What are your thoughs on this

HLDVS86 · #1 25th Mar 2009, 10:59 AM

Reviews....photos anyone!??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Saddle-Company...1%7C240%3A1318

HLDVS86 · #2 25th Mar 2009, 11:16 AM

bump

capalldubh · #3 25th Mar 2009, 12:45 PM

I have one of these - although mine hasn't had the girth straps shortened. I'm not too sure why you would do this - it's a dressage saddle so only has two girth straps, not 3 - it would be odd to shorten them?

It is a great saddle - very comfortable for rider (has a built in gel seatsaver), keeps legs in right position due to the positioning of the stirrup bars, and is adjustable so can be altered to suit the shape of your horse. The serge panels seem nice for the horse too. My horse is very happy with it and loves being tacked up (though probably because that tends to mean we're going exploring...).

There are two things I'm not so crazy about. Because of the shape and the seat saver, it is not a very deep seat - so if your horse (like mine) occasionally likes to show off his Spanish Riding School airs above the ground you need a bloomin' good seat to stay on board (I would say I manage through about 80% of the high jinks...).

The other thing is also to do with the shape - although mine is a 17", it feels more like a 16 1/2, because the seat isn't deep and the cantle is rounded. I also have a Saddle Company regular GP at 17" - which my bottom fits into much better - but it has a deeper seat and a square cantle...

Hope that helps - it does seem a good price so far, but I would check with the Saddle Co that the modification of the girth straps doesn't make it more unstable or something

HLDVS86 · #4 25th Mar 2009, 01:32 PM

Thanks, I didnt even see that!!!! :O!! will have a proper look

Peaches · #5 25th Mar 2009, 01:38 PM

It's had it's straps shortened as it has been used as a working hunter show saddle, not a dressage saddle. Usually, saddles in the show ring are traditionally used with long girths. Changing the billets to short so can be used with standard girth means that it would look more 'normal' in the show ring. The disadvantage is that with long girth straps, they can swing more to place the girth in a variation of positions depending on the horses conformation. Normally in saddles made with short billets, there are more billets there which also provides the opportunity to girth up in the position most suitable to different conformations. This saddle obviously doesn't have the long swinging billets nor the variation of short billet combinations...This won't be a problem for most horses but might make it tricky if you horse has a forward girth groove or something - but then again, you can buy girths now which cater for that problem anyway...

I haven't had this saddle so can't judge on it specifically, but I do have a HM treeless. My saddle also has the set back stirrup bars, and the seatsaver. The stirrup bars make the heel-hip-shoulder alignment effortless, but may feel a little strange if you're not used to it. Some people have to fight their saddles to get this position, pulling their legs back. If you're used to this, you might have to 'retrain' your legs as they no longer need to pull back - they fall there naturally. The seatsaver aspect is interesting. Whilst very comfortable once it's warm, you may need to be aware that (unless different to mine) in cold weather it can be very hard until your bums warmed it up! As you sink into it when it warms, it should become slightly deeper seated than it looks in the photo's too. You can warm it up before use with a hot water bottle or wheat sack though =]

Hope that helps.

Peaches · #6 25th Mar 2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capalldubh

The other thing is also to do with the shape - although mine is a 17", it feels more like a 16 1/2, because the seat isn't deep and the cantle is rounded.

That's interesting - I find a flatter seat roomier than a 'deeper' seat. Horses for courses I suppose!

KateWooten · #7 25th Mar 2009, 01:41 PM

What's with the name change MedbournePrince ?

Wally · #8 25th Mar 2009, 01:43 PM

I love mine! we have several, the older fashioned ones are better, they tried to make the twist narrower, but I didn't like it, France's daughter loves hers with the narrower twist. The one in the pic looks to have the older, flatter seat.

capalldubh · #9 25th Mar 2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

I find a flatter seat roomier than a 'deeper' seat.

That may be generally the case - the HM Saddle Co one is quite an interesting saddle and I do worry slightly about overspill

It does not ride like a 17" at all! It concerns me slightly because I feel I might be putting too much weight too far back, but I've been riding in it for a year and horse's back is great

They are quite old saddles now - it's a few years since the Saddle Co stopped manufacturing them - but they are hugely popular in the US, I think a bit of a cult following - I think I saw an as new one sell for about £600 in the US about 6 months ago!

I was lucky to get mine in perfect almost new condition from Iron Maiden on here

HLDVS86 · #10 25th Mar 2009, 02:28 PM

thanks for the replies, interesting about the seat saver........

Iron Maiden · #11 25th Mar 2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capalldubh

I was lucky to get mine in perfect almost new condition from Iron Maiden on here

And I'm proof that they don't suit everyone

Those set back stirrups, couldn't get used to them. Having said that I now have a Heather Moffett Thorowgood with the built in seatsaver & set back stirrups that I really like, although that has a 17.5 inch seat and square cantle. Makes a big difference, that extra posterior accommodation

Peaches · #12 25th Mar 2009, 06:13 PM

I must be one of those people who can get on with any saddle within reason provided it's not suede (or a WOW!)! I've ridden in saddles anywhere from 15.5" to 18", dressage cut to jumping cut, flat seated, deep seated, square or rounded cantles, close contact or not...

It's the horse thats the awkward fussy one in our relationship

HLDVS86 · #13 25th Mar 2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Maiden

And I'm proof that they don't suit everyone

Those set back stirrups, couldn't get used to them. Having said that I now have a Heather Moffett Thorowgood with the built in seatsaver & set back stirrups that I really like, although that has a 17.5 inch seat and square cantle. Makes a big difference, that extra posterior accommodation

HAHA YES indeed!! I need as buch behind space as I can get

KateWooten · #14 25th Mar 2009, 06:31 PM

Hey ! MedbournePrince ... what's with the change of name ?

HLDVS86 · #15 25th Mar 2009, 06:42 PM

lol you already asked me that once?

KateWooten · #16 25th Mar 2009, 06:48 PM

lol what's the answer then?

HLDVS86 · #17 25th Mar 2009, 06:50 PM

maybe because I was bored?? why are you so curious anyhow :s

NoviceNic · #18 25th Mar 2009, 08:21 PM

A change is as good as a rest huh....Ive always fancied changing my name on here....

HLDVS86 · #19 25th Mar 2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoviceNic

A change is as good as a rest huh....Ive always fancied changing my name on here....

Yeah, It was getting a bit long winded logging in with it aswell lol!! I had thought about changing his show name (which would result in change of name on here) but i doubt I will...no need to

lol!!

NoviceNic · #20 25th Mar 2009, 08:27 PM

Id like to change my name to Expert Nic now...whadda ya think? Does it suit me....