Wool Flocked Saddle Brands

[ksetrider]

Does anyone have any good suggestions on saddles that are wool-flocked? I am looking into getting a used one. I have researched- but not sat in- the County Stabilizer and the Black Country Quantum. I have ridden my boy (AA Hunter) in a Butet for 6yrs now but now that he is becoming a teenager the saddle isn't quite fitting right so its time to look into something else (sniff, sniff). I don't have a huge budget to spend, and I'm more of a preowned kinda gal anyway. Looking to keep it under $2k, because fitting it will probably put me a little over that. Although I've seen you can get a brand new custom BC for $2500? I've flipped through many catalogues to get saddle ideas, but sadly many descriptions do not include what panel materials they use!

[seeuatx]

Stubben... usually in the under 3k range new (there is a range). Good quality all around and will last you decades if you care for it correctly. Ricks and other consignments usually have a nice used selection at reasonable prices.

[sisu27]

Well my saddle fitter loves Passiers and I love Stubbens for this reason. When I buy a saddle I intend to keep it forever so I need to be able to have it modified/restuffed in it's lifetime. I seem to think all BC are wool flocked too but I may be wrong.

[ksetrider]

Stubben!! Hmmmm. I never thought about them. I rode in a Rex years and years ago when I had my pony. It was probably my favorite saddle! Which brand is considered built more for Hunters and Eq?

[Janet]

Albion

[jn4jenny]

Yeesh, there are dozens of them. Amerigo (and their budget line, Vega) is all wool flocked and Antares/CWD/Devoucoux will make you a wool-flocked saddle on request. Frank Baines, Berney Brothers, Collegiate, Duett, Barnsby, Kieffer, Smith Worthington, the list goes on and on.

How bad of a fit is your Butet? If it just needs tweaking, you may be able to get it restuffed with wool. That's only a $300-$400 procedure and would be a hell of a lot cheaper than a new saddle.

You will save yourself a LOT of cash if you start your search by consulting a brand-independent saddle fitter, or at the very least a saddle fitter that represents many different brands. Yes, it'll cost you a bit up front in time and energy and money, but it'll allow you to kick dozens of potential saddles to the curb. You'll also learn a lot about your horse's back, and that will help a great deal even if you decide to shop on your own from there.

But if you can step up to $2500, you can indeed have a fully customized Black Country Quantum. I had one and loved it. Then my horse grew out of it and I planned to get him another, but instead he and I both fell in love with a friend's Amerigo. We bought our own soon thereafter.

[ImJumpin]

Love my Arc De Triomphe and they will make one with wool instead of foam and will also replace foam panels with wool.

[Bearhunter]

Amerigo.

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I love my Kieffer Arlene. :)

And it's wool flocked.

[sch1star]

I love my County Symmetry (I think Stabilizer is the new name for this model?), but my head is definitely being turned by the Black Countries.

Agree with Jen on the value of a consult. This will not only help you ID what will and won't fit your horse well, but will also give you good info about what fits you well. At 5'4" and 110 lbs I had no idea I needed a 17.5" in many models until I learned that I'm really long from knee to hip.

Good luck!

[ksetrider]

I am already planning on meeting with an independent saddle fitter from a local tack shop- we actually have two good ones in the area from what I understand. But, before one of them starts trying to sell me a saddle, I wanted to get an idea of whats out there. He might really push saddle "x" but then majority on this coth board with true riding experience with "x" saddle might say noooo dont' buy it! Like starting your car shopping before you go to the dealer

jn4jenny- i didn't even know they can replace foam with wool! that might be a good option. My butet doesnt' fit badly. It used to sit very well- and approved by a different saddle fitter. But, I've noticed the pommel is starting to sit closer to his withers. It could be a change in his conformation, turning 12 and back has dropped very slightly- or it could be the saddle has given out a little- it is 10yrs old. The tree is sound, and not twisted. It could be a combination of both. Could also be the 20lb weight gain since I bought him and the saddle :eek:

[joyful]

I found myself in a similar situation and had my lovely Butet re-stuffed with wool. It cost me $500, but that was a lot cheaper than buying a new saddle, and I LOVE my Butet. The saddler said that she'll come and check it and adjust it, if needed, for no additional charge. I am thrilled with the result. It seems a shame to buy another saddle if you REALLY like yours and it could be made to work for you. Good Luck!

[Jo]

Wintec! ;) (Some of the older ones are wool flocked - I have one.)

[shoponee70]

I love my amerigo!!!!! its wool flocked and my horse loves it too..
ive done the stubbens and they arent nearly as comfortable..
they will have to pry my amerigo from my cold dead hands after I pass!!!!
I got mine at the farm house they have a huge selection of wool flocked new and used saddles. =D
www.farmhousetack.com
=D
M

[LARGEBORE]

Pessoa also makes one of their models of the A/O with stuffed panels. It is the A/O Baloubet Pro. Not easy to find but it is available. Probably Dover has them.