Which type of saddle to buy?

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Guesty

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I've been trolling this forum a lot in the run up to getting back into riding and buying a horse a couple of weeks ago so thanks are already due!

I'm now renting a lovely dressage saddle from the saddler until I choose which saddle I'd like made as I'm splashing out on a bespoke saddle for him. The problem is I don't know which would be best? Cannot afford to have more than one at the moment. He's only 4 and not 100% sure what we'll do most of yet. Definitely some hunting through the winter and general riding club stuff 'til then, maybe some working hunter classes.

I was thinking about a jumping saddle but if that's my only saddle I might struggle with it on the flat and I'm really enjoying the position the dressage saddle helps me get. People on the yard are saying general purpose saddles just make everything difficult. Cannot hunt in a dressage saddle (don't want to get laughed off the field before they even see me try and jump anything). Saddler suggested a working hunter saddle? Or a GP saddle biased to jumping? Or shell out on a fantastic jumping saddle and get a second hand dressage saddle at a later date? Any thoughts would be great. Sorry if this has been covered in another thread I've overlooked. Please excuse any ignorance I've betrayed in my rant 😄
 
I've got a working hunter saddle - the noble steed doesn't seem to like anything forward cut, so it works fine for the basic dressage and little jumps we tackle! We're bound to end up with a proper dressage saddle at some point, but I'm very happy with the WH for now.
 
I have a great jumping saddle which i schooled in for ages! But i bought a dressage saddle in October & i can really tell the difference in my riding & the quality of her work now it is getting more advanced & our dressage scores :)

I would go with a great jump saddle for now that can be altered by a good saddler when he/she changes shape & buy a dressage when a little older
 
I'd go for a 2nd hand gp/jump that fits you and the horse now, as the chances are he's going to change pretty rapidly, and you may find your expensive new bespoke saddle will not fit him any more
 
Unless he's really tricky to fit (I do several unbacked fittings again with four figure new saddles for that very reason) then I'd seek out a used saddle. A flat seated GP will probably do very nicely, WH saddles are great and I sell a lot of them, but they can be very straight cut and are really to show off the shoulder for showing while giving a little more support to the rider. My longer legged riders perfer to buy our flat seated GP as it, like some other models, is neat enough for the show ring. Close contact jump saddles could equally do the same job, just don't go for anything super forward cut if you want to show at all, and of course make sure it fits the horse!

I generally advise against going fully custom in most cases - if you can buy from stock you are in a much stronger position legally and financiall, you have the right to a 7 day trial if the saddle is fitted away from the retailers' premises and to an almost full refund (less any actual costs like card charges or wear and tear) so you can be truly sure you and the horse love the saddle.
 
How about a VSD? Mine is looking for a new home since my boys weight gain in semi retirement. I have used mine for showing, hunting and everything in between. I would go second hand for now too, I have just bought a second hand jump saddle for my just 5 year old and would like a second hand dressage one too. If I buy new again I will wait till he has matured more as fully expecting what he is in now may no longer fit in 3,6 months... Exciting though I love saddle shopping!!
 
Don't buy a new saddle. Buy a second hand one. You won't know what you want for a couple of years, also your horse is young.

When I got back into horses I made the mistake of buying a new saddle for my new pony. Its spent two years sat in the tackroom as its completely unsuitable for me and the pony. It cost £1500 and as soon as it arrived the value halved. Honestly don't do it. You could get anything you wanted second hand dressage and jump and have spare left over and if you don't like them sell on losing little if any money.
 
I've just bought a kent and masters for my 4 yo. It's great because it's interchangeable gullet system means that I can change it to fit her where as if I'd bought a normal one then chances are it wouldn't fit her in a few years.

It's a great saddle and they hold a good second hand value. If you got one like that then you could buy yourself the saddle of dreams when your satisfied he has stopped growing!
 
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