NF saddle ideas 13.2

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Alp

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I have a new ish pony 13.2 wide flat backed NF. Currently in XW ideal WH saddle. The saddle seems to fit well standing and walking, trotting and cantering its slipping forward maybe around a just over an inch. Not massively but enough to feel too far forward. Saddle is 2 years old never reflocked or adjusted. I was wondering if reflowing would be a possibility to rectify this and can the adjust the ideal saddles at all? Any one else ridding in Ideal saddles and what width any photos for comparison?
 
I have a saddle fitter coming to see my 13.2 NF on Thursday and I am looking at Ideal GP for him second hand.

They do not have adjustable trees nor changeable gullets so they can only be adjustable using flocking.
 
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what girth are you using OP?

I've found a lot of native ponies tend to have quite a forward girth groove and the traditional straight girths pull your saddle forward with movement.
 
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Most wooden trees can be adjusted at least a width up or down (Ideal included), and flocking adjustments can make a fair amount of difference. Some saddle fitting approaches do benefit from an anatomical girth, I personally find that if the saddle fits well and has the right selection of girth straps then I prefer a straight girth with just elbow shaping. Some anatomical girths cause more problems than they solve, especially on bigger rounder ribcages and deep little girth grooves...

Wait to see what the fitter says.
 
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We have the saddle fitter booked. I spoke to one who said adjusting the saddle would not be possible and the other said it is possible to adjust the saddle so just wondering if adjusting and reflocking would be enough as it’s only small movement but were open to new saddle too just wanted to have a idea of what to expect. We’re using an anatomical girt at the moment. I think our spare saddle is going to be out of the question for him atm as he’s changed shape so much since being in work. I don’t want to have him out of work as he’s only just getting in the swing of things and already a late starter. But what will be will be. Saddle fitter can’t come until mid September so I think I will have to phone around.
 
SO1 said:
I have a saddle fitter coming to see my 13.2 NF on Thursday and I am looking at Ideal GP for him second hand.

They do not have adjustable trees nor changeable gullets so they can only be adjustable using flocking.
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Yes they can, but not all saddlers have the right bit of kit to adjust the tree. (Well, my Ideal saddle could but thinking about it, the saddle is about 20 years old now!)

My 13.2 New Forest has an Ideal WH, I used it with a contour girth as she has a very forward girth groove.
 
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Yes mine also seems to have a very forward girth grove. All most under his armpits. Hopefully a reflock as I think they come under flocked initially and the saddle hasn’t been touched since new will do the trick. In the mean time I might try a non slip half pad and see if that helps
 
i’ve had this issue with one of mine - first time saddle fitter said it’s not the saddle, it’s the horse! walk & trot was fine but she was so on the forehand that we were shunting forwards, a silicone grip saddle pad solved it (both sides).

today i took her thinking it was happening as she’s lost weight and it was too wide, turns out she’s built muscle over her back and it’s actually too narrow! saddle fitter is taking the tree out as much as possible without risking damage to it.

she’s in a pony cob & horse working hunter saddle, so traditional wood tree
 
I’ve been through a similar situation. I have a newish 13.3hh NF pony he came with an Ideal classic GP which I thought fitted him fine however I noticed from some videos that the back would bounce when we trotted or cantered. The fitter came out and unfortunately for me the ideal saddle was too small and perched on his back. I was recommended a native pony saddle which was difficult to find secondhand but I managed to find him an Andrea Hicks WH saddle which fits him so much better.
 
Lb1105 said:
I’ve been through a similar situation. I have a newish 13.3hh NF pony he came with an Ideal classic GP which I thought fitted him fine however I noticed from some videos that the back would bounce when we trotted or cantered. The fitter came out and unfortunately for me the ideal saddle was too small and perched on his back. I was recommended a native pony saddle which was difficult to find secondhand but I managed to find him an Andrea Hicks WH saddle which fits him so much better.
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Andrea Hicks was the main owner/designer at NP before she set up on her own at AH. The AH trees tend to be flatter and the panels neater than the equivalent/similar Ideal models.

And yes some fitters don't agree with adjusting wooden treed saddles but if you've done it for years and years with no issues, and you're well trained and careful, operating with the history of the saddle known, then it's very low risk. Some fitters/companies will insist the saddle is sent back to the factory but then you can't tweak to how it looks, and most importantly FEELS, on the horse's back.
 
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