Choosing pony's "first" saddle, for backing/breaking - where to start?

[Fifty Bales of Hay]

I have a young pony who is going to be due for backing this year (not sure WHEN yet?) and thinking of what saddle I am going to use for this? I haven't got anything that will fit him, so I am going to have to buy one, either new or 2nd hand.

Obviously this "first" saddle probably isn't going to last him very long, as he's going to change so so much. With this in mind I don't want to spend too much. But I do want one that fits well.

Saddler's around here seemingly don't seem to trade in 2nd hand saddles, all they want to do is sell a brand new saddle - which limits me to the synthetics.

Just trying to find out what other's do, without spending or losing a fortune over the first few years with their youngsters? I don't mind having it checked or flocked by the saddler every few months if needed, but I'm going to be forever spending out if they tell me - it needs changing as it just doesn't fit now!

 

[mygeorge]

i tend to use an old saddle with plenty of padding underneath for backing and starting them off as it can be a bit risky with a nice new saddle. you should be able to pick one up at a sale or second hand via ads. Get a better one later when shape has settled a bit and its less likely to get damaged

 

[Ezme]

When you say pony, how big is he? Cub saddles are pretty cheap and if I remember rightly are treeless and on one up from a felt pad so fit a wide range. When he's going nicely then you can get a "propper saddle"

 

[scotsmare]

We've used Thorowgood synthetic ones in the past, you can get wintecs (if they suit the shape of the pony) small enough to do 12hh.

 

[Ezme]

http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/search.asp?keyword=cub+saddle#sku.30302
£45! I thought they were cheap, no idea they were THAT cheap!

 

[Fifty Bales of Hay]

Sorry I should have given a bit more information, pony is about 14hh-14.1hh and although I thought he might possibly take a 17" saddle, I've been advised not to go bigger than 16.5" for him.

The cub saddles are a brilliant idea, but I'm 5'1" and about 8.75 stone, so not sure they would take me and my bottom?

I hear so much about saddles "not suiting the shape of the horse, not only at the front but along the back" and that the "tree's not the right shape"

How do you see from the outside of the saddle what's going to be the right shape for the back? Pony I would say is very straight backed, not a dip in sight, slopes down very slightly from the wither. Big shoulders so needs to be not too forward cut. And flat almost like a cob, but not quite like a table like some cobs.

If I get one that's too wide and pad it out is it going to make it all a bit "wobbly" - trying to avoid this just in case we have any "wobbly" moments anyway in the riding phase?

 

[bugbee717]

i have a 15 inch cub saddle which i got of ebay for 30.00 new, my friend has used it and she is about the same size as you, you can also get them bigger as well

 

[Ezme]

I know some saddlers who will come out (or you go to them) and you can try as many saddles as you need and then they will part exchange that saddle on your next one. As you can guess its a pretty common situation. More expensive than the cub saddle option but you sorta step up the ladder making the costs a bit more managable with a baby.

 

[natalia]

buy the cheapest most dreadful thing you can think of for backing and breaking, then once you know its not going to destroy your decent saddle, think about getting it a good one. I have unfortuantly learnt this the hard way, completely anhilating a stubben with a 4 yr old last year..... whoops.

 

[marinitagsd]

I bought a nice "cheapy" saddle for breaking/backing my baby and now she has a lovely Harry Dabbs which fits her beautifully. I agree with above, no point in putting an expensive saddle on a baby, who knows what could happen! lol
Anita
x

 

[Fifty Bales of Hay]

So a nice "cheapy" "old, possibly, and dreadful" - how much are we talking about?

Everybody's thoughts are different on what is cheap and what is normal for a good saddle, as good ones I guess range from £600-£1600.

Do you still buy this old cheap and dreadful saddle from a saddle fitter to ensure the fit - do they actually sell these types?

Or do you do a DIY fit?

 

[amycov]

I would personally use a flat racing style saddle, then try and find something better when they've got used to having someone on their back.

 

[JessPickle]

What about something like this, cheap and cheerful for a first saddle but still fairly comfortable

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Thorowgood-maxam-p...A1%7C240%3A1318

 

[Rowreach]

[ QUOTE ]
buy the cheapest most dreadful thing you can think of for backing and breaking, then once you know its not going to destroy your decent saddle, think about getting it a good one. I have unfortuantly learnt this the hard way, completely anhilating a stubben with a 4 yr old last year..... whoops.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm really sorry but this just ... I'm lost for words. This is your horse's back, one of the most precious parts of it. The saddle you back a horse in can determine so much about the way the process goes (well or extremely badly) and damage done at this stage with a badly fitting saddle can stay with the horse (physically and mentally) for ever.

Mine are all started in treeless, and that's what they have now throughout their lives. If you can't afford a top of the range treeless (which incidentally can be easily altered with balance pads to fit the horse for ever, and other horses besides), and you can't afford to keep having new, properly fitted saddles at regular intervals, then the Cub saddle would be a good compromise, but please don't go down the "cheap and dreadful" route, for the sake of your horse.

[Sorry, steps down from her soapbox ...]

 

[Clodagh]

Much as I loathe treeless I have to agree with the rest of your post Rowreach, I'm breaking in a pony at the moment and having a real struggle finding a saddle as I am determined it will be sound and fit well

 

[Rowreach]

Ta

 

[Ezme]

I can I just say "cheap and dreadful" doesn't have to mean a bad fit.... just bad aesthetics.

