The Discovery saddle range
The Discovery Saddle range offers incredible quality at affordable prices for riders of all levels and disciplines.
Designed and manufactured by master craftsmen, the Discovery Saddles have a number of special features that have earnt them their amazing reputation for excellent horse fit and rider comfort, including a uniquely shaped and flexible tree, with two tree options for a superior fit.
British master saddlers work to exceedingly high standards to ensure these saddles are made correctly, with attention paid to every detail. By using modern techniques and carefully selected materials to ensure affordability without comprising quality, the Discovery range has a competitive edge.
Discovery Saddles have been developed by a family of equestrian enthusiasts since 2016, who possess an impressive wealth of knowledge in designing, making and fitting saddles. They have been personally selected by Victoria Hamilton to form part of the VH Saddlery range for their excellent quality, incredible fit and value for money.
As the sole importer of Discovery Saddles, you won’t find better value for money in Australia, than a Discovery Saddle through VH Saddlery.
Designed and manufactured by master craftsmen, the Discovery Saddles have a number of special features that have earnt them their amazing reputation for excellent horse fit and rider comfort, including a uniquely shaped and flexible tree, with two tree options for a superior fit.
British master saddlers work to exceedingly high standards to ensure these saddles are made correctly, with attention paid to every detail. By using modern techniques and carefully selected materials to ensure affordability without comprising quality, the Discovery range has a competitive edge.
Discovery Saddles have been developed by a family of equestrian enthusiasts since 2016, who possess an impressive wealth of knowledge in designing, making and fitting saddles. They have been personally selected by Victoria Hamilton to form part of the VH Saddlery range for their excellent quality, incredible fit and value for money.
As the sole importer of Discovery Saddles, you won’t find better value for money in Australia, than a Discovery Saddle through VH Saddlery.
clever design
Giving you great value for money.
AffordableUsing modern designs and carefully selected materials to ensure affordability.
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Unique treesmade on plastic trees which gives them flexibility and are sprung like traditional wooden trees and reinforced with metal to give them strength
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adjustable optionsAdjustable knee rolls, changeable gullets and different girthing options for superior fit.
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Discovery Saddle Range
Discovery Dressage SaddleIf comfort and security are your number one priority, you can’t go past a Discovery Dressage Saddle.
Suitable for all levels of dressage, the Discovery Dressage Saddle maximises the balance of the rider and free movement of the horse. One of the most comfortable saddles you’ll ever sit in, the Discovery Dressage Saddles come in black and dark brown. RRP - $3250. |
Discovery jump SaddleThe Discovery Jump Saddle offers the perfect combination of security and comfort for riders jumping at any level.
Enhancing balance and harmony between horse and rider, the Discovery Jump Saddle features flexible front and rear jumping blocks for extra optional support. The Discovery Jump Saddles are available in black and dark brown. RRP - $3150. |
Discovery all-Purpose SaddleAn extremely versatile saddle, the Discovery All-Purpose Saddle is designed for general riding use.
Suitable for all activities including trail riding, schooling and jumping, the Discovery All-Purpose Saddles are an excellent choice for Pony Club, Adult Riding Club, Working Equitation or those who just like to do a bit of everything with their horses. The Discovery All-Purpose Saddles are available in black and dark brown. RRP - $3150. |
Discovery Saddle Features
Seat size
16.5"-18.5"
Adjustable knee rolls
Adjustable knee rolls on all saddles, with rear blocks available on all-purpose and jump saddles.
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Wide channel
The Discovery Saddles have generous felt lined and flock filled panels to ensure maximum comfort of the horse.
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Flexible tree
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Two tree types are available, the WB and the TB, which differ in the shape and angle of the gullet bars as well as the shape of the rails and panels. The WB trees are flatter whereas there is more shape to the TB tree, providing a superior fit based on the conformation of the horse. However, don’t be fooled by the tree name! The most suitable tree depends on the individual horse not its breeding and may sometimes surprise you!
