Forward Saddlery LLC

🤔

The Great Saddle Slip Mystery🔍

Your saddle slips to the left.

So naturally, you buy a new girth.

It still slips.🤨

So you buy a fancy anatomical girth, a non-slip saddle pad, and perhaps a breastplate with enough straps to secure a small aircraft.

It still slips.😠

So you call a saddle fitter.

Then another saddle fitter.

Then one recommended by a friend who swears they transformed her horse's life.

It still slips.😖

At this point, many horse owners begin to suspect that they're somehow destined to spend the rest of their life searching for the mythical saddle setup that stays exactly where it should.

But before you spend another dollar on tack or lose respect for your latest saddle-fitter, let me tell you about some fascinating research by Line Greve and Sue Dyson.🤓

Because what they discovered put some very important information on the table to consider when you have a saddle slip issue.

The researchers investigated horses with persistent saddle slip and found that many of them had underlying hindlimb lameness.

Now, stay with me if you just rolled your eyes and think this isn't you case because your horse is clearly NOT lame....

The type of lameness identified was not the obvious kind where the horse is hopping around on three legs.

The subtle kind.🤔

The sort of issue that can quietly affect performance, behaviour, balance, and movement long before anyone recognises it as a soundness problem.

Why?

Because horses with discomfort or dysfunction or weakness in a hind leg often alter the way they move. They redistribute load, change how they push off the ground, and compensate through their body. Those altered forces travel through the horse's back and can gradually push the saddle off centre.

This doesn't just apply to horses with obvious injuries. It can occur in horses with mild lameness, asymmetries, weakness, developmental immaturity, or conditions affecting structures such as the stifle, sacroiliac region, suspensory apparatus, or other parts of the hind limb.

Now here's the part that many people find surprising.

The researchers found that saddle slip was actually associated with well-balanced saddles that had even contact and good flocking.😲

In other words, a saddle that slips isn't necessarily poorly fitted.

In fact, if you've had the saddle checked, adjusted, reflocked, replaced, and the problem keeps returning, there may be something else worth investigating.

The most compelling finding came when the researchers identified the source of the hindlimb pain and used diagnostic nerve blocks to remove the discomfort.

The saddle slip disappeared in 97% of cases.😱

Read that again.

Ninety-seven percent.😱

The saddle didn't change.

The girth didn't change.

The saddle pad didn't change.

The horse's movement changed.🤯

That's a pretty powerful clue.😎

One of the biggest challenges with horses is that we often focus on the symptom we can see rather than the cause we can't.

The slipping saddle becomes the problem.

The canter transition becomes the problem.

The spooky behaviour becomes the problem.

The horse drifting through the shoulder becomes the problem.

But sometimes these things are not separate problems at all.

Sometimes they are all clues pointing towards the same underlying issue.

So if your saddle consistently slips despite multiple fitting assessments and equipment changes, it may be worth considering whether your horse is trying to tell you something.

And if that saddle slip is accompanied by things like:
- Canter difficulties
- Resistance under saddle
- Reactive or spooky behaviour
- Struggles with engagement
then the possibility of an underlying soundness issue becomes even more important to investigate.⚠️

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned working with horses is that behaviour, performance, and movement are often connected in ways that aren't immediately obvious.

A slipping saddle may not always indicate a soundness issue...sometimes it can be a YOU issue, but that is for another article another day.

But if it keeps happening despite your best efforts to fix it, it might be worth looking beyond the saddle.💡

Sometimes the saddle is not the problem.

It's the clue.

References
Greve, L., & Dyson, S. J. (2013). An Investigation of the Relationship Between Hindlimb Lameness and Saddle Slip. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45(5), 570-577.
Greve, L., & Dyson, S. J. (2014). The Interrelationship of Lameness, Saddle Slip and Back Shape in the General Sports Horse Population. Equine Veterinary Journal, 46(6), 687-694.

Collectable Advice 226/365. Please SHARE or hit SAVE. Please no copy and pasting.

2022 17.5 3C CWD se02

This saddle had a new seat put on by CWD in 2025 so it is ready for a LOT more riding! Overall great condition except one split in the piping in the front, it’s really not noticeable unless you’re looking for it.
It has a 17.5” semi deep seat and long forward flaps for a rider with a longer leg. The calf and grain leather is soft and grippy yet durable. It is on the standard medium wide tree and has standard RT panels for freedom of the scapula.

$2,600

Madison WI
can ship
Trades welcome
5 day trial
www.forwardsaddlery.com

🌟 Inventory 🌟 updated 5/31/2026

Forward Saddlery also fits and carries Erreplus Italian saddlery custom saddles in WI/MN/IL. Pm for info or appointments. We have 16 demo saddles on hand including jump, dressage, and mono-flap models.

Check www.forwardsaddlery.com for the most up to date inventory.

