Best saddle for a youngster???

J

jen1

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Got in a conversation with someone at my yard today who has a youngster and will soon be looking for a saddle when he starts to be 'broken'. There was some discussion as to Wintec, Saddle Co, Thorowgood (spelling?) etc. So out of interest is there one make better than another. Obviously she is looking for something adjustable for the start of his training what would you recommend??
 
A treeless
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Has anyone ever used them for backing etc?
I'm pretty sure my old horse was ridden in a treeless from day 1. I always thought It was a good idea with youngsters changing shape so much. I bought him a dressage saddle when he was 5 and he didn't mind it at all. Any thoughts?
 
Oh yes that's interesting didn't think of treeless!! Will mention it tomorrow!! Only thing is I don't think the budget will be too high and I think many treeless are expensive but also assume it would last a lifetime, in theory???????
 
I've got my 3.5 yr old in a Bates Caprilli, the leather version of the Wintec.

With the changeable gullet, it's been great for my girls changing shape - although she's on the extra wide already!
 
Ours always get broken in with an old racing exercise saddle. These are very lightweight and will fit anything basically, only ever had one horse it didn't fit on and that was an 11.2hh pony! In fact, I generally find that the old racing exercise saddles are a lot more comfortable to ride in then my hundreds of pounds made to measure leather saddles.
 
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I've got my 3.5 yr old in a Bates Caprilli, the leather version of the Wintec.


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Me too- mine is the same age and in the same saddle. In response to the question below my horse is a typical wb shape, quite wide with well sprung ribs- his withers haven't come up properly yet though but theres plenty of room for them to do so. He's currently in the wide gullet (started in medium when first backed last autumn).
 
i am in this pickle to. my youngster has just been lightly backed in a treeless and she went really well in it. she is turned away now but im not sure what to get once she comes back in to work. i am tempted by them it was really comfy.
 
Definitley a saddle company they are good value for money the tree can be adjusted and they can be made to suit you as well as the horse,wintec i wouldnt bother with full stop.
 
I have a Thorowgood T6 saddle, for my youngster and have found this very good for him and for me as provides and excellent fit and a great position.not that expensive either
 
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Definitley a saddle company they are good value for money the tree can be adjusted and they can be made to suit you as well as the horse,wintec i wouldnt bother with full stop.

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Whereas I've got a Saddle Co and it was the biggest waste of money yet... doesn't fit the pony and can't be made to- have resorted to a hand-made by Kay Humphries and am waiting for it to be delivered.

if I had a youngster and money no object, I'd go for a WOW which would last it for life, but that apart, would second the racing saddles - no weight and not much of a tree - just remember they're not designed for long-term, long-distance hacks

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Was going to do the same for mine? How big is yours and what sort of build??

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Sorry, I signed off last night.

Mine is an IDxTB and she's 17hh. She goes really well in the saddle and I find it very comfortable. They do have a high cantle so you would definately need to get a size to fit your bum too. My OH struggles with my saddle as his bum is bigger
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I dont like cair, but I agree with BeckyD - a wintec would suit a TB type back. I think in the case of a WB type the panels would be too narrow.

For a youngster, you do need something adjustable. I started mine off with a Thorowgood as it is so light before I fitted his SC saddle. He tends to go out then up, out then up, so being able to adjust it myself has been a godsend. The same for my anglo who was a vertical toast rack when I first got him. He went from a medium to a xw in the space of 3 months so you can imagine how many incremental adjustments I had to make. He is not all there yet, but the improvement has been amazing under the SC saddle.
 
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