Is an 18" treeless saddle too big for Highland Pony

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Oliver12

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I've been given an old Highland pony. He's still okay for light hacking but didn't come with a saddle. I'm reluctant too spend too much on a new saddle for what might only be a year or two but have an 18" Heather Moffett SBS Flexion treeless saddle which hasn't been used for years. Would this be too big for a 14hh pony or is it not as critical if the saddle is treeless.

Thanks.
 
The 14hh highland I ride has a 17inch saddle :) If in doubt get it checked with a saddler s it's cheaper to buy a 2nd hand saddle that fits than have vet and physio bills and an injured horse due to ppor saddle fit.
 
Highlands take an average of around a 17" traditional saddle, but treeless do indeed come up as different sizes, and aren't as weight bearing on the back edge so length isn't as important and is often purely about rider requirements, though as a traditional saddle fitter this does worry me a little and there may be instances where treeless saddles ARE too long. You'd be best asking Heather for specific advice, unless anyone on here has direct knowledge, which they probably do!
 
In my experience, the Heather 18" come up much closer to a treed 17". That said, there is some variety between models. The SBS 18" I had I sold as it was too long for my girl (17hh warmblood X!), but she's absolutely fine in an 18" Vogue, even though an 18" treed would be too long. Have you thought about calling one of Heather's fitters in your area to ask for an opinion/call out and assess?
 
Thanks for all your replies. I'm afraid there are no Heather fitters in my area and none I've asked will come out this way.

Lovely Highland he is. He's a companion for my retired horse but a friend has asked if she can take him down the lane a couple of times a week which I thought he would probably enjoy.

Friend is very lightweight so I'll see how she gets on with the SBS. I'll keep an eye out for a 17" treeless also.

Thanks again.
 
The HM saddles are very ridged and solid at the back so really needed to be fitted like a normal saddle, esp as the gullet is usually stupidly narrow at the back and the panels shallow so they can dig into the spine and loins if too long.

A 14hh Highland may have room for an 18" as some are long in the back.

Try it and see!
 
It depends on the size of your Highland. I have an 18 inch SBS saddle and have used it on two different Highlands, perfect for their round shape and flat backs, best without the knee rolls.
 
Just try it and see - be alert to any signs of discomfort from your horse. I had a HM Fhoenix for a while, and I'd say it rode short. The measurement can be confusing on wider saddles because it's taken on the diagonal, so a wider saddle will always measure longer than a narrower one of the same actual front to back length.
 
May be fine - it depends on size of highland and how long its back is. Where are you as may be a saddle fitter with experience nearer than you think
 
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