Recommened saddles

[cloang]

Hi, I need help from all you pony riders please.

We have a 12.2 pony for our 8 year old, and I am having serious saddle issues.

I have just had the saddle fitter out and we now have a very sore pony who bucks.

I have made appointments for the back man and a different saddle fitter, but I do think it may have to be a different saddle as this one doesn't look right whatever we do.

Any recommendations for a comfy saddle for little ponies would be most appreciated.

I have attached a photo so you can get an idea of what our pony looks like.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f297/cloang/DSCF0109.jpg

[Wally]

I'd like to bet a Saddle co. Saddle with a serge panel would be the best bet for a saddle shy pony.

The serge is a very forgiving lining for a pony with saddle issues. They are well designed, well made and really good value for money. The tree can be adjusted if they pony drastically changes shape.

PM Mossy, she had a saddle PHOBIC mare, not just sore, but terrified of anything on her back after a bad experience with a saddle. She now has serge panels on both her horses and the mare is doing very nicely in it.

[cloang]

Thanks Wally, just off to look up the saddle company:D to see what they look like.

[Wally]

http://www.thesaddlecompany.co.uk/

[stephanie bay]

My daughter has a saddle Co WH saddle - it is very nice - she has suede seat and kneel rolls - It is very nice. We got point and balance straps added as pony was a bit round when we first got her. The saddle can be(and has been) re-set to suit the changing shape of the pony!

Super little saddle! My daughter rides beautifully in it.

We had a loan of the thorowgood PC(I am not a fan of synthetics for myself) it was quite good - other than the fact the girth straps were made from wood I think. So difficult to girth up as the material was sooooo stiff.

[cloang]

We have the thorowgood PC and agree about the girth straps, we had leather ones fitted by a local man which was brilliant. Its just the saddle seems to slip, bounce and generally not fit our pony at all:( , now she is sore so I wont even put it on her.

Am making enquiries about the saddle co one's waiting for a phone call, so thanks all:D

[ShariN]

Have you thought about a Treeless or flex panel saddle? I find fussy or hard to fit horses do better in these kinds of saddles.
Those are what I ride in with my ponies. Have an American Flex and Star Trekk comfort shorty and 2 Sensations on order.
Hands down love the comfort of the Treeless saddles.

Here are some links so you can check them out.

Flex panel saddles
http://www.reactorpanel.com/
http://www.fnesaddles.com/welcome.shtml

Treeless with panels to keep the saddle off the spine.
http://www.thesaddlesite.com/products.php?id=1

Normal Treeless saddles.
www.goldfinch-endurance.co.uk/freeform.html

[Wally]

I really have a problem with those floating panels, Being in the trade I have been privvy to a lot of nasty tales about them.

Having been behind a friend, whilst riding in hers I was horrified to watch the two panels springing together at the back and almost touching on each rise phase of the rider, totally pinching the horse's spine.

I agree with treeless though, but it doesn't suit every rider style. Suits Icelandic riders as they tend to ride with their weight, sit on their bottoms and stirrups only aid balance. I prefer the saddles which have a channel to free the spine up.

[Horsemarbles]

Hi Cloang I would aslo recomend you look at a saddle co saddle but then I am biast as I am a saddle co fitter!! These saddles can be made to fit the pony and the rider the surge panels are very soft and comfy feels almost like a duffle coat! You will aslo be able to have point and balance straps fitted if necassary as mentioned higher up in this thread. I treat many horses with bad backs caused by ill fitting saddles and I often recomend a saddle company saddle. I have an overgrown Highland and I had trouble getting a saddle to fit I found a saddle company saddle and its been brill I was that impressed I became a saddle fitter for them.

[ShariN]

Wally, the newer Flex panel saddles do not have that problem.
They also need maintaince. If it is not done it can cause said problems.
You should also never use an elastic girth on these types of saddles.

I have two flex panel saddles and niether have ever done that. Have put a lot of miles on them. My Icey is very sensitive and I have to be very careful what I put on her back.

The Star Trekk Treeless saddle has moveable panels on the underside. They do indeed keep the saddle off the horse's spine. They are the only ones that I know of that do that.
The one I have while sitting on my horse in the saddle, stuck my hand under the gullet channel and there was plenty of room. Even more than some English saddles.
I also have this saddle,, and it is the most comfy saddle ever!

Most of the Icey riders in the US, ride in a classic dressage seat. The way they are riding in Iceland is also changing.

[cloang]

thank you all very much for all the info:D . Have now made an appointment with the back man and then a different saddle fitter who is going to come out and assess our pony (foc) and then advise.

Will let you know what happens.

thanks again
ang

[hackedoff]

if you can find one on e-bay the Balance Soft Option is a great pony saddle, I have one for my Welsh D. They arent made any more unfortunately but they come up second hand every so often.

[Bronya]

Try a 16" Fhoenix with child flaps. You can trial them from www.neigh.org for £53.90 for five days, and if you order one you get £30 back from the trial money. My pony LOVES her trial Fhoenix and will be crying buckets when it goes back and she has to wait for her one to come, and she is VERY saddle shy. Will try and bite with pretty much anything, but likes this so much she whickered at it yesterday when I brought it round to put on her, which was just so sweet! She's really forward going in it too.