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martha615
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 08:05:01 AM Hi,
I just brought my Ideal GP to the saddler for some flocking, and am hoping it comes back and that Esme is happy with it. However, I am prepared for the possibility that the vagaries of my horse's back mean that it isn't as good for her as first imagined when I first bought it 6 months ago.
I've been looking at unusual saddles, including Lavinia Mitchell saddles, WOW saddles, and Strada saddles.
I see very extreme reviews on WOW and on Strada, though so far I haven't read a negative review on LM saddles.
I've trawled through this forum and found a couple of WOW fans and a couple of Strada fans, and a couple of LM fans -- but just opening up the question again (sorry if this is boring to you guys!) in case you still feel the same about your saddles, or whether you've changed again.
My experience so far with Esme is to try a Sensation Treeless (it slips on her and this is one of those few treeless saddles that usually does not slip!), a Farrington Wide 17" (okay, but she's still showing that reluctance to use herself and "braciness" going into trot) and an Ideal (seemed good at first, but now less good and same braciness, though perhaps the saddler can adjust it. I fear not).
Am feeling very unsure of myself on this front, though I may be able to see Lavinia Mitchell in August and a very excellent WOW fitter, who does arab endurance, etc, in July.
Still, I need the views of you guys who know what I mean when I say my saddle doesn't seem just right on my arab...
Thanks in advance!
25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Arachnid
Posted - 14 Jul 2013 : 10:41:22 AM I've had at least 10 saddles for Spider in the 8 years hes owned me. The ones I've liked most have been the Wintec Isabell the Wow and his made to measure gp. I bought the Wow from eBay (once the Wow fitter had told me what to look for) and then had it refitted.
I love that its so adjustable and its really secure (I have a deep but not extra deep seat). I hate that its so blooming heavy and also I think its a little bit long in the panel for Spider (its a size 1 which is equivalent to a 17 inch, I'm told) I know some people don't like the air filling, but I can't tell the difference and on Spider who is super-sensitive this has been very successful. The big problem with them is that they are over £2000 new so if it doesn't work out its a lot of money to lose (although interesting that Wow refunded an earlier poster)
I am definitely keeping the Wow it because I think it will be ideal for my new horse whilst it finds its shape and I tnink its nice to be able to have a spare if one saddle doesnt seem to be working for any reason (coat change, shape change etc).
martha615
Posted - 11 Jul 2013 : 09:16:35 AM Esther, where are you in the country? I have a Sensation GP (treeless) and found it much more stable than my Torsion and almost stable enough for Esme (but not quite and I had to girth too strongly and was still worried!). If you weren't far, you could borrow it :)
I do use the Sensation for my welsh mare and it is a great fit for her. Stable enough to mount from the ground (I know you shouldn't do this for other reasons, however). If, however, I have to buy a new saddle for Esme I may have to sell my Sensation to pay for Esme's new saddle. Just keep that in mind as you think about treeless, as the Sensation are few and far between in this country and hideously overpriced to buy new. Look at Nickers Saddlery to learn more about them.
SBS is very comfy because of the memory foam, but you can buy that separately and don't have to buy the whole saddle, lol! Havin said that I had a very old model Phoenix and it was fine. Not good for staying on a spooky horse, though......and wouldn't dare jump in it! Not sure any of the treeless are great for jumping.
I know that some saddles, like Wow, can be changed as your horse develops. WOW is modular, apparently. I know nothing about them, but they intrigue me. You can see what others have said about them above.
The Farrington Wide that I have for my welsh D has been FABULOUS for her. It's the VSD. Highly recommend if you are looking for a treed saddle for a welsh. May not suit yours, however!
Esther
Posted - 11 Jul 2013 : 07:50:46 AM I think I may be opening this can of worms again with Wolf.... The Dartmoor doesn't cause him any real issues, but I feel like I'm fighting it and it does ride forwards so I don't know whether it's right for us. The problem is that he's 4, he's going to change one hell of a lot in the next couple of years as he muscles up, and although I will have a bit of a better idea as to what sort of saddle he and I will suit when he gets to 6 or 7, at the moment what we need is something that won't cause us too many issues in light to medium work until we get to that point, and will allow his musculature to grow. We need something that is either flexible or adjustable. I also need something that doesn't make me feel perched - he's a young pony and I need to be able to stay with him if we do have loopy leapies.
He's wide, he's welsh, he's prone to being too fat, and he has a big welsh bum. He's got quite a long back, but it's a strong back with ribs all the way back (when you can find them....they are there somewhere....he's coming home in the next couple of weeks so the diet will start then....)
Ideas? I've tried a friend's SBS which she's selling, and it was one of the most comfortable saddles I've ever ridden on. He seemed to go very well in it although I'm not sure I've quite got the padding/positioning right yet. Minefield....
