thoughts on the HDR saddles?

[hellerkm]

We are shopping for a new saddle for my 12 yr old DD. Her current saddle does not fit her pony. I have located two different saddles we plan to try this week, but one is an HDR saddle. I know they are not English made and I have never been a huge fan of the Argentinian saddles, but that was years ago. Have they improved? will this saddle last through DD and her little sisters? DD liked the feel of the saddle ( on the plastic horse in the tack store LOL) so we are going to try it, but any info you can provide would be great!
thanks

[Pirateer]

Ick. Just say no.

I would recommend looking for a used Beval versus a new HDR.

[LARGEBORE]

They are not really very nice saddles, especially on the horses back... yaaaaah keep them away from any horse you care about.

[beesknees]

For some reason I thought they had foam padding in the panels. If that is true, I would also be saying no to an HDR saddle--but I do have to say that I love their bridlework and girths :) which are pretty cheap and look nice with fairly good leather!

[ReSomething]

We are shopping for a new saddle for my 12 yr old DD. Her current saddle does not fit her pony. I have located two different saddles we plan to try this week, but one is an HDR saddle. I know they are not English made and I have never been a huge fan of the Argentinian saddles, but that was years ago. Have they improved? will this saddle last through DD and her little sisters? DD liked the feel of the saddle ( on the plastic horse in the tack store LOL) so we are going to try it, but any info you can provide would be great!
thanks

I've got the HDR Pro Showjumper and IMO it's an adequate low level saddle as long as it supports your DD's position (and I have heard that some of them don't, causing tipping or chair seat). I bought mine on my trainer's recomendation and she used it in the program to break it in for me, so she figured it was OK, I guess. Certainly your used high end saddle would be better, if you can find the correct size to fit the pony and DD, and again, if it supports her position.

[JumpWithPanache]

I don't like the position they put a child into. One of my little students got one since it was an inexpensive saddle for a first time horsey-parent. Definitely gave kiddo a chair seat. We switched her to a barnmate's outgrown Pessoa pony saddle and she improved soooo much. Would definitely stay away from the HDRs after that experience.

[hellerkm]

These are pretty much the answers I expected! thanks for the heads up we will avoid these as we need a saddle that will last us a long time and do NOT want a chair or comfy couch LOL!

[Cita]

After getting back into riding after a long hiatus, I was having a lot of trouble in lessons keeping my leg back where it was supposed to be.

The only saddle that I *didn't* struggle with leg position? An HDR! :lol:

Maybe all of the other lesson saddles were even worse, but for me, the HDR really helped my position and encouraged a proper non-chair seat. Just for an opinion counterpoint :)

[Cowgirl Lindz]

Well call me crazy but I like my saddle. Got it from greenhawk it was a store model and got it almost 50% off! There is no way I could pay what some people pay for saddles(I think thats crazy) I like my saddle it fits me great very nice ride. I almost didn't get it because of what I heard on the internet. I had it on trail, rode in it and it never left my barn. Its a pro showjumping model. I don't think its affected my position I'm still doing really well in my equitation classes! I'm a very picky saddle person. I would give it a try it may surprise u! There is always 2 sides to everystory!

[AppendixQHLover]

I had one and it put me in a horrible position. I could NEVER place well in equitation and the instructor was always telling me that I was perching. I got a new saddle(Berney) and now I am doing much better and no longer perch. Also the saddle was horrible for my boy's back.

[sansibar]

AVOID AVOID AVOID!

Ruined my position horribly! I was so perched. And those knee rolls were HUGE! And you couldnt oil the knee rolls or seat, so the saddle was very multi coloured. I would avoid them.

[ArW-729]

I love my HDR. I have the Rivella D model and it was the only saddle that fit my horse's back and fit my leg.

I find that it puts me in a great position and that my horse is comfortable in it, so I don't mind that it is a lower end saddle.

It was a gross orange colored leather when I got it, but I oiled it with olive oil and it is a beautiful chestnut color now. I keep it clean and take care of it, but it has had 6 months of use so far and it looks great. I would take one on trial and see how it fits pony and DD. What may not work for one person may work very well for another person:yes:

[DVM2003]

on when they were made. My friend has a HDR pro a/o that I loved - very comfortable, put me in a nice position - soft leather. She got it used from a tack store around here for about $350 - A good deal (they're about $800 new)...

