WWYD Saddle

[Ellietotz]

Only a quick question but I've reached a slight saddle hurdle that I need help on as I'm rubbish on deciding these things!

So I've had a really nice Exselle GP on trial from the saddle fitter, fits the horse well and I find it comfortable. It is £475 and on Saturday, I was basically set on buying it.

On Sunday, my YO brought over an Ideal VSD to try and I know that the fitter likes Ideal on my mare. It is quite a petite saddle however and he previously said he wouldn't fit a 16.5" Kent and Masters Pony Club saddle on her due to the panels being too narrow for her back and I feel this may be similar in panel width. It sits on her really nicely, other than the panel width but I'm not qualified to tell on this if it's right or not and it doesn't move either. I'm also comfortable in it. It would be £125.

My issue now is, the fitter can't come back until the end of May and understandably would like the Exselle back if I'm not buying it. I can't use the Ideal until then as the flocking is uneven, one side is more full than the other plus I don't like to use something for that long unless it's been fitted.

They have said they can take in the Ideal and adjust it to her templates but obviously won't know for sure until he sees it in person and ridden. This will cost to do and also be a risk.

Do I just spend the extra money like I was going to in the first place and buy the Exselle as I know it fits or do I just go without riding until the end of May, give the Exselle back and hope that the Ideal will work when he is back out? Or maybe buy the Exselle but keep the appointment to look at the Ideal anyway and if it works, sell the Exselle but risk not getting the money back?

Thanks!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

If it isn't broken, don't fix it. I would say that if you have been using this saddle for a while, you have the money set aside and you're also happy in it, then just go ahead with the purchase as planned. It's such a minefield, that for a saving of £350 I wouldn't risk having issues with it. My saddle cost me £190 last month for saddler travel, a fitting appointment and a full re-flock, so you could end up spending a very similar amount of money on the cheaper option if it needs a little work.

 

[Cowpony]

I'd go with the one you know works and you already have. As above, you could spend as much trying to get the other one to fit, and it may still not work as well

 

[Andrew657]

Would your fitter look at photo's of the Ideal and tell you whether they thought the panels are too narrow. If they would be reluctant to fit it - definitely go with the saddle that's working

 

[Roxylola]

I'd buy the one I know fits, so the exselle especially if they are both second hand.

 

[Ellietotz]

Would your fitter look at photo's of the Ideal and tell you whether they thought the panels are too narrow. If they would be reluctant to fit it - definitely go with the saddle that's working

Good point. I did send photos to him on Whatsapp but he's lost his phone. I didn't think to ask if there were other means of sending them!

 

[JulesRules]

The Ideal sounds like a risk to me.

I'd buy the one you have been riding in.

 

[Ellietotz]

If it isn't broken, don't fix it. I would say that if you have been using this saddle for a while, you have the money set aside and you're also happy in it, then just go ahead with the purchase as planned. It's such a minefield, that for a saving of £350 I wouldn't risk having issues with it. My saddle cost me £190 last month for saddler travel, a fitting appointment and a full re-flock, so you could end up spending a very similar amount of money on the cheaper option if it needs a little work.

Thank you. I've only used the Exselle twice for half an hour a time but I do like it and was planning on buying it until the Ideal came along which I like equally.

However, the saddle fitter has looked at the pictures of the Ideal and said it looks "Okay ish" so I think I will leave it and just get the Exselle since he has fitted it and approved of it.

 

[Ellietotz]

Quick update: I bought the saddle and rode in it for the fourth time today and now I'm worrying it's not right for me!

Is it normal to need to get used to a different saddle?

I've tried out quite a few lately and I was comfortable straight away but they didn't fit the horse. Same when I've ridden other peoples horses, I've been instantly fine in their saddles which were K&M 17.5" GP, GFS Monarch Cob 17" and Saddle Company GP 17". Others I was instantly comfortable in were Wintec 500 GP and Symonds.

However, this one which is an Exselle GP, when I sat in it straight away with my usual length stirrups, I was comfortable but they were too long in trot somehow so I've put them up a hole and they feel short in walk and I have to push my legs back to get them in a comfortable knee roll place which is putting me in the correct position but still feels unusual to how I'd usually ride and I'm still having to alter my normal position for this particular saddle which I didn't have to do before.
When I am riding in trot in the saddle it is very secure and comfortable and in gallop when I'm standing it is secure but at times it feels like I'm on my tiptoes when I'm leaning back to pull up. I can't shorten my stirrups more as my knees and ankles wouldn't cope!
It just feels weird but I'm giving up with my two year long saddle search and just want it to work!

 

[Spotherisk]

Well, I would go with the Ideal then, but I am biased as they’re a good fit for me.

 

[Ellietotz]

Well, I would go with the Ideal then, but I am biased as they’re a good fit for me.

I have paid for the Exselle now but the Ideal is still an option so I may leave the appointment booked in for the end of May if I can't get used to it by then. That said, I don't know if the Ideal will be the same or not when doing a longer ride in it. I still had to put my stirrups up a hole in that one too to feel the knee rolls and it's a VSD but I didn't have to in the others.
It just feels weird to have my stirrups up slightly shorter than normal and it aches when I get off lol!
I hate saddles!

 

[Spotherisk]

I have paid for the Exselle now but the Ideal is still an option so I may leave the appointment booked in for the end of May if I can't get used to it by then. That said, I don't know if the Ideal will be the same or not when doing a longer ride in it. I still had to put my stirrups up a hole in that one too to feel the knee rolls and it's a VSD but I didn't have to in the others.
It just feels weird to have my stirrups up slightly shorter than normal and it aches when I get off lol!
I hate saddles!

The older I get the the shorter I have to ride, for my hips!

 

[Ellietotz]

The older I get the the shorter I have to ride, for my hips!

This is interesting! I've ridden longer for my knees and ankles otherwise they hurt! I turned 27 a couple of weeks a go, maybe it's telling me something!
I just want to be in a saddle that I'm comfortable and secure in through everything, not one that I think if she spooks now while trying to pull up galloping that I'm going to be out the side door! I'm just hoping I can adapt my riding to that particular saddle!

 

[Spotherisk]

Oh yeah my knees hurt like hell, I use Metalab stirrups for that problem!