| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Porsche
Gold Member
1194 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 10:20:15 AM
|
Well, a year after I first started trying to find a saddle for my monster I am STILL looking!
I only do endurance with him but the saddle doesn't HAVE to be a specialist endurance saddle - just something that fits well and that he likes!
I am looking at second hand saddles mostly with a budget of £500.
Anything treeless and he turns into a rodeo horse - fun!
A normal GP touches his shoulders and he goes all short and choppy in front!
We have tried various dressage saddles and he HATES them, he goes hollow in them!
I have tried WH saddles but have found them not too comfy for me after several hours in the saddle!
I have looked at the Falcon VSD but it seemed very heavy...?
I have also looked at a few Arabian Saddle Company saddles but all the ones I have seen have got that really heavily grained leather and I really don't like that....
So! Pleassssssseeeeee anyone ANY ideas??
|
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
     
RIP Fuzzy Bear...Angela RIP......Legacy 1day old...............La Carrera.................Aisa and Bruce |
|
Report to moderator
|
|
|
Vera
Membership Moderator
United Kingdom
8652 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 10:27:23 AM
|
I've got an Arabian Saddle Company Showring saddle for Dennis. Its the same as their dressage one but with a medium seat and short girth straps. The leather is buffalo hide, hence the deep grainbut it is incredible soft and hard wearing.
Vera and Dennis
PS so nice to see you back M 
|
    
Hampshire |
Report to Moderator  |
|
|
lovehorses
Silver Member
England
390 Posts |
|
|
Porsche
Gold Member
1194 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 10:51:10 AM
|
I guess its one of those things you get used to.....just looks a bit odd when you first see it....
Thanks - its great to finally have internet access again |
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
RIP Fuzzy Bear...Angela RIP......Legacy 1day old...............La Carrera.................Aisa and Bruce |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
katherineepea
Gold Member
England
883 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 10:51:58 AM
|
ive got a wintec cair 500 for mine and my friend has an arab mare who she has had to have 4 saddles for in 3 years!!
now theyve got a black country one which fits and also bates saddles are good |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Marie-Molly
Gold Member
United Kingdom
929 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 11:20:31 AM
|
Have you looked at the reactor panel? You can get some on ebay for around £600 - well worth the money.
Marie |
    |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
dassa23
Silver Member
England
261 Posts |
|
|
Gucci
Silver Member
England
389 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 12:18:07 PM
|
Hi Porsche
I have just returned from a Gavin Scofield clinic this morning. Gavin is the British endurance team Osteopath. He is absolutely amazing and will be able to tell you why your horse is having saddle problems and then advise you on what to do. It saves on a lot of time and expense. If you want to know more please email me on gucci@justlaminate.co.uk
Rachel |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
nige
Silver Member
England
257 Posts |
|
|
spyros
Bronze Member
England
210 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 2:29:47 PM
|
We have two saddles from the Arabian Saddle Company as someone has already pointed out the grained leather is Buffalo hide, so soft and incredibly strong. Our other saddle is made from smooth grain hide again fantastic saddles, soooo comfortable and hard wearing the Arabian Saddle Company with make to template and will alter if your horse changes shape. I cannot recommend the Arabian Saddle enough.
My other arab wears a Black Country Saddle again perfect fit and very comfortable.
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
LIV
Gold Member
England
705 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 5:46:27 PM
|
I spent two years and thousands of pounds trying to find a saddle to fit my endurance mare, Pandora I first of all had the Arabian Saddle Co. GP, which was ok to start with but the fitter she got, the worse it fitted. It pinched behind her shoulders in the end so I had to change saddles.
Then I bought the American Flex saddle which is like an Orthoflex. That was going to solve all my problems! That arrived, I started riding her in it and within three weeks she had bald patches at the back of the panels. Pandora is very short coupled, and croup high, so this sort of saddle did not suit her as the panels were just too long. Loads of endurance riders seem to get on with them and the concept is great as it is designed to allow them to move freely and minimise the weight per square inch on the horses back.
I then tried a Podium saddle at the Kings Forest ER as they had a stand there and bought that as it was such an improvement and she felt so much better in it. That could be adjusted with neoprene 'shims' according to her changing shape the fitter she got. That was great but I still felt it wasn't as secure as it could be due to her being quite round, wide chested, and having very little wither.
My mum had a WOW saddle fitting and I was so impressed with that on her horse that I got them to fit one to Pandora so that I could see if it would fit better than the Podium. Wow, what a difference! (excuse the pun). I could actually canter a 20m circle without having to heave all my weight over into one stirrup after as usually my saddle would have slipped round! I can change the gullet plate according to whether she has gained weight, lost weight, etc., and the air can be adjusted each side which is especially good as no two sides are equally muscled. I did lots of mileage in the Wow saddle and it has the most comfortable seat, and two different stirrup bar settings. They do an endurance model (which I think 'Carrot' Hartley uses) but I had the VSD which was fine, and didn't look so freaky if you fancied doing some dressage over the winter!
Pandora is now retired from endurance but the great thing is that I can have it adjusted to fit my new horse. He is 2 gullet plates WIDER than her and the air has been adjusted for him.
They are expensive but to my great expense I have learnt that unless you have the ideal horse, you have to look at other saddles that cater for these more challenging shapes. If you are doing endurance then a well fitting saddle is your most essential piece of kit.
Liv |
     