All Discovery Saddles are made on plastic trees, which are spung like traditional wooden trees but with the benefit of flexibility. They are reinforced with metal to ensure strength is maintained. |
changeable gullet
The trees are designed so the width can be easily adjusted in minutes by swapping the gullet bar, with sizes ranging from medium to extremely wide. This accommodates narrow to very, very wide horses quickly and easily.
Girthing options
Discovery Saddles offer the choice of four girthing options, with the point and rear V-Web girth option most commonly use as it creates maximum saddle stability.
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Leather
Discovery Saddles are available in Black or Dark Brown, with the finest hide covered leather for secure feel and durability. The textured seat and knee pads offer extra grip and comfort.
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What our clients say
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best saddles for wide flat-backed horses?
The most suitable saddle for wide flat-backed horses depends on the shape and size of the horse’s withers. Horses can be wide and have little or no wither, or be wide and have a very pronounced wither. This makes a very big difference to which saddles may be suitable. Take the Discovery saddles for example: they come in two totally different tree types and both can go out from medium to extremely wide. The difference is the WB tree is suitable for the flatter backed horses and the TB tree for the horses with more shape in their backs. Jeffries also have trees that vary in the flatness and angle of the rails with the Liberty tree more for flatter backed horses. Of the Ryder saddles the Baroque, Excellence, Legacy Ultra and Zara have flatter trees than the Molineux and the Panamera. The VH saddles were designed specifically for the flatter-backed horses and are excellent for these. Once the tree has been chosen the back panels must be considered as even a flat-backed horse may require shortened back panels or raised up stitch-lines to alleviate pressure in this area, particularly if they have a short saddle platform area or highly developed loins muscles. Victoria is more than happy to discuss the individual requirements of your horse. Contact us to find out more.
What are the best saddles for short-backed horses?
It is all relative! Sometimes even a horse with a reasonable length of back is being ridden by a very long-legged rider and the same situation occurs where the rider needs a longer saddle to allow them to be balanced and able to sit in the middle of the saddle that the horse’s back allows. Some saddles are more open in the seat while others are more forward in the flap, both of which will give the rider more room as will saddles with moveable knee rolls if thinner or shorter knee rolls are used. Discovery saddles are ideal, as are any of our custom-made range (the Ryder Saddles and VH Signature Saddles) as they can be made to fit the rider and horse combination perfectly. Of the Ryder saddles the Zara, Baroque and Excellence are brilliant for short-backed horses.
What are the best saddles for horses with big shoulders?
Horses with big shoulders often also have a forward girth groove which can be more problematic than the shoulders. When placed in the correct position on the horse, a suitable saddle allows the girth straps to hang perpendicular. If the straps have to be pulled forward to girth up, the saddle has no hope of staying back off the shoulders. Many saddles have been designed to alleviate shoulder pressure and restriction. Some saddles such as the VH Signature Saddles have the tree point angling backwards, allowing greater shoulder freedom but resulting in the girth points on these saddles being further back. This is due to the fact that the further most forward girth strap can only be as forward as the tree point. These saddles must be placed and balanced correctly because if the whole saddle is behind the shoulder, not just the tree point, they will never stay in position. This is why it is so important your saddle fitter is either extremely experienced or knowledgeable on particular brands. There are other saddles that do the opposite, with tree points that flare out and angle forwards. This not only allows the shoulders to move freely but it also enables the girth straps to be very forward, hence keeps the saddle off the shoulders. Discovery WB tree and Max Benz One saddles are examples of such saddles. Max Benz also has a uniquely shaped front panel, allowing the horse’s soft tissue more room, but still excellent support for the moveable knee roll. Yet another unique solution is found in the Ryder Baroque saddles which were developed specifically for Friesian horses and have short tree points which are then flexible.
What are the best saddles for downhill horses?
