M. Toulouse
Octavio
Dressage Saddles
Manufacturer: M. Toulouse
Model: Octavio
Category: Dressage Saddles
Purchase: ordered online, needed wide saddle for draft cross mare, paid 899.00 (NEW)
Likes: This is a beautiful well made saddle. The leather was soft and had a nice grippy feel immediately - no break in period needed, the x- wide tree and with hoop shape fit my hard to fit broad backed horse wonderfully. The billets were very durable and had a nice balance point that was not too far forward. It is an excellent affordable version of a Prestige saddle.
Dislikes: Despite the fact that the tree width was good for my horse, the balance point was way off (at least 1 inch low in front) especially on my mutton withered horse. This was a problem since it continually encouraged forward pitching of my upper body and despite the fact that I seem perfectly able to control my upper body on my jumping saddle. In addition the billets were extra thick which was a problem with girth and billet interaction. The billets also didn't have a taper at the top of the strap where they connected to the nylon V straps - this created a bulge right under my leg which I could definitely feel.
Quality: The quality of the leather, the stitching and the feel were excellent. I loved the soft and supple leather and construction.
Summary: If I had a different horse with a different conformation, this saddle would have been my favorite saddle ever and I have owned some very nice County, Albion, and Cliff Barnsby Saddles. Very nice price for the quality, but not for horses that aren't built uphill.
Rating: 4
Author: Dressagewannabe
Date: 2010-10-27
Usefulness Rating: 3.05618 out of 5.
89 reader(s) voted.
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