AM I TOO BIG FOR MY 14.2 8 YEAR OLD COB HORSE

[ApacheWarrior1]

I know this is a never-ending subject but I am so frustrated at buying saddle after saddle, trying to find something that fits....or rather should I clarify and say theres lots of saddles would potentially fit him, but none that fit both him and I..... if I get fitters out I get varying responses from "he's fine in a 17" - to "you can't see or feel his ribs so just guess where the last rib is" or "don't ever ride him again you're too big for him". He is a chunky coloured cob 14.2, young and fit and I am 5'6 , weigh 10.5 stone and have long legs to contend with. Selling him is not an option, nor is having my legs shortened..... help please. Will try and attach a photo.

 

[brighteyes]

*opens popcorn*

 

[brighteyes]

Son's g/f tried a 15.1 slim but otherwise native-type Irish pony/horse. She is 5'4" or maybe 5'5" and has to ride long due to knee issues. The pony was very short-coupled, barely 16 1/2" saddle-wise so her C of G was all wrong on it, and also she needs a 17" seat...

 

[conniegirl]

In theory a 10.5stone 5ft 6 rider should be fine on a 14.2hh cob.

However you do need to slim him off enough to find his last rib, find out the biggest saddle he can take and then find a saddle that fits both you AND him.

 

[splashgirl45]

you look like a good fit for him, what is the problem with the saddle

 

[Lipglosspukka]

Of course you aren't.

 

[Red-1]

I was 11st when I bought mine, he is a 15.1 cob. He isn't the widest, is older, was unfit, and has dieted further... and I did feel too big on him.

I am now 9 1/2 st, still 5'7, but feel a lot better.

You look fine on yours.

Mine is in a saddle that is just over the last rib, I was set to change it. The saddler and physio, however, say he is fine with it. The saddle seat is in front of the back panel, so not as if I am pinching onto it. He is a little sway backed, so had loads of padding to raise the back to keep me level so I can ride in a balanced fashion.

He is happy to be saddled, happy to be girthed, happy to be counted and messed with, is gaining muscle and his back is becoming less swayed (slowly) so I think I am satisfied for now. If he started to show any signs of discomfort I would change the saddle immediately. I guess I *could* lose up to another half stone, but think that is unnecessary atm.

 

[CPayne]

You can get saddles with shorter panels. Wow saddles can have a larger seat, to allow more room from hip to knee, on a shorter panel for a short backed horse.

 

[Tarragon]

I also don't think that you are too big for him. As you say, the issue is finding a saddle that fits you both! There will be one out there somewhere.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Your not too big for him AH saddles do upswept panels so they sit shorter on the back might be worth a try.

 

[SpeedyPony]

You're not too big at all, but finding a saddle might be a bit more trouble if you're long in the leg.
I'm 5'7" on a 14.1, and have gone down the custom route, as finding a saddle that fitted both of us was getting pretty stressful! I ride long as well though, which helps.

 

[Scotsbadboy]

I dont think you are too big for him on paper but if you cant fit in a saddle thats the size that he needs (which is obvious in the photos) then i say yes, you are too big for him.

 

[webble]

Would you be comfortable dropping your stirrups a hole or two?

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I was 11st when I bought mine, he is a 15.1 cob. He isn't the widest, is older, was unfit, and has dieted further... and I did feel too big on him.

I am now 9 1/2 st, still 5'7, but feel a lot better.

Wow, well done, what did you do to lose the weight?

 

[Leandy]

No you are fine on him. It is the saddler's job to find a saddle to fit you both, not yours to change shape!! I'm sure it is not beyond the wit of man to get you both comfortable.

 

[Rowreach]

Have you thought about trying a Solutions saddle? It would fit you and him and you can alter the fit as he changes shape.

 

[Red-1]

Wow, well done, what did you do to lose the weight?

Noom. I did a thread on it. It has been amazing!

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/anyone-use-noom.792819/

 

[L&M]

i am 5ft 6, 11 stone and ride a 15hh cob lighter of bone than yours and no issues whatsoever, so in answer to your question 'NO'!

Try different saddlers or maybe consider a custom made?

 

[marmalade88]

What type of saddle are you looking for GP, jump, dressage, bareback pad, showing? That might help with responses. You look absolutely fine on him!

 

[w1bbler]

Kent & masters do a pony long leg saddle may help?

 

[windand rain]

No you are not too big if you cannot easily find his last rib he needs to lose weight. He looks fine in that saddle length wise but you stirrups are a tiny bit short pushing your legs up and your bum back. It could be the stirrup bars are too far forward

 

[Zuzan]

I know this is a never-ending subject but I am so frustrated at buying saddle after saddle, trying to find something that fits.....

You look fine on him..

Re the saddle issue there are some saddles that have panels that can be changed.. mine has velcro on panels that allow shorter and wider panels which can be fitted onto a larger seat... Mine is a Hidalgo Dressage with a leather tree. The fitter who fitted it now does another make that works on the same principle HT saddles..

 

[Lois Lame]

No, you are not too big.

Good point about the stirrup bars, windand rain. The saddle does look thoroughly unsuitable for you, OP.

I like the older style of saddles much better than the current ones which are so hard to fit anything. I don't buy all this hype about spreading the load over the horse's back. I once did wonder, decades ago, why 'English' saddles didn't do what American western saddles did, but when the style all changed a dacade or three ago, I was not impressed.

 

[Dippy&Pops]

My pony is 14.1 and I am around 5ft2 but needed a 17 inch seat to feel comfortable. He is now in a 17 inch arena cob saddle which was shorter on his back than some of the 16.5 inch saddles the saddler brought with her so saddles that fit will be out there! I did have to compromise on my price range but am really glad I didn't settle for something that wasn't great for both of us.

 

[Pedantic]

20% rule, how about a treeless saddle

 

[marmalade76]

No, you are not too big. Try AH Saddles, they specialise in this sort of thing and their saddles are beautiful. In the last few years I've personally found that show/working hunter saddles work well on this type of horse, they sit nicely behind the shoulder so are less likely to slip about and tend to be low profile and compact and if you're worried about them not being secure, get a suede/part suede one. I've found they make a better GP than a GP, I hunt, jump and do flat work quite comfortably in mine.

 

[Squeak]

I always think that if Tiger Roll, a 15.2 thoroughbred, can win the national carrying 11.5st and point to pointers can carry 12.5st then 10.5st to a 14.2 cob should be very doable weight wise.

 

[huskydamage]

I am pretty much the same size as you I have a 14hh spindly pony and a 15.2 angloarab. The pony has carried me many years with no problem, having said that I am much more comfortable on my horse (joint-wise) and weirdly rode my friends 14.2 cob and it felt so small I felt like I could pull it over on the floor if I didnt balance right! I guess I am just so used to my pony. You might have to accept you will not get the perfect size saddle/perfect position for you and your pony and people will probably always make bitchy comments. My saddle on my pony is a weird size and I sit in a weird position which has probably not helped my dodgy knees. She has carried me around 19 years and is in good health for her age, so I don't think its done her any harm.

 

[ApacheWarrior1]

You look fine on him..

Re the saddle issue there are some saddles that have panels that can be changed.. mine has velcro on panels that allow shorter and wider panels which can be fitted onto a larger seat... Mine is a Hidalgo Dressage with a leather tree. The fitter who fitted it now does another make that works on the same principle HT saddles..

 

[ApacheWarrior1]

you look like a good fit for him, what is the problem with the saddle

I am just not convinced it isnt beyond his last rib and he is too porky to find a rib. he lived out naked all of last winter and still never dropped any weight.