HH Saddles SP
The HH Saddles SP impression pad testing is completed.
The facts...
- HH SP 18" english seat (two sizes too big for me), 17" Chapparral panels
- rider is myself (approximately 5'2 and 140 lbs). Horse is Uno (SP shown in the picture though).
- walk, trot, canter
- EDIX cotton dressage pad
- felt inlays and felt shims to balance the saddle
- Top of the picture is front of the saddle, left panel is left side of saddle, right panel is right side of saddle.
The second picture shows the impression pad when we rode with it between the saddle and the saddle pad. This is the best way I can measure the weight distribution capabilities of the saddle itself.
This test shows excellent spinal clearance and good weight distribution for an unbroken in leather tree saddle. You will see slightly more pressure at the front of the panels, back of the panels and along the lower edge of the panels. Even with my weight in the saddle, the least amount of pressure was along the tops of the panels, along the spine directly underneath me.
SP is the most rigid of the HH Saddles, so this impression pad test series I did with Uno, SP and others solidified my opinion that the SP saddle is most appropriate for relatively straight forward fits. The base in its construction is more rigid (more layers of leather than the others) to achieve its shape, so it flexes less to the horse's shape than the other models.
After seeing this test, I didn't feel it was necessary to do a test under the pad, the saddle demonstrated that it disperses weight excellently on its own and relies less on the pad than most non rigid tree options and treeless options.
The HH SP has multiple iron bar positions that are attached to the leather tree, there is no metal suspension arch between the right and left sides of the saddle as is common in leather tree saddles.
I am using the Port Lewis impression pad.
Comments