High Quality English Saddle Recommendations

Looking for an English saddle.?

LOL are you me asking this question? I'm 5'8" and love a wide twist and I love my knee rolls and really dislike a hard saddle.

I purchased a used Union Hill Bella Siena saddle a few years ago for around $600, --- it has the softest squishiest seat I have ever ridden it. And the leather is sooo soft and lovely! It also has the excellent feature of velcro under the flap so if you want to add extra knee or thigh blocks you can. (mine came with small knee blocks, which are perfect)

LOL when I went saddle shopping with my sister we were literally walking around squeezing the saddles to determine their squishability (made up word I know). And the Union Hill Bella was just perfect!

I got a regular tree which fits my Morgan Arab cross perfectly with a 17.5 seat.

I did find this link http://www.tacktrader.com/ad/519796/unio... with one for sale (it seems to be the same saddle as mine, but with a narrow tree, I don't know what tree width you are looking for).

Otherwise my suggestion would be to do what I did (I didn't even know about the brand Union Hill before I went to the tack shop) and just go to a huge tack store that has a very large selection of used saddles and examine them. Most tack shops will let you try it out for a week, you just have to give your CC info, and if you don't bring it back in a week they charge you for it.

Happy shopping! :-)

Saddle tree size (english saddles)?

Measuring a tree size in inches is incorrect. Here's why (read the whole post): http://saddlefitter.blogspot.com/2010/04...

The gullet is the area in front of the saddle that sits over the horse's withers and rests along the side of his body just behind the points of the shoulders.

To find out your horse's tree size (and what saddle will most likely fit him), you need to do a wither tracing and send it to a saddle fitter. At the blog I listed for you later on, they can make recommendations based on the wither tracing (http://saddlefitter.blogspot.com/2010/07... and http://saddlefitter.blogspot.com/search?... and appropriate photos (Scenario 4: http://saddlefitter.blogspot.com/2010/07/bad-intel.html).

Horses with mutton withers sometimes need a different type of tree than those with prominent withers: a hoop tree.

By all means, you should put saddles on him! It's not like you need to ride him to figure out if it fits or not. And if you don't currently have one that fits, at least he'll get used to having something on his back. Look here for an idea of what to look out for: http://saddlefitter.blogspot.com/2010/08/adjustable-trees-changeable-gullets.html

Places you need to check out:
http://www.trumbullmtn.com/ (click through the tab at the top labeled "Saddle Fitting")
http://saddlefitter.blogspot.com/

Any hunter/jumper saddle recommendations? thanks?

I've used the same Courbette Stylist II DL for the last 13 years now. It has a wide tree and I pad to fit on smaller horses (which essentially has just been putting an extra pad or two under the saddle on a skinny horse). It's the only saddle I can stand jumping in.

I don't like the leather quality of the Bates saddles. I've used a Bates Isabel before and the leather doesn't look good at all after even a period of months of heavy use. It just doesn't wear nice at all. In fact, I feel that any leather that isn't smooth from the start doesn't look half decent in a year's time because it doesn't clean as well and it eventually will begin to wear in such a way it looks funny. (Of course, this is a purely aesthetic complaint, and if you are showing these are areas that aren't visible anyways).

The next jumping saddle I get will either be another Courbette or a Laser. If you are looking for an adjustable tree then Laser is the way to go. It is substantially more money however, but sometimes you get lucky. I bought a used Laser 100D this last winter for $750 and I've been really impressed with the leather quality, seat, and the ease at adjusting the tree. There is nothing easy about the easy change gullet system Wintec uses, but Laser (and Silhouette as well) have a changeable gullet system that only requires an adjustment tool that you screw one way or the other to make the tree wider or narrower. Unfortunately, the used prices on them tend to be much higher than Pessoa or Bates (but their price new is also $1000 more). Sometimes you get lucky and find one used for right around $800.

How much are Antares custom jumping saddles?

i love Antares saddles, but personaly i would spend the extra money and get a devoucoux saddle which are way nicer than any saddle you have ever sat in!

here is the antares website:
http://www.antares-sellier.com/en/selle/...

Jumping saddles:
Grain Leather - $4,000
Grain with buffalo - $4,200
Full Calfskin Leather - $4,400
Full Buffalo Leather - $4,100

Monoflap saddles:
same price

Pony saddless:
Grain Leather - $3,500
Full Calfskin Leather - $3,700

dressage saddles:
Full Calfskin Leather - $4,600
Full Buffalo Leather - $4,400

FYI: antares and devoucoux are like sister saddlerys. Both made in france, devoucoux used to be a partnership. They partner split and created his own brand; antares.

The devoucoux saddle run about 600-1,000 dollars more, but if you are going this far, why not go all the way. The devoucoux rep in my area is SUPER nice and very helpful.

website:
http://www.phillipdutton-devoucoux.com/

*i am pretty sure these are the prices :)

Dressage saddle for high withered thoroughbred...?

I have a high withered thoroughbred gelding..
Im looking at getting a new dressage saddle..i currently have a Kieffer Lech Profi

Im looking into a bates caprilli dressage...do you think this would suit/ fit him?

any other ideas would be appreciated :)

What is the best way to clean and condition tack?

I have never owned my own tack, but just got a Pessoa saddle that I love, adore and want to keep in really good condition.

What is the best way to generally clean and condition tack? What specific products do you recommend to use?

Tack - showing english?

I have shown in english devision of 4-H for years now, here's what I know:

You need a bit. I hate this rule, but you have to have one. Square pad is fine, I like the one at horse.com that comes with numbers to go into the pouch n the pad so you don't have to pin it to your jacket.

Synthetic will not dock you points, but a leather saddle will last SO much longer if you clean it properly. Also I have found leather english saddles to be better quality, and more comfortable.

The mane can go on either side (left or right) but it all has to be together. I like to keep my horse's mains at 4-6 inches. Too long it just looks strange, too short and it will stand up. You can band, bud, or French braid a mane as long as the tail is also plaited.

As far as color you can use any color tack, saddle, pad, and bridle, but if you are going with black to bridle and saddle both black. Also everyone has a 'fluff' type of pad so I use a colored pad to stand out. It just gives you that little edge.

I'm glad that you're getting back into showing. It is SO much fun as I'm sure you know. Remember to not get stressed out, and I'm sure you and your horse will have a great time. If you have any more questions about anything horses please e-mail me. I will be more then happy to help. Best regards ~Bee