I do quite like the WOWs, and I was one of the first people to use Flair and was really happy with it. IME horses tend to love or hate the Flair panels, and they will tell you straight away.
zooscat
Posted - 11 Jul 2013 : 07:03:57 AM I am still a massive fan of WoW saddles - well, my version, which is a professional dressage saddle version, very deep seat, and with massive knee rolls, which can be angled for jumping too(!). I bought for mega spook/leap/swerve merchant, Ratty Ry, (RIP) the short fat Crabbet Arab Bomb! He was 23 at the time and we had a lovely made to measure Ideal. My then instructor, a Grand Prix dressage diva had the WoW lady out to fit a new WoW saddle, I tried one for RR and that was it! I sold nearly new Mitsubishi Colt car, and have loved the safety, balance and centredness of it ever since. Although very fit and muscled up, RR's shoulders grew even more muscle after changing the well fitting Ideal for the WoW: its' design allows greater freedom for extravagent movement. When RR passed, the lovely lady saddle fitter re fitted it for long thin tall spook monster with Huge Russian Trot that is A the P. She continued to do very delicate and accurate alterations to suit his various muscular and skeletal peculiarities as he has improved and fittened over the last nearly three years, and we have proceeded up the scales of training. He does massive spooks, hand brake turns and Big Leaf Teleporting - advanced sense of Arab humour! I still feel secure and balanced, most of the time! I think it is very much down to the saddle fitter: we are blessed with lovely Louise, who sees him at least every three months, along with the fabulous Gavin Scofield, a truly gifted horse orthopaedic/Reiki practitioner. Together, we progress. My experiences of Ken LD, are of many years' duration. He is fair dealing, brings a very large selection of saddles, will spend as long as it takes etc. I preferred, prior to the WoW saddle to use a local saddle fitter for the supply and fitting of the Ideal, though. I suppose it all comes down to individual preference and what suits your horse: I like WoW because the alterations can be so minute and can be done as you ride, to check miniscule differences made. Good luck with this - like a previous poster said, buy a lovely saddle and then get a horse that fits it - must be cheaper and less stressful, surely!
Vik1
Posted - 10 Jul 2013 : 4:50:56 PM The Ideal Ive just sold has Flair in it, same flocking system as Wow. I had it converted years ago when Flair was fairly new. I love it. Very adaptable, good for horses developing muscle and extremely comfy. I find normal flocked saddles very hard now.
Silver
Posted - 10 Jul 2013 : 2:56:06 PM Our Horse ended up with muscle wastage in the middle of her back using a Strada saddle apparently thats where the rigid part of the saddle meets the Flexible part.
Red Rum
Posted - 10 Jul 2013 : 10:31:24 AM Strada all the way - I had problems with Storm for many years buying new saddles, but when Ilga came out and fitted the Strada my arabian was a different horse altogether. They are very close contact and they mold to the shape of the horse. Only a lightweight numnah is required and the stirrups are brilliant and comfortable on the legs. I had a new veteran arabian gelding on loan four weeks ago and he was not very forward going but as soon as we changed his saddle to the strada what a different horse, went out in week four to be placed second in dressage and second in a mixed ridden veteran class. Ilga is also a brilliant therapist for yourself or your horses back. She rides and used to compete at a high level.
Arabianknights
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 10:14:42 PM Lavinia came out to see us a few weeks ago and I have a saddle on order so fingers crossed!
Lin123
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 11:43:10 AM Hi martha615. We use Ilga Cottle.
pinkvboots
Posted - 09 Jul 2013 : 09:15:30 AM Hi Martha she lent me one while I waited for mine to be made, or if you just want to try one for a month she will hire you one for a small amount of money if she has one available to fit your horse, She did try on the saddles I already had but none of them were wide enough, what I like was she will explain why and show you, she measures the horse then does a tracing of the saddle to show you in such a simple way that it cant possibly fit, she may say yours is ok and just adjust it she will do that if she can unless you want a new one, I must say her saddles are very comfy they have a double seat so anything else you sit on feels like a plank of wood I find, I ride a friends horse that has an old Albion saddle and it feels really hard compared to mine.
I think your doing the right thing trying a few though why not its a lot of money to spend and the saddle should last you a lifetime so it has to be right, let us know how you get on with Wow it will be interesting to see if you like them, I used to have quite a collection of saddles I had a bit of a thing for them at one stage and couldnt stop looking at them which led to quite a few purchases, although I did make a few quid selling them on luckily as I needed all the money I could to fund me for the new one.
martha615
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 10:57:35 PM Pinkyboots,Lavinia is able to fit me in for an appointment in August, but she's not sure when yet. I am actually going to see a WOW saddle fitter as well, and might even think about getting a Strada fitter out. I want to weigh it all up and then make a choice. If LM is able to let me borrow a saddle for a short time, that would be great. I understand that she sometimes does that.
Silver
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 10:24:30 PM We had a Strada but did not get on with it.
martha615
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 10:17:05 PM Lin123, which saddle fitter did you have?
