Barefoot saddles - London vs. Wellington

[Marilyn91]

Hello,

My Connemara pony mare is very sensitive and shortbacked. We have tried three saddles so far (2 Wintecs and a Prestige) and didn't get on with them. I'm a size 6-8 but it's still proving tough to find an adults saddle to fit her - 17" already looks too big to me and the chiropractor spotted some issues with her back. So I'm considering trying a treeless saddle. I love the Barefoot ride on pad so I'm thinking of getting one of their saddles as well.

Any thoughts on the Barefoot London vs Wellington? I'm looking for a dressage saddle with quite a secure seat that will help me achieve the right position. My horse is young and quite spooky so knee rolls and a deep seat are a must. The Wellington looks more stable to me but it's hard to tell from pictures alone. Has anyone tried either of these saddles (or both?!) and could share their experience? I've researched online but I'm not sure of the difference between them, other than appearance

I've seen a second hand London for €350 and Wellington for €900, both including the physio pad. So I'm wondering whether to try out the London or invest in the Wellington.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[w1bbler]

No experience of the saddles you are talking about, but I'd recommend AH saddles for a well fitting dressage saddle for a conny. They specialise in fitting natives.

 

[sbloom]

Neither Wintecs nor Prestige would have the right tree shapes for most Connies, I can't help on the treeless question but I fit for AH and can answer any questions you may have.

 

[Marilyn91]

Neither Wintecs nor Prestige would have the right tree shapes for most Connies, I can't help on the treeless question but I fit for AH and can answer any questions you may have.

That's really helpful, thanks! Can you elaborate on why Wintec and Prestige aren't ideal for most Connies? My mare is wide and short-backed, so I guess fairly typical. Are there any brands you particularly recommend or things to look out for?

 

[Marilyn91]

No experience of the saddles you are talking about, but I'd recommend AH saddles for a well fitting dressage saddle for a conny. They specialise in fitting natives.

Unfortunately I live abroad but finding the right saddle has proven to be so difficult I would almost consider flying someone over

 

[sbloom]

Unfortunately I live abroad but finding the right saddle has proven to be so difficult I would almost consider flying someone over

You need a flat, wide tree, neither have them. Here's a flat wide tree:

https://www.facebook.com/stephaniebloom.saddlefitter/photos/746607938721139

and here is a blog post about tree shapes for flat backs, you should be able to see how different the seat shapes look (and that is only a small aspect of tree shape, the rails that run font to back are critical but can't really be analysed much in a saddle, certainly not by the layman) to anything you've tried:

https://stephaniebloomsaddlefitter....election-part-2-horses-with-low-or-no-withers

 

[CMcC]

If you are size 6-8 and pony is shortbacked no way do you want a 17” saddle. I would have thought a 16 or 16.5 would be a better fir for both of you.

 

[Marilyn91]

If you are size 6-8 and pony is shortbacked no way do you want a 17” saddle. I would have thought a 16 or 16.5 would be a better fir for both of you.

17" did feel too big for me. I spoke to a saddler on the phone and he said unless I'm a very small size 6 (I'm more of an 8 than a 6) then I need to either put her in a 17" saddle or buy a new horse, lol. He said anything below 17" was a child's saddle.

 

[sbloom]

If you are size 6-8 and pony is shortbacked no way do you want a 17” saddle. I would have thought a 16 or 16.5 would be a better fir for both of you.

Unless she's a US 6-8, but even then as you say not all Connies can take a 17", but then not all 17" saddles have the same footprint...most can take a 16.5" but some would be 16". Height is a factor too, the flaps on most 16" are small, so tall riders or long legs can be a challenge.

 

[Marilyn91]

You need a flat, wide tree, neither have them. Here's a flat wide tree:

https://www.facebook.com/stephaniebloom.saddlefitter/photos/746607938721139

and here is a blog post about tree shapes for flat backs, you should be able to see how different the seat shapes look (and that is only a small aspect of tree shape, the rails that run font to back are critical but can't really be analysed much in a saddle, certainly not by the layman) to anything you've tried:

https://stephaniebloomsaddlefitter....election-part-2-horses-with-low-or-no-withers

Thanks, this is really helpful!

