a cloud.

Youngster is in need of a saddle but unsure on his final shape which will no doubt change quite a lot before he decides how wide he’ll be! I’m looking in to the new Wintec Hart saddles… I liked the first Wintec 500 that came out around 20years ago, but wasn’t fond of the newer shape ones. Can’t stand Thorowgood so that’s out the window!
 
My horse was fitted with a Cavaletti Collection Synthetic GP Saddle - would've preferred leather but sadly budget didn't allow it at the time. I tried quite a few from my saddler fitter and found this one the best. I find it quite comfortable and it's always fitted my horse well even when he's changed shape.
 
ihatework said:
I’m actually not that fussy about saddles. I find it varies depending on the horse and what feels right on one doesn’t give the same feel on another.

Over the years I’ve pretty much gravitated towards European close contact jumps. Currently horse switched to an Equipe from a Prestige. If pushed I’d say I prefer the prestige of the two.

I like Black Country on horses that are a bit broader.

For years I rode in a K2 jump, would happily have that again as a hacking saddle, but my current jumps are better for a good neutral position whereas the K2 a bit more armchair.

I had a WOW dressage for a horse that particularly liked it. I got used to it but I wouldn’t rush back unless the horse demanded it.

Cannot stand any Voltaire I’ve ridden in.

Love Butet. Quite like devocoux. Couldn’t quite get butet to sit right on current horse.
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An armchair jump at the moment sounds ideal as he's only start starting to jump again after rehab!
 
Bear in mind that so often a softer feeling seat is to do with the shape of it suiting your individual pelvis and won't be a general thing for everyone. Then there's how well the saddle is set up on the horse - I've often shifted the balance of a saddle from tipping back to level and it feels softer to the rider, because of how they're sitting at the bottom of the "hammock" created by the webbing on a wooden tree.

Most changeable headplate saddles, certainly Fairfax group and I believe Wintec, have solid plastic trees which can be a bit harder under the seatbones but again some people find them very comfy.
 
I use Black country saddles on my chunky connie's. I absolutely love them.
I have a GP event and an eloquence dressage.
I also have another GP event for sale as I sold my other horse.
 
Antares, for the past many years..8 maybe?

Stupid money new, but OK 2nd hand. I started with a dressage, which thankfully fits both with slightly dfferent numnahs, and they now have a CC each. Horses go well in them, I love the position they put me in. Paul Morgan is fantastiically knowlegeable and helpful, and not at all pushy. Only one of mine was new, and that was because it was specially made for an awkward horse.
 
bubsqueaks said:
I had a K&M which I hated - they can only change the head plate, are so narrow across the back, imo not fit for purpose.
I have AH saddles always buy 2nd hand off the native facebook site - always hold their money & so comfortable.
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I have two Andrea Hicks saddles, one GP and one dressage and I love them. They fit my mare beautifully and are really well made and comfortable.
 
I ride in an older, second-hand Ghost Piccolo (it’s got another name too, can’t remember) and so far, with the limited amount I’ve been riding, it feels very comfy. Hoping to test it more soon as Steph Bloom has been out to adjust it, and now sitting better in it so that’s exciting - but as I’ll need another saddle soon-ish I’m hoping to get another Ghost in brown. I really like sitting in the Ghost, and I like how adjustable it is. My horse goes really well in it too, so that’s a bonus.
 
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