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We use Aussie's without the horn. They work well on our "half drafts" as many come with an extra wide tree. We won ours on E-Bay. They work really well.

There are other companies in the UK that make saddles but I think you can expect to pay as much as a base show western saddle (1.5K range).

Jenn

I rolled a Sela Portuguesa at a canter on a Friesian mare and ended up with a scared horse and a several bruises from falling off. This type of saddle is generally not suited to horses with peaked withers and flat backs, as the rear of the saddle is not at all flat, and I don't know if the saddlers can do enough of a custom job to fit the strange backs on Friesians. The only saddle I've felt comfortable in on any of the several Friesians I've ridden was a very expensive dressage saddle made specifically for Friesians. I believe that if there is one type of saddle that will fit nearly any horse, no matter how strangely shaped their back is, it's a dressage saddle. My cheap-ass dressage saddle from India fits both my horses well and seems very comfortable for both also.

It would be very tricky indeed to get a Sela Portuguesa made to fit a Friesian, if it can be done at all.

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Don't despair over the dressage saddle issue either Geoffrey, most Friesians simply require a medium-wide to wide tree. Those are very easy to come by in dressage saddles as there are plenty of 17+ hh and 1700 lbs broadbacked warmblood monsters who need them as well as the Friesian.

Don't fall into that "must have a customized saddle over $3k" trap. Any well made dressage saddle with properly wool stuffed panels can be custom fitted to Barak's back after market by a competent "saddle stuffer" as long as the gullet is wide enough to clear his withers. Even most of the Miller's Collegiate brand dressage saddles (starting around $900 new) fall into this category.

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I rolled a Sela Portuguesa at a canter on a Friesian mare and ended up with a scared horse and a several bruises from falling off.

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I don't doubt that one bit, that type of saddle would have slammed the mare's back with every stride. I would have been terrifed too, if I had been in her hooves and I would have run for my life trying to get away from the pounding on my spine. Horses, heaven knows aren't that smart--instinct told her to run from the pain, unfortunately you were along for the ride.

I have no respect for the individual that placed you in that situation Hauptmann--any competent horse person would have known whether that saddle was a proper fit before they put you up in it. I'm certain you had good reason to trust their judgement that it was a good fit and didn't realize you needed to worry. (This is why the horse industry gets sued...jeez)

Sorry, didn't mean to get on my soapbox, improperly fitted tack makes me crazy, I've seen it ruin good horses and destroy the confidence of many riders.

Be well all,
Acelynn

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Originally posted by Seigneur de Leon:
Hmmmm... Patty wants one of those dressage saddles, but they are pricy. I've never heard about the Portugese saddle problem on a Friesian, but then I've never looked before. They DO have a different conformation than other draft horses and I know fitting him will be a problem.
Since he is only 18 months old, I've got quite a bit of time before I have to come up with the "perfect" saddle, but we still need something appropriate for training him. Patty is into this dressage thing. I'd like a compromise between the two.

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I just just purchased a Wintec Isabella dressage saddle with the changeable gullets for my wife, and I would recommend it. We have a percheron, and had no problem fitting it to him. The Isabella sells for around $800, and I was able to find it for $750, plus $100 for the gullet kit.

I have a Wintec Pro, and am very pleased with it, though I admit that sometimes I prefer my old Australian stock saddle.

The site was offered only as a location of where to find "medievalesque" saddlry.

The higher price ranges were suggested as what to expect on the low end of a "custom" medieval saddle.

I agree with Acelynn that you don't have to spend 3K on a good saddle or a lot of money any other piece of tack for that matter. Just as long as it is the right tool for the job/training you intend to do and is comfortable and properly fitted for your horse.

Jef,

Go to this site:
http://www.robesonsaddlery.com/measure.html

The saddlemaker offers this page to show you how to measure your horse for a saddle and make a mockup of his back.

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I would never recommend getting poor fitting saddle just because it looks cool or is "more authentic" (been down that road with the momos who put the sela Portuguesa on that poor Freisian mare... ) but don't discount an authentically made saddle if you can find one.

The saddle Jeff made for Bella is clearly her favorite of the lot, even more than just a bareback pad. She sees it and her ears prick and she starts snuffling (her sign of happiness). She works very well in it and never has rub spots or soreness, even after a long day.

There are advantages to a saddle of this type that did not become apparent until after Jeff made it. The long arms in the front and back really lock onto the horse, and prevent the saddle from rolling when the rider mounts, dismounts or leans far out doing tilting, combat or the like. It distributes the increased weight of a mounted rider over a larger area on the horses back, which Bella seems to appreciate.

One benefit that was immediately apparent the first time Jeff rode in it armoured was that the cantle support in the back made a great handle for helping to hoist his armoured butt up into the saddle when mounting from the ground. His field harness weighs about 65# which isn't bad in the morning, but by the afternoon trying to haul that extra weight into the saddle was definitely facilitated by him being able to pull himself up with his arms.