adults riding ponies/small horses

[SarahRicoh]

I am 5ft5/5ft6 & about 9 1/2 stone and my boy is 14.3hh. However hes very very short coupled so saddle has to be small.. Need to measure it but im guessing at 16"..

How do you go about finding a saddle to fit you both? As i feel like i barely fit in the saddle & i dont want it to hurt his back... Cant really go longer as wouldnt suit his back...

Is there a way round it?

 

[zaminda]

Forward cut flaps help. My friend would dearly like a normal saddle for his very short coupled arab, but has ended up staying in a racing saddle (full tree) as this seems to be the only thing that fits them both. Depending on budget, you can get a wow with shorter panels and longer seat too! Mercifully even though my mare is only a 15" I'm so tiny it fits us both!

 

[Spotsrock]

Forward but flaps but where ur pony has big shoulders that can be uncomfortable for pony. I've got round that with an albion selecta. Straight cut underneath but u choose the flap to suit u

 

[dilbert]

Square candles also give more bum room.

 

[kippen64]

Flatter saddles are roomier. With really deep dressage saddles, I need them at least an inch bigger for bottom comfort but then they wouldn't fit my pony. Luckily I really do prefer the flatter saddles.

 

[SarahRicoh]

Thanks guys.
We are mostly going to sj/xc so il prob get a forward cut saddle.
Good tips on flatter seat/square cantle thanks

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Suede-y type seat panel also helps you stay in the saddle and not slide towards the back )

 

[SarahRicoh]

Thankyou

 

[whirlwind]

My 13.2hh has an ideal wh saddle which seems to suit us both. I'm about 9 stone and we have a 16 1/2 inch saddle. Flat seat which gives me a bit more room, straight cut so it doesn't block her shoulders. This also means i can rack my stirrups up if i want without it being uncomfy. We mostly do showing/ dressage/ workers though, rarely showjump so this probably makes a difference. I do find it very comfy for hacking though.

 

[varkie]

I'm 5'3", and my pony is 13.2hh, and we're getting a 16.5" WH Native Pony Company Saddle. I've previously had to have a 17" on my old mare (14.3hh and short backed) because I needed it, and she could cope with it. But I found this make, I can fit comfortably into a 16.5", and it's fine for size on him too.

I'd suggest trying different makes & sizes, and seeing what fits you & him.

 

[SarahRicoh]

Thnks guys

 

[Tuffles 23]

Hi i hack my son's 13.3 in a barnsby 16 1/2 and find it very nice

 

[M_G]

Have the saddle made with 16.5 panels (for horse) but with 17 seat (for rider) that's what I and many others over the years have done

 

[Swift00]

I'm 5'3" and ride a welsh 13.3hh in a 17" wintec wide, used to have him in a 17.5" wintec close contact, and it fitted him fine, good luck finding one

 

[SarahRicoh]

Going to have to do a lot of trying!!