Has anyone got an opinion on Schleese, Hulsebos, Verhan, and Hennig dressage saddles? I want to "upgrade" and those are the ones that have seemed to do what I think I need. I'm wanting a fairly substantial thigh block, soft seat and fairly open, and the tree good for the horse's back. Good customer service, easy adjustability, and all that too.
Posted 2008-05-30 7:15 PM (#84920 - in reply to #84918) Subject: RE: Dressage saddle
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Posts: 225 Location: Urbana,MD
I had a custom hastilow made for my mare. I ended up getting rid of it ,and bought a bates caprilli with the adjustable gullet ,and air panels. Me and my mare love this saddle. It is very non resrtictive.Has a nice large thigh block.The stirrup bars are placed a bit farther back than on a regular saddle ,and it keeeps the leg in the correct position.AS for my horse...she loves the air panels. I have never had any issues with it ,and it is fairly priced and has held up well.
Posted 2008-05-30 7:51 PM (#84921 - in reply to #84918) Subject: RE: Dressage saddle
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Posts: 192 Location: Hutto, TX
I've heard that about that saddle. I'll add it to my list. My current saddle is a Frank Baines and the stirrup bars are set back as well. It took my two weeks to get used to my mare's canter departs with that saddle, but I'm sold now. My new mare likes to dive onto the forehand so my trainer thought the thigh blocks would give me an edge with her!
Posted 2008-05-30 8:37 PM (#84924 - in reply to #84918) Subject: RE: Dressage saddle
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Posts: 294 Location: Fort Worth, Tx
l also LOVE the Bates saddles. I have never met a horse that they didn't fit, not to mention that they are about the most comfortable things I have ever ridden in. I used to use one for x-country and I swear, you could not fall off while using that saddle. Have ridden in the dressage ones also and have no complaints whatsoever.
Posted 2008-05-31 5:04 AM (#84932 - in reply to #84918) Subject: RE: Dressage saddle
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Posts: 225 Location: Urbana,MD
I can say I do have a horse I am having a bit of trouble getting my bates to fit. but ......she is extremly wide with not much wither. I have the gullet kit ,and cannot get the saddle to spresd wide enough to get the widest gullet in.Other than that it has fit everything else.
Posted 2008-06-01 4:16 PM (#84991 - in reply to #84918) Subject: RE: Dressage saddle
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Posts: 294 Location: Fort Worth, Tx
The wide ones can be very difficult to get in the saddle...I used to "tag team" with a co worker whenever I needed to put one in, she would lean on the saddle while I wiggled the durn thing! However you can also stretch it by increments, put the med wide in, ride for a few days, then the wide, etc, and that helps.
Posted 2008-06-01 6:56 PM (#84996 - in reply to #84918) Subject: RE: Dressage saddle
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Posts: 225 Location: Urbana,MD
I do have the medium/wide in now.,but still couldn't get the wide in.(it's the white colored one)Is that the wide?It may be xtrawide?Can't remember.I really tried hard to get the gulllet in,but was afraid of breaking my saddle.I have a regular wintec all purpose saddle I use for trail riding and such.I have no problem getting the white gullet in it.I was thinking since my bates is leather it just doesn't have the give,and was scared of breaking it or something.So I have just settled for the blue gullet.
Posted 2008-06-02 7:10 PM (#85081 - in reply to #84996) Subject: RE: Dressage saddle
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Posts: 294 Location: Fort Worth, Tx
Red is wide and white is x-wide. I would probably call Wintec/Bates and see if they have a registered saddler/seller in your area that can change the gullet if you are unsure.
Posted 2008-06-06 5:10 PM (#85312 - in reply to #84918) Subject: RE: Dressage saddle
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by KeepsakeFarm on 2008-05-30 8:11 PM
Has anyone got an opinion on Schleese, Hulsebos, Verhan, and Hennig dressage saddles? I want to "upgrade" and those are the ones that have seemed to do what I think I need. I'm wanting a fairly substantial thigh block, soft seat and fairly open, and the tree good for the horse's back. Good customer service, easy adjustability, and all that too.
Posted 2008-06-06 7:52 PM (#85320 - in reply to #84918) Subject: RE: Dressage saddle
Veteran
Posts: 192 Location: Hutto, TX
I just test rode a Schleese Link and like it pretty well. Except that there isn't a place to velcro the straps around. I tried a few of the Hulsebos saddles and they were not going to be adaptable enough for me to risk buying a used one. I liked the Verhan the best but haven't found one for sale in my price range. Any other styles of Schleese? I've got a bad back so I want the thigh block to see if the pain level will diminish (I've been told it would help). The velcro thing for the blocks is strange! I'd love to try a Hennig to see if they are really worth the $$$$.
Posted 2008-06-06 10:20 PM (#85333 - in reply to #84918) Subject: RE: Dressage saddle
Veteran
Posts: 192 Location: Hutto, TX
Thanks for the info, but actually, I'm lucky to be riding at all. Scoliosis, then a broken back that led to two ruptured disks and a "notched" L5, and now I have a bone chip in my neck. I've done all the therapy you have ever heard of, and yoga, mostly the Cobra, keeps me upright! The things we do for our horses. . .
Dressage saddle
