Thinking about buying a Haggis Trooper Saddle

I am thinking about buying a Heggis Trooper Saddle. Does anyone have any info. Thoughts are opinions about them.

I need some help deciding. I am used to riding a Western Circle Y Saddle w/ Flex Tree but it is too long for my horse and is rubbing his back.

I have to get another saddle so I am trying to do some research on them. I had a Tucker Saddle loved if for me but it was what rubbed my horse to start with and caused the sore place on his back.

I am a little nervous about riding in a trooper saddle but friends are telling me it would be the best for my horse.

Thank you in advance for any infor you can give me on saddles.

A good fitting Trooper saddle is hard to beat from the perspective of the horse. Use to be the universal patern military saddle if you trace it's history and evolution. Starting back in the first half of the 1800's.
Good weight displacement (spread out more like a western saddle). Well off the spine with space for air flow. Make sure you get a good measurment for your gullet, etc... I believe Haggis uses brass or bronze for their frame (pommel and cantle are wrapped over metal) which can allow for making fit changes later. I'd heard that Haggis can make fit changes to their saddles, but haven't confirmed this. A nice feature though if they do. Horses backs can change with time. Most notably when they are still growing between 4 and 6, and muscling up. Being able to make the adjustments to the same saddle would be great. Should be less costly to make the change than replacing them. Let us know if you find out if Haggis will make changes when needed.
My first Trooper was a Tucker. Nice saddle, but to heavy for my liking. I'd been borrowing a friends, but my mare has out grown it, so I'm having Haskett make one for me. My mare has a short back (23.5"), so I like having them made for her. Not sure about making changes to a Hasket Trooper though, since they use stainless steel. They have a good reputation though and good prices.
There's also the Saddle Guy who does custom Troopers too.
Won't bother listing all the makers of Troopers. An online search would take care of that.

Thank you for the info. I have ordered the Haggis Saddle and I am waiting for it to come in. I hope that I like it.


They talk like you can adjust it some. I will be letting you know how I like it when it comes in.

They can have the seat adjusted some via the straps underneath (you'll see them when you get the saddle). Can't change the gullet or bar spread without being able to bend the metal that makes up the pommel. That's something that makes bronze nice. It's easier to work then steal and doesn't degrade as much from being widened or shortened.

I really like the Trooper saddle. For my distance riding it is my saddle of choice

I've heard good things about troopers. Make sure to post pics and a review when you get it! :)

I'm wondering if you are putting too much weight on the cantle. The purpose of the cantle is to prevent your butt from scooting off the horse's back should he suddenly take off. Try shifting your pelvis forward a couple of inches and see if that helps. You may need to bring your legs back a little as well.

What was than in reference to?

If the rider is too much on the cantle hair can rub off or the horse can develop sore spots. If a clean pad is used on a dusty back the pattern of the dirt will say a lot. I've bo't a few pads that denoted how unbalanced the rider was. There was noticably more dirt and slight pad wear on one side. The other showed how the rider was too bar back.

No, the problem was actually with my saddlle it didn't fit my horse properly. I used different blankets and it helped some but my horse has a lot of back in movement which cause the saddle to move back and forth rubbing the horse. I am having the new trooper saddle made specifically by my horse's measurements. My horse is a TWH and often western saddles don't fit them like they do a quarter horse. I am familiar with how to sit correctly in a saddle. I have ridden for many years and a lot of horses. This horse is the only one that the saddle doesn't fit. I think if it was the way that I ride in the saddle I would have other horses that the saddle would have rubbed. But thank you for the information.

What rigging did you end up getting? While I'm at it, why don't I just bombard you with all of my questions! What made you choose Haggis over another company, like Heskett? What sort of warranty does Haggis have?