[mbm]

Has anyone found a good dressage or all purpose saddle using the Highland & Cob tree?

What are the good saddle makers that use this kind of tree?

I am looking for something in a more traditional look and fit - no exterior thigh "blocks" not extra deep seats etc.

i am looking for used and/or under 1k

any ideas where to look?

[acoustic]

Duett saddles should fit your bill. I don't know if they specify "cob" tree, but they are well known for fitting the general low wither/table top cob back. Black Country also makes something called a hoop tree, also supposed to be excellent for those body types. Black Country is more pricey, but they are beautifully made saddles in my experience. I haven't seen a Duett in person, but have read and heard good things about them, especially for the price point.

[cmdrcltr]

FYI, I sat in a Duett yesterday. Nice, nice leather for the price point. However, it had a crazy wide twist. I would never have been able to ride for any length of time in it myself.

I think the Black Country and Frank Baines wider saddles have a bit narrower twist. I know that the wider the tree the wider the twist has to be unless the saddle is built up, but I can't do W--I--D--E.

[buck22]

Yes, I had an Ideal Jessica dressage saddle on an H&C tree. It was a lovely lovely LOVELY saddle and matched all of your requirements including price (used).

The stirrup bar will be marked H&C. The tree is round in the gullet with short points, and is wide between the stirrup bars so there is no pinching there. The saddle will have a wider twist for the rider. The tree suits round horses very well. I had one for my roly poly Morgan, though it was too flat for his sway back.

Similar -but not the same - is the Thorowgood Cob saddle designs. They are much easier to find than a H&C tree.

I do not know of any other saddle maker other than Ideal and brands Ideal has acquired (ie Martin & Wilkinson) that uses an H&C tree.

[mbm]

thanks for the info... where can i find these saddles? Is there anyone that specializes in H&C trees in this country?

The more i look the more i like the Kent & Masters saddles and their Philosophy behind them. And I would like to get an UK made saddle since they know the cob body so well

[Fancy That]

I'm so glad to hear about yours! I always do everything in my County Innovation XTR (jumping saddle) It fits my propane-tank-shaped Morgan beautifully (it's an XW, but runs like a generous XXW)

BUT - I'm always doing my dressage test in my one jumping saddle (when I do Horse Trials or Combined Tests) so when I saw this Ideal saddle for sale for a SONG (in size xxw), I scooped it up!!

It is black, and a VSD/GP w/ high cantle - so definitely more suited for dressage than my County Innovaton

I JUST got it - I'm so excited!!! (mostly because of how crazy cheap I got it for...and how super wide it is....and for the quality of it)f

P.S. Here is my "Highland & Cob Type" roly poly Morgan. She has no withers, a super flat back, and very round/barrel shaped:
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...FrontMay10.jpg

and
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ancy_spots.jpg

Yes, I had an Ideal Jessica dressage saddle on an H&C tree. It was a lovely lovely LOVELY saddle and matched all of your requirements including price (used).

The stirrup bar will be marked H&C. The tree is round in the gullet with short points, and is wide between the stirrup bars so there is no pinching there. The saddle will have a wider twist for the rider. The tree suits round horses very well. I had one for my roly poly Morgan, though it was too flat for his sway back.

Similar -but not the same - is the Thorowgood Cob saddle designs. They are much easier to find than a H&C tree.

I do not know of any other saddle maker other than Ideal and brands Ideal has acquired (ie Martin & Wilkinson) that uses an H&C tree.

[Fancy That]

I'd love to hear from other IDEAL H&C owners. Seems it is only in the UK that these are well-known.....

[arabiansrock]

Advanced saddle fit makes one on the H&C tree. Their brand is the Detente and they have a Detente H&C model. Located in America but saddles are made in England to their specifications.

[Fancy That]

Advanced saddle fit makes one on the H&C tree. Their brand is the Detente and they have a Detente H&C model. Located in America but saddles are made in England to their specifications.

Interesting! Good to know, since I have the Hippo Type horse. I'm going to look them up for future reference. I love Made-in-England saddles.