Downhill horses and those with low withers can be challenging to ride but this need not be the case! It can be caused by conformation or age, but some horses may move downhill due to pain or training. For example, sore front feet can change the way a horse moves biomechanically, and they can travel on the forehand, as can horses that have been incorrectly stretched down in their work. Saddle stability and balance is of utmost importance in these situations and Discovery Saddles excel in this area. With a choice of a flatter or a more shaped tree, changeable gullets and incredible girthing options, they can fit almost every shape of horse. Custom-made saddles including our Ryder and VH Signature Saddle ranges are also good for these horses as the balance of the saddle can be perfected by requesting different front panel and gusset options. The choice of saddle would depend on the shape of the horse’s back and rider preference. Many horses that have travelled downhill for some time actually completely change the way they move when in a different saddle. Trying many different saddles on a horse through a saddle trail/consultation can paint a picture as to what the horse does and doesn’t like about the various parts of a saddle. Sometimes it is the pressure directly applied by the saddle to the horse, but often it can be how the rider sits in different saddles, with more balance or a different rider position making such a big difference to the horse.
What are the best saddles for young horses?
Young horses are going to develop and change, and how much depends on the breed, workload and age. For most people it is sensible to use a saddle with changeable gullets if the horse is under 5 years of age. such as the Discovery Saddles or Max Benz One Saddles. This way the gullet may be changed at any time and over a large range of sizes. They also have generous panels and gussets to allow a lot of adjustments to be made through the flocking by your saddle fitter. After 5-6 years of age, depending on breed and development, many riders choose a custom-made saddle from the VH Signature or Ryder range of saddles. These saddles can be pressed in or out 1 size either way by your saddle fitter, 3-4 times throughout the saddle’s life, which along with their wool-flocked panels, allows for great adjustability.
What are the best saddles for horses with a forward girth groove?
Horses with big shoulders often also have a forward girth groove which can often be more problematic than the shoulders. When placed in the correct position on the horse, a suitable saddle allows the girth straps to hang perpendicular. If the straps have to be pulled forward to girth up, the saddle has no hope of staying back off the shoulders. Many saddles have been designed to alleviate shoulder pressure and restriction. Some saddles such as the VH Signature Saddles have the tree point angling backwards, allowing greater shoulder freedom but resulting in the girth points on these saddles being further back. This is due to the fact that the further most forward girth strap can only be as forward as the tree point. These saddles must be placed and balanced correctly because if the whole saddle is behind the shoulder, not just the tree point, they will never stay in position. This is why it is so important your saddle fitter is either extremely experienced or knowledgeable on particular brands. There are other saddles that do the opposite, with tree points that flare out and angle forwards. This not only allows the shoulders to move freely but it also enables the girth straps to be very forward, hence keeps the saddle off the shoulders. Discovery WB tree and Max Benz One saddles are examples of such saddles. Max Benz also has a uniquely shaped front panel, allowing the horses soft tissue more room, but still excellent support for the moveable knee roll. Yet another unique solution is found in the Ryder Baroque saddles which were developed specifically for Friesian horses and have short tree points which are flexible.
What are the best saddles for horses with high shark-fin withers than extend a long way back?
There are lots of options for these horses, depending on the width, length and shape of the horse’s back. Jeffries make a tree specifically designed for these horses – the Xtra, but the Jeffries Sport is also very good. Max Benz One saddles excel in wither clearance, especially laterally, and have super generous back gussets to help with the balance in these situations. Discovery TB tree saddles are great for these horses and have the changeable gullets as do the Max Benz one saddles. Of the Ryder saddles, the Zara and Molineux are amazing for these horses, the choice depending on how much shape they have in their backs.
What are the best saddles for nervous riders?
Riders looking for great security should be looking at saddles with a deep seat, sticky leather, bigger knee rolls and close contact. Discovery, Ryder Baroque and Ryder Molineux are all great choices. For extremely close contact, any Ryder saddle can be ordered in a mono flap design with the knee rolls aligned perfectly for the rider. Riders can also choose from 7 different types of knee rolls, all varying not only in size and shape but also softness/firmness. Leather choices from super sticky, to smooth soft calfskin, to textured grainy leathers and everything in between!
