Duett Saddles: The Partnership of Horse & Rider

The Presto saddle that Anna uses on Haflinger Fritz every single day is five years old and as good and as beautiful as new!!

Hello Nancy,
My mom recently ordered a saddle from you for my horse Four and I. Before we got the Rondo 2, I rode bareback for over 5 months since the saddles I had didn’t fit Four or myself. In one case, my knees were on his shoulders and in another Four got very upset with his saddle before I even got on. When I would get out his old saddle, he would swish is tail and give me an angry face. Now, his eyes are softer when I pull out the Duett... no joke. I feel as if this saddle was a god send. Now Four and I can enjoy our rides. You have no idea how thankful I am!!!! Four is a Polish Arabian and wears a size 32 cm tree. This saddle shop does not only sell wide saddles, but quality and comfortable saddles for both horse and rider. (email received May 2008 from Kate Zander)

Nancy

I bought a 34" Duett Tango saddle about a month ago from Trumbull Mountain Tack and love it. It was comfortable from day one and has only improved as it breaks in. I use it for trail/endurance riding and have had no problem with sore legs or seat bones. I also love the placement of the stirrup bars. I have a dressage background and am very picky about the placement of my leg. Too many saddles put me in a chair seat position, but the Tango places me in a correct, balanced position. The balance on the saddle is excellent and has paid off in sticky situations. Oz, my Arabian, appears to love the saddle as well. I can feel his back swinging when he walks and the sweat marks from the saddle are perfectly symmetrical. I will send pictures soon.

Thanks so much,
Candace Clark (email received May 2008)

Hi Nancy -

I purchased my first saddle from you - a Rondo 2 - over 4 years ago. I
loved it so much that I had to get another one. Finding your saddles
ended a 7 year search for my arabian Monty, who proved to be extremely
hard to fit. At the same time, I am able to use your saddle on my
youngster Lance, a half friesian. In the past 4 years, I have used both
saddles extensively for training both my own and lots of other young
horses, getting them started under saddle, riding dressage, jumping and
trail riding. I have yet to find a situation where they don't work! Your
saddles continue to be so versatile and there are hardly any young
horses I train that your saddles don't fit. They give me the support
that I appreciate, balance me well, and allow for plenty of movement for
the horses.
Again, thank you for ending my search and providing me with great
quality, reasonably priced saddles! Although they get extensive usage,
the leather has stayed soft, the workmanship of the saddles is excellent
and I am sure I'll continue to get great use out of them for a very long
time.
Sincerely,
Ilka Parent

(email received May 2008; photo of Lance and Monty in their Duetts, with Ilka, below)

Hi Nancy,

In December you helped me find a dressage saddle for my 1/2 Friesian 1/2 Saddlebred (Georgian Grande) 3 year old mare. I decided on a 40 cm Fidelio. Last weekend I had a saddle fitter out and he just adjusted the balance a bit but was happy with the width and fit! I can't tell you how happy I am to finally have a saddle that fits my horse. It's also a great saddle for me, too, very comfortable, puts me in a good position, I'm just so pleased. Thank you for taking the time to fit her with the tracings I sent you and giving me two terrific options, I just happened to love the Fidelio as it reminded me of my beloved Niedersuss that was just way too narrow for her. I'd also had her in a Passier that just wasn't wide enough.

So thank you for your time and providing me with a wonderful saddle,
Krista Davila
Raleigh, NC (email received 2/7/08) (photos below)

My saddle arrived yesterday and I had to tell you how thrilled I am with it. I have been riding 45+ years and have had my butt in many a saddle over those years so I know a thing or two about saddles. This Duett foxhunter is the most well constructed and comfortable saddle I've had the pleasure to own, quite a feat considering the price. Kudos to Roberta Young for her great service and to you for remembering that there are those of us who still consider quality an important thing. By the way, the saddle fits my medium-wide, high withered appaloosa, wide-backed, high withered arab and my slab-sided mutton withered standardbred! Photos to follow. Sincerely, Maxine DeOld (email received January 6, 2008) Photo to follow!

