Finally, a saddle that fits him!

[pennyturner]

I have tried everything in the tack room on Shadow. He's a normal-enough looking NF, but the combination of a narrow-ish and very set-back shoulder, a bit of stallion padding across his flat wither, and a broad back, has left me with compromises (mainly involving bits of dead sheep), unless I put him in the old flat 1960 pony hunting saddle, which really does fit everything, but is like sitting on a plank!

Anyway, Shadow is now sporting a lovely older Antill, which gives him lots of movement, and is a nice comfy place to sit. Happy days.

 

[darkbay19]

Mines also in an older Antill, hes had the same problem as yours. I've been trying to find a saddle that fits well for ages and the Antill seems to be the one even if it is almost bright orange. I was hoping you weren't going to say an Antill as mine is very ugly and I want something else! Glad you found something that fits!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I had an antill twice now, I like them, good shape that seems to fit most things. I had the Llandau model. If you've got a tan one Darkbay and don't like the colour remember it will darken over time with saddlesoap and neatsfoot oil.

 

[Orchardbeck]

I had hoped for good things from an Antill as heard loads of good stuff that they fit anything! However not my impossible mare, so going to have to put yet another saddle up for sale (gutted as well as I really liked it!).

 

[pennyturner]

I had hoped for good things from an Antill as heard loads of good stuff that they fit anything! However not my impossible mare, so going to have to put yet another saddle up for sale (gutted as well as I really liked it!).

If your butt is tough enough, one of those really ancient flat panelled hunting saddles will fit until you find something better. Usually available for about £20 at your local table-top sale. I still ride one of our small ponies in one, as it's the only thing short enough for his back that affords enough space for my bum!

 

[Rollin]

Interesting post. My first saddle was a Cliff Barnsby second hand 20 years ago. It is flat and I love it. Reading this I might try it one of my round ponios.

 

[sbloom]

Older Antills will be flat in the tree, newer ones are Indian, don't touch with a bargepole! Lots of older English brands either got bought up or just ripped off, such as Windsor too. The upswept panel (ie plain panel with no rear gusset) on these older saddles help with the fit on some shapes, but do be very careful of the narrow gullets, the space between the panels, most are narrower than horses' spines.

 

[Orchardbeck]

I actually think this one could fit if it were a size wider, the tree shape seems to better than others we have tried (she's an Arab x with broad ribcage, a high wither and some age related muscle wastage, generally in a mw/wide with a wither pad) but having forked out to have saddles widened in the past and then still not fit I don't think I could bear it if it didn't work out!!

So I guess I'll have to stick to the Hm Flexee she seems to like...grrr!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I had hoped for good things from an Antill as heard loads of good stuff that they fit anything! However not my impossible mare, so going to have to put yet another saddle up for sale (gutted as well as I really liked it!).

keep it if you find it comfy. It will probably fit anything else you buy in the future. The proper (older) Antills won't be around forever and the newer ones (same name different people making them) aren't the same.