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 6:40:48 PM
|
Liv - | have Ortho-Flex - have used then for well over 10 years - american Flex are in my opinion a VERY poor copy of them!! We know how to help/advise regarding rubbing at the back - from experience - advice you wouldn't have from the American Flex sellers!!
I have one Arab that OF's don't work on - after a horrendous treeless experience - his saddle is now a WOW & its amazing!!!
Judith |
    |
Edited by - Judith S on 06 Dec 2006 6:52:03 PM |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 6:45:23 PM
|
| After extensive searching for a saddle to suit my first purebred I got an Ideal Jessica which was great. When I got Zaharoff, also a purebred but completely different type, I got him fitted with one too and it has been perfect. Really comfy saddle for the rider too. |
    |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
LIV
Gold Member
England
705 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 7:20:57 PM
|
Hi Judith
Yes, would definately agree re American Flex!! A very poor, but very expensive copy of the Orthoflex!
I have just sold my mum's OF which we had made back in the 80's. It was a fantastic saddle and I was sad to see it go. Strangely enough, when the American Flex gave my poor girl great bald patches and I had to look for something else, I used mum's OF for a while and it was fine, apart from the panels being a bit too long for her.
It's really funny how you have ended up with a Wow too. It's only when you have these difficult horses and especially when you spend hours in the saddle that you have to look at other options. My Wow saddle might have been expensive but it really is a saddle for life. |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
janice
Silver Member
United Kingdom
373 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2006 : 10:09:58 PM
|
My old saddle a Jefferies working hunter medium fit was so comfy for me but had caused muscle damage to my Rafeek below the wither and on my seat area,( I only weigh 9 stone!!!). I have now got a Balance saddle which is extremely wide and pads are then used to make it fit but cos the pads are soft the horses muscle can expand into them whilst he's working. Rafeek's shoulder muscle has already changed shape BUT I have to add that the saddle took a bit of getting used to cos I've needed to find my own balance on my horse rather than using the stirrups to keep me in place. They have a website if you fancy a look. My Jefferies will be on E Bay soon!!! |
you can't kid a kidder!!
      |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Porsche
Gold Member
1194 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 08:50:08 AM
|
| I keep thinking about trying a WOW but they have a reputation for being very heavy - are they? I am not very light myself LOL! |
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
RIP Fuzzy Bear...Angela RIP......Legacy 1day old...............La Carrera.................Aisa and Bruce |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 08:53:10 AM
|
Mine is prob no heavier than many other saddles! I'm no lightweight either & Rowan has happily done 50km rides!!
Judith |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Porsche
Gold Member
1194 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 09:03:13 AM
|
Really? I was under the impression they were soooo much heavier.....hmmmmmmmm thats got the brain cogs turning.....
Can't believe I am STILL saddle hunting LOL!
|
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
RIP Fuzzy Bear...Angela RIP......Legacy 1day old...............La Carrera.................Aisa and Bruce |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Porsche
Gold Member
1194 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 09:39:27 AM
|
Judith - which model WOW have you got?
What type of seat do you guys have on your WOWs? |
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
RIP Fuzzy Bear...Angela RIP......Legacy 1day old...............La Carrera.................Aisa and Bruce |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
baymops
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1108 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 09:43:06 AM
|
| My boy has an Ideal Jessica too and I think they are really comfy saddles and it suits him too. |
    |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
|
|
Porsche
Gold Member
1194 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 09:50:45 AM
|
| Have emailed you |
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
RIP Fuzzy Bear...Angela RIP......Legacy 1day old...............La Carrera.................Aisa and Bruce |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
|
|
LIV
Gold Member
England
705 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 5:15:10 PM
|
Hi Porsche
I have the deep seat with VSD flaps for my Arab, and then a flat seat with GP flaps for my Thoroughbred. The panels underneath are different though as the Arab is so wide she did not have the same as the TB.
The Wow saddles aren't any heavier than other GP's I've had, and are certainly a lot lighter than the Orthoflex and Americal Flex. Like Judith, I've done lots of 40 mile rides in mine and it's been fantastic.
If you are serious about Wow saddles then do find out who is your local agent and arrange for a trial. They will look at your horse and how it's put together, and then find out what sort of seat and flaps you are interested in, etc., and then they will put the various parts together and you can try it out. I made sure I had a good session when I tried mine. I cantered 20m circles, jumped the TB, and made sure that I wasn't about to buy yet another useless saddle.
Good luck and hope you find something that fits soon! |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 5:20:01 PM
|
Liv - I would also add - that the saddle does need to be checked at fairly regular intervals after purchase - to have it fine tuned! Now my OH can change the head-plates to allow for horses changing shape during the season.
Also riding in a WOW can feel VERY different as usually the horse goes WOW I can move without the saddle impeeding movement!
Judith |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
LIV
Gold Member
England
705 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2006 : 6:33:09 PM
|
Judith
Yes, you are right. They do tell you to ride in it for a while and get them back to adjust it, especially as they tend to muscle up differently. I found this happened as Pandora's whole way of going changed. Her shoulder was free, and she carried herself differently.
Forgot to mention my brush with the Free n Easy saddle. Another disaster - when will I learn!!!!! |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked 
