| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kastell |
Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 2:32:52 PM
Hi all, am on the hunt for another saddle for my mare - again, same old story to most the other posts, have a treeless but want to go back to a treed!
Does anyone know how the Fieldhouse, Ideal & Stubben saddles compare on their widths? For example a Fieldhouse size 31 (MW), is it comparable to an Ideal Medium? It maybe a stupid question but am working on the basis that 2 size 12 pairs of jeans from different shops can be vastly different  !
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| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 31 Aug 2011 : 09:31:14 AM
Its an Ideal Ramsay 17in, I got it from a very well known saddle fitter here in Essex, she orders them to her specification from Ideal so they are slightly different from what you would get straight from them, only a few different features, they come with a point strap and I cant remember what else is different, I love it though I hack and do everything in it.
I didn't realise the Fieldhouse only came in 17in, I must say though I used to have a fieldhouse pro event which was 17.5 which felt huge, but the dressage definitely feels smaller, I would try a dressage one you might find the seat OK.
Edited: just looked on GFS website the new range of dressage saddles do come in 16.5, I am not sure about the older models though. |
| kastell |
Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 8:50:28 PM
Thanks for your replies, pinkvboots that is good to hear, I used to have a Fieldhouse VSD MW, which fitted my mare reasonably well, however I would like a smaller saddle size of 16.5" as I felt a bit lost in my 17" & Fieldhouse don't seem to do a 16.5" in the VSD or Dressage (correct me if I'm wrong anyone!) but I noticed that both Ideal & Stubben do, hence my question. What model is your Ideal Pinkvboots just out of interest?
Unfortunately there aren't many saddle shops where I am & I've never heard of a saddle fitter unless you order a made to measure saddle which I can't afford, so I'm having to buy to try, which is not ideal!
Judith is correct what she says re the shape of the tree front to back, for instance Bates / Wintec saddles don't fit my mare as they bridge, even though she doesn't look dippy backed!
Has anyone ever tried using an impression pad (such as a Port Lewis) under a trial saddle to see how it weight bears? I did think about buying one at one stage but they are pricey, however I've since read that people use them regularly to check their rider balance as well, so it won't necessarily just end up gathering dust in a tack room! |
| Judith S |
Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 5:08:15 PM
It is very difficult to compare widths of saddles without trying them on your horse as the effect of the width at the front of the bar will depend on the amount of curve in the bar from back to front. You can have a saddle as wide as you like but if the bar is too curved the saddle will rock from back to front and if it is not curved enough the saddle will bridge. Width and flare at the front of the bar are only part of the equation.
That is why it is almost impossible to compare standard widths between saddle makes. |
| michellep |
Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 3:20:20 PM
Have a read of this, explains the problem! http://www.trumbullmtn.com/2011/02/from-the-trenches/
If only someone had a list of the standardised measurements of each saddle! |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 3:04:09 PM
Through experience I would say the Fieldhouse is similar to an Ideal, I don't have any experience of Stubben, but have used Fieldhouse on my Arab who is a med wide, his Ideal is also med wide, I also use a wide Fieldhouse on a Warmblood mare which the med wide Ideal was too narrow hence getting a wide, if that makes any sense both Fieldhouse were dressage saddles, and the Ideal is a working hunter cut. |
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