Thank you so much for your help with these saddles. I am very impressed with the saddle and the customer service that you offer. I'm telling everyone I know about your saddles. I won't ever buy a saddle from anyone else. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Michele Winegar, who bought a Fidelio. (email received 11/25/07)

Hi Nancy,

I ordered a Rondo 3 saddle from you about a year and a half ago. I want to let you know how happy I am with it. It fits my two Fjord mares, Bergen Saundra and Monarch Lana, very well. I am also very comfortable in it and am so impressed with the quality. I have attached a picture of Lana and me with the Rondo taken at a Fjord show in August. We won the blue in English Pleasure!

Thanks again for your great products and service.

Kristin Miller (email received 11/7/07) (photo above)

Hi. early this year I bought a duett companion trail saddle for my wide back fjord. I have had many nice comments both on the look with the black and brown leather, and the comfort. it's my first english style saddle, and I tried many others before we found yours. it's a 36mm, 19 inch and fits both of us.

The attached photo is our first ever english show class, taken in a minnesota all fjord show. oz, the fjord, is a 12 year old gelding. I will be 61 next week, so I guessIi can qualify as a senior rider.

thanks
Laurie With
Little Falls, MN (email received 11/24/07) (photo above)

Just want to tell you how pleased I am with the Encore dressage saddle I recently purchased. I used it today when I went foxhunting and it was extremely comfortable. The description on your web site says "it disappears under you" and boy is that the truth! A secure position and no saddle interference at any gait cross country.

Carol Wingate (email received 2/28/07)

Once again, thank you for your patience. If you should have anyone in my area interested in a Duett saddle, you are welcome to give out my name and contact information. I would love to show off the saddle and let others ride in it. I would love to make people aware of the fact that just because the tree of a saddle is called wide, the pommel can still be too narrow. I purchased a Prestige Optimax size 35 right before I purchased the Duett. It was so narrow on my horse! The disgusting part is that the tack shop I purchased it from was trying to convince another draft cross owner that a Prestige wide would work for her horse. I discovered this because the woman contacted me about purchasing my Prestige Optimax off of eBay. Through email we discovered we were working with the same tack store. I plan on emailing her back and telling her about my success with the Duett.

Have you ever considered posting pictures on your website of a horse in a size 36 (for example) in a popular brand saddle and a picture of the same horse in a Duett 36 to compare? Your website is great but I think that would really shine a light on the situation, especially if the photos are of the pommel.

Ann Switalski, Bossier City, LA (email received 2/7/07

Hi, Nancy,

I just wanted to report that my 36 cm Duett Largo fits my little wide-bodied Haflinger, Dewey, perfectly! I added a second Haflinger to my little herd this past summer and it seems to fit Bailey well, too.

Here's some pictures of Dewey, Bailey and I at a dressage schooling show we went to in October. Now I have to make up my mind if I want to get the Rondo II or the Companion!!! Love your saddles!

Gratefully,
Linda Urbanski (email received December 2006)
LOOK FOR PICS OF DEWEY AND BAILEY IN "HORSES IN DUETTS!"

Hello !

I am a travelling clinician based in Michigan. I purchased a new Duett Fidelio saddle this spring - and cannot believe the comfort and quality for both myself and my haflinger, Andy.

Andy immediately began moving out more, raising his back, and lateral work is effortless ! He is very happy, and so is my behind! The comfort and security of this saddle is incredible.

More than that tho - I just returned from a teaching trip in New York, (Rochester area) and used a Duett trail saddle on several horses at my clinic that were in serious pain from their current saddles. The results were incredible, and there will soon be 3 new buyers for Duetts! The horses were all obviously happier, the changes were immediate, and the 'problems' went away. And interesting to me, no matter what horse we put the same saddle on,
it seemed to want to fit every one of them.

I have been teaching for 17 years, and I am so pleased to finally have a decent saddle of reasonable price and good quality to recommend to my students. It is a serious issue everywhere I go.
And tho there are many new 'fads' in the saddle world, (and i think i've tried them all !) nothing compares to the Duett.

Please keep importing your saddles - I have become a fan, and I"m already sharing your web site and information at clinics coast to coast !

