Help! Trying to find a saddle to fit our pony!!

[carolineg]

Where can I find a good quality second hand GP saddle for my daughters 14hh pony? I thought we would have no trouble - I have a decent budget and am prepared to travel a reasonable distance but need to try on our pony. So either leave money and have ability to return saddle or take our pony to try etc I think this reasonable when I'm prepared to spend around up to £700 on the right saddle! Advice please

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

You need a saddle fitter who will bring some out for you to try on. Some sell new, some second hand and some only sell one make of saddle. Private sellers won't come out to you or offer a "return" option if it doesn't fit, but may have a yard owner who doesn't mind you coming to their yard to try the saddle out. You could arrange for a local saddle fitter to be present at the same time.

 

[Woody2013]

I second that. Get a saddle fitter by recommendation.

After struggling and spending money on badly fitted saddles I got the fitter. We got a second hand GP saddle, that fit the long body of the pony and my daughter's long legs (she is petite). If not for that, I think she would have now been quite uncomfortable on the saddle.

With that budget you will be fine. I spend quite a bit, but thankfully granddad offered to pay half

 

[Costypop]

You need a saddle fitter out or use a company like saddles direct where you can try before you buy, you pick some saddles from the website, they send them too you, try them for a few days then send the ones you don't want back. They have a good pony range of gfs saddles on the site at the moment as well

 

[sbloom]

Ponies aren't always that easy to fit, so no matter what your budget for used, you'll never have the choice and range. So many pony saddles get sold on with the pony, or sit in tack rooms and attics etc. You might pick up a used Native Pony saddle on ebay etc, it's the brand I fit - your budget would be plenty, it's just they're not easy to find. Would be happy to guide you if you can send me photos.

 

[HaffiesRock]

I agree you should get a fitter. When I bought my pony he was very fat and the Wintec wide saddles fit beautifully so there was no need for a fitter. As he got fitter and thinner I ran out of gullets and the saddle no longer fitted so I got the saddler out. Bought a lovely Saddle Company WH and its fits great and is very easily adjustable. Was only £350 with fitting too.