Zaldi saddles... ?

[Kafairia]

Hello,

So I did it, I splurged and bought a Zaldi after about 4 months of looking for a jump saddle with my rather limiting budget. I've paid, it just needs to arrive now for the crucial task of fitting it, otherwise it will be back to the drawing board again. It has taken me a while as I'm very particular, I would have preferred brown and to mono but you can't have it all. But it had my key gripes of a very low cantle and forward flap. Just my preferences.

But it has dawned on me how little I know on this make, Zaldi. What are they like to reflock in general? I think the panels are either latex or foam, will that be problematic? Can your standard saddle fitter fit them or do you require a specialist fitter? Personal experiences / opinions? Tree style - generally flat or curved (I need curved :/ ) ?

I just really want to know what to expect. Pray it fits... :-0

 

[Cortez]

I have had several Zaldi dressage saddles (and Doma Vaquera & Alta Escuela, but that's probably not relevant here...), and have found them excellent quality. They don't suit every horse, but what saddle brand does? And they do have a curved tree....I believe they are as easy as any other to reflock; just make sure you have a competant saddler.

 

[Kafairia]

Thank you! That helps a lot and I was hoping it wouldn't be like some of those cheap Indian saddles that are awful, as I say this make is a new one for me.

Now I'm just hoping it fits! as for saddlers, I think I have 3 Master saddlers nearby, Mark Fisher being one (but he is booked for monthd and I will want it fitting soon) so hopefully I will find someone.

 

[j1ffy]

I had a Zaldi dressage saddle for an ex-racehorse and it was a lovely saddle. Mine was standard wool flocking. If you have foam or latex they can't be re-flocked, they are what they are basically! I think those materials are supposed to mold to the horse over time.

 

[Scarlett]

I wonder if you have just bought my friends Zaldi as she sold hers yesterday...? 17.5 black jump?

If it is then it is a cc foam panel and, tbh, it has fitted a few different shaped horses, as foam panelled cc saddles seem to do! They mould to the horse and any adjustments are usually made by adding a pad under the saddle rather than altering the saddle. It was previously owned by another friend and had been used on wb and tb's. The jump is really nice to ride in, secure but without a deep seat or huge blocks, and gives a nice close feel to the horse. I nearly bought it for one of my horses - it was prev owned by another friend - and would always recommend them as a bit of a bargain!

 

[Kafairia]

Sounds about right, Medium fit? Seller was lovely and very helpful.

It says CC & foam pannellled, so that sounds just like it. Well that's okay then, I've always had traditional wool flock saddles (tried CAIR, hated it) and I was curious how it's gone about fitting these. It's going on my curvy ottb, he's just been doing flat work this year, it has been rocky for us but I feel like he's ready to start up his jumping again which should be good fun... eek! Haha.

I'll probably post pictures of it on him as I'll want a rough opinion on fit (if it's worth getting a saddler or if it definitely doesn't fit without a saddler coming out to tell me this). Hopefully should be here tomorrow so that's going to be great.

 

[sbloom]

The clue is in the name , flock can be reflocked, foam can't. There won't be so many fitters familiar with them in this country but it doesn't mean you can't find someone to fit it, adjusting the tree, if possible and necessary, may be trickier if there are no actual approved fitters.