Any first hand experience with the BDH (Bruno de Heusch) saddles?

[tbeventer]

I have a TB gelding who has been next to impossible to fit over the years. I settled on an Amerigo monoflap, which I love, but it no longer is appropriate for his long shark fin withers. Unfortunately, an Antares--our first choice saddle-- is not an option. I'm an eventer and looking for a second saddle that will *hopefully* fit him, but that I can have as a back up.
I have a chance to try a BdH original and have heard mostly good reviews, but a few that aren't so great. Wondering if anyone has firsthand experience with the saddle... what your opinion is, how it's held up, how it fits horse and rider.
Currently, he's an Intermediate eventer, looking to move to Advanced in the spring, and competing at level 5-6 jumpers. As a 7 year old, he still has more developing to do, but we take development one step at a time, because every time I expect he'll fill out more, it doesn't happen.

[kdriding]

I have a BDH that I used on my OTTB that had quite large withers. It fit him fine. When I first got him he was under muscled, so I used a Mattes half pad with the saddle and it worked well. I ended up selling him very quickly so the saddle didn't get a ton of use. The leather is wicked soft. I totally love this saddle, but I am not going to by another horse for years, so I'm selling it. Mine is a 17.5 seat and it does fit more like a 17. It is a really great saddle for under 2k.

[tbeventer]

Did you have the BdH special or the original? I've heard it compared to the delgrange, but is there any particular saddle you'd compare it to? I use the Mattes correction for my gelding with the Amerigo, don't need it for his dressage saddle. Does yours have the long flap or regular? The one I'm considering was bought for a horse that outgrew it-- just 3 months old... and the price is tough to beat, but I didn't think I'd find a saddle so quickly after staring to look!

[Dakotawyatt]

I just bought a BdH special about 2 weeks ago. My shark fin TB has been dealing with a poorly fitting Wintec for 8 months now. Tried literally a dozen different brands of saddles ... nothing. Got the BdH from Dover as a bit of a last resort ... and it fits BEAUTIFULLY. I've cleaned it and oiled it with olive oil 3 times, and already the flap is softening and breaking in. The olive oil has darkened it considerably, and it looks just beautiful. My horse is happy in it ... trotted with his nose on the ground for the first time in 8 months.

The pommel is significantly higher than on the Wintec; sometimes I feel like I'm fighting where it wants to put my leg just on the flat. Over fences, my position is ROCK SOLID now. Used to have a getting left behind problem ... since riding in my new saddle, I have literally not gotten left behind once, so I think the position on the flat thing is simply me needing to stay balanced. Overall, I am SUPER happy with it, and highly recommend it.

[Renn/aissance]

My sister has a BdH Original for her slightly built, shark-fin Thoroughbred. This horse does not have a ton of topline, and as he is working towards more muscling in the back, she has made the saddle work by using a wool-felt wither cutout pad underneath. As his musculature improves and lessens the drop of those massive withers, the fit should improve.

She has been quite happy with the saddle; her only complaint is that it is difficult to get it to darken beyond a rich chestnut color, even with Hydrophane darkening oil (she usually uses olive oil or neatsfoot.) Personally, I find the grain leather to be slippery, but then again I am spoiled by French calf.

Having ridden in saddles by almost all of the major French manufacturers I find this saddle to be a quality lower-priced imitation of a French saddle that rides less like a Delgrange (as another poster mentioned) than a cushier Butet, although I do agree that it fits somewhat like a Delgrange (which incidentally was this Thoroughbred's former saddle.)

[tbeventer]

Alrighty, I'll give it a try! Now, it can't get here fast enough!
Thanks everyone!!!

[ADD526]

I would recommend this saddle to anyone! I love it sooo much! I've posted a lot about it but if you have any specific questions, PM me!

[LookinSouth]

I have a BdH original and I love it. I have a hard to fit TBX with big withers but a huge shoulder and fairly wide back. The regular tree fits him nicely.
I bought it used and it came to me already broken in, darkened and uber soft. I think if you oil it regularly you will have no problem darkening it. I've had many friends and trainers ride in my saddle and nearly everyone has commented on how comfy and grippy the leather is.

The BdH is considered "the cousin" of the PJ.

You can see the saddle in this picture here. It is nicely darkened and broken in.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2903474730101555132UQuHpb
I haven't found the leather to be slippery at all and I have ridden in CWD's and Devoucoux's. Can't say I've noticed much difference in leather quality. Then again my saddle is an older model, perhaps the newer ones don't break in as nicely?

There is one on Ebay now that looks pretty well broken in and is super cheap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BdH-Bruno-de-Heusch-English-Saddle-17-5-Reg-Med_W0QQitemZ260448546615QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item3ca3f16f37&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294 %3A50