Working hunter saddles

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Laura2013

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This might be a daft question but is there any reason why you couldn't hunt in them?

I mainly do flat work/ dressage and hack - including some longer rides. Very occasionally I hunt/ beach ride/ fun ride. For this reason I don't want a dressage saddle but I prefer something straighter cut than a gp.

Are working hunters suitable for everyday riding or just the show ring?

To give an idea of makes/ price range I'm looking at Ideal, Black Country and Jeffries initially.
 
Rider preference, and you need to have a good try out in whichever style you choose, I don't like to jump in a straight cut saddle, but I sell a lot of WH saddles and lots of my clients jump in them. There are neater cut GPs and VSDs around as well, they're all slightly different so you'd have to find what works for you and your horse most of the time, and that doesn't hinder you too much if you want to hoik your stirrups up.
 
I used to do everything (hunting, XC etc) in a straight cut half panel show saddle, I think as long as you are comfy and can bring your stirrups up a bit (as said above) it can be just fine

Mind you I have a similar saddle for my sec A pony and the rider felt very unstable even at a walk

I guess its what you get used to!
 
I've got a WH saddle (Farrington) on my boy and we've been SJing, dressage, jumped XC fences and gone out with the bloodhounds in it. Going to a hunt clinic next month which will include jumping the rails and will use it for then too. I love it and it's extremely comfy (even more so since saddler has been back and reflocked it).
I am toying with the idea of getting a GP too or part exchanging my WH but I'm a firm believer of if it aint broke don't fix it!
 
I have got a VSD saddle so similar cut - I was dubious but fitter let me jump in it on testing, and I was amazed at how secure it is. Really comfy for a day's hunting. I have short legs though, so can pull my stirrups up and my knees are still not over the rolls. it sits nicely on my large shouldered horse.
 
I have hunted in mine but it was too straight cut really so it wasn't great. My dressage saddle is better as I can move the knee blocks.
 
No not at all. I had a Jeffries Stamford Working Hunter and it was amazing, best saddle ever. Had to get rid when I didn't have anything to fit it but I'm hoping to get another when my D stops growing.
 
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