Highland Pony and saddle!

fuffy

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Just got a lovely round Highland pony but wonder how I shall find a saddle to fit and stay on!! Also can anyone recommend a numnah that gives some grip.. was there one called a limpet pad?? anyone any experience of them.. maybe a good gripping girth too.. any advice gratefully received :D Not ready to get the glue out yet!!
 
You need a saddle designed especially for a cobby type. They have a tree with flatter rails which add stability. I have a Jeremy rudge fusion and it is superb on my xxxxw boy. I also have a limpet pad which I had for a previous saddle, I don't need it with current one but still use it as a shock absorber. It is fab.

As regards the saddle - first step is to find a good fitter.
 
Ive got a Wintec Wide for my boy, but hes not actually as wide as you would think (even thought he looks like a tank), ive got the X Wide gullet in at the moment.
 
Fitting wide natives and cobs is not always easy but the right saddle shouldn't slip and you shouldn't need a grippy pad at all. The right girth can be helfpul but you also need the right choice of girth straps as well. Good girths are wide and grippy with strong elastic at both ends.
 
My highland isn't especially round of back. He wears an Ideal VSD (wide) and an Albion dressage (MW).
 
My current Highland is a garron type so has plenty of bone and substance. I have tried various saddles but on all the Highlands I have had (including a beautiful little Rum pony) the WH flat-panelled type tend to fit best. I currently have a saddle made by Oakfield Saddlery in Leyland and it is excellent. It`s a 17" seat on a 16.5 tree and fits us both well. May be worth having a saddler fit a saddle to your particular pony. Mine cost in the region of £600

Native pony saddles seem to receive positive reviews.

Good luck - it`s usually a bit of a challenge with this versatile breed!
 
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