Good saddle makes?

[racaille]

I can name you any number of top quality French/European saddles but have no idea which ones are good in the UK.

Can you offer suggestions?

[Blonde Donkey]

We have a Jeffries Falcon on Brax and it is wonderfully made and comfortable for horse and rider.
www.ejeffries.co.uk/product/123394/SFAVSD/_/Falcon_Adler_VSD

Ideal make a good saddle and Bates I believe but beyond that I'm clueless.

[solomon]

Decouvoux? Albion, good ole google?

[racaille]

Hey Sol Devoucoux is one of 'ours'!!! Yup, I can find loads of brands on google but I have no idea which are brill and which are ghastly!

[fleabitten]

Barnsby, Jeffries

[solomon]

Think you get what you pay for. Decouvoux are used by Mary King. But some horses won't suit the poshest saddle, a very individual choice.

[fimacg]

Also Stubben, and Ideal but it depends on the budget.

Ive heard mixed reviews about Kent and masters - some like them some dont
Thorowgood seem to be going downhill - On the marches ride someone came off badly (hospitalised) when the girth strap on their 6 month old saddle broke
I like Saddle Company saddles which are made to measure
Mine both have Stirlingshire saddles but they are made by Ideal, just branded differently.

What are you looking for?

[zara]

Both my boys have Farrington saddles; AJ has a made to measure WH and Tordi has an "off the peg" WH. In essence they are the same saddle but AJ's is much wider than normal and has a shorter pannel. They are well made, attractive to look at and are very comfy for me and them. Big thumbs up and would buy again x

[brigadier]

Think it rather depends on budget and what you want. I usually buy synthetic because I like the weight of them and find leather a pain to lug about, I also find they are comfier. I think Jeffries and Albion are good peg leather saddles and then its having them made to measure but I think this is rather a waste of time unless it has the ability to be adapted to weight/muscle gain/ loss.
Stubben is the all time must have but then Id have saddles worth more than horses which is a bit of a waste. Thinking of splashing out?

[scattymare]

I invested in a Saddle Company saddle last year as Eddie was proving difficult to fit to. They're virtually made to measure with a serge flocking system which moulds to the horse, synthetic under and leather seat and panels. Sooo comfy for me and Eddie and I managed to get an ex-display model for under £500. I love it.

[racaille]

No not really planning anything Brig, just got an itchy credit card and thought the OH was driving to the UK next week. But he isn't now.

[ernieburt]

Was going to say another for farrington, I have a made to measure vsd which is absolutely great. I mainly ride in my albion slk dressage saddle which does wonders for my position and I love but would recommend a farrington any day.

[racaille]

Looking in earnest now as my old but decent GP seriously does not fit P now.

[racaille]

So .... I am looking for a GP saddle. I won't need to hack out in it, it's just for not-too-frequent jumping and low-level dressage although I do wonder if my rando saddle, despite being long, is not better for the small amount of dressage I do as it has no flaps (quarters?) and encourages long straight legs and I do like the contact.

I would prefer a good cheaper second hand saddle as it won't be used much.

The Kent and Weston changeable gullet system sounds great - Fi can you remember why people didn't like them? I'm watching one on ebay ....

[fleabitten]

if it was me i think i would just go to a saddler with a good stock of second hand saddles and try a few on and dont worry about the brand.

but then im not sure what the set up is in france with regards to buying saddles? do they not worry too much about fit?

i think it would be quite hard to choose one that is a reasonable price and also would fit Paco, if you were buying online, cos different brands suit different shapes and hard to know what type of horse they suit or what shape of horse you have, obvs you would have to maybe return them if not suitable.

i think i vaguely remember barnsby being quite good for round types (like pony shape but not table-backed types) but dont quote me.

[racaille]

Flea, down here they don't have saddlers like that. Many people buy a saddle that they like and don't think about the horse, they just shove lots of padding underneath. You see a lot of horses with white scar hairs on their withers.

One woman I know was getting a saddle made to measure. She doesn't have a horse. She was getting it made to fit HER.

[fimacg]

Think it was a quality or fit thing - but I cant really remember as it was a long time ago, didnt Rainbow by a K&M could ask her what she thinks

[racaille]

Rats - lost one on ebay that was new, used eight times, went for £367. Very peeved.

An English girl here has a Crosby for sale. Any thoughts?

[brigadier]

I think Im rather out of date on saddles too. I know Albion do suit bigger horses- have a nice wide gullet but most new makes have realised this is important. I used to love my Jeffries Event saddle. suited dressage and jumping. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18-Medium-jeffries-falcon-event-saddle-/181088782261?pt=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item2a29bb87b5

[racaille]

That IS a beautiful saddle - pity it's an 18".

[brigadier]

I know, all our old work saddles were 18" (for the men not the ladies)so got used to them but prefer a 17.5". there's a big difference!!!

[haffyfan]

Sunny had a jeffries falcon saddle too. Wouldn't go back now to treed (too uncomfy!) but it was a nice saddle i must admit.