 

[sbloom]

17" did feel too big for me. I spoke to a saddler on the phone and he said unless I'm a very small size 6 (I'm more of an 8 than a 6) then I need to either put her in a 17" saddle or buy a new horse, lol. He said anything below 17" was a child's saddle.

FFS, some regular saddle fitters are so unhelpful, it depend on the company. I fit more 16.5" than any other size, it's just that most brands and most fitters have very few options in 16.5". I have pmed you.

 

[sbloom]

Thanks, this is really helpful!

I've realised I need to swap the photos around , flatter one is currently on the left....the Connie typical one has the pad down the back of the flap. I have, I think, only one Connie in the other saddle with the curvy stitch line on the knee pad.

 

[Marilyn91]

Unless she's a US 6-8, but even then as you say not all Connies can take a 17", but then not all 17" saddles have the same footprint...most can take a 16.5" but some would be 16". Height is a factor too, the flaps on most 16" are small, so tall riders or long legs can be a challenge.

I'm a UK 6-8 and about 5'3. I've attached two pics of the saddles we've tried so far - a 17" Wintec which she seemed comfortable in but was too long (disclaimer: I said from the very beginning it was too long, my riding instructor at the time said it was fine and I stupidly listened....) and the Prestige saddle which is currently being adjusted by the saddler. Now I've had more time to think about it, I'm not sure whether the Prestige is right for us. I'm so tired of trying different saddles that I'm now riding her in a Barefoot bareback pad, which she loves, so I'm considering getting a Barefoot treeless saddle as well. I'm open to suggestions for tree saddles too, though! Just so long as it fits

 

[Littlewills]

I'm a UK 16 and ride in a 16.5" with room to spare so thats nonsense for a start. I'd have a look at Ghost saddles. I loved mine and they do a dressage style that was really secure.

 

[Littlewills]

Wow that wintec is enormous! They are well known for coming up big. Your instructor is an total fool if she thought that was even remotely suitable!

 

[sbloom]

The Wintec is at least an inch too long, I can't see what adjustment could be done to the Prestige to make it work, there ARE different ways of fitting of course, but that's nothing like what I would fit to a Connie. 16.5 in most saddles would be plenty for you but they do vary a lot (though few are kids saddles, true pony saddles, scaled down flaps - they tend to be 16" and below).

Did you find the pm? Top right, red envelope.

 

[sbloom]

I'm a UK 16 and ride in a 16.5" with room to spare so thats nonsense for a start. I'd have a look at Ghost saddles. I loved mine and they do a dressage style that was really secure.

It would be very rare that a dress size 16 could fit in most 16.5 treed saddles, treeless are completely different. I have one model with a very wide seat that could possibly take a 14-16, but I'd want the horse to have good posture and be well muscled, depending on height and overall weight too of course.

 

[Marilyn91]

Quick update in case anyone is using the search function to find out more about Barefoot saddles... I ended up buying the Barefoot London and when my horse spooked and ran off, the saddle slipped 90° and my friend fell off, almost under the horse. The girth was tight and I got the Barefoot saddle fitting service to help me get it fitted and followed their instructions (physio pad etc). The saddle will be going on eBay, so glad I didn't pay full price. Maybe the saddle is great for some other horses, but it wasn't very stable on my small, round Connie. Unless you're a very balanced rider and your horse is 100% bombproof, I wouldn't trust it personally.

My Prestige saddle is back from the saddler, so we will be using that one for now and I think our dabble with treeless is over ?

 

[maya2008]

I also found the barefoot/Torsion shape unsuitable on wide horses/ponies. Freeform saddles stay completely stable on flat backs - I have a NF with a back like a table and it is rock solid on her. I can mount from the ground, sit acrobatics, everything.