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Clueless about dressage saddle brands!

9K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  dmj52493 
#1 ·
I have recently begun my search for my first dressage saddle and I am looking to purchase a used one. I honestly have no idea what brands to avoid and which brands are reliable! I have found a few in my price range, but I haven't heard of the brands and I'm just wondering what some more experienced dressage riders have to say about them!

Albion
True Brit
Prestige
Legacy

Those were a few I saw... I'd love some feedback! Thank you all in advance!
 
#2 ·
I own a Niedersuss and so does my mom. Both saddles are 20+ years old and we like them. We don't show, but my saddle is black and the leather is still lovely and I could easily show in it.

My saddle was a fairly good fit on my mare, but was still making her sore. I have yet to find a saddle that doesn't make her sore though. I ordered the Protector pad and it has solved the problem.

My mother's saddle fits her mare very well. She doesn't ride a lot but finds it super comfortable, and it fits the horse nicely and I haven't found evidence of it making her sore or not fitting.

A saddle is a lot about what fits you and the horse. Its also about what you like! I knew a lot of people that swore by Stubben and once thought they were THE saddle to have, until I met a bunch of people that hate Stubben. Saddles are definitely an individual thing.

I always buy used because it is cheaper, you can find some great deals on really nice saddles, and you get to see the saddle in person, try it out, maybe even fit it on the horse before you buy. I can't afford to buy a quality saddle new lol. My saddle was a 2 thousand dollar saddle new, I got it for $500.

I don't know anything about those brands in particular. Albions look like nice saddles. Good luck!
 
#3 ·
I always buy used because it is cheaper, you can find some great deals on really nice saddles, and you get to see the saddle in person, try it out, maybe even fit it on the horse before you buy. I can't afford to buy a quality saddle new lol. My saddle was a 2 thousand dollar saddle new, I got it for $500.
I second looking for used. I picked up a Max Hopfner off ebay for $200 including shipping across the boarder. It's a saddle that sells used for $800-900 usually. It's not cosmetically the best to look at, but it's made well.

Each brand fits different so it's hard to recommend a single one. Like lots of people like County saddles, but I can't ride in them because of how the stirrup bars are placed.

You should stay away from any no name, or the very low quality ones like Silver Fox, Kincade, Avante.
 
#4 ·
what is your budget? there is good, and there is GOOD. we all cannot afford GOOD, but we all should be able to get something good.

I started out with a second hand Crosby Grand Prix. it's an old saddle. then I had a Klimke. very middle of the line in value, not as sturdy as the Crosby.

some dressage saddles have very tight seats, with high cantles, other have more open seats. some have really straight legs, and paddings that force your leg into position. others offer you a choice of how to position yourself.

because I am fat, I do not like a saddle with a steep cantle, and since my legs are short, I do not like a saddle that tries to force me to have a very vertical thigh. the type of twist is another thing. becuse I am fat, I like a narrow twist, but some folks who are thin appreciate a wider twist that takes up more of the space between their thigh.

there is a lot to saddle fit, both above and below the saddle.

I like the Crosby brands. love the Passier makes, though the Grand Gilbert has a very long flap, so not good for short fatties like me.

it so depends.
 
#5 ·
Thank you all so much for your replies!

I think I'm looking somewhere in the $500-$700 range, used. I definitely agree that saddles vary from person to person, so I am only planning on looking at saddles that I am able to take on trial.

I will keep an eye out for some of the brands suggested! I am currently riding in my trainer's County Warmblood and I LOVE it, but I haven't seen too many in my price range or in a narrow or narrow/medium tree. Tree size has been another snag in the search! So many I've run across are medium/wide or wide tree! Oh the joys of saddle shopping...
 
#6 ·
I like Albions fairly well. Got to ride in one during a switch-ride and it wasn't fit to me, but I could tell it was well balanced and the leather was nice.
Prestige, I haven't ridden in their saddles but I had a dressage girth of theirs and it was to die for leather-wise. Amazing, buttery soft leather and the craftsmanship was perfect.
No experience with the other two.


I also recommend looking into used saddles, and a few brands that seem to hold up quite well include: Passier, Crosby, and Theo Sommer.


My personal dressage saddle (before I sold it like a dumba$$) was a Theo Sommer Diplomat. Got it used for $500 and it was amazing! It's a brand I don't see too much of so I was unsure, but when I tried it, I was sold, and my dressage trainer also highly recommended the brand.
 
#7 ·
Guessing you have a fairly good budget with those brands! Albion and Prestige are amazing! Annoyingly their trees just don't fit my horses back so I have to just ride in other peoples. If you need a narrow tree, an amerigo prestige is lovely. I had one on trial for £500 but even with a magic wand, my saddler couldn't get it to fit right.

I brought my first dressage saddle this year and its a Kent and Masters. If you can get one I highly recommend it. All leather, comfiest saddle I've ever ridden in, lovely big knee rolls to get your leg in the right place with nothing to restrict you behind, and has an adjustable gullet for when your horse changes shape to some extent. Was £580 including postage and was 3 months old.

Good luck in your saddle hunting!
 
#9 ·
I suppose I'm not so much concerned about "brand name". I think what I was really wondering is if anyone knew how well the few brands I saw and posted were made. I didn't have experience or knowledge about any of them, so I was curious if they were quality and worth taking on trial or if anyone thought they might be cheaply made and a waste of time. I am really thankful for all this input!! :)
 
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