Advice on saddle for Connemara

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angie3

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Hi

I have a 7 year old 14.1 Connemara who is flat backed and short coupled, the saddle I have for him is a Lovatt and Rickets straight cut 17in which fits him ok but is high on the withers and makes me feel perched on top! Just need a saddle that makes me feel connected to the horse and if possible a bit lighter in weight. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you!
 
Connies tend to need super flat trees but not too wide across the top (seat, twist, pommel) even if they need an XW or XXW fitting. An upswept panel works on croup high shapes and can work on flatter backs, useful if you need a shorter footprint. Look for low profile panels that sit flat across the back keeping you close to the horse, so many of even the "cob" saddles sit high and disconnect you from the horse.
 
sbloom said:
Connies tend to need super flat trees but not too wide across the top (seat, twist, pommel) even if they need an XW or XXW fitting. An upswept panel works on croup high shapes and can work on flatter backs, useful if you need a shorter footprint. Look for low profile panels that sit flat across the back keeping you close to the horse, so many of even the "cob" saddles sit high and disconnect you from the horse.
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I disagree. Traditional connies are wide across the back hence getting something with an adjustable gullet only does not work because the middle of the tree just isn't wide enough. I am actually getting a new saddle; Ideal H&C. Regarding sitting closer, you want the panels flocked flatter and softer not overflocked which sits you too high up. I wouldn't say 17" on a 14.1hh (if that is the correct size) is short backed. My 14.1hh is in a 16.5" as he is short backed and croup high.
 
after a few years of nightmares with saddles for my wide arab, I've gone for a solution saddle native, which should at least adapt with him, as he changes shape.
 
CBAnglo said:
I disagree. Traditional connies are wide across the back hence getting something with an adjustable gullet only does not work because the middle of the tree just isn't wide enough. I am actually getting a new saddle; Ideal H&C. Regarding sitting closer, you want the panels flocked flatter and softer not overflocked which sits you too high up. I wouldn't say 17" on a 14.1hh (if that is the correct size) is short backed. My 14.1hh is in a 16.5" as he is short backed and croup high.
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I fit mainly cobs and natives, some need super wide twists and seats, most do not. There is more to it than width of twist, the angle of the rails in all dimensions is important and where synthetic trees tend to fall down. I stick by my assessment that flatness of the rails and tree overall is the most important factor, on average. Less to cause a pivot point.

Going too wide (tree angle, pommel, twist or seat) causes instability in itself in some cases. It also can make our job as a rider tough if the twist is too wide, it pushes the inside thigh away from the horse and can make our leg position unstable. We carry three trees in our standard saddles which suit different shapes of natives and only one is a true hoop tree with very wide twist, and on anything without a very wide well sprung ribcage it will cause this issue.

Low profile panels are made that way in shape to begin with but can be overflocked of course, flocking is a big part of it, but if the panel is too big and squishy in the way it is made then deflocking it isn't going to help. I've seen these cob saddles very lightly flocked through the middle and they still sit you an inch further off the horse than anything I would fit.
 
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sbloom said:
I fit mainly cobs and natives, some need super wide twists and seats, most do not. There is more to it than width of twist, the angle of the rails in all dimensions is important and where synthetic trees tend to fall down. I stick by my assessment that flatness of the rails and tree overall is the most important factor, on average. Less to cause a pivot point.

Going too wide (tree angle, pommel, twist or seat) causes instability in itself in some cases. It also can make our job as a rider tough if the twist is too wide, it pushes the inside thigh away from the horse and can make our leg position unstable. We carry three trees in our standard saddles which suit different shapes of natives and only one is a true hoop tree with very wide twist, and on anything without a very wide well sprung ribcage it will cause this issue.

Low profile panels are made that way in shape to begin with but can be overflocked of course, flocking is a big part of it, but if the panel is too big and squishy in the way it is made then deflocking it isn't going to help. I've seen these cob saddles very lightly flocked through the middle and they still sit you an inch further off the horse than anything I would fit.
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You are mixing the requirements of the horse and the rider. I am intrigued however about your comments about how a saddle makes the leg unstable. What horses/ponies do you have and what saddles are they ridden in?
 
Apache Warlord said:
after a few years of nightmares with saddles for my wide arab, I've gone for a solution saddle native, which should at least adapt with him, as he changes shape.
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This is what I have for my cob X Anglo Arab. I've never felt the horse move under me like that before, I love it. So secure as well. I've done dressage, sj, xc, trec stuff, hacking ... All in my solution native GP.
 
I too have a 14.1 Connie flat backed I have 16.5inch The Saddle company which can be adjusted. Its a working hunter and close contact. Also have same make as a breaking saddle and I just love riding in this saddle was a best buy ever at a table top tack sale I had to contain my excitement to do the deal :)
 
conniegirl said:
I loved my Farrington wh saddle for my connie
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I have a Farringdon Henley for my 14.3 connie, made to order from a template produced by a saddle fitter. He advised this very traditional saddle would fit..and he was right. He doesn't sell saddles so had no axe to grind and we did try others first. I'm delighted with it.
 
Saddle exchange have a video on YouTube that talks about connies and their make up. Might be worth a look! I have both native pony and a comfort saddle back from the ok'd says when I was one company and they work well on my highlands.
 
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