Saddles for wide, flat backed horses?

Okay, there is width and there is tree shape. Duett saddles are wide, they do come from the UK but have no outlets here as far as I know, but they are curved. Most of the synthetic Wide or cob trees fall into the same category, will work for some cobs etc but by no means all, and are very different to the way I fit (more close contact which means more feel for many riders). Hoop trees suit big cobs, some big HIghlands, section Ds, but they are overkill for many natives. A lot of general fitters see an XW New Forest for example and think "hoop tree" but no matter how mutton the withers the skeleton needs a neater tree for stability.

I have fitted for Andrea Hicks for 6 years (Native Pony Saddle Company, then Native Pony & Cob Saddles, then AH Saddles Ltd, all due to a relationship and business split, I can only apologise about the confusion), I specialise in fitting wide flat horses, happy to help! And our saddles come in a bit cheaper than the competition suitable treeless saddles and are arguably nicer quality. They are, as all wooden treed saddles, slightly adjustable and we are happy to alter them, on site, up to two widths wider and up to one narrower, over 3-5 adjustments total. Changeable headplate saddles by definition come on synthetic trees which are just not as flat or as instrinsically stable as wooden laminate.
 
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First Highland is loaned to us by daughter of a well known retail saddler and had saddle purpose made for him by Ideal, apparently the test saddle for their H&C model, this has short wide flat panels, long 'working hunter' style flaps and a lengthened wide seat and narrowed twist .When we origionally loaned our second Highland she came with a saddle that also turned out to be an Ideal H&C but neither fitted her nor sat the rider well. Highland 1' s saddle however fits her like a glove and sits all riders from small teens to larger ladies well and is good to jump in as well. Unfortunately being a RS we cannot afford leather mtm saddles for all, just wish a manufacturer like Thorowgood would get interested in saddles for cobs with flat extended seats for the real adults that ride them. I don't think treeless are an option for us.

sbloom when you say hoop tree do you mean like the old cavalry saddles? If so they are not good for jumping but otherwise univeral fit!!
 
eml said:
sbloom when you say hoop tree do you mean like the old cavalry saddles? If so they are not good for jumping but otherwise univeral fit!!
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No, a regular English style tree, military trees tend to be more like western trees. This shows one of our saddles built on our hoop tree, note the width of the pommel (also usually has a wide twist and seat as this saddle does, as you gather from my comments not many are as flat as this):

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=806729259403276
 
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sbloom said:
No, a regular English style tree, military trees tend to be more like western trees. This shows one of our saddles built on our hoop tree, note the width of the pommel (also usually has a wide twist and seat as this saddle does, as you gather from my comments not many are as flat as this):

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=806729259403276
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Is the super cob gp as flat as that?! Wow, I actually think that might just fit Dulce with those panels being so flat!
 
When I first mount I think "oof" but after 5 minutes I don't really notice. It was, however, a delight to ride narrower Jack this arvo!!!
 
ponylover88 said:
Is the super cob gp as flat as that?! Wow, I actually think that might just fit Dulce with those panels being so flat!
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Yes, same tree, and we are developing dressage and jump models on the same tree. I've not come across a horse that is flatter than this tree!

domane said:
That saddle still doesn't look wide enough for Albi......
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We find that most narrow headed wide saddles like the Wintec wide end up fitted technically too wide in order to balance the saddle, and we usually fit a little narrower, the wide pommel means the saddle sits down more. Also, that is the standard width we order them in and the narrowest that tree will go pretty much, it will widen at least two sizes, if not three (ie to a 9 fit) but the widest I find horses really are in the flesh is a 7 fit. If you girth the saddle up firmly the points should look totally parallel to the horse's side, most very wide horses end up with the points "winging" off the horse, and the back of the saddle should not lift at all in rising trot.
 
Still looking :( tried a heather moffett flexee which slid forwards. I'm even prepared to pay extra for a new saddle now, as I can't do anything with her til I find something to fit...
 
I have a Sensation on my girl, saddles have a tendency to slide forwards on her. Have you looked at Ansurs/Solutions? I think you can trial them and possibly be able to get one secondhand if it works :)
 
My Solution rode like a treed, I just need to scoop myself the Freestyle version to try. There is a Native currently on EBay though.

PL88 maybe getting a saddle made is the way forward, my saddle was made to order.
 
Making to order carries more risk, you are reliant on the good customer services of the company you buy from to get any kind of refund. Buying from stock is much less risky, if you buy away from the trader's premises you legally are entitled to a 7 day trial, and if the fitter doesn't tell you that I believe they are breaking the law (distance trading or similar). I am happy to look at photos (conformation shot and back of withers) to advise on whether a used NP/AH saddle might work.
 
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