Pony Saddle recomendations

[Travis's Mum]

Can anyone recommend a good synthetic saddle, Im looking into the Throwgood pony Mazam with fish inserts and someone has recommended the Shires Hi-lite? Its for our 4yr old who will be being backed and broken shortly. Any comments on these ones? Unfortunately finances don't stretch to leather.

[ShariN]

Have you looked into Wintec saddles also?

[Pink's lady]

What sort of width (i.e narrow, flat backed etc) is the pony? Certain saddles aren't a good fit ofr certain shapes

[Travis's Mum]

He's Extra Wide(and quite flatbacked).

[Pink's lady]

In which case a Wintec 500 won't fit. They are too curved for a flat-backed pony and some (not so great) saddlers fit a narrower gullet to make the balance right :( However a Wintec Wide might be a good fit - they're much better designed and often give a nice fit. They also have shorter panels but a reasonable size seat, desinged for bigger riders on short backed cobs.

Otherwise a Thorowgood Pony saddle might be a good fit. They're well designed for wide, flat ponies.

Status and Shire saddles, from what I've seen of them, don't go very wide, have very narrow gullets and the workmanship isn't as good.

Definintly have a try with both Wintec wide and Thorowgood cob - they have different fits so one won't be suitable. If moneys an issue I'd get a saddler out with the two to see whats the best fit, but them buy off the internet. Ebay has some cheap 2nd hand ones - tree's are difficult to break and warp in these saddles.

[cvb]

Our Eriskay has the Thorowgood Griffin Pony Club - which has the fish thing. Its synthetic and seems to do the trick... has been used by little boys and my mother with equal success (tho different stirrups). Mum uses webbers on hers - when we first got it it was very "sticky out" (its mega wide) so it seemed best to reduce the bulk where possible.

[Travis's Mum]

Pink's Lady - you don't kno any good saddlers in Scotland(I am 45 mins outside Edinburgh and 45 outside Glasgow) as I was thinking of what you had said? Im going to stay clear of the Shires one as I had heard this about them yesterday.

[cvb]

travis's mum

stirlingshire make their own and do a "native" saddle. Happy Highlande could comment on them from personal experience. There's also a saddle fitter in Bridge of Earn, but I think he adjusts, repairs etc rather than selling.

There are some people on the master saddlers fitters list - if you can find it on their website.

[Pink Pony]

I have a 12.2hh Welsh Sec C who has been a brood mare for most of her 10 years. Her back is very broad. Alas, I too did not have enough pennies in the pot for a leather saddle and I ended up buying a Thorowgood Maxam with fish inserts. It is extra wide and fits her really well. It hasn't slipped and I am impressed with the quality. (Many, many years ago I had a Thorowgood saddle when they first came out and was not impressed with it at all - so much so that it almost stopped me from buying the Maxam I have now - I'm glad I bought it)