Lighter saddle? Any thoughts?

[Kirstineridesagain]

I ride a 19-year-old Icelandic. He's tall, stocky and a bit fat (hopefully losing some weight now). I'm just on the 15% weight wise (of his ideal weight) although Icelandics are very strong and the guidelines indicate that they can carry more than other horses of the same size.

Yet, he has issues with napping, indicating that he doesn't like steep hills. He's not very fit after a summer of not doing much (I was away for six weeks). On our ride a few days ago I put my (much lighter) daughter on him when we came to the steep hill, and he went up it no bother. I put her on again at a hill the horses always canter, but he won't with me, yet he cantered up no problem with her on. This is telling me that he finds it hard to carry me up steep hills. He's been great on the flat and down hills, even cantering without me asking (gave me a surprise!). So I might continue to walk him up really steep hills until he's fitter.

Then when I was untacking him I suddenly realised how extremely heavy the saddle felt, and it struck me that perhaps one way to lighten the load for him would be a lighter saddle? Another is me losing weight, which I'm determined to do - don't think I want to, or am able to, lose more than 5-8 kilos, though. I'm already fairly slim but could do with losing about a stone.

I don't think I want to try TCS, as I like a deep saddle, also it seems like a real puzzle to get the padding right. I definitely want stirrups, too. I guess I have to have a saddle fitter out, but does anyone know of some good, lighter saddles that might fit a fairly stocky Icelandic (think 14.2 Cob in terms of size)?

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

This is us.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Do you feel as if you are generally too big for him? I ask as your feet are such a long way back, I wonder if you feel that your feet would be round his knees if they were in the right place.

In general synthetic saddles are lighter than leather ones.

 

[rara007]

Does the saddle fit and is he sound…? They’re more likely to make sn impact than a few kg saved on a lighter saddle.

 

[VictoriaSponge]

The 15% rules is very much a guideline. A useful one, but ultimately we have to use our own judgement and knowledge of our own horses; if he is “telling you he finds it hard”, the 15% rule may not apply in your situation, especially if he’s not currently at his ideal weight and you’re only just on it including tack.

Edit as it cut me off!
It may be more beneficial in the long to look at saddle fit / your position in the saddle / other possible sources of discomfort rather than spending money on a lighter saddle.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Do you feel as if you are generally too big for him? I ask as your feet are such a long way back, I wonder if you feel that your feet would be round his knees if they were in the right place.

In general synthetic saddles are lighter than leather ones.

It's actually not a very representative photo - I was mid squeeze with my legs.
This one is more typical.

As for size, I don't think I'm too big for him, as he's an Icelandic and they are bred to carry a wide range of riders. He's got a conformation issue, being bum high and cow hocked, but apart from that he's sound.

Does the saddle fit and is he sound…? They’re more likely to make sn impact than a few kg saved on a lighter saddle.

I think the saddle fits...maybe worth getting the saddle fitter out to check. I'm not the owner, but I'll ask her.

 

[rextherobber]

I think you look fine. My Thorowgood T6 is waaay lighter than any of my leather saddles, so maybe look at those ( I find Wintecs really uncomfortable, but that's just me!) Maybe get a Physio to check him over, see if he's tweaked something? He's lovely!

 

[Equi]

The main issue I see is that your saddle puts you out of his centre of gravity so the heaviest part of you is over the weakest part of him impacting how much he can engage his hind. If the stirrup bars were back a little it would help but not all saddles can have them changed. I don’t think you are too heavy/big at all.

Ps he’s absolutely gorgeous

 

[TPO]

Honestly I'd be getting a vet. Not liking hills can be an indicator of quite a few things.

I wouldn't imagine a few kgs on a saddle would make any difference.

 

[cauda equina]

My K&M is very much lighter than my Black Country
A lot of people seem to be sniffy about K&Ms but mine suits me and the horse very well

 

[dorsetladette]

I ride my little pony in a Tekna saddle which is very light - every kg counts when they are to stubborn to grow! They aren't perfect but my saddler worked her magic (with the help of my OH to help make the gullet bar a little wider).

I'd suggest that the saddle is maybe needing adjusting if he is happy to go forward with a lighter rider onboard.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Honestly I'd be getting a vet. Not liking hills can be an indicator of quite a few things.

I wouldn't imagine a few kgs on a saddle would make any difference.

This at 19 his probably got something physical going on that is making him not wanting to go downhill.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think the saddle looks too small for you as you are sitting too far back and not in the centre which is not comfortable for the pony.

If you sat in the centre your knees would be sticking out over the saddle flaps.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

This at 19 his probably got something physical going on that is making him not wanting to go downhill.

He's fine downhill, it's uphill we've got issues with.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

I think the saddle looks too small for you as you are sitting too far back and not in the centre which is not comfortable for the pony.

If you sat in the centre your knees would be sticking out over the saddle flaps.

So maybe something like TCS would make sense. I'm not going to buy a new saddle worth hundreds of pounds for a horse I don't own.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

It's actually not a very representative photo - I was mid squeeze with my legs.
This one is more typical.

As for size, I don't think I'm too big for him, as he's an Icelandic and they are bred to carry a wide range of riders. He's got a conformation issue, being bum high and cow hocked, but apart from that he's sound.

