Best adjustable saddles for a youngster

[webble]

If anyone is looking for a tekna I know of a couple of old ones looking for a home probably in return for a donation. I cant remember size model etc but if you are looking for one pm me and I will check

 

[Barton Bounty]

I don't suppose you still have your spare gullets? I've just bought reggie a tekna saddle thinking I was clever as I have all the gullets from Robins saddle, but it turns out pony saddles have a different gullet system to normal size saddles

So if you have the red ones I would be interested in them x

Yeah i do , i have two

 

[dorsetladette]

Yeah i do , i have two

I've sent you a DM.

 

[holeymoley]

K&M are the work of the devil. Lovely saddles but brutal for the lady area. I persevered for over a year with mine but drew the line when I was subconsciously avoiding the pain which then compensated and moved to my upper back. I went back to Ideal which are fab. As far as changeable gullet saddles go, I do like Wintecs, I used one of these years ago when my horse was a youngster.

 

[Kaylum]

If you are getting at synethic one with changable gullet check it carefully. The older ones can disintegrate inside where the gullet goes. We have 2 donated like this before.

 

[Suechoccy]

Whereabouts in the UK are you?

I used Express Equine saddle fitters from Wymondham (Norfolk) last year to my yard in Cambridgeshire. Their saddle fitter came out with a van ful of various brands of saddle, new and used, having first asked me a few pertinent questions (horse type/age, current saddle type/fit, ridden activities, my size/weight, etc).

We tried many on my two horses, narrowed the selections down to about five per horse, then to three, all of which I test-rode in, before making final choices.

I'm very happy with the two saddles supplied, and their post-sales saddle fit checks and aftersales service at my yard too.

My two old K&M GP saddles are with them in their vans for resale to future customers. Both are in good condition but no longer fitted my horses comfortably.

 

[Widgeon]

I went back to Ideal which are fab.

I really like Ideal saddles. And you can pick them up cheaply second hand so if you need to keep changing saddles it's not going to blow too big a hole in the bank account.

 

[Jellymoon]

Cavaletti or new Arena worth a look.

Arena is made by Bates and is their mid brand. The old ones are a bit slidey to ride in (cheap shiny leather) but the new ones are nicer.

Cavaletti - surprisingly nice and they do a free 14 day trial. That’s all I have to say about it as the rest is up to your horse and your saddle fitter!

 

[sbloom]

I'm not the highest fan of changeable headpkate (and therefore also plastic trees) saddles. I think used leather wooden trees saddles and a shin system, plus being prepared to buy and sell to cope with changes, is better. When you change a head plate, or flocking, you're not changing the fundamental tree or panel shape.

I'd also suggest looking at a more structured treeless option, something with a twist for the rider as required (we don't all need a narrow twist, far from it) a good degree of adaptability for the rider (in these conversations we tend to ignore how much rider fit affects the horse too) and a good channel and protection for the horse.

 

[maya2008]

In terms of comfort:
- I’ve never known a horse the right shape for a Wintec dislike them. They’re ok to ride in too.
- Thorowgood/K&M can be very comfortable for the horse and absolute hell for the rider!
- Treeless, suit different shapes of horse/pony but I would suggest something that is pressure tested and regularly used in Endurance as ‘safer’. I like Torsion and LOVED Freeform (but sadly that needed a flatter back than pony developed so had to sell it). TCS is comfy and with the right padding fine for an adult…but can be less stable and I personally won’t jump in one or have the kids jump much. We have treed saddles for that, for very practical and experience related reasons!

 

[Sleipnir]

I went with a Ghost saddle with my youngster and it turned out to be a great choice. Extremely adjustable as the horse grows and develops topline, comfortable for my damaged hip and the chiro always compliments the health of his back.

 

[gbequine]

Another one. I sat in my friends K&M for half an hour and felt it for 2 days. Pony liked it tho! More padding on the underside is more important I suppose!

My saddle fitter is independent, carries second hand stock and will buy back any saddle she has fitted -10% which is still going to be expensive if the best saddle is £1500 but at least you're not stuck with trying to sell them yourself! Definitely ask around and see what local saddle fitters have good reputations for things like this. I messed about with adjustable wintecs and "is this fine" saddle checks with the local guy everyone uses for far too long, a saddle fitted by someone excellent at her job has made a massive difference.

Mines in a TG currently and that fits us well. I’ve given up with K&M. Had one for my other horse and it was a lovely saddle but not the right shape for me. Replaced with an older model in a different cut and my lord was in uncomfortable definitely worth getting a fitter out that holds a few brands so you can find the best style for your horse though

which k&m model of saddles were these?

 

[SpotsandBays]

which k&m model of saddles were these?

My first one was a s-series Compact GP (MGC). Lovely saddle but I’ve got a long leg and it just put me in such a weird position. The second one was an older Jump (MJU). Fit me better but was rock hard.