Warning this is long
Having returned last saddle and got a refund of the saddle fitter, I was slightly disparing of finding a saddle that fitted my Fell mare for trec and showing. Having researched on the web, chatted to various people including the lovely ladies at Moody Mare in Hebden Bridge and discussed fitting on forums such as this one I was convinced what I needed was a pretty flat half panel saddle, with an A or V shape gullet not hoop tree and ideally with v dressage girth straps. Somewhat different from the long flat hooped tree saddle people seem to think would suit my fell but invariable shot up her neck and the Bates saddle I loved but has caused a lot of damage.
To cut a long story short having looked on ebay and pre loved I spoted a second hand Walsall made Classic Saddle, it was described as ideal for a difficult to fit flat back native type and being sold as a working hunter come gp come endurance saddle.Really nice in two tone lighter havvanah buffalo leather flaps and dark havanah seat and knee rolls. its nice enough to show in . I thought what the heck its a sensible price not dirt cheap but worth the risk as I could sell it on if it didn't fit. Well blow me if the saddle turned up and I thought 'no chance' took it up the stable and it blooming well fits! Not only does it fit but in the space of three sessions in it pony no longer runs to the back of the stable to hide when she sees me with a saddle. Speaks volumes doesn't it.
It is an odd looking saddle as underneath it has a v gullet with points that are the same angle as ponys shoulders, flat half panels that sit neatly on ponys back, and the rigging is almost like a western with one strap at the front and one right at the back. The top however is like a dressage saddle with quite a high pommel and cantle.
Its the most comfortable saddle I have rode in for a very long time so no back ache after an hour up and down steep tracks today. The saddle didn't move one either side to side or forward . When I got of no swirls of hair under the points or stirrup bars which was happening all the time with my Bates and according to the saddle fitter was due to my riding....Just a nice even panel mark no depressed areas and no puffing up.
The only thing I can fault it on is that it has no knee rolls just an odd pencil thing at the front on the flap but you cant have everything can you and as I don't need them for grip on shandy (I needed a parachute and set belt when my old horse was her age) it doesn't really matter!
So pleased as I was getting to point of despair.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lS9oninZ-To" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Having returned last saddle and got a refund of the saddle fitter, I was slightly disparing of finding a saddle that fitted my Fell mare for trec and showing. Having researched on the web, chatted to various people including the lovely ladies at Moody Mare in Hebden Bridge and discussed fitting on forums such as this one I was convinced what I needed was a pretty flat half panel saddle, with an A or V shape gullet not hoop tree and ideally with v dressage girth straps. Somewhat different from the long flat hooped tree saddle people seem to think would suit my fell but invariable shot up her neck and the Bates saddle I loved but has caused a lot of damage.
To cut a long story short having looked on ebay and pre loved I spoted a second hand Walsall made Classic Saddle, it was described as ideal for a difficult to fit flat back native type and being sold as a working hunter come gp come endurance saddle.Really nice in two tone lighter havvanah buffalo leather flaps and dark havanah seat and knee rolls. its nice enough to show in . I thought what the heck its a sensible price not dirt cheap but worth the risk as I could sell it on if it didn't fit. Well blow me if the saddle turned up and I thought 'no chance' took it up the stable and it blooming well fits! Not only does it fit but in the space of three sessions in it pony no longer runs to the back of the stable to hide when she sees me with a saddle. Speaks volumes doesn't it.
It is an odd looking saddle as underneath it has a v gullet with points that are the same angle as ponys shoulders, flat half panels that sit neatly on ponys back, and the rigging is almost like a western with one strap at the front and one right at the back. The top however is like a dressage saddle with quite a high pommel and cantle.
Its the most comfortable saddle I have rode in for a very long time so no back ache after an hour up and down steep tracks today. The saddle didn't move one either side to side or forward . When I got of no swirls of hair under the points or stirrup bars which was happening all the time with my Bates and according to the saddle fitter was due to my riding....Just a nice even panel mark no depressed areas and no puffing up.
The only thing I can fault it on is that it has no knee rolls just an odd pencil thing at the front on the flap but you cant have everything can you and as I don't need them for grip on shandy (I needed a parachute and set belt when my old horse was her age) it doesn't really matter!
So pleased as I was getting to point of despair.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lS9oninZ-To" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>