Need a saddle to back my horse in....where to look and what saddle??!!

[nic85]

Hi all,

My filly is 3 in May and already stands over 16hh so id like to sit on her this summer and hack out a bit...BUT I need a saddle.
Ive been to a few local saddlerys that offer saddle fitting aswell as some nice saddles.....but they are not interested in fitting a saddle to my horse until she is backed......but I need a saddle to back her in!
Im looking at synthetic with changeable gullets or even treeless??!! This isnt a forever saddle its just an inbetween until i can get a 'proper' saddle

What do people suggest as a good starting saddle? im guessing my filly to be a narrow, MN (have tried a T4 wide on her but was HUGE). She has quite a long back so about 17.5"-18" not bothered if brown or black but draw the line at coloured ie red, blue etc.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ShadowFlame]

With the rate young horses change shape, I opted for a HM Fhoenix. Had no problems at all with it.

 

[nic85]

With the rate young horses change shape, I opted for a HM Fhoenix. Had no problems at all with it.

Thanks for your reply.... but can definately say way out of my price range!!

 

[rockysmum]

We used a Wintec, not the best saddle out but OK for backing. As soon as she was actually being ridden we got the saddle fitter out.

 

[Enfys]

I start in an old synthetic saddle, not pretty but who cares, it does the job, having a saddle/rider on is a total non-event here anyway.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I used a treeless (a Treefree Dartmoor, beautiful quality GB made treeless saddle) and then about 3 months later bought a new synthetic changeable gullet saddle (Thorowgood cob). It suited her so well that Ive never got around to changing it! The treeless I sold after a while but only cos I needed the ££, both my 17hander and the 14,2 being backed went brilliantly in it.

From what I read the Thorowgoods are best for most flatties and the Wintec is quite banana shaped tree so works well with some more TB types with withers.

 

[Kathyt1]

Thanks for your reply.... but can definately say way out of my price range!!

The new synthetic (leather treed) HM saddle might do the job (price £349)

http://www.equineequilibrium.co.uk/FlexEE-Saddles.html

 

[SS.89]

I used an old wintec on my first horse ... As previous poster stated there not the best but it did the job.
My current lad is an ex racer and I rebacked him in a t4 thorowgood and its that perfect I still ride in it until he's ready to get the saddle fitter out again! (not bad for a second hand saddle bought off eBay for £55 )

SS x

 

[TallulahBright]

I used a Libra saddle pad as my saddle fitter said girlie wasn't developed enough to fit proper saddle in terms of muscle either side of her withers. You can hang stirrups on it and it feels amazingly secure, all for around £80 ish. Would def recommend!

 

[sbloom]

If you really can't get a pro to fit it (and I do fit to unbacked horses but with caveats - you really need to see a horse ridden to properly fit it) then you need to learn as much as you can to assess saddle fit. Perhaps a local fitter would look at photos and say what might work? I only fit Native Pony and Phoenix saddles but can suggest features and shapes to look for. The you need to be prepared to have someone out as soon as you have ridden trot established - that is when 80% of saddle fit can be done.

Of course the young horse will change rapidly so there may be more checks needed, but if you learn as much as you can, you will know when the saddle is no longer working before the horse shows discomfot. If an adjustable synthetic fits her, then great. But, you need something that will fit as well as possible - and that may not be an adujustable saddle - because young backs are much more susceptable to damage than mature backs.

 

[ShadowFlame]

Thanks for your reply.... but can definately say way out of my price range!!

Picked mine up second hand for £350 - cheaper than having him fitted!