Owners of flat backed horse's.....

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picolenicole

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What type of saddle do you have?

Short version is:- Had the same saddle for 2 years, now my lads grown up a bit and widening out, it does fit. I have had it fitted twice in one month, (never told me it didn't fit) Had the back lady on sat she about through the saddle in the bin. He now has to have 2 weeks off walking in hand, then a second visit from back lady to see if he is still stright and backs better!!

So new saddle shopping time :D max I'm can spend is about £1500.

So what saddles do you have or do you think are the best?

Thanks so much
 
Personally have had luck with saddles made by Ideal. I had a Stirlingshire WH saddle (made by Ideal) for my welsh cob, and then bought her an Ideal Jessica for dressage. Then I got a pb arab, very flat backed - and both my saddles suited him. Brand new they go for about £900-£1500 but I got both of mine second hand. The worker was £300 (in mint condition, only used for six months but as no one else on Ebay realised it was actually an Ideal made rebranded for Stirlingshire, I snapped it up cheap cheap cheap). And the dressage saddle I bought, in slightly more used condition for about £500 from my saddler.
 
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Not sure if I've followed quite correctly. Are you taking back lady's advice over that of saddler?

If so def get another (master?) saddler out. Maybe at the same time as back lady so they can talk backs/saddles together?

Nothing worse than paying for conflicting advice you don't trust.
 
Tickles, I had a feeling it didn't fit when said saddle rubbed my horses back. It never did before having it refitted. When back lady came we looked at the saddle and even though its been fitted twice, it's still bridging alot and does't make contact with his shoulder at all. The fitter said it was the best fit we could get from my saddle and did say a T6 would be better for him. I must admit it was only a "starter" saddle for him whilest he grew.
 
I have a flat backed barrel with no withers. I ended up getting a WOW (sorry!!) expensive but my main problem was with girthing more than anything as everything slipped round with a normal girth, so i now have a wow with an H-Girth that really holds everything in place really well.

They are awesome, they are expensive but the service is excellent, the saddles fit like a glove and are super comfy :)
 
My mare has a flat back, slightly less than average withers and is built a little downhill. We have a fairfax (including fitting, visit, petrol etc it was just over 1k) and it is fab. It is a leather adjustable one with wool flocking - so the best of both worlds really! Fairfax are built on the same tree as the thorrowgood and kent and masters and are their posh model (v v comfy they are!). You might also find it worth looking at the cob versions of their saddles - thorrowgood, kent and masters and fairfax all do them well within your budget and they are all adjustable too.
 
http://www.ejeffries.co.uk/product/296156/SECC/_/Elite_Semi-Close-Contact

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Jeffries Elite wide^

I had wanted a GP, but this was the only one that fitted her. We had gone through so many different saddles and different fitters before this and it drove me flipping potty! The horse is half TB but her back shape was obviously inherited from her Arab sire (wide, flat and low withers).
 
I have a flattie Haffie and she has a Thorowgood cob saddle which has the 4th girth strap which really helps.

If I could afford it I would also have an Ideal H&C saddle which is lovely leather and which is designed for flatties too. That also fits my pone.

I would try the Ideal given you have a healthy budget.
 
"The fitter said it was the best fit we could get from my saddle and did say a T6 would be better for him."

Ah, that makes sense. Happy shopping!
 
Switchthehorse said:
I have a flat backed barrel with no withers. I ended up getting a WOW (sorry!!) expensive but my main problem was with girthing more than anything as everything slipped round with a normal girth, so i now have a wow with an H-Girth that really holds everything in place really well.

They are awesome, they are expensive but the service is excellent, the saddles fit like a glove and are super comfy :)
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Second vote for WOW i'm afraid. I had 3 saddles in 7 months with my horse who kept changing shape, turned to WOW and have had the same saddle for 6 years due to the fact that it can be altered as he changes. PM me if you need any more info! :-)
 
I'd recommend having a reasonable saddle 'Flaired'. You might even find a second hand one already with Flair, and get a Flair practitioner to come and re-set it for you. I think there's a list of them on the Master Saddler's website.
 
The Pessoa Blyth Tait is fantastic for flat backed horses. It has extra wide panels that really sit well on flatbacked horses (the wide fit ones of course).
 
Hi,

I wouldn't say King was flat backed, he is wide, but with shape (you will have to come up and see my lot to see some flat backs :)). I'd look at ranges like Ideal saddles on the H&C tree, GFS Haflinger and Native Pony Saddle Company if you're looking at a leather saddle now. You could try speaking to David at Throstle Nest if you want another opinion and to try some saddles out.

I'd be inclined to try and not spend up to your budget though, and if you're going with leather to try and get a nice second hand one as I think he's still going to change shape quite a bit over the next year and you might be in the same position again in the next year or two (well, hopefully not the back out bit, but that's he's outgrown the saddle again).

My Welsh went through 2 Ideals between 4 and 7 as he broadened up with work, and then I got him a Free 'n' Easy as I can adjust that myself with a spanner.
 
Podium, though doubt you'd find it acceptable for traditional activities as it is an endurance saddle. In terms of more saddle like saddles, have a look at the arabian saddle company. Arabs are notoriuosly flat & wide to fit. http://www.arabiansaddle.com
 
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