Thanks from myself and Andy!

Sincerely,
Karen Irland
Level III Centered Riding Clinician
barngirl@bignetnorth.net (emailed received May 16, 2005)

Hi Nancy,
I finally took a picture of my beloved chubby partner, Guapo with his new 36cm 18" Encore saddle. Guapo was underweight when I acquired him 2 years ago hence my other saddle fit him. A few months ago he started to act out when I rode him by bucking. I checked the fit of the saddle with a flexi curve and started looking for a new saddle immediately. I tried the new Wintec wide AP- neither of us liked it. Then I found Duett. You were wonderful in assisting me with fit. Colin Kimball-Davis came to my barn with several saddles and flocked the Encore for a perfect fit. The first thing I noticed when I sat in the Encore was how close I felt to Guapo. The seat is extra comfy and I love the Nubuck leather on the seat for that extra grip. Well, let me tell you....on the first ride Guapo told me that we did a good thing. I have never felt his stride so forward and extended. Then he relaxed his poll and raised his back. What a beautiful thing! He's never done that for me. I recommended your saddles to a friend and she just bought an Encore too!
Keep up the good work! And kudos for working with Colin. He's wonderful with the horses and a pleasant chap to be around.
Thanks again it was great doing business with you.
Terri Good
Hatchville, MA

I have tried so many saddles and this one is the best for Joe I was trying to fine tune as much as I could .I will send the Rhondo back tomorrow or the next day. I will Email you the tracking number. You don't know how many saddles i tried before my friend gave me your add in a magazine. I also have friends with hard to fit horses. so I will spread the info! I ride alot so it is important for my horses to have the right saddles.The peanut gallery likes how this saddles fits the best. Plus he was doing his changes in your saddle. so it is a go. Thank you I appreciate your time. Diane

(Diane is the proud owner of a new FIDELIO DRESSAGE saddle!)

Nancy,

It's been almost a year since I purchased my saddle from you and I just wanted to say that I am still thrilled with it. I love that saddle every time I sink into it. And Morgan is perfectly content with it. I don't know how I would have found such a nice saddle for my wide beastie without the Duetts. Do you think you will ever start a western line? My husband is getting a Haflinger, too, and he wants to ride western.

I wanted to tell you about a recent accident we had a few weeks ago. I was lunging Morgan a little and although he was feeling exuberant, I did not stop him to re-tighten his girth and...you guessed it...the saddle began to slide. I wouldn't expect him to react so violently, but on this day he was pretty "high." Well, the saddle ended up under his belly, long Largo flaps attacking him like a bird of prey and Morgan literally kicked the sh***t out of it. I mean literally kicked and bucked and kicked and bucked for well over five minutes. He ended up by actually falling down on his side and scrambling to his feet, again against the saddle.

First off, when I finally got him to stop, I wanted just to check him and make sure he was okay.

Secondly, I pretty much had written my beautiful saddle off. I mean, no saddle could endure what he had just dished out. Well, guess what? A few scratches and dings in the leather, but otherwise unscathed. I cleaned it, preserved it again, and it was as good as new. The saddles are well made and durable. I do take care of mine. I've ridden in the rain, but then protect it again, and there are never any spots. Good leather.

Though you'd be interested in the story.

Karen E. Baril (Karen bought Haflinger (named Morgan!) a Duett Largo dressage. She emailed this story to me on September 25, 2004.)

We just finished with rimrock and Shiloh, the saddles fit beautifully. You did a magnificent job in specing these two saddles, and fitting them to the tracings.
Susan was looking at my saddle on Shiloh and saying, “she looks so pretty with that saddle”. This is womanspeak for your mule looks prettier than my mule.
It was good to go with the dressage saddle on rimrock, she is very very big, and the one inch longer panel helps to offset her size.
It was amazing, we put the saddles on and they just seemed to fall into place. Great job!

You have been very responsive and easy to deal with, and if this works out we may buy other saddles for daughter and granddaughter.

