English style trail saddle recommendations

Hi y'all,

I'm new to this forum but excited to have found it. I recently bought an older mare who has had extensive experience on the trails as well as in the arena in dressage.

She is a TB/Welsh cross and has a pretty under developed topline at this point. I have a 41 yr old Stubben VSD and a Smith Worthington dressage saddle. The Stubben fits her pretty well but it is really getting old and worn out so I was thinking of getting a new saddle for trail riding.

I had one of the Icelandic English Trail saddles several years ago when I had draft horses. It was a great and comfortable saddle much to my surprise but it was bought for my Belgian so the tree is too wide for my new mare. But if I could find something like that I'd be thrilled. Or an Australian saddle if I could find one that isn't made of cardboard leather.

Sadly I live where if it doesn't have a horn, it isn't a real saddle so acquiring a new saddle locally is pretty much out. And I an the first to admit I hate buying a saddle online. But I probably will do so.

I would be so happy to hear some of your ideas and suggestions.

I'm very glad to have found this forum.
Best,
Kyt

If you have a saddle that is useable and fits her right now, you may want to keep using this saddle until she gets more developed.. as a saddle that fits her now may not fit her once you have her back in shape!

Wife purchased a Granada Paragon saddle from national bridle and loves it. Granada Paragon Saddle All she had to do was add a breast collar for those steep trails. If you want to satisfy those horn loving people (count me in that group) it can be purchased with a horn too.

I bought a Specialized Saddle and I love it. You can get them with and without a horn and you can custom fit it to your horse. Look it up online and watch the video on how it is made. You will be amazed at how ingenious the design is. If you get a new horse, you can refit it. They are quite pricey, but well worth the money. I found mine used online at Endurance.net.