Backing a Youngster - What Saddle?

3Beasties

3Beasties

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 September 2008
Messages
15,574
Visit site
OK, this probably seems like a silly question but when backing a youngster what saddle do you use?

I am hoping to back my youngster in the summer and am trying to plan ahead, obviously she is going to change shape during the backing process and after being lightly ridden she will be turned away again to mature so I don't want to spend a fortune on a saddle that won't get much use.


Am I best looking for a 2nd hand one? A normal gullet or changeable gullet?

What did you use on your youngster?
 
With Puz, we are going to use one of our other horses saddles which is a bit knackered but will broadly be the right size. You're basically looking for something v light, quite unobtrusive, broadly fits the youngster and has a good seat for you. That may be a saddle you already have hold of, if not, beg/borrow from friends or buy a second hand.

However, if we didnt have a saddle option, we would get the saddler out to fit her a basic GP with some form of adjustability. If you take super good care of it you could always sell it on if it stopped fitting completely.
 
You need to fit the first saddle as carefully as you fit the saddles for the rest of her life. if you don't then to be honest you are setting her up for problems for the rest of her life. Get a decent fitter out, get a lightweight saddle - I personally go with a Saddle Company saddle as they can be adjusted as frequently as she needs and it is light weight with a serge underside. The fit to your filly is far far far more important than the comfort of you. You can get off - your filly cannot. Also they can be bought second hand as long as they are the right style and length and can be adjusted as she changes and then used once she has finished growing.
 
Mine will be wearing one I already have assuming I have something which is a suitable fit. Once she comes back into work from being turned away she will be fitted properly by the saddler. Probably with something adjustable if can find one I like.

That's just me though. If I can't find anything I am happy with I will try and get a second hand synthetic for her as they are nice and light, often adjustable and I won't be too sad if it gets a bit abused.
 
we just chuck one of our plastic saddles on for backing, and getting them going forward in walk and trot. we tend to turn them away for bit until theyre four*and wont grow too much more). we then either find a saddle they can share if theyre the same size, or buy another saddle.
 
I've bought a Thorowgood Maxam on ebay for £40, it'll be too short for me (16.5"), but will be just perfect for getting Ellie who is about 14hh, and Tinner in a couple of years, used to the feel of a saddle, girth, stirrups etc. Ellie's back is like a table, and she has no wither at all, so I expect she will be hell to fit! It may even be that it never gets sat on, she may still go away to be backed.
 
jesstickle said:
Mine will be wearing one I already have assuming I have something which is a suitable fit. Once she comes back into work from being turned away she will be fitted properly by the saddler. Probably with something adjustable if can find one I like.

That's just me though. If I can't find anything I am happy with I will try and get a second hand synthetic for her as they are nice and light, often adjustable and I won't be too sad if it gets a bit abused.
Click to expand...

Agree but we've got a saddle company saddle on our yard, yes it's light but it is sooooo uncomfortable! We draw short straws for who's riding in it!!! No way would I fancy trying to sit youngster behaviour in it!! lol!!! I agree about a light weight saddle, I'm going to beg/borrow or buy a wintec or thorowgood synthetic type saddle, or use my mares bates dressage (but would prefer a more forward cut saddle initially!)
 
I brought a Thorowgood T6 GP (the 3D version, with adjustable headplate) as my baby's first saddle. Fitter came out to fit it initially and it's been fitted and adjusted again since and still fits her wonderfully. It's synthetic so it's fairly light and is really comfortable to ride in. Thankfully we've had no real issues but it's secure enough to sit through the typical youngster moments! Look on e-bay if you're thinking of going down this route, i got mine almost brand new (less than 6 months old, it looked immaculate and ad said only used a few times) for £250,a bargain in my book! :D
 
When I was backing some little ponies we had an old tatty saddle that literally fit everything. It was comfortable for the pony but for the rider it felt like you were sat on a plank. You don't want anything to smart in case they decide to let off some steam wearing it and possibly breaking it
 
Saddler suggested for me to get the Thorowgood T4 cob for my youngster this summer so can change it to fit her as she is growing then get a nice saddle to show her in when she turns 4.
 
Old tatty saddle, fitted by a good saddle fitter if you aren't 100% sure you can fit it properly yourself.
 
Planning on initially backing mine in my old girls barefoot treeless, as it's lightweight and flexible, not sure about sitting to bucks in it though!

Then as soon as he's used to a rider will get him fitted for a "proper" saddle. I've also got my eye on a thorowgood or wintec, he's going to be wide and flat backed so probably a pain to fit.
 
I backed mine at the end of 2009 in a Torsion treeless bought on ebay. I'm still using it now as although she's turned 5, she's still changing shape constantly.
I will get her a different saddle later on this year.
 
We back ours in a Wintec adjustable. They are lightweight, give the rider enough support and are cheap enough not to worry about.
 
I use a wintec 500 GP with adjustable gullet. I had a saddle fitter out to check it to be sure as i believe you make things 10 times more difficult for yourself it you have an ill fitting saddle and they will remember the pain for ever. they are nice enough to ride in and give good holding ability for the rider, can be adjusted if needbe and light and comfortable enough for the horse.
 
wintec 2000 saddle. got second hand one for £150. it put me in a really good postion and was really comfortable and can change gullet really easy.
Love the thorowgood T6 too but they are more expensive.
 
a very cheap and cheerful one! :) there is no point at all in buying a new one as if he decides he wants to chuck himself about or whatever it will ruin it. we bought a very very cheap one from a horse sales a few years back for £10 :) and backed 3 horses with it. and we plan to use it on my filly next year. it has holes in it and rips but it is all there and just about usable lol
once broken and he is used to a saddle then i would recommend one with a changing gullet. but always get it fitted never do it yourself xx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top