Cheyenne problem

[~Perdita.M~]

Hi all:) I have the barefoot cheyenne in a size 0, and took the cantle and pommel out a while ago and stuffed with quilt filling instead. They are stuffed full enough to be firm but its also flexible.

Have had the saddle on two ponies and the same thing occurs, the back of the saddle tips up, leaving a visible gap. I am wondering of its because of the soft pommel, because it does flatten a lot when the girth is done up? I have ordered a wide pommel for the saddle and intend to put both pommel and cantle back in.

I am also wondering if the small size of the saddle doesn't help. It's a size 0 which is for children and up to a dress size 8. Both ponies have big pony bellies and the girth ends up really far forward. I am wondering if the next saddle size up would help to keep the girth further back and therefore help it to not tip up at the back?

So current plan is, to get a size 1 and have a wide pommel in instead of size 0 stuffed? What do you treeless experts think?

I was also after recommendations for really good pads for the size 1, as my endurance suber only just fits under the 0, so I might need ( and would like anyway!) something new and luxury:D

[No_Angel]

if it lifts up at the back, could be because saddle is too far forward, big bellies can push girths forward to elbows.
only thing you could do is either stuff the cantle like your doing if pony is happy enough, try a curved girth to try and allow saddle to sit further back, or have girth straps moved further forward so saddle cant sit further back.

[~Perdita.M~]

This is said pony in said saddle, he does have a gp sort of numnah ( no seam!) under it there, which is why it looks like its coming really far forward. I also wondered of maybe I have the girth too tight, which causes it to slip further forward and thus the back to tip :confused: Anyway, any thoughts please! Do you think it looks a bit too small as far as treeless go?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/fenellamaxwell/DSCF2929.jpg

[No_Angel]

I think the saddle does look slightly far forward in that pic, if its too far over his shoulder it may come up at the back.
I think the saddle looks an ok length for him, tho the seat might be small for anyone older than 10. He also looks a bit croup high in the pic, which can make saddle slip forward and tip up at the back.
I have 2 ponies with forward girth grooves, one has a freeform sb with forward girthing which works really nicely on her, other saddles like the barefoot london and ansur classic just sit too far forward on her.

barefoot london
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/madams_walk/PICT0018-3.jpg
freeform
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/madams_walk/ceryn/Picture0201.jpg

other pony is a 12hh section a and only saddle ive found so far that doesnt move forwad on her (shes croup high) is her new startrekk dressage saddle, the freeform also seems ok, but hasnt been tested properly
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/madams_walk/PICT0002-7.jpg

[~Perdita.M~]

Ok, food for thought there No_Angel thank you! So you think first port of call is to place the saddle further back? I have a feeling it creeps forwards though as the girth gets tightened! Do you think the wide pommel will make a difference in being more supportive of the front and now allowing it to drop so much? Reckon I should go for the next size up in cheyenne too? He is 13.2 but makes every saddle look huge:rolleyes: Would love a freeform sb with forward girthing but budget not that high sadly :( Wanna give me yours? Go on, you know you have too many treeless saddles really!;) :D :D What do you think of the new cheyenne spinal clearance panels? I would probably wait until they are available, she told me march at H & H:confused:

[No_Angel]

saddle further back might stop it creeping forward, tho if its his spot for a saddle theres not much you can do.
Another saddle to look at might be the older style trekker dressage saddle. I had one and it fit really nicely on the 13hh welsh b I was training, he took a 5ft rug ad was a short little man, saddle underneath was small and fit ponies nicely, but the seat size was about 18 inch and was great for adults riding ponies.

here it is
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/madams_walk/saddles/PICT0087.jpg
unfortunatly dont have a pic of it on ponies.
here was the pony
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/madams_walk/benji/PICT0156.jpg

the seat was quite wide and blocky tho, ive just bought a hipsaver and I think it would probably work well on it

one on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trekker-endurance-saddle-new_W0QQitemZ290080561136QQihZ019QQcategoryZ72593QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2900 80561136

