Bruno de Heusch
BdH Close Contact Saddle - size 17, regular tree
Close Contact Saddles

Manufacturer: Bruno de Heusch
Model: BdH Close Contact Saddle - size 17, regular tree
Category: Close Contact Saddles

Purchase: I had been in the market for a new saddle for a while, and when one of my students wanted to by my old Crosby, I decided it was time to get something new. I had seen the BdH in the Dover catalog and decided to try it, as it's shape reminded me of the Crosby. I paid $1500 for it.

Likes: I liked the color of the leather. It was nice to see something a little different from the usual Oakbark or Havana or Newmarket. The leather they used on the panels was really nice, quality calfskin.

Dislikes: Pretty much everything. As soon as I took the saddle out of the box I was disappointed. Plain and simple, it LOOKED cheap, it SMELLED cheap, and it FELT cheap. I have a hard time believing Dover's catalog that this saddle goes for almost $3000 elsewhere.

Quality: With the exception of the panels, the leather they used was cheap. All the reviews I read on here of the saddle said how comfortable it was and easy to break in. I couldn't even stand to sit in it! The flaps were stiff and unmoving, even by new saddle standards. There was also a small, inch long slice in the knee pad (not sure if that was the fault of the manufacturer, Dover, or the shippers). Even though it fit my horse, I sent it back to Dover purely out of distaste for the product. Also, on the saddle cover, it spells "Bruno de Heusch" wrong on one side.

Summary: When I ordered it from Dover, they told me it was back ordered for about 2 weeks. I said I would wait for it, but the 2 weeks ended up turning into 5 weeks. When I contacted Dover after 4 weeks, they were very helpful, took $100 off the price, and informed me that the wait was because the manufacturers were waiting for their leather to come from Europe. My only thought is that perhaps they rushed making the saddle because it was on back order for so long? Either way, I sent it back to Dover and ordered a Pessoa that I've been very happy with.

Rating: 1

Author: Roxy

Date: 2007-01-24

Usefulness Rating: 2.33333 out of 5.
9 reader(s) voted.

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