Dressage saddles

[coss]

ok, i'm looking around for a dressage saddle with a 16.5" seat (can't be bigger or smaller!) of mediocer (sp?) price.
It needs to be wide. probably not too deep (or i won't fit) and my RI recommended a narrow twist.
I found some fusion saddles, never heard of them, are they any good?
http://www.fusionsaddles.com/
I also want it to be leather (love the smell :o)
Anyone got any other makes they would recommend, i have a keiffer which is nice but wouldn't be suitable for harry.
here is harry in a frank baines, its 17" so slightly too long (and out of my price range) but may give you an idea of the sort of style i'm looking for... don't have any other photos of him in it :o

http://file012a.bebo.com/6/large/2006/07/14/09/1359860817a1360096057b133159097l.jpg

[Luv 2 Trot]

To be honest, the seat doesnt look to big. I have a small bum and my saddle is a 17in. Leaves room for growth. If youre still growing, i would go for a bit bigger saddle, itll last longer. My saddle is a crosby. I bought it used, but its really nice. The seat is not too deep, but just deep enough, good padding and its leather. My friend has a devocoux, really expensive because its custom. I would suggest looking for a crosby, they are really nice.

[coss]

i've enlarged the pic:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/172649313_73e5285d88_o.jpg
He is very sensitive in his back and the 17" is just a bit too close to his loins. i need a bigger seat but he can't cope with it, if a child were ride him (this will NOT happen) then a 15-16" would be ideal as he'd really be happy through his back, my bum won't fit in that size seat and i like a deep seat (my keifer is quite deep and i love it!) i should have stopped growing and am hoping i won't get middle age spread or anything like that too soon (i'm only 18) so it really does have to be a 16.5"
I'll have a look at Crosby but would love opinions on any other saddle too!

[Pink's lady]

It might just be that picture but the saddle looks too small because you've braced yourself against the stirrups and knee rolls and pushed yourself back. Plus your stirrups are too short.

I've not see a fusion saddle but I would be asking them to send me photos of the saddle from underneath, in front and behind to check the panel and gullet width. And would want proper flocking, not foam.

How about's looking at a Saddle company saddle as they can make the seat bigger than the panels. The top is leather and looks exactly like a leathers saddle, but the saddle is much lighter-weight and easier to keep. You could never tell it's not fully leather and it's silly to cut it out of the running just for vanity.

[coss]

had a look at the saddle company saddles yesterday but didn't see any i liked the look of if i remember correctly (looked at sooo many i can't really remember which was which)
Here's the fusion website
http://www.fusionsaddles.com/
here is the GP he normally wears (16.5") and it pulls my leg forward, he is spooking in the pic hence my terribly tense position! but it may give you an idea of length of stirrup i usually ride with. my leg is used to being further back than in the first pic now as i've ridden in dressage saddles more.
http://file012a.bebo.com/4/large/2006/07/16/22/1359860817a1382805528b758690173l.jpg

[coss]

*bump*

[Lgd]

You need to move away from the deap seated saddle if you want to go smaller. A deep seat is effectively at least one size smaller than a more open seat in the same saddle. It also often makes the saddle a touch longer if they accommodate the rider instead.

Two lower end saddles that may be worth looking at are the Ideal Jessica and Jeffries Piaffe. I think you may be able to get the Jessica made to measure. Not quite so low end would be a Black Country Eden, but that does come made to measure.

Not terribly good detail but this is my mare in a 17" Jeffries piaffe. She's only a smidge over 15.2hh, my niece who is riding is dinky (only 5'2") but it accommodated me fine and I'm 5'7" and fairly chunky.

http://groups.msn.com/upsaddle2/lgd.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=779

One of the Barnsby saddles might also suit but TBH most of them are £900+ so probably out of your price range.

[coss]

You need to move away from the deap seated saddle if you want to go smaller. A deep seat is effectively at least one size smaller than a more open seat in the same saddle. It also often makes the saddle a touch longer if they accommodate the rider instead.

Two lower end saddles that may be worth looking at are the Ideal Jessica and Jeffries Piaffe. I think you may be able to get the Jessica made to measure. Not quite so low end would be a Black Country Eden, but that does come made to measure.

