How to explain the importance of a well fitted saddle...

[Lammy]

There is a teenage girl on the yard with non-horsey parents. They’ve bought a young pony as their first horse and so far...people on the yard have been despairing. I really hate to be interfering but when it comes to horse welfare it’s quite difficult for me especially when the issue may be that they don’t know any better. The yard is very DIY and the YO only comes down once or twice a year and otherwise leaves us to it, which as we’re all adults who get on and stick to the rules that’s fine.

It took weeks to get it through to them that they weren’t feeding enough hay, only when they stopped being able to catch it did they listen and buy another haynet. It’s still on a threadbare straw bed straight onto concrete. They’ve been told they can use more straw but don’t seem to be budging on what they put in (hay and straw is included in our livery). The real issue is that they’re avoiding getting the very badly fitting saddle sorted. I’m not exaggerating when I say the teenager jumps the pony, the saddle slips half way down it’s back, she gets off puts the saddle back, then gets back on and repeats. Everyone on the yard has either hinted towards getting a fitter out or has directly given her contact details of fitters in our area. This has been going on for months and nothing has been done.

Being nice I’ve lent out a corrective half pad to her on the condition that she book a fitter. Unfortunately it seems she now thinks the pad has sorted all the problems and has text asking to buy it from me. I’ve told her it’s not for sale and that she’d likely be better off getting a saddle fitter out as she may not need a pad when the saddle is fitted. She’s said she hasn’t had time yet she was sent the details in October... ??‍

I’m going to reply including my saddle fitters details and I was thinking maybe a couple of articles for her to read about the affects of an ill-fitting saddle? Is that getting too involved?
Either way if she’s not going to get the saddle sorted I want my (expensive) half pad back. I know what it’s like to be a teenager with non-horsey parents but her parents pay for the pony and she also has a job. I just feel like they need to wake up a little, the pony is only 5 and a very sweet little thing but it won’t be long until it goes sour. Also to clarify they aren’t strangers to me I knew them before they came to the yard and they asked me lots of questions about buying a pony so everyone on the yard wants me to say something but I don’t know how or what, help!

 

[sbloom]

Welcome to my life . I don't know what to suggest, only you can really know whether you want to get involved, it's always a tough one as of course, you'd be doing right by the pony, but you have to do right by you too.

 

[AmyMay]

Ask them to walk around in a pair of shoes a size too small for an hour.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Perhaps talk to the parents about the safety aspect. If the teenager has to get off between jumps the saddle must be slipping quite a long way, that is a nasty accident waiting to happen.

 

[Baywonder]

Not an easy situation to be in, I agree.

Ask them to walk around in a pair of shoes a size too small for an hour.

This exactly........

If ever I was quizzed about a saddle needing to fit correctly by non-horsey people, I used to say "Would you let a complete stranger pick a pair of shoes at random for you, and then wear them for a few days?" No? I thought not......

 

[sbloom]

Perhaps talk to the parents about the safety aspect. If the teenager has to get off between jumps the saddle must be slipping quite a long way, that is a nasty accident waiting to happen.

I think this is probably the best approach, they need to understand the implications of owning a pony. Then a good fitter should explain why it needs checking regularly, for the benefit of the pony, and you may not have to have any further input.

 

[Orangehorse]

I've known places where non horsey people turn up with a pony and everyone is concerned that they are not looking after it correctly. What worked for one was to lend them some books on How to Look After Your Pony.

Something short and easy.

 

[cauda equina]

Does the kid have lessons at all, or just do their own thing?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Ask them to walk around in a pair of shoes a size too small for an hour.

Or do gymnastics/running in a pair of pants and leggings 3 sizes too big in front of the queen.

 

[Annagain]

I think I'd talk to the parents. The teenager may not even have told them what you're telling her. Maybe she's worried about having to ask for more money so soon after her parents shelled out on the pony. If they knew, maybe they'd be happy to for the pony and their daughter's safety.

 

[Annagain]

Or do gymnastics/running in a pair of pants and leggings 3 sizes too big in front of the queen.

Off topic but this made me laugh. I've lost a fair bit of weight over the last year. My favourite pyjamas are now way too big. In my haste to answer the door this morning I forgot to hold them up while I was running down the stairs. I nearly flashed the postman as I opened the front door. Just managed to grab them in time!

 

[Lammy]

Perhaps talk to the parents about the safety aspect. If the teenager has to get off between jumps the saddle must be slipping quite a long way, that is a nasty accident waiting to happen.

You’re right it is an accident waiting to happen. The dad has been there for a couple of the conversations about saddles before and he’s agreed that they’ll get a fitter...but this was months ago. I think it may be a money issue more than anything.

 

[Lammy]

I think this is probably the best approach, they need to understand the implications of owning a pony. Then a good fitter should explain why it needs checking regularly, for the benefit of the pony, and you may not have to have any further input.

If they have my fitter out he will give them good advice it’s just getting them to book. Unfortunately nobody else on the yard needs a saddle fitter so there’s nobody for her to jump in with on the call out.

 

[Lammy]

Does the kid have lessons at all, or just do their own thing?

She mostly does her own thing, she has had a couple of flat lessons but I don’t know the instructor.

I think I'd talk to the parents. The teenager may not even have told them what you're telling her. Maybe she's worried about having to ask for more money so soon after her parents shelled out on the pony. If they knew, maybe they'd be happy to for the pony and their daughter's safety.

Annoyingly he does know, mum really hasn’t a clue but dad seems a bit more interested. Unfortunately it took about a month of talking to him to get him to feed more hay, that he wasn’t paying for so getting them to shell out for a saddle is proving impossible. They seem to just say yes and nod their heads and agree when people give advice but then don’t act on it...I think this is why I want to try and give them some more information.