Thanks, ron
Ps: I will take some pictures when I get a chance and send them to you, as well as some ranch pictures. Most of snow melted today, it sure is muddy. But beautiful like you wouldn’t believe. (Email received April 24, 05, from owner of Wheelsmith Fabrications (bike riders, anyone?) in Montana

Hello, Nancy. I don't know if you remember me but I purchased a Rondo 2 from you last early fall. I had just purchased a Clydesdale/Appendix cross and needed a wide saddle for him. You sent me a 36 and a 38 to try and I ended up keeping the 38. Well, I just wanted to let you know I love my saddle! It's very comfortable and fits him well. I was very pleasantly surprised with the quality - it's quite a beautiful saddle and you can't beat the price. I am so glad that I was referred to your site. I was worried that I was going to have to spend $3,000 on a custom saddle to find something to fit him, and that turned out not to be the case. Whew!
I've attached a photo of him schooling in his Rondo 2. It's not the best quality, but you can see how he's happily moving along - soft and round. Thanks again and have a great week. Regards, Amy Mitchel

Nancy,

Thank you very much for the information on care of the nubuck leather.

My Largo is a 36 cm width. It is an early Christmas present and I am not sure where

it was purchased - I do know it came by UPS and I think from a tack store in New England (Vermont maybe). But since it was a gift and I fell so in love with it and had no doubt that it was a keeper, I never pushed to find out exactly where it was from.

I will be glad to send you a picture of Bragi in his saddle, but if you don't mind, it will be in several months - he is way too fat and would look alot better slimmed and without his fuzzy wuzzy winter coat I will send you a picture of him tolting in it also.

You are welcome to use my comments. I can't praise this saddle enough. It fits him perfectly and I feel as if I am riding on air. Bragi is a very big Icelandic and he is not a natural tolter. However, with this saddle, his shoulders are not hindered so he is much more relaxed and just falls into his tolt. I know many feel as if the seat is too deep for tolting but based on years of experience with gaited horses and being well trained in equine anatomy, form and function (I am a veterinarian), I feel that a saddle alone will not make or break a gait. If that gait is in that horse, then it can be developed regardless of the saddle. However, I do feel that if a saddle is properly fitted and is comfortable, it will make it easier for the horse to develop and give that gait, thus resulting in a stronger, clean gait, which in this situation is the tolt.

I have tried many Icelandic saddles on Bragi and was not happy with any. The Largo is the first and only saddle that I have found to satisfy Bragi and me. I have ridden the Companion (very nice and I highly recommend it for Icelandic owners to try - it just didn't fit Bragi as well as the Largo), the Encore (also very nice but my backside thought the Largo was more comfortable) and the Rondo (least favorite but have a good friend that prefers it on her Icelandic over all other saddles, so everyone is different).

Enough for me rambling on-you have an excellent line of saddles and I would not discourage anyone from trying a Largo on an Icelandic. I may in the future try the Bravo but can't imagine liking it better than what I have. I am used to riding in cutback flat saddles (Saddlebreds and Walking Horses) so riding in a dressage saddle was a change, but I love this saddle! Thanks again - not only for the information but for bringing these awesome saddles to the USA. Amy (email received December 1, 2004)

Nancy ,

Well I finally got my chance to ride in the saddle. You can mark it sold. It was a very comfortable ride and a very secure seat . Chevy seemed to enjoy it too, from his perspective .I had several people ask about the saddle and where it came from . I was very happy to tell them all about it . No charge for the advertising , it is free . Hopefully I can generate some more customers for you .
When you get the information on the new saddle posted on your website send me an e-mail, I would like to look it over. Thank you for your help and patience . I am looking forward to the next Fox Hunt, to put my new saddle to the test again.

Thank You,

Kennerly Johnstone (email about the PRESO FOXHUNTER received 12/6/04)

Hi Nancy

I tried it on my appy, who is a wide-body, too. I have been working through some lameness issues with him, so most of my riding has been on the trails in a trail saddle. Your saddle fit him perfectly. I mean, perfectly. The ride was wonderful--I have never had such a comfortable and secure ride in an English saddle. I think it made a difference in the appy, too, because we did some nice canter work in it, and I think if I had the jumps up, he would have been game for them.

