[SionTheMonster]

Looking for some reviews and input. I'm looking at the Aachen with the Genesis system for me and my boy for this fall when I have some money, and potentially the Annice Genesis next year or whenever I need it/can afford it.

For now though, I'm mostly looking for the deets on the Aachen. What kind of back does it fit? Are the seats true to size? What kind of position does it put you in? How does it hold up against use? Where's the best place to get one, for the best price? (So far I've only found them on SmartPak for $1,599.)

I wanna hear any other things you have to say about them, too - good or bad! Thanks in advance!

 

[farmpony84]

I had the Annice (not the adjustable one) and LOVED it. Best saddle ever! I sold it because it wasn't wide enough for my horse. I ended up buying the bates but I really wish I had gotten another Toullouse. I may look into selling or trading once I finish paying for my bates....

 

[gypsygirl]

i have an M Toulouse Celine with a wide tree that im gonna be selling soon ! i love it, but it no longer fits my horse =[

 

[SionTheMonster]

Yay! I like to hear good things about these saddles. What kind of back shapes do your horses have? I've got a wide, short-backed paint x Arab pony with basically no wither, LOL. Pretty much build like a barrel. Makes for super comfy bareback riding, but saddle fit can be tricky!

 

[DandyLonglegs]

I'm going to piggy back onto your post as I'm also looking at the Toulouse saddles with the genesis tree. I'm looking at the Annice, Dennise, and maybe the Legano.

My guy has your typical TB withers (aka, high) but has a wide shoulder and it's hard to fit.

I'd love to hear opinions on the genesis system!

 

[SionTheMonster]

Lol! Feel free, Dandy. From what I've heard from a few other sources, the Annice seems to fit lower withered, wider horses better...does this ring true for anyone else?

 

[farmpony84]

My horse is a quarter horse w/ really wide shoulders. The wide Toullouse Annice was not wide enough. W/ the genesis completely as wide as we could get it, it was an ok fit. That's why I went to the bates but even the bates on my guy is not a perfect fit.

The annice was the most comfortable saddle. SO good and I LOVE the leather...

 

[gypsygirl]

ive heard they do run a little narrow

 

[DejaVu]

I have the Annice with the Genesis, so I'll talk most about it, since it's the only one I have any real hands on information with.
Best purchase ever!!

I've thought about used Antares, or CWD's and such, but I'd honestly rather have this, with the Genesis. As long as the tree angle is correct, then you can fit it to any horse in width. I'd rather have a mid-range saddle that fits my horse like a glove, than a name brand saddle that makes me cringe at every ride for the safety of his back.

My gelding is very broad through the shoulder, wide set, and semi-curvy.
I'm pretty sure all MT models run on the curvier side.

The calfskin leather is pretty delicate, but it's not really a problem. I've gotten some pretty deep scratches on it, due to my neglect, but a quick conditioning, and they aren't visible anymore.
The seat is comfortable. It's very sofa-like, but without drowning you. I'm just as solid down in a full seat, but still have no problems getting up into a two point.

I'm not sure about the Aachen, I'd wish I'd sat in it when I was at Dover last. :/
But the Annice puts me in a great position for hunters/Eq. Very balanced.
If I rode more dressage, I'd definitely get the Aachen as well. But as little as I do, my Wintec suits me fine.

I've loved having the Genesis system. It takes literally two minutes to refit it to any horse.

Toulouse, in general is a good, well built saddle. It'll last you for quite a while.

 

[DejaVu]

Also, have you looked at Classic Saddlery? They sell all the Toulouse models for a great price.

 

[JoesLove]

Hey all,
I just joined this site, but have been reading different threads for a bit now. I had seen the M. Toulouse Aachen and immediately fell in love, especially since the price was only $1149 and came with free leathers and with smart pak had free ground shipping and return. At first I put in a spot to wait for the 17.5inch test ride, but after doing a lot of research I decided since I ride in a 17.5inch all purpose that I better go ahead and get the 18inch seat on the toulouse since it has a deep seat. My trainer thought it looked like i would love this saddle and put my leg in a good position, so tonight I went ahead and ordered it on smartpak as an early birthday present to me, I have never had a nice real leather saddle! My first saddle was a kincade (so terrible i was always forward) then i got the wintec, now I decided to ride/train dressage so going to be selling anything hunter,etc. I am expected to get this saddle march 7th, as it is not the 'test ride' one I ordered I will be very careful with this, but I think I will like it as I'm not too picky as long as it feels comfortable and fits my horse. I will definitely update everyone in a week when I get the saddle( i didn't get the genesis since my horse has been easy to fit, and hes the main one I ride. 16.2 medium build breeding stock paint, not too thick backed, and no shark fin withers, hes just right ;] ) I do have to say I am extremely excited to try this saddle and that 90% of reviews on this saddle were good! I do not expect this saddle to last me 20 yrs but if it lasts me close to 10 I will be happy.

 

[SionTheMonster]

Thank you so much DejaVu! Those're exactly the things I like to hear. It's strange because I'd heard so much about these saddles that was just kind of blase, but I'm so happy to hear that everyone's raving about them! Definitely going to invest in one (or maybe two! hehe...) in the future.

JoesLove, I would definitely love to hear all about it when it comes in! I'd love to see some pictures of it too, and of your guy's back, maybe? Just so I can get a better idea for shape, since I will hopefully/definitely be buying myself the Aachen later this year.

 

[mildot]

My horse is a quarter horse w/ really wide shoulders. The wide Toullouse Annice was not wide enough. W/ the genesis completely as wide as we could get it, it was an ok fit. That's why I went to the bates but even the bates on my guy is not a perfect fit.

The annice was the most comfortable saddle. SO good and I LOVE the leather...

You might want to consider Duett saddles. They specialize in fitting wiiiiide and flat backed horses.

 

[farmpony84]

You might want to consider Duett saddles. They specialize in fitting wiiiiide and flat backed horses.

Good to know. I'll have to look into them. It's funny because to me, he really does not look that massive. He just looks like a horse....

 

[mildot]

Good to know. I'll have to look into them. It's funny because to me, he really does not look that massive. He just looks like a horse....

Duett Saddles: The Partnership of Horse & Rider

 

[Ink]

I'm in the same boat as Farmpony. I bought an Annice but the medium tree doesn't fit my rolly polly quarter horse at all

SO sad because it is the most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden in! I wish I had gone for the adjustable one, but I didn't like the feel of it quite as well.

I'm finally going to break down and sell mine to finance the purchase of a new western saddle. If anyone is interested in a very gently used 17.5 medium tree Toulouse let me know :lol:

 

[JoesLove]

This week I will work on getting shots of my horses back and then once the saddle comes in I will make sure to take lots of good pictures and probably post them via photobucket or something of the sort!

 

[SionTheMonster]

Yay! Thank you, JoesLove. I can't wait to see & hear all about it!

Anyone else have any input about M. Toulouse stuff?

 

[crimsonsky]

i'm glad someone posted this - i know i'll end up needing a wide tree for my pony when she's back "up and running", so to speak, and i was looking at the M. Toulouse saddles at the tack store last weekend. they certainly seem nice.

 

[DejaVu]

When I was first looking at new saddles, I also was seeing some not so great reviews, but I just think those reviews are from people who weren't fully educated in what they wanted. Don't be swayed by them. I haven't heard anything technically bad about them. Just more personal preference, type things.

With my requirements in a new saddle, (adjustable gullet, and short flap), I was down to Bates, MT, or Pessoa.
It's great quality. So glad I bought the MT.