I have been very lucky over the yesrs to have good, well fitting saddles that are versatile enough to fit multiple horses. My first that I had for years was a brown, sort of eventing saddle it had no name or maker anywhere. It had an orange underside, I rode in it every day of my life until the tree snapped over a jump.

My next "trail/schooling" saddle was a late eighties model George Kiefer Dressage. I still school in it regularly. It was originally for an Arab so it has a wider tree. (people often think arabs have more pronounced withers). I've used it on a variety of breeds & it has always worked well except on the very high withered TB's I've ridden.

My current saddle is a 2005 model Nelson Pessoa, "Rodrigo". It has a medium wide tree, which is a bit wider than my dressage, so I can only use it on my wider horses. It is the most comfortable and cushy saddle ever.
It's effortless to find my seat over jumps, and it's my most comfortable trail saddle ever.

Hello Jochen, please could you tell me which saddle Jane Savoie rides in? I'm watching Happy Horse DVDs. I really would like to know the Schleese model. Thankyou.

Hello Jochen,
I posted a question regarding lengthening hunt seat saddle billets and it was recommended I ask you. I understand this can be done in order to have the girth buckles below the saddle flap (as in a dressage saddle). This seems like an excellent idea but I am wondering why close contact and all purpose saddles aren't designed this way. Is there a down side I am not considering?

I can't resist making a request! Could you make a post on saddle fitting for the swaybacked horse? I'm having to ride my Arab mare in a western saddle. It's the only thing that won't bridge. Thanks, Kinni