 

[natalia]

I don't mean bad fit, all my breaking saddles are ancient things that are falling apart, but I do have a selection so something to suit every horse! i like to use an old past it leather saddle thats not to heavy and isn't too high cantled so its makes getting on and off easier. I won't use a synthetic if i can help it. Racing saddles are a pretty good bet too. i would look on ebay and find something thats the right width fitting for your horse and go from there. I wouldn't spend over £50 on something to break in, and there are plenty of tatty but serviceable old english saddles out there.

 

[maggiehorse]

i have a 15hh rising 3 yr old who i inend to lightly back this year , i,ve just bought him off ebay a very nice wintec 2000 with cair for £127 , i,m not a great fan of synthetics as a rule but the quality has much improved over the years and of course they are adjustable so i think its a good compromise till i buy him a nice expensive leather one ( oops hope hubby isnt reading this )

 

[air78]

We use these saddles which have been specificaly designed for the job
http://www.gallabarfarm.com/thestartersaddle.htm

Along with all the other features listed on the link above, they also have flexible pannals. The pannal/ seat is flexible enough to mould around croup high conformation etc so often seen in youngsters.

The saddles are really comfy to ride in, and i've jumped 90cm quite happily in them before

 

[Fizzimyst]

I like the look of those start saddles I'll need one shortly to back my boy in and I think I might just buy one of those

 

[natalia]

i like that starter saddle! it looks like a really good idea and esp. like the use of quite a nice flat seat with long girth straps (makes life easier I would imagine) how much would one of these be to buy? would possibly be a nice successor to the old racing saddle I have! lol!

 

[natalia]

fizzimyst- if you buy one when you've finished I'll have it off you!

 

[Fifty Bales of Hay]

I see your point Rowreach, and this is really why I put this posting up - to get ideas. I must have read towerhamlets reply differently to yours, and what I thought was being said was "don't spend a lot of money, as it could get ruined". So an old and ugly (dreadful) saddle would be best.

My response was sort of where can I get one of these, and do saddler's have them in their stock to be fitted?

I don't have a variety of saddles to try and don't really want to end up with a variety that don't fit my pony in trying to find one that fits correctly. I do know a fitter who fits but doesn't sell saddles who'll come and check the fit. But no places round here I can go get a few saddles just to try. I've almost got to buy before I can try or get the expensive saddler out with expensive new saddles, of which I'm sure he'll find me one. I do not need to go to this expense I don't believe at the moment, and nor will I be compromising my pony's back for the sake of the money spent.

I do LOVE the look of the starter saddle and didn't realise such a thing existed - thank you for the link. Was quite excited for a while as it's also made by The Saddle Company, and I've also been looking at their saddles too for my pony.

Alas I've found out its more expensive than the brand new Saddle Company pony saddles, fitted. The price is £545

But if anyone's got one 2nd hand (ha ha) yes please I'd definitely be interested. Great idea if you're backing youngsters all the time I agree, but as a one off I'm not sure its for me at the price, shame.

 

[air78]

A starter saddle doesn't cost that much............ i'll find out exactly how much and let you know; it's comparable in price with all the other saddle co saddles.

You'd be able to do everything in one of those saddles for the first year or so, they are very versitle........ and there's clearly second hand demand for them

 

[Fizzimyst]

[ QUOTE ]
fizzimyst- if you buy one when you've finished I'll have it off you!

[/ QUOTE ]

Hahaha, you might have a deal

 

[CBAnglo]

Angie - clear your PMs please! I cant reply!

 

[Donkeymad]

[ QUOTE ]


I'm really sorry but this just ... I'm lost for words. This is your horse's back, one of the most precious parts of it. The saddle you back a horse in can determine so much about the way the process goes (well or extremely badly) and damage done at this stage with a badly fitting saddle can stay with the horse (physically and mentally) for ever.

Mine are all started in treeless, and that's what they have now throughout their lives. If you can't afford a top of the range treeless (which incidentally can be easily altered with balance pads to fit the horse for ever, and other horses besides), and you can't afford to keep having new, properly fitted saddles at regular intervals, then the Cub saddle would be a good compromise, but please don't go down the "cheap and dreadful" route, for the sake of your horse.

[Sorry, steps down from her soapbox ...]

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. I can't for the life of me understand why the very first saddle a horse will wear, so many people think does not need to fit properly or be fitted. This is a youngsters introduction, and if it hurts in any way, could shape their mind set for life.

 

[Fifty Bales of Hay]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


I'm really sorry but this just ... I'm lost for words. This is your horse's back, one of the most precious parts of it. The saddle you back a horse in can determine so much about the way the process goes (well or extremely badly) and damage done at this stage with a badly fitting saddle can stay with the horse (physically and mentally) for ever.

Mine are all started in treeless, and that's what they have now throughout their lives. If you can't afford a top of the range treeless (which incidentally can be easily altered with balance pads to fit the horse for ever, and other horses besides), and you can't afford to keep having new, properly fitted saddles at regular intervals, then the Cub saddle would be a good compromise, but please don't go down the "cheap and dreadful" route, for the sake of your horse.

[Sorry, steps down from her soapbox ...]

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. I can't for the life of me understand why the very first saddle a horse will wear, so many people think does not need to fit properly or be fitted. This is a youngsters introduction, and if it hurts in any way, could shape their mind set for life.

[/ QUOTE ]

And I'm not sure it says anywhere in either the original posting or any of the replies about people thinking the first saddle a horse wears SHOULDN'T fit? So please don't get yourself mad over it.

 

[air78]

A starter saddle is £425 + P&P direct from Sarah Dent.