suggestions on English Saddle

XtendedTrot · 08-30-2008, 09:15 AM

Question: I'm looking to purchase a new English saddle. I outgrew my 16" synthetic all purpose saddle. It fit my horse well as she is a TB with VERY high withers. I'm not sure what road of discipline I want to take her down but I need a new saddle ASAP. Any suggestions...brands or saddles? Crosby? Collegiate? Stubben? Should I stick with an all purpose English Saddle or close contact one so that it's more versatile? She is still a green horse and learning the basics. I'm not wanting to spend a small fortune; however, I would like one that is a good quality leather saddle, comfortable, and will last....no cheapo saddle. THANKS for any help you can give me here

Carri · 08-30-2008, 09:28 AM

I know this doesn't help, but it REALLY depends on what you like to sit in!
I like Collegiates because they have the adjustable gullet, and are good basic saddles. My daughter rides in one. She LOVES it.
I was recently shopping for a new saddle, and tried one in my size, wasn't comfortable for me at all. Too hard, too flat, just not me!
I ended up buying a Jeffries Event saddle (all purpose) because of the deep seat and sheer comfort of it.
Toulouse makes some really good, comfortable saddles for a very reasonable price.
Bates, obviously, would be a good choice because they also offer adjustable gullet. Barnsbys are great, too!
The reason I am suggesting adjustable gullets is because you can make them narrower to fit her high withers, but from what I have found, they tend to have more shoulder room. My horse has high withers and broad shoulders, and it can be hard to fit him sometimes. I really like the adjustable gullet saddles, even if you don't need to change it out often, you can get that perfect fit. The gullets are available in more sizes than traditional saddles. I believe Pessoa is now offering an adjustable gullet saddle, also.

Slim Pikkens · 08-30-2008, 11:06 AM

Because of the high withers I'd look for a saddle with a cut back pommel. This will allow good wither's clearance and you can then focus on a good fit in the other areas.

mafarion · 08-30-2008, 11:18 AM

I have a Crosby Mark IV with a cut back pommel and it fits my high-withered horse extremely well. It also has a very comfortable seat and unlike some cut-backs I have ridden it, it doesn't put your leg too far ahead of your seat. I got it used for $350 and it's still in excellent condition.

TikiGator · 08-30-2008, 12:01 PM

Since you don't know what road you will take with your mare, as far as a discipline goes.......I would get an A/P saddle that you could easily resell. That way, you can ride all disciplines until you choose (or if you decide) to go down a one-discipline path (like dressage, or hunters, or jumpers, etc).

That way, when you do decide, you can get a saddle for that discipline and get close to what you paid for your A/P.

Having said that, I would highly recommend a saddle with a changable gullet, either a Wintec or a Colletiate. You didn't want to spend a small fortune, I don't know what your definition of a 'small fortune' is. But you can pick up a used Wintec 2000 A/P saddle for around $300-400. they are VERY comfortable and easy to take care of and really hold their value. I've had 2 Wintecs and both times I sold them for MORE than what I had paid.

Collegiate is the same deal, only leather. The problem is that you are going to be looking at $700-800 for a nice used one, and probably $800-900 for a new one (although I have not recently checked pricing on new ones). They are nice saddles, but you may not want to put that much money into a saddle right now.

The reason I am suggesting you go with a changable gullet is that you said your mare has high withers, so she is probably a narrow or medium narrow tree and those are almost IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of. I personally will never buy anything other than a WIDE ever again, because a WIDE will fit virtually any horse. But if you are trying to get rid of a narrow, there are very few horses that require a narrow, I think you might be stuck with it.

JMO. Good luck

rivervu2 · 08-30-2008, 08:21 PM

I am a true advocate of Crosby saddles. Have owned them for 20+ years and currently have a Prix St. Georges and a Prix De Nation. They hold their value and are excellent quality. A medium tree should fit your horse, just be careful about the pommel on a really high withered horse. As mafarion suggests, a Mark IV might be a good choice for you because of the cut back pommel. Try to find a tack shop that will allw you to test the saddle before buying it. Rick's Saddlery always has a great selection of used saddles. I'd buy a used Crosby before I'd buy a new lesser quality saddle. JMO.