Linda Ables (She bought a Presto to use on two of her horses. She emailed these comments on October 3, 2004.)

I'm going to call the saddle a success! I rode in it again for about 15 minutes (I don't want to put too much time on it as I have to return it to Nancy). I think it fits Hershey great...so does my instructor!

I really like the saddle. It's a great design. Perfect for me as I trail ride a lot, but also take lessons (don't show). I only need one saddle! The 10 month search is over!!!
I'm happy! Nancy (email received October 2004 about a Companion trail saddle)

I wanted to touch base with you and tell you that I just absolutely love my Encore. I can't say enough good things about this wonderful saddle.

Grant loves it too, his back is so free in this saddle, and he isn't experiencing any more sore muscles!!!!

I feel so secure, and yet not restricted in this saddle and I am able to really sit his huge canter ...

I still need to send you some pictures. I will try to do that this weekend.

Grant has recently started his jumping career and we are in the market for an all purpose saddle and of course we both want another Duett!

Which would you recommend for us that is a similar fit to the Encore?

Talk to you soon!

Cheryl McKinney-Gutierrez

Hi Nancy

I'm writing to tell you that I STILL love my Duett saddle. I just purchased another Haflinger mare and the saddle fits her too. Looks like I'll be in the market for another saddle next summer!

Thanks again!

Anne Wight (email received October 8, 2004)

Nancy

I have owned a Largo dressage saddle for about a year. This saddle has been perfect for my Arab/Haflinger 5 year old gelding. As he has progressed in dressage, I found his wide girth was causing my leg to feel trapped by the fixed knee blocks. I hated the thought of giving up my Largo, since it fit my horse and was so comfortable for me. I called you and you recommended I try removing the knee blocks. I opened the seam and slipped the blocks out with no damage to the saddle. It now rides perfectly for what I want to do.

Thanks again for the suggestion and helping me solve my problem.

Linda Wilson, Athens, Alabama (email received October 7, 2004)

Hi Nancy-thank you for being so patient - I meant to email yesterday but never got online. I love the saddle!! It feels wonderful, my horse appears to be painfree, his movements are so much easier and freer - yes, I want to buy your saddle and thank you, thank you, thank you. It appears that my 7 year search has ended. It has been a real pleasure doing business with you - I will definitely spread the word.

Take care,

Ilka Parent (email received July 27, 2004)

Nancy: I loved the Rondo 2. I held off on sending the dressage saddle
back until I could look at it one more time on Belle. Saturday morning was
the first chance I had to try them all on Belle, as I've been working long
hours. So I tried all of them, and the Rondo 2 was the winner. The other
two plus the leathers went out by UPS that same day. You should have them
before you leave.
Thank you so much!!!!! The saddle is magnificent!!!! I'm working on a
riding buddy so I can do some serious riding on it this coming weekend.
I'll try to get pictures to you soon (I need to dye my girth and my bridle
black now, to match this beautiful saddle. . . . . )
Alice
Alice J. Saczawa

Hi Nancy -

I am assuming you received the saddle. Hay is yummy and everyone up here is great.
I have been riding Cassidy every day in my new saddle and I am going to try him for the first time
at Myopia this Saturday. I have been riding the Master's horses this season, and I prefer "breaking in" a horse during roading, but I am so comfortable in this new saddle that I am going to see how he goes. He has been fabulous in it around here. And I really like the seat!

Thanks again - Kathryn O'Brien (purchased a Presto for foxhunting and trail riding)

Hi Nancy,

Thanks for using Elvis on your site. This is so cool, he’s a star! I emailed Liz who is the owner of the barn (she’s the one in the pic with Elvis), I bought Elvis from her. She’s going to be thrilled!

She really liked the Companion and my experience with purchasing a saddle from you. She wants to order a Companion from you for her Friesian in the near future. Should you ever need a great reference for other people buying your saddles please feel free to have them contact me by phone or email. As I stated before, I was and am extremely satisfied with the way you do business, your knowledge and the saddle itself. I was becoming pretty frustrated before finding you site and Kelly at Netfilly.

Just an FYI – there’s a typo in the spelling of my name on the measuring your horse page in case you wanted to know.

