[Jake and Dai]

I'm so excited! I received a pretty decent bonus from work so I have enough to treat myself to a new saddle (which may be a new-to-me used saddle if I find the right one).

I want an AP saddle for my big draft cross Jake. He's a big wide guy so this may be a bit of a challenge. I plan to use iride's most excellent stickie info about measuring for a saddle and then head off to the local tack shop to see what works. Currently we either ride him bareback or in a western saddle. But as I ride English...

But, in advance, I was wondering from all of those who own horses of the extra wide persuasion, what your favourite saddle is and why? I'm not looking to spend more than 1k since I only ride for pleasure but could go higher to find the right one for the both of us.

Thanks y'all for your input!

 

[kitten_Val]

Friend of mine used thorowgood saddle on her really big wide draft cross and it fitted him very well. This brand is on cheaper side (it's synthetic), but she's happy with it (she said nothing else fit him that nice).

You also probably want to go with the wide tree if he's really wide.

 

[Polaris]

Totally agree. A good friend of mine has a very hard to fit horse that is round and mutton withered. She went through many different saddle choices in an attempt to find the best fit, and it was the Thorowgood that fit him the best.

Yes, it's a synthetic saddle, but I was/am quite impressed with the quality....it's very nice, and in my opinion the quality surpasses the Wintecs. I believe Dover has at least one that you can have shipped to you on trial.

Hope that helps.

 

[luvs2ride1979]

For under $1,000, I would seriously look at Duett saddles. Used saddles go for reasonable amounts and they are made for roley poley horses.

Another good option would be the Thornhill Berlin. It's under $1,000 new and comes in an x-wide tree that seems to fit broad horses well.

 

[UnrealJumper]

My friend has a Duett saddle. They are really nice

 

[Jake and Dai]

Thanks guys! I've heard of Thorowgood but not Duett or Thornhill Berlin so thanks for the tips. This is going to be so exciting!!!!! And probably frustrating as well but...still fun.

 

[kitten_Val]

As already mentined Dover and ValleyVet have number of saddles you can order for the trial. That would be a good idea I think. Hunting for the saddle is very frustrating. So good luck!

 

[luvs2ride1979]

Trumbull Mountain has Duetts and other wide-horse saddles. They can help you do a wither tracing to figure out which saddles will work for you. They do trial saddles as well.
Trumbull Mt Tack Shop

Fitting information from them: New Page 1

Also, if you look for used saddles, go with a shop that will do a wither tracing and has a trial policy, like usedsaddles.com, saddlesource.com, bcsadderly.com, etc.

Dover is the currently the only retailer for Thorowgood saddles, and they have trials and fitting information.

Berlin is the model of Thornhill saddles that I recommend. It's an AP saddle with a moderately deep seat. There are a few online shops that carry Thornhills that can help with fitting or may have a trial saddle.

 

[Jake and Dai]

Thanks luvs2ride! I looked around and in my mind so far have decided to pursue the Duett so the link to that online store if very helpful.