Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your horse, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your horse, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The tack room
Recommend me a hacking saddle
Fireinthegrate · 13/11/2018 20:03
Something comfy for hackng please?
Currently have a GP Thoroughgood. It's ok, but at the weekend I rode another horse who had an extremely comfy saddle.
Made me wonder if I should treat myself (my bum).
Orlandointhewilderness · 13/11/2018 20:14
I ride in a variety - we have a farrington event (very, VERY comfy!), a farrington gp (again lovely) and an ideal (hate it.) My horse has a john whitaker for at home and an old stubben. both are really nice to ride in, the whitaker puts you in a beautiful position and the stubben makes me ride like an old hunting farmer!
I like quite flat seated, close contact jumping saddles. the farrington event has HUGE knee and thigh rolls but by god it keeps you in the plate! the ideal is a bucket seat type and i just don't get on with it.
Asdf12345 · 13/11/2018 20:16
Find a saddler with a big stock and book a fitting, then add a sheepskin cover if need be to improve the comfort.
It has to fit the horse perfectly, hence saddle reflocking twice a year, seat size is very important to rider comfort but if your horse has a short back you are only going to be able to put a short saddle on it.
Asdf12345 · 13/11/2018 20:17
The most comfortable saddles I have ridden have all been 18-19 inch saddles on 18 hand horses, but I am six foot tall.
Orlandointhewilderness · 13/11/2018 20:20
ah yes - i like an 18" saddle (big bum!) but i really struggle with thigh length as i have long thighs! the ideal is crap for that - i struggle to put stirrups up enough for fast work/jumping in it without shooting off the back of the saddle!
WhyDidIEatThat · 13/11/2018 22:14
I’m in love with our new fairfax jumping saddle, it feels almost like a close contact. My knees love it! Great for hunting, hacking and it’s endlessly adjustable and could probably fit almost every horse.
Nearlyoldenoughtowearpurple · 13/11/2018 23:08
Get a nice seat saver. I have a block the shock one, expensive but fab. Feels very weird to ride without it now. Cheaper than a new Saddle too.
krustykittens · 14/11/2018 20:54
This probably sounds a bit left field but if you have a broad backed, low withered horse or pony, i really recommend the Treefree Exmoor. I bought one years ago for my baby highland, thinking it would do until he stopped growing and it has to be the comfiest, most secure saddle I have ever hacked in! My daughters loved it so much I ended up buying two more for them. They come up from time to time on ebay so there is no need to pay the full price.
Pasithea · 14/12/2018 23:45
I have a saddle company endurance saddle and I love it. So does my bum so does my horse.
Ollivander84 · 14/12/2018 23:52
I have a gel in seat saver which lets me hack 20-25km comfortably (and I've had spinal surgery!)
I use it on top of a wow saddle
OldSpeclkledHen · 15/12/2018 18:44
Ooooh I loved my Wow saddle, sadly my horse didn't 😵
We've now got a Saddle Company Dressage saddle. My mare likes it, puts me in a good position. It's not uncomfortable but I miss my Wow
Like someone else said, a good seatsaver can make the world of difference... cheaper than new saddle 😊
pinkpolo · 15/12/2018 19:48
I've just bought a second hand Farrington gp for my Dales. Most comfortable saddle I've ever ridden in!
I contacted a saddler who came out with a selection of second hand saddles to try.
PeevedOfPortishead · 16/12/2018 11:52
My most comfy saddle is my 19" Stubben Scandica VSS - everyone who's ever sat in it lets out an audible sigh of happiness. 
Sadly doesn't fit my current horse.
I've just bought a Jeffries as my Saddle Company is a piece of shit. Honestly, it's vile. Despite being allegedly 100% leather - it's got some serious shades of cheap 'n' nasty Indian tat about it. :( Horrid piece of crap. If I can sell it on for £50 I'll be bloody delighted.
WitcheryNights · 21/12/2018 09:16
Australian stock saddle? They are meant to be really comfy to ride in. I rode in an Ideal GP which was amazingly comfy but sadly doesn't fit my pony. Black Country are also comfy too (also doesn't fit my pony!) You could invest in a seat saver for long hacks?
mrslaughan · 24/12/2018 14:46
I think you just need to try a load of saddles..... everyone's anatomy is slightly different so what is really comfortable for one person may not be for another.
I personally hack in my dressage saddle - it's really comfortable because (it's comfortable for me) and it's what I am used to. Though I am not sure I would be popping jumps in it, but that's not my style anyway.
Personally I won't buy another new saddle as you loose so much on them and a horse changes shape or you sell it - so I buy alll my saddles second hand. So I would find reputable saddle fitters in your area that stock a variety of second hand thy you can try.
I would be v careful with air flocked saddles as I bought two Sue Carson new (last time I bought new saddles ) and both horses I bought them for HATED them. I know they work for some horses, but if you want to go down that route make sure you can ride them in it for a significant amount of time to make sure they are happy with it.
bone01 · 09/04/2020 14:57
This reply has been deleted
Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.
lastqueenofscotland · 09/04/2020 20:01
I exercise some competition horses for a local (very good) amateur, one of them has a old Devoucoux Chilberta close contact which is so incredibly comfortable.
But even second hand they tend to cost about it a grand... so you would hope so!!
Polkadotties · 10/04/2020 09:48
I’ve got an Albion K2 GP, it’s so comfy. My horse likes to go sideways quite frequently so if I’m hacking out I’ll add my acavallo gel out seat saver, they are brilliant, so squidgy and help keep me in the saddle
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.