Thanks again – this is exciting. (Sue's horse Elvis is shown on the page Measuring.)

Nancy,

I love the saddle, but it is way too wide for my new 2 year old. Her shoulders are wide, but her back hasn't filled out yet. Also, she is changing quickly. I would like to order one this spring if you are still able. I have tried many saddles & still haven't found one I like as much a Duett. Great product. A****** Saddlery is a large tack shop near me. They mentioned seeing you at a show and possibly bringing in your saddles, but I haven't seen any. They have a huge clientele & this area is really in need of a wide tree saddle supplier. I have sold 2 Duett saddles at the tack exchange (next door to A****** Saddlery) in less than a week & for more than I paid.

Traci Stone (email received October 26, 04)

Nancy,
I thought you might be interested in reading about your Rondo saddle on our
web site:
http://www.muleinfo.com
Once there, select "saddles" from the menu on the left, then select
"english saddles" from the Saddle page. You will find pictures of my mule,
Harley, wearing her Rondo (a 36-cm), as well as a description of the saddle.
Both Harley and I continue to be very pleased with the Rondo.
Vickie Tatum (email received November 5, 04)

Dear Nancy: I'm very sorry that I didn't let you know right away about the saddles - I had called Nancy at Trumbull Mountain the night I tried the saddles.
The Largo 38 fit perfectly - we never even tried the Rondo 2 36 on - from the moment we sat the Largo on her back, it looked wonderful. I took my lesson in it that afternoon and the saddle never shifted forward/back or side to side. It is both very comfortable for my horse and myself - my riding instructor loved it too when she tried it out. I'm thinking that several people at my barn with warmbloods are going to be looking at the Duett saddle line.
Thank you for providing such a great product and for all your assistance. When I spoke with Nancy she requested that I send the Rondo back to her and it was shipped yesterday via UPS.
Gratefully,
PJ Tomlian & Dakota (emailed received October 4, 2004)

Hi Nancy!

I know it's been a while since I bought the Rondo 2 from you for my Percheron mare, Tank, but I've just finally gotten around to getting those pictures.

About four months ago I decided to sell Tank. While it's never an easy thing to sell a horse, I was so depressed about even the thought of selling my Duett. I just didn't think that it would fit my new horse and since it fit Tank so well, figured I'd sell it with her.

Well about three months ago, that all changed. I bought a Clydesdale/Standardbred cross mare, Penny Lane. Originally I listened to her previous owner who said that, even though she's built like a Clyde, she "isn't so wide" and just used my old Stalker Crowne to ride in. However, I just never felt right in it. I couldn't keep my leg under myself and always felt like I was fighting to post. On a whim, I figured I'd try the Duett just to see if I was doomed to buy another saddle. No way!!! It fit fantastic...even better than on Tank.

Off we went on The Silver Comet Trail for a two hour ride. I felt so secure in that saddle and could feel a definite difference in Penny's gaits. She felt better too! The best thing was, because the saddle wasn't pinching her, she could really extend into that oh-so-spankin' Standardbred trot. We passed cyclists at the trot alone!!

Here's my new girl, ready to head out again. I tell everyone I know about your wonderful saddles and will be buying another one when we find a horse for my husband.

-Susan Auten
Dallas, Georgia (email received Feb. 1, 2005)

Hi Nancy. After riding my new horse Blazar, in the wonderful companion
trail saddle, I think I am finally comfortable enough to "go English" with
Mr. Ed, my main trail horse. But since this one will mostly be for me, I
think I want to try the 18 inch seat. The 19 inch one works ok, especially
with the sheepskin, for both me and my husband, but I think I might be a
bit more secure in one that fits me a bit better. And I already know he
takes the 36 cm width, because we had it on him when we got the one in
the initial shipment for Blazar (which were too small for him.) So please
send me one if you have one in stock, and I will check it out to be sure it
is right. Do you still have my CC info on file? Thanks from lynnc
Lynn Cominsky
Professor and Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy and
Director, NASA Education and Public Outreach Programs
Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928 (email received Feb. 4, 05 from buyer of 2 Companions)