Saddle designed for gaited horses which allows riders to optimize use of weight aid.
Note: this saddle does not have long panels and will not encourage pressure on the horse's loins. Comfort for the horse is primary, as in the design of all Duett saddles.
This saddle also works well for riders who don't like a saddle that feels confining; the lower cantle/flatter seat can work well for riders with this preference.
These are the features of this fantastically comfortable saddle which make it ideal for pleasure, trail, endurance riding, and competition:
padded, soft seat, comfortable for long hours on the trail
soft bridle leather on flaps
straight flap encouraging proper rider balance with legs in correct position
wool flocking for adjustability
nice wide gullet (see photo)
NOTE: The photos show this saddle with short billets. It will be available with long dressage billets only.
SPECIAL FEATURE: Removeable/moveable knee blocks give the utmost in flexibility to the rider! No fixed block! You can remove the blocks for closest contact, or you can move them back to support your leg differently, or you can change the angle! When you remove the blocks, there is a piece of shaped leather which you can attach to the velcro to keep it clean.
Long billets used with dressage girth keeps the rider's leg comfortable.... Lots of D rings and a crupper attachment....
Available in 17", 18", and 19" seats with 34, 36 and 38 trees
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING EMAIL REGARDING THE USE OF THE LARGO DRESSAGE ON AN ICELANDIC:
Nancy,
Thank you very much for the information on care of the nubuck leather.
My Largo is a 36 cm width. It is an early Christmas present and I am not sure were
it was purchased - I do know it came by UPS and I think from a tack store in New England (Vermont maybe). But since it was a gift and I fell so in love with it and had no doubt that it was a keeper, I never pushed to find out exactly were it was from.
I will be glad to send you a picture of Bragi in his saddle, but if you don't mind, it will be in several months - he is way too fat and would look alot better slimmed and without his fuzzy wuzzy winter coat I will send you a picture of him tolting in it also.
You are welcome to use my comments. I can't praise this saddle enough. It fits him perfectly and I feel as if I am riding on air. Bragi is a very big Icelandic and he is not a natural tolter. However, with this saddle, his shoulders are not hindered so he is much more relaxed and just falls into his tolt. I know many feel as if the seat is too deep for tolting but based on years of experience with gaited horses and being well trained in equine anatomy, form and function (I am a veterinarian), I feel that a saddle alone will not make or break a gait. If that gait is in that horse, then it can be developed regardless of the saddle. However, I do feel that if a saddle is properly fitted and is comfortable, it will make it easier for the horse to develop and give that gait, thus resulting in a stronger, clean gait, which in this situation is the tolt.
I have tried many Icelandic saddles on Bragi and was not happy with any. The Largo is the first and only saddle that I have found to satisfy Bragi and me. I have ridden the Companion (very nice and I highly recommend it for Icelandic owners to try - it just didn't fit Bragi as well as the Largo), the Encore (also very nice but my backside thought the Largo was more comfortable) and the Rondo (least favorite but have a good friend that prefers it on her Icelandic over all other saddles, so everyone is different).
Enough for me rambling on-you have an excellent line of saddles and I would not discourage anyone from trying a Largo on an Icelandic. I may in the future try the Bravo but can't imagine liking it better than what I have. I am used to riding in cutback flat saddles (Saddlebreds and Walking Horses) so riding in a dressage saddle was a change, but I love this saddle! Thanks again - not only for the information but for bringing these awesome saddles to the USA. Amy
