How long is a piece of string . . . Max length of saddle for 13.2 pony

[Eriskayowner]

I've taken on a dartmoory type pony (narrowish built) to keep my two other boys company but I'm thinking about working him as well.

What's the maximum length of saddle you'd put on him? I know HOW to fit a saddle but just a ball-park figure would be great!

 

[flying solo]

I have a 13.3 welsh he wears a 5ft9 or a 6ft rug and can only wear a 16inch saddle. My saddle fitter said I really shouldn't go bigger. x

 

[Eriskayowner]

Thanks flying solo. Thunder takes a 5'3" rug so I'm thinking 15.5" - 16" saddle max?

 

[flying solo]

Yeah, couldn't you place another saddle on his back and take it from there? That way you'd get a rough idea on what your looking for x

 

[Eriskayowner]

I'm going to try to put mouse's dressage on him but I don't know how long that is! Think it's a 16.5" even though mouse is only 13hh!

 

[flying solo]

Sorry I cant be of more help, I only know what size my fattie takes. :-( x

 

[Eriskayowner]

No you've been great - honestly. It's backed up what I thought and given me more confidence

 

[PennyJ]

our 13.1 NF mare is happily in a 17" fitted by a competent local saddle fitter. she is slightly long in the back though, if I was to be critical of her confirmation...

 

[shadowboy]

My 13.3 NF takes a 16 inch and he's in a 5'9 rug.

 

[Eriskayowner]

Ahhhh brilliant thanks PennyJ and shadowboy. Interesting about the 17". Will look closely at thunder this morning!!!

 

[sbloom]

It is tricky as you can have several saddles of the same seat size and they'll all take up a different length on the back - the deeper the seat effectively the shorter the tree from front to back, then you have to take into account how much the panel sticks out at the back (Albion and many synthetics have very "sticky out" long panels). Plus...the more forward cut the smaller the seat siz eyou can generally get on a given length of back. Then, even once you have found the maxiumu length that the ribcage can take, you still might need to go smaller for really tricky fits.

More 13.2s on my books would be in 15s I'd say, then 16s. Don't think I have one in a 14, would have several in 16.5s, but our saddles have a fairly short foot print.

To find the last rib go down to below and forwards from the hip, about half way down the ribcage at the point where the hair parts in a downwards direction. You should be able to find the last rib here, then follow it up to the edge of the longissimus dorsi muscle, where the saddle sits, and track the same line up to the actual saddle. The saddle can sit on that rib, but must not bear weight beyond it.

And make sure you're putting the saddle back behind the scapula, SO many people put their saddle on too far forwards.

 

[brighteyes]

Also, if you are hanging over/sitting on the very back of a shorter saddle - especially if that saddle is the maximum length which is comfortable and advisable for the pony, you are going to do damage to its back.

 

[sbloom]

Absolutely. It's not just about having a reduced panel area so a general increase in pounds per square inch. A too large rider will usually have to sit at the back of the saddle and so will place a lot of pressure at the back which as you say damages the back, but also the front will be light at times which can mean the saddle will move forwards. As I fit so many adults on ponies I often face this issue - a deeper rear panel is often needed to lift the cantle, if there is an occasional "too heavy" rider then a rear riser pad of some kind may be better. Else you end up with the little regular rider having a saddle that is too high behind, if you use a deeper rear panel.