Madison WI
Can Ship
Trades welcome
5 day trial

Coming soon:

CWD monoflap, CWD se02

✨ Available saddles ✨

🦄 2019 17.5 3C CWD 2Gs Hunter - pro panel
This saddle has seen light use. It is a full calf hunter 2Gs with CWDs Dynamick tree. The seat is 17.5 semi deep and has a soft secure feel. Flaps are long and forward to accommodate a longer leg. It is on CWDs standard medium wide tree and has pro panels for a versatile fit.
$3,200

🦄 2021 17.5 3L CWD se02 full buffalo
This stunning full buffalo saddle only has a handful of rides on it! It is a 17.5 secure semi deep seat with long straight flaps. This saddle has full buffalo leather that is barely even broken in and lovely! It is on CWDs medium wide tree with RT panels for freedom of the scapula and some foam shaved out for the shoulder. It has classy black piping on the back and keeper.
$2,900

🦄 2019 Devoucoux Biarritz S - Full Buffalo
This saddle is in lovely condition except for one scuff at the back of the cantle. It cosmetic and just appears as a rough spot (pictured). It has an 18” flat seat and long forward flaps. This saddle is in a medium wide tree (4.75 dot to dot) and has panels with foam removed for a wider fit. The buffalo leather is in great condition!
$2,900

🦄 17.5 Pessoa A/O XCH
This saddle has seen little to no use, so take advantage of getting it at a “used” price. 17.5” with straight flaps. Currently has a medium gullet plate in it, but can be changed using their XCH system.
$900

🦄 2020 17.5 3C CWD se01 full calf
This saddle is stunning and immaculately cared for. It shows minimal wear for its age. This is the popular flat seat in a 17.5 with long forward flaps. It is on the standard medium wide tree with some foam taken out of the front of the panel for shoulder room. The full calf leather is in beautiful condition and super grippy. There are a few spots on the bottom of the panels (see photo of the bottom).
$2,700

🦄 2019 18 3A Devoucoux Biarritz S - full buffalo
This saddle is in lovely condition except for one scuff at the back of the cantle. It cosmetic and just appears as a rough spot (pictured). It has an 18” flat seat and long forward flaps. This saddle is in a medium wide tree (4.75 dot to dot) and has panels with foam removed for a wider fit. The buffalo leather is in great condition!
$2,800

🦄 2015 (updated 2024) 17.5 3L CWD Hunter 2Gs - full buffalo
You won’t find many like this. It was redone by CWD in 2024 and spent most of 2025 stored. It’s like a new saddle, but it’s on the hard to find 5” tree. This saddle is full buffalo leather with a 17.5 flat seat and long straight flaps. It’s on a wide Dynamick tree with standard RT panels for freedom of the scapula. It is the hunter appropriate style 2Gs with the carbon on the flap covered by leather.
$2,700

🦄 2024 17.5 2C CWD Mademoiselle se32
This saddle is nearly new with only a handful of rides. It is full buffalo and beautiful. This saddle has a 17.5” semi-flat seat and regular length forward flaps. It is in CWDs Dynamick tree in a standard medium wide (about 4.5” though there are no felt dots on these saddles). It has standard RT panels for freedom of movement of the scapula.
$3,950

🦄 2007 17.5 2A L’Apogee LX
This is a really lovely saddle in great condition for its age! Minimal signs of wear, some light spots in the seat (pictured). L’Apogee LX with a semi deep 17.5” seat and regular length forward flaps. The flaps measure 13” stirrup bar to bottom and 13.5” across. It has front and back blocks. The tree is medium wide measuring 4.75”.
$900

🦄 2021 17.5 3C CWD SE03
This saddle is in wonderful shape, just broken in and comfortable. If you’re wanting a Mademoiselle but it’s not in the budget, the se03 is a great alternative. This saddle features a narrow twist and a flat seat. It will accommodate a longer leg with a long forward flap. The panel is great for a more narrow horse.
$1,995

🦄2016 CWD se01 17” 2L - full buffalo - pro panels
This saddle is lovely. It has a 17” flat seat and regular length straight flaps. This saddle is on CWD’s medium wide tree and has pro panels for a versatile fit.
$2,400

🦄2019 CWD se02 17.5 3C
This saddle has not seen much use for its age. It has a 17.5” semi-deep seat and long forward flaps. This saddle is on a medium wide tree with panels made for a horse with some hollow around the wither and an uphill build/bigger shoulder. The leather is grain and calf for comfort and durability.
$2,500

🦄 2023 17.5 2L CWD 2Gs hunter se26
This stunning lightly used 2Gs is a hunter ring ready model with no carbon on the flap. It’s lightly used in beautiful condition and came in super clean. This saddle has a 17.5” semi-deep seat and regular length straight flaps. It is on a medium wide tree with standard RT panels for freedom of the scapula. Great for a rider with multiple mounts.
$3,950

🦄 2019 18” 3C CWD se01
This saddle is in perfect condition. Full calf leather and super soft and grippy. This is a popular flat seat model with an 18” seat and long forward flaps. The panels are standard on CWDs medium wide tree. Really a stunning saddle!
$2,700