[~Perdita.M~]

Ah ok, thanks, will keep an eye on that one. Although going to sound like a right fussy cow and admit I don't like it's appearance much!:o :D Arrrgh. Always a nightmare isnt it, saddles. Going to have a peek at Goldfinch site to see how much the sb's are:eek: I think it's going to end up being a bigger cheyenne though, wide pommel in, set it further back and see how we do! Thats where the budget will go to I think. Do you have any examples of curved girths? Don't think I have seen one before:confused:

[Showjumper]

I wouldn't really want to go up a saddle size - the 0 looks good on Sham - I think a size 1 would extend back too far. I'd be inclined to shake more cork into the front of the suber pad before putting it under the saddle to level it up a bit more and use a banana girth so that the girth doesn't pull the saddle forward.

Hope this helps!

[~Perdita.M~]

Ah ok...well that would save money yes!:D Any info on banana girths?:confused: Do you think I am right to put the proper wide pommel back in as well?:) It really does pull down pretty flat at the moment.

[Showjumper]

There are often neoprene anatomical (banana) girths on Ebay. None at the moment but worth keeping an eye out - they normally go for less than £20 :)

[~Perdita.M~]

Ok. Anatomical/banana girth, neoprene good for the slipping lol. Wide pommel in, keep the suber and keep the size 0?:confused: :D

[No_Angel]

I bought a torsion swung girth from robinsons, cost 19.99
looks a bit like this
http://www.pfiff.com/produkte/img/mini/1109676980_5113.jpg

the wide insert might help, but if the saddle is sliding forward it might push the pommel into his withers. if hes happy with it stuffed, maybe a pad that shims can be added to will just lift it off his withers a bit and level the saddle up.

just to ad, i have loads of trouble keeping a saddle level on susie, and because im quite large riding her and she has no shoulders, neck or withers, when going down hill the saddle can slip forward, and i sit too far forward and dont balance as well, having the adjustable panels allows me to space them further apart giving her a wider pommel arch but it also keeps the saddle level, making it easier for me.
have you thought about using a kiddies cub saddle when the kids ride? they have the adjustable panels.
this sort
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/THOROWGOOD-safari-cub-saddle-with-girth-and-stirrups_W0QQitemZ260083412656QQihZ016QQcategoryZ72594QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260083412656
also the new trekker does aswell.

[~Perdita.M~]

I have thought about having two saddles yes. Might even just keep the 0 cheyenne for them as they only do the odd bit.

The other one I have been looking at, as an after thought, is the Ghost? Because of the rigging set up its meant to be more secure at the back? What do you guys think to the suitability of one of those for us?:confused: Heard anything good or bad?

http://www.buitenzinnig.nl/DaviWB/Pagina17.html

[Crystal Fire]

I think there was a discussion about the Ghost on Heather M's Enlightened Equitation forum. They are normally good on how a saddle is likely to behave on a horse. Worth a look mate!
(We must get together sometime... nothing ever goes to plan!). :)

[~Perdita.M~]

Thank you K, I actually posted on that thread and asked a couple of questions!:D Still don't know what to do:o :rolleyes: :D And yes we must meet up soon, hope you and your beautiful guys are well:)

[notpoodle]

i have the cheyenne in size 1 (pony has a looong back for her size). i noticed the back of it riding up when i lunged her with tack on, but was assured by barefoot that it wouldnt do that when youre actually sat in the saddle. i also found that putting it a bit further back than where youd put a normal saddle helps.

hows luka?

juLIa
x

[~Perdita.M~]

So little Angel has a size 1! Why does Sham have such a silly short back:rolleyes: Still pondering saddles today lol. Looking at girths at the moment and pads and trying to decide whether to keep the size 0, get a size 1 to make sure Im not too big for it, or try a ghost!:confused:

Luka is not here currently, he's gone to stay with a very posh showing lady on sales livery and can be seen on horsequest at the moment. :)