[Astrophil]

I’m on an epic saddle search to find a saddle that fits my horse well and that I don’t completely hate. I’ve been looking into Pariani because they are in my price range and they are wool flocked, unlike most other saddles that meet my budget requirements. I don’t really know anything about these saddles though. Does anyone have one? How do they seem to fit most horses? What are they like to ride in? What is the quality like? Anything else I should know? I am looking at the close contact models. Thanks for the info!

[clivers]

They are generally well made and very good quality. Pariani used to be "the" saddle in eventing in the 90's as they made one of the first monoflaps. I haven't take a good look at one of their close contact saddles, but the craftsmanship in their monoflaps as well as their bridles and strap goods is very well regarded.

Check the tree fit well as the points tend to be long and forward so not for every horse. They are lovely to ride in, however, and are well balanced for both flat work and jumping.

[js]

Classic Saddlery has their Pariani on sale for a very good price. I was just looking at them myself but they didn't have the size I was looking for.

[joiedevie99]

I thought the Pariani name was sold a few years ago, to Toulouse maybe? The Pariani you see today may not be the Pariani saddle that most of us remember (unless you are looking at used).

[HiddenAcres]

I'm currently riding in a circa 1973 Pariani. My best friend rode a broad QH type and she liked knee rolls. In the 70s I was much thinner and preferred a Crosby Prix de Nations with no padding anywhere - it was like riding bareback and every subtle move between horse and rider was transmitted.

Now I'm not so thin and not such a precise (good) rider and the Pariani of hers fits my big boy TB and my comfort level.

Obviously, this is a well made saddle. It has been cared for, not left in wet conditions, but not babied beyond that. FWIW, the Prix de Nations is in great shape and still used.

Maybe the 70s were just good for saddle makers?

[Bogie]

Some of the older ones had very narrow gullets . . . which don't work all that well on the wider WB style horse so be careful about buying one used.

They come up on eBay all the time and are generally available for short $ because they are not as fashionable.

[Astrophil]

I thought the Pariani name was sold a few years ago, to Toulouse maybe? The Pariani you see today may not be the Pariani saddle that most of us remember (unless you are looking at used).

Hmmmm, they do look vaguely Toulouse-ey now that you mention it. Does anyone know if this is true? It doesn't mention anything about it on their website.

[sansibar]

When I was looking at saddles I know some one said that there were issues with the name as it wasn't licensed or something like that for North America so the price dropped and there is some argument over who owns the name. I think that is what the tack shop guy said.

I sat in one, I thought it was ugly and the back of it was really funny looking because it was low or something. The leather is good quality if I remember correctly. But I thought it looked ugly so I stayed away.

[vbunny]

Yes, the name was sold, not sure who too. They are a whole lot nicer than the Toulouse though, better built and higher quality. I like the seat on the knew ones, very cushy but check that the flaps are long enough for you, some models seam pretty short. I am crushing on them them now, I'd love a new squishy one to hunt and school in. I have a 20 year old monoflap that is still my favorite of all time.

[Eye in the Sky]

I love the older ones. Very balanced and great quality leather. Buy an old one if you can find one - they're really worth it!

[Beezy]

I am dropping a few saddles off to the local horseman's consignment store, one in which is an older Pariani. It was given to me by a neighbor when her horse was put down and although it is a beautifully crafted saddle I am sad to say it is too big for me.
I was sized up on a HDR jumping saddle maybe 6 years ago and I have to say, from day one I never felt it fit me right. So that is on its way to the consignment store as well. LOL

All I want is a broken in Crosby all purpose...

P.S. Not sure what I should be asking for prices on either of these saddles...does anyone know what range I should stay in?

[Due's Mom]

The Pariani's are still around but you just don't see many of them. I rode in one as a kid and would like to try one now.

http://www.pariani.it/

[vineyridge]

There are Parianis and Parianis and Parianis. The older ones were the saddle of choice for many of the great riders of the 1960's era and were designed for Caprilli style forward seat riding. They were well balanced and put the rider in the sweet spot on the horse for that kind of riding. Very basic but well balanced.

Then there are the ones who are/were still made in Italy by the original Pariani factory. They are still hand made, more or less, still available custom (or were). Don't know much about them, as they are very expensive and rare.

Then there are the saddles made by M. Toulouse under license from Pariani. I have no idea what country they come from. I talked to the M. Toulouse rep at Rolex in 2009 or 2010, and he said that they were going to stop using the Pariani name, as the license fee was so high. Same or very similar saddles were still going to be sold under the M. Toulouse label.

[Rival]

Yes pariani was sold to toulouse. Classic saddlery liquidated a bunch and still have a couple in a couple of models. I have a horse with an extremely wide back and she is in a wide tree pariani but I probably should have got the xtra wide. She measures a wide/xwide in a county. The gullet is very generous. The model I have is very comfy has front and rear blocks has been holding up to a lot of abuse ( took two thorough soakings in the ocean) and is the only saddle that won't roll on my whale of a mare. It was made in Italy and I love it especially for the price.

[vineyridge]

Answers on this old thread:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/ar.../t-278627.html

Pariani never was sold to Intec, seller of the M. Toulouse saddles.