I think the saddle fits...maybe worth getting the saddle fitter out to check. I'm not the owner, but I'll ask her.

I guess the saddle fits the pony but not you. In the 2nd photo it looks as if you have to push the stirrups forward for your legs to be in the right place and in the first photo you really shouldn't have to move your legs back to give the aids. It's awkward as he's not your pony, perhaps you need to look for a different pony to loan.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

I think you look fine. My Thorowgood T6 is waaay lighter than any of my leather saddles, so maybe look at those ( I find Wintecs really uncomfortable, but that's just me!) Maybe get a Physio to check him over, see if he's tweaked something? He's lovely!

Thank you, he is stunning, I agree!

He had physio two weeks ago (a very well renowned one, she's mentioned on this forum frequently!). She said he was quite stiff, but the treatment helped. I'll book her in again in a couple of weeks. He tolted up and down (he can't trot) and didn't seem lame, although it's harder to spot if he can't trot.

She is good at assessing rider position too, so I'll ask her to do an assessment.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

So maybe something like TCS would make sense. I'm not going to buy a new saddle worth hundreds of pounds for a horse I don't own.

I understand that but the owner may not want you using a different saddle I know I wouldn't want to.

Especially those TCS saddles they are essentially just a pad they don't work for every horse.

Up hill down hill it doesn't matter if his struggling chances are something is going on.

My horses are 19 and 20 and they have things going on they are still ridden but I am aware of how it affects them.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

I guess the saddle fits the pony but not you. In the 2nd photo it looks as if you have to push the stirrups forward for your legs to be in the right place and in the first photo you really shouldn't have to move your legs back to give the aids. It's awkward as he's not your pony, perhaps you need to look for a different pony to loan.

I'm looking for another loan. It's hard to find one, unfortunately, because I'm looking for another Icelandic. I'm a member of the UK association and very much have found my tribe, so that's what I'm looking for - and will eventually buy (not for the next couple of years).

I gave no idea how to go about finding a (cheap) saddle, though. So many scammers out there.

 

[tristars]

The saddle looks too small for you concentrating the weight in too small an area, too much pressure front and back

I have a t6 it's so light can pick up with one hand, some of our saddles need two arms, yet the horses
LOve them cos they fit horse and rider

It's worth trying other saddles, if he dislikes going up hill it could be too narrow as well, putting pressure on the points and your weight on the rear of on the saddle

Try to borrow a few from friends and try a wide one with a pad under

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

The saddle looks too small for you concentrating the weight in too small an area, too much pressure front and back

I have a t6 it's so light can pick up with one hand, some of our saddles need two arms, yet the horses
LOve them cos they fit horse and rider

It's worth trying other saddles, if he dislikes going up hill it could be too narrow as well, putting pressure on the points and your weight on the rear of on the saddle

Try to borrow a few from friends and try a wide one with a pad under

What's a T6? Sounds interesting.

I'm just worried getting a saddle fitter out will mean a huge outlay.

Unfortunately I fell out with the only TCS user on my yard, so can't try it on.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Tack shops and saddler fitters may have 2nd hand saddles, while Saddles Direct, if they are still in business, are reputable. I wouldn't buy from FB or similar unless you know the vendor personally

 

[tristars]

Thorogood t6, but their saddles are mainly lightweight

Could you try to talk to the TCS person and ask could they help as you have a problem, shame it's awkward

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Booked a saddle fitter. We'll take it from there. Thanks everyone.

 

[I'm Dun]

Booked a saddle fitter. We'll take it from there. Thanks everyone.

This is an old, overweight, unfit horse who is stiff. You need a vet not a saddle fitter.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

This is an old, overweight, unfit horse who is stiff. You need a vet not a saddle fitter.

What makes you think he's not been seen by a vet? He sees the vet regularly.

 

[webble]

Honestly I'd be getting a vet. Not liking hills can be an indicator of quite a few things.

I wouldn't imagine a few kgs on a saddle would make any difference.

^^^ this, you dont look like you have huge amounts of weight to lose but there could be the start of a niggle somewhere that a full work up might identify

 

[webble]

What makes you think he's not been seen by a vet? He sees the vet regularly.

Seeing the vet is one thing, having a full work up to look for a specific thing is different

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Seeing the vet is one thing, having a full work up to look for a specific thing is different

Sure. I'm not the owner of the horse. He's in very light work, but needs exercise to lose weight. He's improved on his fitness in the past few weeks, but keeping an eye on him obviously.

 

[MuddyMonster]

It's tricky if he's not yours as you can't dictate if he see's the vet.

Getting a saddle fitter to check the saddle is a good start but if you've not done so already, I'd mention it to the owner (mine stopped striding out downhill when his front feet were a bit sore from sub clinical laminitis mixed with the start of arthritic changes - it was one of his first 'tells' but it could be numerous other things in other horses) and ask them to arrange a veterinary work up.

As he looks like he does need to lose a fair bit of weight I'd be inined to walk out in-hand on flat surfaces if he seems happy rather than riding until a veterinary work up has been done.

Is his owner helping him lose weight in other ways? If not, try mentioning if they'd be happy to try a muzzle or to start soaking hay if he is fed any as that may all help. But appreciate it can be tricky if not yours.

He looks a lovely boy so I hope the vet finds something easily fixable!