Saddle help!

[Drummers mum]

Please please can somebody help me! I am having a nightmare trying to find the right saddle!

I am 5'4" and my pony is 13.1hh ish (not measured yet). I measured him for a thorowgood saddle and hes a wide with low wither, but what about fitting me?!

I am borrowing a griffin cob saddle at moment in extra wide and this doesn't seem too bad but its rather bulky although very comfy for me. I was looking at the griffin pony club but worried flaps will be too short.

Any ideas? What saddles do you all use?

By the way, my pony has only been here 3 weeks, anyone whos seen my other messages will know hes my first and hes great and I love him already ( even though he is very naughty and tried it on by bucking!). Its sooo fab I can't wait to get to see him every day and I'm still excited after 3 weeks! Taking it steady though as he is younger than thought, only 5 this spring. Needs to trust me and build a relationship and I keep forgetting I've got his whole life and there is no rush. Still bestestest thing ever to happen to me! (PS my partner thinks I'm having a 2nd child hood at 29 but I just think i never left the 1st one!)

[makebelieve]

I am not a synthetic saddle person. Personally, I find them cheap and tacky looking, but this is just my opinion.

I have a 17.5" no-brand saddle that I got for Solo. Its a second, but the problems are simply cosmetic and are underneath the saddle itself. I paid 200$ Canadian for it, but in reality, its worth around 500$ - 600$.

Its all up to personal preference in synthetic or leather, and the size. Use your own judgement. Does the pony like it even if its a little bulky? My saddle is almost too big for me, but it fits my horse (15.1hh 4 year old TB mare).

Good luck, and tell us what you've decided.

[Mossy]

Contact Vicki at Better saddles - link on this board. She is superb and I am a real fuss pot about saddles!

[Echo64]

I have a leather looking Wintec and I really do love them. I had one of the cordura ones before that, and I'd actually get pointed out in turnout because it looked descent (I do agree about some of the synthetic saddles looking tacky, though).

I really wouldn't worry about a brand you think would be good right now: try on lots of different styles, types and brands of saddles before deciding, as not all "medium tree" saddles were created equally. :P Too bad, it'd be much easier.

[tubby]

I would think you'd be better getting a saddler out to fit one, if you want a synthetic they will still come & fit it. The synthetic saddles probably will wear more quickly than a leather one , but with the branded makes you get really good quality trees.If you are limited money wise a synthetic is a better bet then a cheap leather as these will probably not be English, the English ones usually have a button on with the make so you'll be able to tell them from the foreign ones.

[Drummers mum]

Thanks everyone but you won't believe this. I got the measure on Drummer today and he is only 12.3hh. Hes so chunky and I bought him as between 13 and 13.2hh. Not that it matters, but I am really worried about saddles now.

Do I need a pony saddle and squeeze myself in? What size saddles do you pony owners all use?

I suppose I ought to post a warning to all those would be pony owners out there. Although I thought I was a horsey girl (woman), I can't believe there is so much that I don't know!

You are probably right about some synthetic saddles looking naf, but as long as it fits, I DON'T CARE!:mad:

Thanks Mossy will do that now. And tubby, as hes only 5(in May), I forsee a change of shape and saddle in the not to distant future, so not worried about wear and don't want to spend a fortune just yet!

[Showjumper]

Not sure how much you're looking to spend but what about a treeless? They distribute pressure from the rider in a different way, so a treeless that's a bit long on him would be more comfortable for both of you than a treed saddle that fits him but not you.

[galadriel]

Worry less about his height and more about his back length :) You probably really would do best with a saddler who can come out and look at your guy and give you suggestions.

I love my Thorowgood; it's just as nice a saddle as my Courbette. There are fewer makes of synthetic saddles and therefore fewer selections to choose between, but they're good saddles. A nice saddle is a nice saddle, whether it's leather or synthetic.

Good luck finding a saddle that's long enough for you, but short enough for him, and wide enough for him! I'm sure it will be an interesting challenge.

[Drummers mum]

Thanks for all your advice, I'm working on it. Mind you, yesterday I rode him bareback round the field. Its always an option!!!!:p

[Drummers mum]

Hi
Just wanted to let you know that after much trying on and deliberation I opted for a thorowgood cob saddle in the end.

Its a 16.5" wide and thorowgood advised me that they had made this length saddle with adult pony riders in mind.

Its GREAT really comfy, fits Drummers flat back well so spreads my weight and its nice and straight cut so loads of room for shoulders as well as keeping your leg in a nice position. I would def. recommend it as an everyday saddle. :p :p

[eml]

Just beat me to it Drummer. I was going to tell you that we use 16.5 thoroughgoods on most of the school ponies that are ridden by teenagers/adults...the pony club one just doesn't fit the adult shape!!!!

[Drummers mum]

I know, I was seriously considering one so went to see one and they are soooo out of proportion, tiny flaps, they look like toy saddles!!

Glad to hear you find it a good saddle I'm dead pleased with mine.

[Esther.D]

Glad you found a saddle!

Rupert wears a 17" wintec in wide. I was after a 16.5" ideally but found the 17" that fitted both of us. He is 13.1hh incidentally:)

[Wally]

The Saddle Co are very goot at altering thier standard range to fit short legged riders with fat cobs, or vice - versa. The will do you a long flap on a small seat , a short flap on a big seat, XXXXX, table top wide is not a problem for them.

I have quite a lot of thier saddles I quite like them.