Anyone with an Arab?

tammyisback

tammyisback

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On speaking to a saddle fitter yesterday he told me it's very difficult to find a saddle to fit an Arab. I have a two year old Arab and I was just wondering what type of saddle all the Arab owners out there use to fit their beautiful beasties?
 
ERR?? i have had a few arabs (not anymore)- my mum now owns several and breeds them and ive never heard that in my life!
I had a dressage saddle and a gp saddle for my last arab fitted by 2 different saddlers and it never was even mentioned.
 
There can be issues if they are very short backed. And they can sometimes be quite thin skinned and prone to sores if things aren't totally right.

I have an ancient but comfy GP for my old Arab with which my (very traditional) sharer uses and also a Torsion, which I use.

All the arabs in endurance seem to manage OK though!

My arab has been my best friend for the last 19 years.

Good luck with your youngster - lucky gal!
 
Ah, she is very exceptionally short in the back at the mo, but i'm hoping she'll grow into herself. She is my baby anyway, and I will make sure everything is just right for her.
 
I was lucky - my arab has a long back!

Strangely it is my Ardennes x that is very short backed.

I can recommend Arabian Lines for specialist arab info.
 
I've got an Arabian Saddle Company 'Showring' for my boy. The trees are adjustable too so a big bonus.

The Fylde Hayden and Marjorie saddles tend to fit them well too.

This is a Hayden on my boy

DennisLookingRight.jpg
 
Twaddle.

Look for another saddle fitter? I would be.

Arabs are often short and wide, but then so are many cobs, and quarter horses too, so heaven help your saddle fitter if he was ever faced with a QH or a cob.

I used a 16" wintec close contact on my arabs for years, they fitted just fine and I never had a problem. Nice saddle Perissa.:)

English style saddles are much less of a problem than if you wanted to use a western saddle, then you'd have to pick and choose very carefully.
 
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My girl is part-bred Arab, although you wouldnt think it to look at her (most people opt for TB!). When I had her last saddle fitted, the saddler asked me what breed she was. I replied that she was p.b Arab, and the saddler looked puzzled at first. After a few minutes of examining Elz closely, she gave me a knowing smile and said 'Found it!' I was a bit confused, but it turns out Ellie has an 'Arab shoulder' - AKA very hard to fit! She's a dainty little thing to look at and to sit on, but both her saddles are Wide fitting...

The only off the peg saddle I have ever managed to get to fit her is a Thorowgood Warmblood dressage saddle. Every other saddle has been custom made - my current one (which I love) is a Classic Saddlery Bavarian. Well worth a look if you can find a stockist!
 
I never had trouble fitting saddles for my arabs. I found the albion saddles were brilliant for my horse and me! Had an old style legend dressage saddle med wide.

As said previously in other posts, the arabian saddle company are good too.

Get a new saddler! Or go to saddles direct and try a few of theirs and fit yourself. Thats what I did and never had any problems.

Good luck! x
 
I use a free'n'easy on my Arab but she has never been a problem to fit. I have heard saddlers saying they can be a nightmare some lack withers and have their girth groove right behind their elbow :s depends on the bloodline really. Not sure you can really tell at 2 but I wouldn't worry, you'll get something to fit :)
 
I've had a nightmare with my mare, but I do think that is down to her rather than her breed. She was a broodmare before I bought her and so developed what I like to call a 'mummy tummy' and has very narrow shoulders, so we have a lot of trouble with saddles just whizzing over her head. I've tried assorted saddles, including a WOW and a Fhoenix, but have actually found that a good old wintec suits her best.
 
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