Reccomend me a saddle!

[Chestnutter]

As I'm 40 soon (!) my OH has promised me a new saddle for my birthday. I currently have a Wintec Synthetic saddle which I don't really like. I don't find it particularly comfortable.

I'm looking for a leather saddle to fit Rosie who's Cleveland Bay x TB. I have about £800 to spend. Any suggestions? This will be the first saddle I've gone out and bought as I've previously bought saddle with the horse!

I'm going to buy a new bridle as well and quite fancy a hunter type if that makes any difference. Oh, and I fancy doing a bit of dressage too!

This is the girl in question!

Any advice/suggestions gratefully received!

 

[Lobelia Overhill]

I have a second hand Barnsby VSD which is very nice ... not sure if you'd get one for £800 tho'

 

[Daisy_Roots]

I'd get a good local saddler with a lot of second hand saddles out to play around and see what suits her.
I'd look for a really good second hand leather saddle as opposed to an OK new leather saddle.

 

[Chestnutter]

Thanks guys for your comments. Can anyone reccomend a saddler in my area (Bradford/Leeds)? I agree that I'd rather buy an older good quality saddle.

 

[cobbycob]

God how lucky are you, when I mention my 40th birthday pressie I just get that eye rolling to back of head look.

Good luck finding a saddle, lovely horse by the way.

 

[mikh]

I like my bates caprilli

 

[S_F_S]

I'd get a good local saddler with a lot of second hand saddles out to play around and see what suits her.
I'd look for a really good second hand leather saddle as opposed to an OK new leather saddle.

Took the words out of my mouth!

 

[posie]

ideal and jeffries are a good make for a bridle you could try kis vihar on here
if you want to do a bit of everything and dressage i'd go for a working hunter type saddle - i didn't like the VSD i had - was trying to be too many things and failed at all of them for me!
honey is v similar build and colour and dark havana looks v nice on her

 

[fjordlady]

Black Country is another very good traditional saddle make.

 

[posie]

*whispers v quietly* check the black country over v well though if you go down that route - the one i trialled had the flaps on about ½inch height different each side!!! and few other bits of bad workmanship.... may have been an anomoly but certainly made me wary!
barnsby another good make though

 

[Daisy_Roots]

Thanks guys for your comments. Can anyone reccomend a saddler in my area (Bradford/Leeds)? I agree that I'd rather buy an older good quality saddle.

http://www.yell.com/s/saddlers+and+harness+makers-west+yorkshire.html
Is that the right area for you?

 

[fjordlady]

*whispers v quietly* check the black country over v well though if you go down that route - the one i trialled had the flaps on about ½inch height different each side!!! and few other bits of bad workmanship.... may have been an anomoly but certainly made me wary!
barnsby another good make though

Gosh thats a surprise - but as you say can happen

 

[dizzykizzy]

How about a Wow?

.....just coincidence that I have one for sale honest!

Can recommend Keith from Wetherby master saddler, came out to me so would probably come to you too.