Saddle ideas for Arab X?

[kashmere]

I know this board is generally inundated with requests for saddle recommendations, so I apologize in advance. (:))

My mother's gelding has changed shape due to being worked more (he's being used for 1-2 lessons a week now as well as her usual 3x/week schedule.) He's an Arab/Hanoverian cross, and he had been doing well in the Thorowgood Broadback model, but his topline has muscled up quite a bit lately, and that's now not giving even close to enough wither clearance. I'm really quite happy that he's gotten so muscly-- he's 28 years old and clearly not slowing down! He doesn't have the fit issues you might expect with an older horse (more prominent spine, etc.)

here's a picture from about 2 years ago:
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/rosemareez/murph4.jpg?t=1245352539


So, looking to find a saddle that will fit the flatter, broad back he inherited from his Arab daddy, and the prominent withers and biiig shoulders his momma gave him. Trying oh-so hard to keep it around $1000.00, so used brand recommendations would be amazing.

Thanks!

[wishnwell]

I know this board is generally inundated with requests for saddle recommendations, so I apologize in advance. (:))

My mother's gelding has changed shape due to being worked more (he's being used for 1-2 lessons a week now as well as her usual 3x/week schedule.) He's an Arab/Hanoverian cross, and he had been doing well in the Thorowgood Broadback model, but his topline has muscled up quite a bit lately, and that's now not giving even close to enough wither clearance. I'm really quite happy that he's gotten so muscly-- he's 28 years old and clearly not slowing down! He doesn't have the fit issues you might expect with an older horse (more prominent spine, etc.)

here's a picture from about 2 years ago:
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/rosemareez/murph4.jpg?t=1245352539


So, looking to find a saddle that will fit the flatter, broad back he inherited from his Arab daddy, and the prominent withers and biiig shoulders his momma gave him. Trying oh-so hard to keep it around $1000.00, so used brand recommendations would be amazing.

Thanks!

We have an Arab/QH cross that inherited the Arab back/withers....he fits perfectly into an Antill saddle ( aka Antill and Butler ). Ours is older and a MW tree. Our Chiropractor even gives it thumbs up and she doesn't "pass" many saddles. Unfortunately, they are very hard to find here in the US. Super nice saddle.

[kashmere]

thanks!

[LovinRocky]

My Anglo Arabian fits nicely in a Courbette with the Lemetex tree. It is an interesting tree that has memory foam and adjusts to the horses back. They call it "e-motion integrated spring tree."

Most of the newer Courbettes come with this tree. I found both my cross country and dressage saddle on ebay, both Courbette with this tree. I paid less than $800 for the dressage and around $650 for the Vision, a cross country saddle. Both were slightly used, but in great shape.

My boy had back issues when I purchased him, but I haven't had any isseus in the last year after I started riding in these saddles. He had an underdeveloped top line as well, which has certainaly filled out and both saddles still fit him great!

Good luck!

[kashmere]

Great to know that the Courbette tree is working for some folks; that's definitely one of the saddles I've considered for this guy.

[baxtersmom]

Have you looked at Duett, or the T-good high wither/ wide models?

Cool to hear a 28 year old is still going strong!!!