[AnAmericanMother]

Forward seat English saddles -

The tree or wooden frame on which the saddle is built is actually constructed differently from a Western or even a trail or dressage saddle. Basically, the tree is constructed with a deep seat and a wide throat (the part of the seat just forward of your legs), a relatively short skirt and knee rolls forward of your knees. You adjust your stirrups so that your lower leg is locked forward and your thighs and knees press downward into the knee rolls. The forward seat saddle comes in two basic varieties - the "close contact" and the "hunting" saddle. The hunting saddle is deeper and much more comfortable - usually has larger knee rolls and more padding. I switched about 8 years ago from close contact to hunting - my trainer calls it my "Barcalounger".

Typical "close contact" saddle:

My "Barcalounger" (Courbette Futura All Purpose):

[HairOfTheDog]

I think my new one is the same basic shape as your Barcalounger ;~D My old Stubben was much closer and flatter.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

That top saddle looks like the one my daughter has. Her's is older, we bought it used. It is a Crosby???

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Ok, I've stopped at two places now to look at saddles. Few questions.
So what do I ask for? A hunt seat forward??

A lady at the saddle shop here seemed surprised when I said I want to look at a forward seat jumping saddle, for trail riding. Did I ask for the wrong thing? She said a dressage saddle would be better. I came back and looked at these pictures you posted, and the hunt seat one does look deeper, which is what I want. She said that a forward seat will not let my leg hang straight and so be uncomfortable.

Also are Kincaids (sp) a decent brand? I'm really not wanting to spend a lot. The dressage saddle she showed me was $1200, Yikes:). I found a Kincaide at Pet Smart, I think it was a forward jumping saddle (how do you tell the difference between hunt seat and close contact), for $299, by the time I get the stirrups, stirrups leathers, girt, and a pad it will be in the neighbor hoood of $450. Is that good or bad? Can I do better?

Becky