Lin123
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 10:05:56 PM Another vote for Strada saddles. I have 3 Endurance horses all qualified to FEI 2* level and all competing in Strada saddles with no problems
Ari
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 9:46:18 PM My pal has WOW and it's the only saddle she could get for her horse with believe me very difficult conformation so saddling issues. WOW are so adaptable they got the lovely horse sorted and he has had no problems. I've ridden him in it and its fine, good quality and comfortable, it was ok. Would I buy one for easy fit horse? No. But for the hard to fit yes definitely!
pinkvboots
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 9:24:38 PM Also forgot to say I have used a treeless dressage saddle I have no idea what make it was but I really liked it, a lady at the yard next door lent it to me for a month when I didnt have one, I will text her and ask what it is as I really got on with it and it looked really nice too, as I find some treeless dont look that nice, Arabi went really well in it too with no slipping problems it was almost like sitting on a felt pad with stirrups so he felt really bouncy.
pinkvboots
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 9:20:19 PM I used to ride a horse with a dressage wow saddle they were quite a new concept then and I really liked it, he was a 17h Warmblood with a huge stride and it really helped my position when riding him, although I know a few people that did not get on with them, one person said her pelvis used to ache after riding in one so I dont thing they suit everyone.
I have no experience of strada so cant comment, I had an Ideal Ramsay lovely saddle but it just didnt fit my horse and ended up causing muscle damage a few years down the line as it was too narrow.
As you know Martha I have one of Lavinia's dressage saddles and I love it glad I ordered a new one now, as I did look for a second hand one originally, Lavinia told me Arabi had totally the wrong shape back for the Ideal to ever fit properly and the close contact saddle just does not work for him, I am just so glad I found her as I have a lovely saddle that fits now.
Saby
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 9:14:08 PM hi, it is not so much the fitter with Strada saddles,although Ilga the owner of Strada is excellent and lways ready to help with any queries, it is fairly hard to go wrong. Basic fitting rules apply, no bridging, contact through either side of the length of the spine. Enough depth of panel so the saddle is not in contact with the wither when the panels warm up; Two fingers clearance at the pommel, sitting level on the horses back.... After that it is what the horse tells you! I would not ever want to ride in any other saddle now for many reasons. I have had a 'complicated journey' and have 5 saddles all with different trees (there are only 6!). I can not bear to part with any of them as it gives me the ability to fit any horse that comes into my care past, present and future! If the saddle is moving or crooked I believe firmly from my experience you need to look at the horse more closely!
Ella, If you want me to talk through further please do PM me.
Who fit your Strada? Apparently, there are some very good fitters and some not-so-good fitters and it makes all the difference, so I hear....
ella
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 5:41:13 PM I love my Strada so much that when I saw another wider model on ebay I snapped it up.
I use the "Iberian" on 2 of the arabs & the "C" fit on my tabletop gelding. They fit me & all the arabs better than their made-to-measure saddles, which I've now sold (2x Farrington WH, 1x Manor WH, 1x Sandringham WH). The memory foam panels are just bliss, although they do mean the saddle needs to sit on the horse for 10mins before mounting in cold weather.
These saddles, dressage models, have flattish knee rolls and seat which allow enough room to shorten stirrups for a bit of jumping or longer canters out hacking, whilst I find the "dressage" stirrup bar position suits me better than a more forward bar.
Happy saddle hunting. It took me so many years to find something that I'm happy is comfortable for both the horse and me.
AnnaMaisy25
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 3:01:28 PM Freya acts as though she knows everything there is to know in the world...
'Mum, that bush there is definitely a pony eating bush... If I rear and spin, it won't eat us' *30 seconds later* 'See, told you mum, it didn't eat us because I reared! You are more than welcome I'll always keep you safe from those horrid bushes!!'
Cheers Frey, you're a star.
FireLight
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 2:49:01 PM Don't lose heart AnnaMaisy25 you will get there. Robbie has got a VSD Ideal and all is well, I have his back/girth area checked every 4 months and so far ok. I sometimes think horses are far more clued up on saddle fitting than any human could be.
AnnaMaisy25
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 1:25:59 PM So it's not just us then Martha! xx
rosie
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 1:00:53 PM Another one with major saddle problems with one of our horses.
We're now opting for a saddle company (not Arabian saddle company) saddle.
Bertie has had one fitted and Chelle rode in it, so now just waiting for it to be made.
AnnaMaisy25
Posted - 08 Jul 2013 : 11:59:10 AM Mine is snug too such a shame, but I did want her to grow lol. Strange isn't it. My fitter [ex fitter now though] also said my saddle was fine fit wise, if not a little too long on her back... Then said I can continue to ride in it... Well considering I know it was pinching her, and it's also too long for her back, which was making her buck... I think I'll skip it and sell it and find a properly fitted saddle for the madam.
Ha!! Mine is a 15" tree with rolled panels to make a 16" seat, medium narrow and a really narrow gullet. It sits wrong on her now she has different muscle development, and I just don't like the way she goes in it. My saddle fitter was having none of it though, and basically told me Freya was misbehaving and I was letting her get away with it. PAH!! No. She wasn't happy, and I like to think I know her well enough by now to notice her mood changes. Exactly as you said, she only does is when I am on her, so that points towards the saddle rather than a naughty nappy ponio!
I think I might bite the bullet and look at a new Ideal... The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. A nice 15" medium GP. Now to find the money... It's been disappearing much faster since these back and body problems Freya has thrown at me! At least I know it's worth it.. I just have to live off baked beans and bread for a few months xx
such a shame, but I did want her to grow lol.
xx