Best saddle makes for flat backed horse

[Christmas Crumpet]

Am having new horse vetted tomorrow - more about him later - and if he passes, obviously will need new saddle. Saddler teed up for Fri.

He is irish (prob. id/tb) and has little wither and a flat back (as opposed to my TB who is high withered with a banana shaped back). What kind of saddles suit a horse like this?

 

[ironhorse]

You could try 'cob' type saddles - the panels seem to suit this shape of horse well - its the only type that stays put on my american quarter horse. Mine is a thorowgood - the company does also make leather saddles under the name Kent Masters.
The other type of saddle that was recommended was the old Stubben design which has rather flat, low panels, but I would speak to your saddler about this.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

He is pretty narrow as well - thought I'd mention it!!!

 

[Flame_]

Ideal.

 

[Bosworth]

Try Ideal - really lovely saddles and well made.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Jolly good!! Thanks everyone.

 

[Thistle]

Def ideal, have used them on all my flat backed ones.

 

[soloequestrian]

Balance saddles - best for any horse!

 

[Old Bat]

Another vote for Ideal and Albion

 

[criso]

By flat back, do you mean instead of dipping after the wither it goes straight back or flat as in table top so goes out straight at the sides.

My TB does the former though he has high withers and is probably different in every other respect and the Ideals while being lovely saddles didn't fit him at all for that reason. Ended up with a Black Country and a Kieffer though remember there was an Stubben and a Harry Dabbs which I rode in too which were a reasonable fit.
Hopefully your saddler will have a nice selection for you to try.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

He goes straight back instead of dipping at the wither.

 

[criso]

[ QUOTE ]
He goes straight back instead of dipping at the wither.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's like mine but has mine is also a high withered TB with big shoulders so they may not suit the same type of saddle.

Good luck with the vetting.

 

[Kallibear]

If he's farirly narrow then the Wintec Cob saddle might suit. Like the normal 500 it gets more curved as the gullet is widened, but at a wide (the narrowest it goes) they are pretty flat backed. Suited my very flat but not hugely wide STB perfectly.

Thorowgood also do a very good cob saddle. They now have changable gullets too. And leather versions.

Saddle company saddles also do a very flat cob saddle - I've got one for my welsh cobX and, apart from the facts it's too long and therefore for sale

, it's lovely.

They're all cheaper brands. Ideal do a great highland and cob saddle too, though much more expensive.

 

[Nari]

Another vote for Ideal, if he's wide too then the H&C is very good.