Not terribly good detail but this is my mare in a 17" Jeffries piaffe. She's only a smidge over 15.2hh, my niece who is riding is dinky (only 5'2") but it accommodated me fine and I'm 5'7" and fairly chunky.

http://groups.msn.com/upsaddle2/lgd.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=779

One of the Barnsby saddles might also suit but TBH most of them are £900+ so probably out of your price range.

i am moving away from the very deep seat as my RI told me about the fact i can't have a small and deep seat, its either one or the other and i have to accomodate my horses short back so small seat it is. I had a look at the ideal jessica but the saddle flap looks like it goes forwards more than most dressage saddles. TBH, it probably above what i want to pay too, i want to get a saddle fitter out once i've bought the saddle just to check 100% before using it.
I was looking for a jeffries piaffe but there aren't many around. one of my old RI's said she had one and it was lovely but they are difficult to get under the 17" seats. I know i fit in a 17" seat but it really is slightly too long for my horse :( You're right, barnsby is out of my price range. and i couldn't find much about the black eden one?

Keep suggestions coming!:p

[eventerbabe]

Coss, did you ever find out anymore about the fusion saddles? I saw their advert on horsemart and quite liked the look of them.......

[westphalenlover]

hi,

I've got a 16 inch dressage wintec saddle and is probably a little too small for me but fits my pony really well and i find is really comfortable. But the great thing is, is there cheap and with the adjustable gullets will expand with your horse...as you know.:p My saddle cost 365 with girth, stirupps and irons. Heres a pic...its not that good but hope it gives you an idea.

Hope this helps.

[coss]

well, i got in touch via email and phone. the woman is very friendly and was going to be by the borders so said she'd pop across and give me a visit :eek:... couldn't believe it!

the van she has is pretty small so she couldn't bring a wide selection (she's getting a bigger van soon ;)) but she tried 3 saddles on harry. he's fat at the moment but i can't ride him to get the weight off and i don't want to get him too fit before riding. the first saddle she tried was a 15" gp (just to see sizing) and if i remember correctly it was an XW :eek: and whats worse (well good in some ways) she said well that fits perfectly...
she tried a 17" (or was it 17.5?) on and it drowned him in length

She commented that he has a very very short back with long loins which makes her life more difficult... he really needs a 15" saddle to fit his back but there is no way i'll fit in that! and there is no way i could let an 8 year old ride him :p so she said the shortest i can cope with is a 16.5" and he'll have to cope.

She isn't back home yet but is going to email me with info. She is meant to be sending me a 16.5" XW dressage saddle to try (when she gets home and has ordered it) and if a i like it i keep it, if not i send it back so i'm hoping all will go well.

My mum came out with me as i wanted her opinion too. we both got good vibes :) the saddles are very light which is nice compared to my keifer :p

fingers crossed... i was going to put a new thread up but seeing as people asked i thought i'd add to this one.

Will update again when the new saddle comes through and with pics. fingers crossed again :)

[eventerbabe]

Please keep us updated!! I'll be on the look out for a new saddle next year for the youngster. I really liked the look of the saddles in the advert. And if she'll come to fit them then that's even better!

What sort of price range do they come under, if you don't mind me asking?

[coss]

it depends what type of saddle you want. i'll be paying the rrp on the website. so about £600 :eek: but not too bad really considering how nice they look. i just hope that its comfortable (i'm sure it will be though). i don't think she'll normally come up to fit, she was going to be in the area (*cough cough* - edinburgh/borders) and didn't think it would be much further to me. she thought i was near the uni... well i am only 50 miles away :D and said she might as well... she said she likes to see the horse that the saddle's going on. there's only so much you can tell from a photo i suppose. She still hasn't got back to me yet :( and things are a bit slow but there are reasons for that (will pm you) and i just have to wait now.

[HelenW999]

Hi

I couldnt help but notice your post!

I actually sell fusion saddles!!!, but I have them my self and I LOVE them!! plus if you dont mind a wait then they make them to your specifications!!

some one was asking about photos, ... Ive got a few instock if I have got the right one do you want me to take the pics??? and dont worry Im not trying to sell... just trying to help! ... some one said about fusion saddles "not getting back to them"..... YES I KNOW... ITS TOTALLY NORMAL hahahaha keep ringing them is my advice!!

[JOJOBA]

Helen - this was almost a year ago so I imagine Coss probably has her saddle by now!

xxx

[eventerbabe]

i'm sure coss won't mind me saying but yes! she got her fusion and very nice it looks too :)

[coss]

yes, EB said it... i do have my fusion saddle and very comfy it is too (after i got used to the smaller seat :p)
it did take a lot of phone calls to check up how things were progressing but worth the way :)