[petitepyromaniac]

Which brands of close contact saddles tend to have extra forward flaps?

I know with new saddles you can sometimes order them with an extra forward flap option. However, I'm stuck looking at used saddles on ebay, and although I OCCASIONALLY find a saddle that has the forward flap option, it's rare. So I was wondering if there was a specific brand that tends to run forward anyway so it would be easier.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[OutOfTheLoop]

I have a regent cc saddle that is forward flap. I know.they arnt the best, but I just play in mine, and it fits my horse.
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[Dressage10135]

Is there a certain price range you are looking in? It will be easier to give suggestions if you say what it is

 

[petitepyromaniac]

I'm hoping to stay under $1,000. Closer to $500 would be even better. I'm looking at used saddles as well, so if they run a little more new that's okay.

 

[Dressage10135]

Check out Stubben.. I'm not a huge fan of them personally, but thats just because they don't seem to fit me well. I found this one on ebay, not sure what size you need.

Stubben Edelweiss 17" 32 Two Color with St Leathers and Irons | eBay

I would also keep an eye out for Pessoa or Bates. Both brands have models that come with forward flaps (can't remember off the top of my head which ones are more forward).

I really like this site for used saddles.. there are some good deals that show up.

Buy, Sell, Trade Saddles, Trailers, Show Clothes, and More! - TackTrader.com Classifieds

 

[petitepyromaniac]

Ah, Tack Trader! I completely forgot about that site. Thank you for the reminder- I'm sure my saddle hunt just got easier

Thanks for the saddle brand suggestions too. I'll make sure not to over look them!

 

[NeuroticMare]

Many of the older CC saddles seem to be more forward, the newer "show jumping" and "equitation" saddles seem to not be as forward.

Many saddles have an option for forward or not, long short, etc. Check with that manufacturer to see what the options are, if it's used especially, because it is sometimes indicated in the serial number.

 

[petitepyromaniac]

Many of the older CC saddles seem to be more forward, the newer "show jumping" and "equitation" saddles seem to not be as forward.

Yeah, why is that? Is it a trend to ride with longer stirrups? Or being born with shorter legs? Seriously...

Thanks for the tip about looking into the serial numbers!

 

[NeuroticMare]

I don't know what tree or seat size you're looking for, but I got a new Dover catalog today and some of their "almost perfect" or "slightly blemished" saddles are on sale for a steal of a deal, and some of those Circuit saddles have more forward flaps.

Also, there is a really lovely older "Original PJ" for sale on Horseclicks.com if you search for Bruno delGrange under brand.

 

[NeuroticMare]

Yeah, why is that? Is it a trend to ride with longer stirrups? Or being born with shorter legs? Seriously...

Thanks for the tip about looking into the serial numbers!

No idea!!! I think it is to ride with a longer stirrup, but it seems to be that would be awkward to jump like that!

I ride in a Beval natural and it is actually the "long flap" even though I'm 5'4" with a 29" inseam... the regular flaps don't let me get my stirrups short enough for XC.

 

[petitepyromaniac]

I don't know what tree or seat size you're looking for, but I got a new Dover catalog today and some of their "almost perfect" or "slightly blemished" saddles are on sale for a steal of a deal, and some of those Circuit saddles have more forward flaps.

Also, there is a really lovely older "Original PJ" for sale on Horseclicks.com if you search for Bruno delGrange under brand.

I'm looking for a 17" ish. My butt is probably better suited to a 16.5, but a lot of times I feel more comfortable in an 18" just because of the extra hip-to-knee space. That's why I'm hoping to find a saddle with really forward flaps, so I can get the best of both worlds!

Tree size, I'm not sure. I ride a variety of horses, so I'm hoping to get something well made that will work well-enough for most horses, and then if I get my horse situation better figured out, I'll have the saddle fitter out and get it reflocked for that particular horse. That's the plan anyway. I'm only passively looking at saddles right now due to the horse situation, and I need more money. I'm hoping it will all work out soon though!

ANYWAY, that's a lot of info that probably wasn't neccessary for this particular thread. I like the look of Dover's Circuit Premier Master Saddle, as well as the Circuit Premier Eq saddle. They both look like they're more forward than most, and I like that I can do a trail with it. I can't believe how low some of the prices are on some of the Bruno Delgrange saddles! I always thought they were out of my league, but maybe... just maybe... haha.

 

[NeuroticMare]

Well, I'll keep my eye out! I am saddle hunting right now for my very wide gelding. He was started western and I'm tempted to go back to western riding for him because even very wide English saddles are so tight on his wide little QH self.

One of the brands I like, but there is so much variance in quality, is the M. Toulouse, I hadn't seen one in person, but in my area we just got a Dover Saddlery store so I went in to pretend I was shopping (one of my good friends owns a local saddlery so my loyalties lie with her), but they had several models of the M. Toulouse and it was nice to put my hands on them, they are good quality for the price!

I used to have a Circuit Elite XC, as I think that would fit the bill for you! I wish I had held onto mine because I think it would fit my gelding now. I sold it long ago and it's been discontinued.

 

[petitepyromaniac]

The M. Toulouse saddles do look nice! I haven't seen one in person, but I keep hearing good things. I looked at the Laura B online, that one looked like the flaps might be okay.

I remember the Circuit Elite XC! Yet another saddle I've never seen in person, but that one was my favorite of the old ones (based on what I could see from the catalog). It had adjustable blocks, right? That's a feature I'd love to have if I could So those flaps were forward enough?

 

[NeuroticMare]

The M. Toulouse saddles do look nice! I haven't seen one in person, but I keep hearing good things. I looked at the Laura B online, that one looked like the flaps might be okay.

I remember the Circuit Elite XC! Yet another saddle I've never seen in person, but that one was my favorite of the old ones (based on what I could see from the catalog). It had adjustable blocks, right? That's a feature I'd love to have if I could So those flaps were forward enough?

The Circuit Elite XC had very forward flaps, and yes, the front and rear blocks were both moveable/removeable. I didn't think I would like the rear ones so took them off but then tried them and I really liked them. The trees are generous in size, the medium runs like a wide, and the wide like an extra wide, they didn't have anything narrower, so if you have a true med tree you might be out of luck... but I rode mine on my stocky QH (was less stocky at the time as he is now!) two Thoroughbreds, a friend's Paint, and a draft X, so it was quite versatile in fit.

The flaps were great for XC, stadium and dressage, which is what I liked about it! I sold it when I got my Beval, wish I would not have! The seat looks deeper than the other Circuits, but it wasn't overly deep like an AP or anything like that, the seat size is also generous, so you might be able to go down a seat size if you find a used one.

This is me riding in mine, on my QH (he was 4 at the time, green and I am still green at jumping after all these years haha, gotta love the chicken wings)