🦄 2024 17.5 2L CWD se01
This saddle is barely used! It’s lovely grain and calf leather for durability and comfort. This is the hard to find 17.5” seat with 2L (regular length straight) flaps. This saddle is on CWDs classic medium wide tree with standard RT panels, making it a great option for a rider with multiple mounts.
🔥 sale 🔥
$2,500

🦄 2021 17” 1C CWD se32 Mademoiselle
This saddle is stunning, the condition is next to new. It is on CWDs medium wide Dynamick tree made to move with the horse. This saddle features a flat 17” seat and short forward flaps for a more petite rider. It is grippy full calf leather for a secure feel. The panels on this saddle are shaved out for freedom of the scapula with a small amount of padding towards the back half of the panels for balance.
$3,300

🦄 2019 17.5 3C CWD se01
This saddle is in lovely condition. It has a 17.5” flat seat and long forward flaps. It is on CWDs medium wide tree with standard panels. The leather is grain and calf for a comfortable feel while still being durable. It has cream colored piping around the seat and on the keepers.
$2,400

🦄 2021 17.5 P Butet practice
The Butet practice saddle is the ultimate equitation training tool. It encourages the rider to find appropriate balance in the tack. This one is in nearly new demo condition. It has a 17.5” semi-flat P seat and is on a standard tree. The panels are shaved out the accommodate muscling around the horse’s shoulder.
4” dot to dot
$2,800

🦄 2013 17” 2 Devoucoux Socoa
This saddle has been very lightly used as it has spent a lot of time just waiting to be used! The Socoa is now known as the Biarritz S and features a flatter seat and narrow twist. This saddle has a full calf upgrade for a grippy secure feel in the saddle. 17” seat with regular length straight flaps. It is on a medium wide tree and has standard panels. This saddle does fit best on a horse with a little bit of a wither.
🔥 sale 🔥
$1,500

🦄 2012 17 L 1 Butet
This is a lovely saddle in great condition. It is the popular L (semi deep) seat with grippy yet durable grain and calf leather. The flaps are regular length and straight. This saddle is on the standard tree and has ESP panels to allow for more wither clearance.
$1,950

🦄 2019 17.5 2L CWD SE01
Here’s a heck of a deal on a hard to find size!! I have priced this saddle competitively because the stamp is hard to read (don’t worry I’ll tell you what says!). It is a lovely CWD se01 with a flatter 17.5” seat and regular length straight flap. It is on CWDs standard medium/wide tree.
The 17.5 2L seat flap combo is hard to find, so I’m excited to bring this one to you!
Stamp is pictured but it isn’t legible in photos, so here are the details:
SE01 175 TC 2L
PA 905
19
$2,400

🦄 2013 16” 1A Antares Classique
This is a lovely saddle for a petite rider. It’s in great condition besides a mark on the pommel (pictured). This saddle has a short forward flap and 16” seat. It is grippy and durable full grain leather. This saddle is paneled for a more narrow/high withered horse.
$2,150

🦄 2023 17” 2L CWD se03
This saddle is next to NEW and a fraction of the $6,500 price tag. It is the close contact se03 model offering a closer feel to the horse. The saddle has a 17” seat and a regular length straight flap. It has panels shaved down for a slightly wider fit and additional widening for muscles behind the wither. It has modest cream colored piping for a touch of detail without being too much!
$2,900

2021 17.5 3L CWD se02 full buffalo

This stunning full buffalo saddle only has a handful of rides on it! It is a 17.5 secure semi deep seat with long straight flaps. This saddle has full buffalo leather that is barely even broken in and lovely! It is on CWDs medium wide tree with RT panels for freedom of the scapula and some foam shaved out for the shoulder. It has classy black piping on the back and keeper.

Sells with CWD cleaning kit, cover, and 56” leathers

$2,900

Madison WI
Can Ship
Trades welcome
5 day trial
www.forwardsaddlery.com

2019 17.5 3C CWD 2Gs Hunter - pro panel

This saddle has seen light use. It is a full calf hunter 2Gs with CWDs Dynamick tree. The seat is 17.5 semi deep and has a soft secure feel. Flaps are long and forward to accommodate a longer leg. It is on CWDs standard medium wide tree and has pro panels for a versatile fit.

$3,200

Madison WI
Can ship
Trades welcome
5 day trial
www.forwardsaddlery.com

We had such a great time with Barn Besties at Lindinhof. Be sure to follow the Barn Besties page and YouTube channel so you don’t miss their fun and informative content.

Keep an eye out for their upcoming introduction to the Erreplus brand, featuring Sydney and Lorenzo. It offers an inside look at the values and craftsmanship behind the saddles, along with the passion we all share for properly fitting both horse and rider.

Barn Besties had a blast learning all about Erreplus Saddles with Sydney and Lorenzo!

Such a fun and informative morning—we can’t wait for you all to watch the videos and learn along with us! 🎉🐴

The sun is starting to come out at Minnesota Horse Expo! Come sip coffee and try the saddles at the Forward Saddlery trailer. We have a Keurig and 30 saddles to try 😊

We’re just outside the cattle barn.