I saw one on line at Ricks Saddlery in NJ and had it shipped for a trial - the saddle (that was stamped HDR A/O just like my friends) was aweful...didn't fit my mare - yucky plastic feeling leather and put me it a terrible position. Felt like I was fighting to post - kept throwing me back into a chair seat. I sent it back and am still looking...

Cathy

[DreamsofbeingaHunter]

on when they were made. My friend has a HDR pro a/o that I loved - very comfortable, put me in a nice position - soft leather. She got it used from a tack store around here for about $350 - A good deal (they're about $800 new)...

I saw one on line at Ricks Saddlery in NJ and had it shipped for a trial - the saddle (that was stamped HDR A/O just like my friends) was aweful...didn't fit my mare - yucky plastic feeling leather and put me it a terrible position. Felt like I was fighting to post - kept throwing me back into a chair seat. I sent it back and am still looking...

Cathy


I agree I used to have an HDR saddle years ago... it was the Pro Showjumper model. It was the only thing that fit my horse and me at the time. Yes it did have big knee rolls but I needed it because I ruined my left knee so it gave me plenty of support coming off the big fences. I believe that the older models were made much better than they are today. I hated all the Peossas that I have ridden in very uncomfortable for me but that's just my opinion. I now have a Butet and it stills looks brand new and it's at least 5 years old, so they last and are super comfy. If DD loves the HDR and it fits your pony well I would go for it since she will be growing there's no sense to go out and buy the most expensive saddle you can find IMO.

[Hunter/JumperMom]

Hated mine, got rid of it, and bought a used Antares, loved it, got rid of horse! now have it at Bevals on consignment.

I would look at the consign websites, you can find nice pony saddles already broken in.

[Jumper6252]

Eww HDR's are awful. The leather is cheap and they never break in.

[2LeftHooves]

I love love love love mine. Unfortunately it no longer fits Dobbin :( So its for sale at Horsemans Outlet. It fit me well, helped me improve my position. If it wasn't for the fact that the new saddle put me in debt I wouldn't be selling it period.

edit: Just wanted to add I bought mine used in 05. It was practically brand new had been sitting unused in someone's trailer for at least 1-2 years. Leather is lovely and held up very well. The people at Horsemans were thrilled with its condition. I'm hard on things (gone thru 3 bridles this year) and this saddle has held up very nicely. Can't stress how much I love my HDR. However I did sit in a new one 3 months ago in the course of my shopping and wasn't nearly as happy....not unhappy persay but the "spark" wasn't there so to speak.

[mcm7780]

on when they were made. My friend has a HDR pro a/o that I loved - very comfortable, put me in a nice position - soft leather. She got it used from a tack store around here for about $350 - A good deal (they're about $800 new)...

I saw one on line at Ricks Saddlery in NJ and had it shipped for a trial - the saddle (that was stamped HDR A/O just like my friends) was aweful...didn't fit my mare - yucky plastic feeling leather and put me it a terrible position. Felt like I was fighting to post - kept throwing me back into a chair seat. I sent it back and am still looking...

Cathy

I agree with DVM2003. I have an HDR (discontinued xc model) that I purchased in 2000 which is great. The leather is nice and has held up will, it's comfortable, and it looks nice. The newer saddles do not look as nice.

[atouchofclass]

HDR'S like the other fake French saddles are often just cosmetic fluff. They use cheap leather that is finished to look pretty but looses its appeal after you ride in it a bit. More importantly like those other "Frenchies" no attention is paid to the guts of the saddle. The tree and seat design of a saddle provide the balance and position .That IS REALLY WHAT A GOOD SADDLE IS ABOUT. I have found that these saddles are all show but no go.. It takes a bit more than a pretty leather to create a balanced seat.

[PROTACKGUY]

There are many much better alternatives on the market that will not cost you a whole lot more money....

[Wizard of Oz's]

I've never liked one that I've ridden in. All of the ones that I know of are bad for the rider's position, encouraging chair seats or unbalanced seats where the rider is tipped forward. Even though they are cheap, I would definately shop for a nice used saddle for your kids. Even if ia used one is not brand new and shiny, it will help your kids with establishing a good riding foundation.:)