favourite saddles

Lori · Yearling

favourite saddles

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Been there, felt that!

I now ride in a Schleese "Wave".

It's the best saddle I've EVER ridden in. The company is all about female riders - thank goodness!

MagsNMe · Advanced

I'm on my third Stubben. My mom has my first one, which went with the horse to her, used it over fences. It's extremely comfortable. First dressage saddle was an Excalibur uniflap, it's moved on, and right now I'm in a different dressage model, can't remember the name. Anyway. I love it, most people find them a little bit hard on the bottom (I have sufficient padding...). My trainer rides in a Jaguar, as does another woman at our barn. We've got two in Albions. One who has a Regal, but is replacing it. One in a DK, but replacing it.

I suspect we all have our favourite, and that comes from our horse and our conformation. Unfortunately, I think you have to try a bunch before you find one you like! I'd like a custom Regal, but my kid is an off the rack kinda horse, AND I have a youngster coming along. I suspect I'll keep the Stubben for a LONG time!

kschmittendorf · Well Schooled

I purchased a Borne and it is wonderful! I tried out a lot and researched quite a few and found this was perfect for my horse and I. I would strongly reccomend that you try out as many as possible for fit for you and your horse. Borrow from friends, do trial rides of consignment saddles... Although they may look alike, saddles definitely ride differently, even within different models of one brand. And check for service and support after purchase. I researched this quite a bit and found that some makers were terrible after purchase with service. And plan to spend a fair amount of money. This is an investment and believe me, I went inexpensive at first and would not do that again. And last bit of advice, find a competent, independent saddle fitter to help you. Don't rely on someone from your barn or a trainer. Get a professional to evaluate and make adjustments after purchase if neccessary. Make sure the fitter is not a rep for one maker or another but is truly independent and adjusts and possibly sells saddles. They are often the best resources to find a quality used saddle. Trainers are not saddle fitters, they are trainers. I trusted my first trainer and ended up riding in a saddle way too small for me for 3 years and it created a very forward seat that I had to constantly fight against and hurt by back. It also caused confidence issues because I was unbalanced and could never seem to get "with" my horse. Now I am balanced, confident and able to effectively use my aids! Good luck and take your time! Don't fall for pretty or a name...look for fit, quality and comfort.

Queenrider · Advanced

After bad experiences with Schleese I did a lot of saddle research and found Balance inthe UK. It is the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden in. Bought a 18.5 inch Balance Zenith dressafe saddle. I have had it for 10 years. Originally I got it for my TB but now I have a wide boy and it easily adjusts. It comes with pads that I add/remove as needed so it has paid for itself long ago by never needing to be adjusted/restuffed. I have loaned this saddle for people to try. It has been on everything from GP dressage mare to h/j and many others. Every horse goes better with this saddle due to its unique tree design. Suddenly, short striding horses are stepping out with this saddle.

www.balanceinternational.com

-- Edited by Queenrider on Friday 18th of November 2011 10:58:04 AM

Figarocubed · Advanced

The Cliff Barnsbys are rough on the pubic region for many. I've never sat in one that I liked, and a student who took one on trial had only to sit down in it, sit there for ten seconds, and proclaim "NO. This won't do at all".

I love Prestige saddles for rider comfort. The above student bought a 2000D and is very happy with it. The trouble with saddle fitting is, you've got TWO customers to please; the horse AND the rider.

Consult with a good saddle fitter if you can. Try to find one who is NOT affiliated with any particular brand, but will recommend the right saddle for you AND your horse.

dbliron · Advanced

My saddles are all custom Regals, but my back-up saddle is my ancient Stubben Excalibur. The Stubben's as hard as a rock, but it was custom built by Stubben for one of my European coaches, and the balance is wonderful, so it works really well in spite of being an 18" (my regular size is 16.5").

Sometimes the fix is as simple as just a bigger saddle! My Mum was in pain for years because she was convinced (against all evidence) that her 16.5" Passier Optimum was the right size. There was nothing wrong with the Optimum except that it was much too small. I finally got her to try an 18" Regal, and she ended up purchasing it and is riding in comfort now.

I ride in a lot of different saddles on clients' horses when I'm teaching clinics, and I'd have to say that in my experience, Cliff Barnsby dressage saddles mostly don't fit horses well, and they sure are uncomfortable to ride in!

Lori · Yearling

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I guess I do just have to try a bunch of different saddles which is not always so easy when you don't have access to a large tack store with a wide variety to choose from. But where there's a will there's a way. I won't fall for flash and polish this time!

Geoffrey Pannell · Well Schooled

I cant go past a Kieffer without wanting to sit in it! The old ones seem to be best, although I do have a new Ulla that is fab to sit in .

Figarocubed · Advanced

Two of my favorite saddles ever were Keiffer Zugspitz (monoflap AP) models. One was the prototype that belonged to my instructor, Arnold von Benenstamm. The other was a production model. Both probably circa late 1940's or early 1950's. I haven't sat in a Keiffer saddle as comfortable as those since!

Arnold's saddles were probably roomier and flatter-seated than the present day Keiffers, which may account for the comfort.

Geoffrey Pannell · Well Schooled

We had two Barnsby jump saddles in the 70's, they were great, one of them is still going strong. I have a Cliff Barnsby junp saddle now too, it's a good saddle.
It's a very personal thing saddles, what suits some makes others uncomfortable.

Marlene · Advanced

My favorite saddle is one that fits my hard to fit horse.So for quite a while my fave was a treeless Sensation dressage saddle as I needed something easy on my butt as well. I have since after much looking and testdriving, found a very nice older Hennig dressage. I was thrilled that it fit him so nicely and me as well, but the seat had some hard parts on it that weren't working for me. Rather than give up on such a good fitting saddle for my guy I made a seat saver out of hockey shin padding and it works great! I don't show him, I just wanted something that worked for trails, and I actually don't think most people would notice the difference when I'm seated unless the looked for it. My butt sure knows the difference though. The real test is how my picky arab goes in it, and acts when I want to saddle up. He's moving out nicely and not doing a chicken dance during saddling so, it's two hooves up from Sharif. Cooincidentally I learned about both saddles through this website, so a big thankyou to Barnmice people!

Jochen Schleese · Yearling

You might want to check out an interesting discussion about this as posted on a UK forum based on a recent seminar I did there.

http://ihdg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gh11&action=display&thread=118885&page=1