HELP - short-backed pony problem!

[surreyhorsechick]

Hi all - any advice greatly appreciated........my 13.3HH Welsh Sec C gelding of 21 is currently being treated for pain in his lumbar region. I'm not riding said pony and he is having back x-rayed next week to try and determine problem.

HOWEVER - back person was quite worried that my 17" saddle comes back too far (third rib from tail end almost reaches outside edge of saddle flap as opposed to cantle so could actually do with being 3" shorter! As I'm only 5ft-odd but 9 stone I'm not sure how much shorter I could go with a saddle.

SO, my question is - do you think a 16" would make much difference? Would a Prolite help? Can anyone suggest a saddle that may save my pony from early retirement? (presuming back problem can be rectified?)

Many thanks!!

 

[scotsmare]

I would almost certainly suggest that your saddle is too long for pony's back - particularly if he's short backed. Our pony who was the same size and quite long wore a 16 inch saddle and that was the maximum size she could have comfortably worn.

Appreciate it doesn't help you if you can't get your bum into it though. I think you need to take one step at a time and see if problem can be fixed and then get a saddler out to see the pony.

 

[clopper]

Hi - I had terrible pony saddle fitting problems. Eventually went to the native pony Saddle company http://www.saddleexchange.com/ and got a lovely saddle to fit the pony and the rider. the different seats types in the same sizes accomodate different sized riders - I recommend givng them a call when you get the pony sorted!
Good Luck!

 

[surreyhorsechick]

Many thanks Clopper & Scotsmare - obviously back prob needs to be sorted out first before even thinking about getting saddler out, but obviously something which will need addressing!!! Little bit annoyed at my naiivity in the first place for not knowing about third rib and at saddler for selling me a saddle which was obviously too long for the pony!

 

[teddyt]

Very naughty of saddler to sell a saddle that was too long for your pony! Its not your fault, you paid a 'professional' to do a job that they obviously did badly. The back of the panel shouldnt go beyond the last rib because there is no skeletal support for the saddle after the last rib and the lumbar area is the weakest part of the back.
Yes a smaller tree/panel would therefore make a huge difference as your pony wouldnt be bearing weight over the loins. A prolite pad would not help rectify the problem, just maybe reduce it a bit by absorbing some of the pressure but this would be treating the symptom not the cause. A smaller saddle is the way forward.

 

[[59963]]

I use a 16.5inch Thorowgood Pony Club saddle on my 14.h mare, I'm 5'1 and its the right size for me (although I'm a little bit old for the pony club!) and definitely doesn't come too far back. She's an Arab x and is also shortbacked.