What are the best saddles for working equitation?
Working equitation riders need to have security and freedom. The Max Benz One Kenzie saddle has been specifically designed with this in mind. Discovery saddles are also incredibly popular for this reason and both of these saddles have the knee rolls on Velcro, which can be changed for different activities. Discovery saddles are also available in All-purpose which are making a comeback with this incredibly fun, multi-discipline sport.
What is the best saddle for more than one person?
If more than one person is sharing a saddle, you should definitely be looking at changeable knee rolls, which allow for different leg shape and length. All Discovery saddles, Max Benz One and any of the custom-made saddles, including VH Signature saddles and Ryder Saddles, may be made this way.
What are the best saddles for Off the Track Thoroughbreds?
Four saddles instantly come to mind when looking for a suitable saddle for the OTTB.
The Discovery TB tree is designed specifically for thoroughbreds, not only in the shape and angle of the changeable gullets but also in the shape of the generous panels. They allow ample adjustability and packing, distributing the rider’s weight evenly and without any pressure at the back of the saddle. Available in dressage, jump and all-purpose.
The Max Benz One saddles are brilliantly designed to give great wither clearance – not just at the very front and top where everyone is so used to checking but also laterally and back at the stirrup bar area. These also have changeable gullets, a unique tree, cleverly designed front panels to alleviate soft-tissue pressure behind the shoulder area when the horse’s leg comes back (or body moves forward over the leg) and super back panels that perfectly suit horses where the back muscles slope away from the spine. Changeable gullets can be really beneficial for these horses as they do sometimes make tremendous transformation / development when transitioning from racehorse to their new disciplines.
Wembley Pro saddles are proving to be great on TB's as they have lovely width at the gullet head and some shape to their panels, similar to the Discovery TB saddles. They also have changeable gullets and are available in dressage and all-purpose.
Finally, whilst not boasting screw in /screw out gullets, the Jeffries Sport saddles are super for tb’s with a tree designed based on the average TB back which can be pressed in or out one size by qualified saddle fitters. The age, development and condition of the horse is also a consideration in terms of whether this would provide enough adjustability. They do have lovely deep panels allowing for ample flocking but if looking at buying and fitting a saddle to a young horse straight of the track with a view to it lasting its entire ridden career, Max Benz and Discovery may be better options. If it was an older horse that had finished growing and had been let down the Jeffries Sport should be a safe bet.
The Discovery TB tree is designed specifically for thoroughbreds, not only in the shape and angle of the changeable gullets but also in the shape of the generous panels. They allow ample adjustability and packing, distributing the rider’s weight evenly and without any pressure at the back of the saddle. Available in dressage, jump and all-purpose.
The Max Benz One saddles are brilliantly designed to give great wither clearance – not just at the very front and top where everyone is so used to checking but also laterally and back at the stirrup bar area. These also have changeable gullets, a unique tree, cleverly designed front panels to alleviate soft-tissue pressure behind the shoulder area when the horse’s leg comes back (or body moves forward over the leg) and super back panels that perfectly suit horses where the back muscles slope away from the spine. Changeable gullets can be really beneficial for these horses as they do sometimes make tremendous transformation / development when transitioning from racehorse to their new disciplines.
Wembley Pro saddles are proving to be great on TB's as they have lovely width at the gullet head and some shape to their panels, similar to the Discovery TB saddles. They also have changeable gullets and are available in dressage and all-purpose.
Finally, whilst not boasting screw in /screw out gullets, the Jeffries Sport saddles are super for tb’s with a tree designed based on the average TB back which can be pressed in or out one size by qualified saddle fitters. The age, development and condition of the horse is also a consideration in terms of whether this would provide enough adjustability. They do have lovely deep panels allowing for ample flocking but if looking at buying and fitting a saddle to a young horse straight of the track with a view to it lasting its entire ridden career, Max Benz and Discovery may be better options. If it was an older horse that had finished growing and had been let down the Jeffries Sport should be a safe bet.