XtendedTrot · 08-30-2008, 08:39 PM

You all have been great with the saddle suggestions...I really appreciate it. It helps to talk to people who know and can recommend. Sometimes the tack shops aren't the best at that

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08-30-2008, 09:15 AM
XtendedTrot Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 103	suggestions on English Saddle Question: I'm looking to purchase a new English saddle. I outgrew my 16" synthetic all purpose saddle. It fit my horse well as she is a TB with VERY high withers. I'm not sure what road of discipline I want to take her down but I need a new saddle ASAP. Any suggestions...brands or saddles? Crosby? Collegiate? Stubben? Should I stick with an all purpose English Saddle or close contact one so that it's more versatile? She is still a green horse and learning the basics. I'm not wanting to spend a small fortune; however, I would like one that is a good quality leather saddle, comfortable, and will last....no cheapo saddle. THANKS for any help you can give me here

08-30-2008, 09:28 AM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 10,086	I know this doesn't help, but it REALLY depends on what you like to sit in! I like Collegiates because they have the adjustable gullet, and are good basic saddles. My daughter rides in one. She LOVES it. I was recently shopping for a new saddle, and tried one in my size, wasn't comfortable for me at all. Too hard, too flat, just not me! I ended up buying a Jeffries Event saddle (all purpose) because of the deep seat and sheer comfort of it. Toulouse makes some really good, comfortable saddles for a very reasonable price. Bates, obviously, would be a good choice because they also offer adjustable gullet. Barnsbys are great, too! The reason I am suggesting adjustable gullets is because you can make them narrower to fit her high withers, but from what I have found, they tend to have more shoulder room. My horse has high withers and broad shoulders, and it can be hard to fit him sometimes. I really like the adjustable gullet saddles, even if you don't need to change it out often, you can get that perfect fit. The gullets are available in more sizes than traditional saddles. I believe Pessoa is now offering an adjustable gullet saddle, also. __________________

08-30-2008, 11:06 AM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,948	Because of the high withers I'd look for a saddle with a cut back pommel. This will allow good wither's clearance and you can then focus on a good fit in the other areas.

08-30-2008, 11:18 AM
mafarion Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 81	I have a Crosby Mark IV with a cut back pommel and it fits my high-withered horse extremely well. It also has a very comfortable seat and unlike some cut-backs I have ridden it, it doesn't put your leg too far ahead of your seat. I got it used for $350 and it's still in excellent condition.

08-30-2008, 12:01 PM
TikiGator Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 449	Since you don't know what road you will take with your mare, as far as a discipline goes.......I would get an A/P saddle that you could easily resell. That way, you can ride all disciplines until you choose (or if you decide) to go down a one-discipline path (like dressage, or hunters, or jumpers, etc). That way, when you do decide, you can get a saddle for that discipline and get close to what you paid for your A/P. Having said that, I would highly recommend a saddle with a changable gullet, either a Wintec or a Colletiate. You didn't want to spend a small fortune, I don't know what your definition of a 'small fortune' is. But you can pick up a used Wintec 2000 A/P saddle for around $300-400. they are VERY comfortable and easy to take care of and really hold their value. I've had 2 Wintecs and both times I sold them for MORE than what I had paid. Collegiate is the same deal, only leather. The problem is that you are going to be looking at $700-800 for a nice used one, and probably $800-900 for a new one (although I have not recently checked pricing on new ones). They are nice saddles, but you may not want to put that much money into a saddle right now. The reason I am suggesting you go with a changable gullet is that you said your mare has high withers, so she is probably a narrow or medium narrow tree and those are almost IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of. I personally will never buy anything other than a WIDE ever again, because a WIDE will fit virtually any horse. But if you are trying to get rid of a narrow, there are very few horses that require a narrow, I think you might be stuck with it. JMO. Good luck __________________ Laura at Tikigator Farm Naples, FL www.tikigatorfarm.com

08-30-2008, 08:21 PM
rivervu2 Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 1,003	I am a true advocate of Crosby saddles. Have owned them for 20+ years and currently have a Prix St. Georges and a Prix De Nation. They hold their value and are excellent quality. A medium tree should fit your horse, just be careful about the pommel on a really high withered horse. As mafarion suggests, a Mark IV might be a good choice for you because of the cut back pommel. Try to find a tack shop that will allw you to test the saddle before buying it. Rick's Saddlery always has a great selection of used saddles. I'd buy a used Crosby before I'd buy a new lesser quality saddle. JMO.

08-30-2008, 08:39 PM
XtendedTrot Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 103	Thanks!!! You all have been great with the saddle suggestions...I really appreciate it. It helps to talk to people who know and can recommend. Sometimes the tack shops aren't the best at that