my visit from the saddle fitter - hastilow saddles - anyone?

[BlueWicked]

Well having had my heart set on a thorowgood T6, the thorwgoods I tried I just didnt get on with :( Infact, I found the whole fitting experience a bit overwhelming...:rolleyes: While most of the saddles I tried felt 'ok' there was nothing wow about them... and I felt (as I do with the wintec he's in at the mo) that the flaps were quite big:o

the saddle fitter (kay hastilow) said Im rather petite and just when we were about to give up she tried me in a Hastilow Saddlers 'Ranger' which is classified by them as pony saddle for um... kiddies & teenagers:o :o It was the best I sat in as I felt with the smaller flaps I could actually get my legs round him, its quite a shallow seat and has a square cantle.

Does anyone have this saddle? Any experiences of them...? What does the shallow seat mean for me..? IS that going to mean Im less secure in the saddle? I didnt feel that way when I tried it... but gosh my head is spinning now...:o

http://hastilowsaddles.com/pony.html

saddle fitters price is £695

thanks :)

[Palomino Mare]

Hi,

sorry you didnt get on with the throwgood, i know how much research you put into it!!

i havent heard of that saddle but...Ideal do a saddle for teenagers/small adults. my pony has had this saddle for 8years and it looks brand new still. they rrp at £400-450 if you want to compare.

ETA - ok i got teh prices a bit wrong http://www.idealsaddle.com/catalogue/saddle/13 lol

[BlueWicked]

Hi,

sorry you didnt get on with the throwgood, i know how much research you put into it!!

i havent heard of that saddle but...Ideal do a saddle for teenagers/small adults. my pony has had this saddle for 8years and it looks brand new still. they rrp at £400-450 if you want to compare.

ETA - ok i got teh prices a bit wrong http://www.idealsaddle.com/catalogue/saddle/13 lol

thanks for your help PM. With the thorowgoods i just felt it was all saddle and no horse, and i felt too deep - like there was too much saddle infront and behind me.. does that make sense? At trot I got bounced way out the bloomin saddle as well:o

Anyone got any thoughts on the Hastilows?.. and the shallow seat & square cantle?

[coss]

it looks similar to the saddle that i'm selling - different make but size wise and the shallow seat... they look similar :o
the shallow seat means that it will be suitable for jumping a fair bit and means you have room to get bigger ;) the cantle just won't be as rounded at the back so its just the style (As far as i know). if you imagine a dressage saddle... they usually have a deep seat, this means the cantle comes up quite high at the back at a steep angle, the shallow seat just means the opposite
hope that helps :o

[Rea]

I dont think you should worry too much about the saddle's seat. I went from riding a very deep seated saddle to a very shallow square cantled saddle and I was worried about the same.I have had no problems and I dont feel insecure in my seat.

I think you a better off with this saddle if you feel more comfortable with the size of the flaps, etc.

[Nookster]

Main things is if it fits blue - then if you happy as well i would say go for any saddle that matches

[BlueWicked]

Main things is if it fits blue - then if you happy as well i would say go for any saddle that matches

i think im just being a silly-moo and worrying that it says a 'shallow' seat' on the website, and thinking that it might make me less secure maybe:o I didnt notice it being less secure at the time tho.. gosh its almost as bad as buying horses:eek: SO scared to make the wrong decision!:eek::o

[eventerbabe]

no experience of the saddles but have used kay :rolleyes:

[Daffy Dilly]

I went from deep seat to shallow and it took me literally a couple of rides to adjust. I wasn't any less secure, just felt odd. Mum however instantly preferred the shallow seated saddle, but then her bottom is bigger than mine so she was possibly a little cramped in the deeper seat.

If security really is an issue for you, I've found that a Heather Moffat seatbone saver does feel very secure, although I've only ridden in one twice. :)

[Joyscarer]

Congratulations on finding something suitable as that has to be the biggest hurdle.

I don't find the T6 flaps too big but then I'm 5ft 7 and a rather hefty lass :D

It just goes to show the benefits of having a good saddle fitter come out.

I actually wanted a Saddle Company saddle but prefered the T6 and was somewhat shocked, luckilly it was a great fit for Joy or I would have been ready to hand in the towel :rolleyes: