You either have it or you don't. I ride the same way whether I'm in a 25 year old Stubben Siegfried or my 5 year old Stubben Juventus. Saddles have progressed and evolved like many other pieces of equipment. It comes down to personal preference, I'll ride in either style. I have a newer Stubben because they fit my gelding better then the older styles. Horses have changed in the last 25 years as well and saddles reflect that. Wider gullet channels, broader panels for more weight bearing surface, cut away sweat flaps, etc.
The biggest problem I have with older saddles is that they tend to be sewn with linen thread that eventually rots. I spent more then my old saddle was worth trying to repair the stitching.
The age and style of the saddle shouldn't matter as long as the saddle fits both the horse and rider correctly. This has been the biggest battle for me. I'm only 5 foot with a 28" inseam, my gelding is 17.3 and about 1375 lbs, takes a medium-wide to wide tree. Finding something for both of us was hard.
I can feel my horse just fine beneath me in my new Stubben. I have no problem with contact and communication. But again, that comes down to the rider's training and not the saddle.
I would concentrate on finding a saddle that helps him maintain the proper position, doesn't force him into it, is comfortable and properly fitted for both him and the horse regardless of the style.
My current saddle, a Stubben Juventus S. My gelding has his front legs in a dip, so he's downhill. This saddle is basically a junior's eventing saddle, knee and thigh block with a somewhat forward flap.
A previous saddle, a CWD. Their 'flat' model with a very short forward flap and a knee block. Custom made (for another horse and rider) out of buffalo leather on the flaps and calfskin on the seat.
And another previous saddle, an older Stubben that was tight through the gullet channel and pinched my gelding's spine. Not a whole lot of difference between this and the previous saddles except for the additions of knee and thigh blocks.
Humans were given two legs - One to put on either side of a horse.
From what I've seen, it seems that some of the newer saddles actually do force people into position. Maybe 'force' is too strong of a word. Maybe it's that they encourage and support position 'more' than other saddles?
To me, if a saddle is supporting 'too much' then the rider will become dependent on that support. If a rider starts in a saddle that provides extra support, then it would seem that that rider is less likely to develop an independent seat.
I've read some similar discussions about dressage saddles. Apparently there are some out there that pretty much only let you sit one way. Again, I would wonder how independent the seat becomes if the saddle is constantly providing that support.
I never liked the really heavily built up western saddles either because of similar issues. Didn't like being shoved into position!
I have the same problem with some of the older saddles
Posted by cshunter86 on 7/3/2012, 11:07 am, in reply to "thanks"
I think its a toss up. You'll get good and bad apples in either bunch. I would try a few saddles from both sides and go from there. Personally, I'm a Stubben girl and always have been. Even their newer models will have minimal blocks and pads or you could go with something like mine that has more block. Which I prefer right now because my gelding is still somewhat green and does some very nice aerials. Its nice to have back-up!
The HDR's are decent saddles, but may have too much padding for you. The Collegiates haven't changed overly much. The Pessoa's aren't bad, the A/O model is reminiscent of older equitation saddles.
Bigger jumps, bigger and bolder moving horses have influenced the evolution of the saddle. At the heart, you can still find the same qualities that you're looking for. Just in a different package.
Humans were given two legs - One to put on either side of a horse.
Citrus Heights, CA
new vs old
Posted by BarbaraC on 7/8/2012, 12:54 am, in reply to "thanks" 67.164.52.232
The old saddles were much flatter, and yes they do put you into a different position. The horses of olden days were built a little differently too, and so that is part of the reason they do not fit some horses today.
I have found that I have to do quite a bit of shimming and padding, especially with the riser pads in the rear, to get that current 'correct' position that the newer saddles 'automatically' put you in.
Well, you can learn to ride correctly bareback, so it's up to you how you want to ride in the saddle, and whether or not you want to be dependent on the saddle to put you in the 'right' position.
But, on the other hand, I know judges who will mark you down for not having the 'right' kind of equipment, so...depends on what you plan to do with your horse, and saddle.
Gateway to Almaden Valley/Southwest San Jose Saving one dog's life may not make a difference, but it makes all the difference in the world to that one dog.
If a rider has a good seat and balance, they can ride well in any saddle, or none.
Blessed with wonderful horses and amazing friends! Elk Grove, Sac County
Re: Agree!
Posted by cjride on 7/3/2012, 7:57 pm, in reply to "Agree!" 24.2.38.217
I agree too. My point, if badly stated or clarified, was that I feel that some of the new saddle may 'help' the rider so much that the ability to gain that independent seat is hindered.
clear as mud?
My point was that you're going to find that in either saddle style
Posted by cshunter86 on 7/3/2012, 8:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Agree!" 66.205.146.185
You have to get out there and try them before you make the judgement. I've seen some older saddles force riders into horrid positions and new saddles assist their position correctly.
Humans were given two legs - One to put on either side of a horse.
I do think that finding an older close contact that has a wide enough tree will prove to be an issue.
time will tell :-)
The gullet channels do run extremely narrow
Posted by cshunter86 on 7/3/2012, 8:34 pm, in reply to "tree width"
But the typical English horses 25 years ago were pretty light Thoroughbreds. Now you have heavier and larger warmbloods coming in that may not fit those saddles. My gelding is all TB but those older saddles just don't work.
Humans were given two legs - One to put on either side of a horse.
its 25+ years old, I bought it used.....As I've gotten older I would like something with a little more cushion, just for my comfort. But that's just me, and I still use it even though it is like sitting on concrete (of course I'm supposed to have my behind off of the seat, but well when you are trail riding you can't stand forever! lol)
Napa, California
I ride an old Crosby PDN too. It has got to be at least 40 yrs old, and still going strong. It's flat, has no 'knee rolls' and you have to shim it up to fit some horses right, but it is still my saddle of choice if I am going to be on a long trail ride, or doing some hack jumping.
I bought mine used...hmmm, back in the late 70's.
It's really the next best thing to riding bareback...IMHO
Gateway to Almaden Valley/Southwest San Jose Saving one dog's life may not make a difference, but it makes all the difference in the world to that one dog.