 

[Gingerwitch]

Tight bra !!!!!!!

 

[sport horse]

Ultimately the YO is responsible for the welfare of all the horses on the yard and as he/she takes money for the service (even DIY) they cannot avoid that. I would tell them to fulfill their obligations!

 

[sbloom]

Or do gymnastics/running in a pair of pants and leggings 3 sizes too big in front of the queen.

Though at least there's no muscle of fascial damage, chance of long term issues - lamenesses as a direct cause, other issues as a result of poor posture from the discomfort....

Most owners have to learn the hard way that you spend now or you spend later, and if you're spending later it's usually a bigger bill, and a possible loss of use, or reduction of ability.

 

[teddypops]

The yard owner needs to step in and make sure this pony is correctly looked after.

 

[shamrock2021]

I now experienced people who are going around with saddle that doesn’t fit because they won’t pay the money. There plenty of people that are riding with saddle that doesn’t fit majority of people on old yard did.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

Loads of people ride in poorly fitting tack. They get a saddle fitted to a horse once and then it doesn't seem to cross their mind that when their horse gets fitter or puts on a bit of weight in summer that the tack needs adjusting!

 

[muddybay]

I would just tell her that she will end up hurting the horse if she carries on riding in that saddle! Hopefully that will be enough to get her to book one as she surely cares about them!

 

[Brownmare]

If you think it's a money issue I would suggest you speak to the father and let him know how much it will cost in terms of vet, physio, chiro etc to fix a damaged back and how much money he will save by getting a saddle fitted now. It might also be worth pointing out that the saddle fitter will probably take the existing saddle as part ex thus saving more money (he may assume an "old" saddle is only fit for binning).
And it may be harsh but I would ask for your pad back so it forces the issue a bit.

 

[fredflop]

Tricky one. If ever asked my parents for money for something they considered non essential, I wouldn’t get it, simple as. I have been in scouts for many, many years, and had to pay an annual “fee”, about £20. When I was about 16 (and first joined) I asked if I could have some money to cover it. (We weren’t that poor), the answer was no. Alas I didn’t have a job at the time; I got it paid by some of the older members of the group chipping in a couple of £ each.

if I’d had a pony when I was younger I’d certainly have been told that dentists, physios and saddle checks were not being paid for.

 

[Lammy]

Yeah it’s definitely a money issue after the short conversation I’ve just had. Got a little blunt but the dismissive attitude was annoying me a little. Told her in no uncertain terms that her saddle doesn’t fit and fitter needs to come sooner rather than later imo. Explained the cost of fixing a back and lameness problems. Sent her over some interesting articles on saddle fitting. Like talking to a brick wall.

I’ve given all the advice I can, I will say that I need my half pad back next week and we’ll see what happens. YO won’t get involved, the pony is now getting the right amount of hay for its size and yes the bedding is thin but it’s clean and they come twice daily and is seen by a farrier. If we as a yard had dire concerns we would speak to her and she’d likely have them off sharpish but as others have said plenty of people ride with badly fitting saddles. Just a shame for this very sweet little mare, though she has recently started refusing fences so they might get a wake up call soon.

 

[Equi]

A lady at my last yard had on going issues she asked advice for constantly but never took. I specifically told her the saddle doesn't fit, several times. Didn't sink in until i invited her on a lesson with me and she was excited thinking a trainer would sort her horse out. I pre-warned the instructor about them (bit sneaky i know) and not long after we started she said "sorry can you get off a min, i want to check that saddle...yeah thats a horrific fit...sorry but i won't be teaching you if your horse is wearing that saddle it will be a waste of both our time and i suggest you get a fitter out before trying to ride again"

This doesn't really help your situation right now cause covid, but its something that can be thought about. If a fitter is due casually say to teen "oh X is here why not jump on the band wagon with us"

 

[GSD Woman]

Suggest that the child ride bareback. She can use a neck strap.

 

[teddypops]

Yeah it’s definitely a money issue after the short conversation I’ve just had. Got a little blunt but the dismissive attitude was annoying me a little. Told her in no uncertain terms that her saddle doesn’t fit and fitter needs to come sooner rather than later imo. Explained the cost of fixing a back and lameness problems. Sent her over some interesting articles on saddle fitting. Like talking to a brick wall.

I’ve given all the advice I can, I will say that I need my half pad back next week and we’ll see what happens. YO won’t get involved, the pony is now getting the right amount of hay for its size and yes the bedding is thin but it’s clean and they come twice daily and is seen by a farrier. If we as a yard had dire concerns we would speak to her and she’d likely have them off sharpish but as others have said plenty of people ride with badly fitting saddles. Just a shame for this very sweet little mare, though she has recently started refusing fences so they might get a wake up call soon.

If it’s a welfare issue, the yard owner has to get involved. They can’t just ignore it.

 

[ycbm]

If it’s a welfare issue, the yard owner has to get involved. They can’t just ignore it.

The yard owner needs to step in and make sure this pony is correctly looked after.

The yard owner visits once or twice a year, they don't offer services and are purely renting out a stable and a bit of field. I don't understand how this is any responsibility of theirs?

 

[dorsetladette]

Is anyone on the yard due a fitter visit soon? If the reason is she hasn't had time maybe she would make time if the fitter was already on the yard and could share a visit? Just a thought?

 

[teddypops]

The yard owner visits once or twice a year, they don't offer services and are purely renting out a stable and a bit of field. I don't understand how this is any responsibility of theirs?

Not really relevant how often yard owner visits. Any land/ yard owner has a duty of care to animals on their property.