Pony, Cob and Horse Saddles - anyone?

[jnb]

Anyone any experience with these please? I'm looking at the Pendle WH or the Rob Walker Show Hunter, for my HW Show cob (rapidly expanding) XW / XXW
Any experiences gratefully received....or recommendations for a saddle suitable to show, hack and school in for a less-than-sylph-like rider who needs support in the saddle i.e am not a great rider

 

[holeymoley]

You're probably best to get a working hunter style, it gives you a bit more knee role than a traditional show saddle. I have no experience of any of the above, I've never gone wrong with an Ideal though.

 

[sbloom]

I always say thorough read Facebook and Google reviews, and search on here - a snapshot of the people who happen to see your post on here is always limited. There are various wide saddle specialists, take a look, see who would be the actual fitter and their reviews too, and go from there. A WH usually has a bit more space or support, sometimes both so yes, sounds like it would be a decent bet, as would be a VSD unless you're showing to a high level.

 

[Inda]

I had one, it was comfy, nice leather. However it didn’t Have a changeable gullet. So when carm changes shape it had to go.

if the saddler has said it couldn’t be adjusted I wouldn’t of bought it. I didn’t ask as I assumed it was adjustable, so my fault.

 

[V&F]

I have the Pendle working hunter for my chunky pony (He’s XW/XXW). Had it for approx 2 years and brought it second hand. I love it, it’s very comfy!
It hasn’t got big knee blocks but that’s what I prefer.
We have done a bit of everything in it.

 

[sbloom]

I had one, it was comfy, nice leather. However it didn’t Have a changeable gullet. So when carm changes shape it had to go.

if the saddler has said it couldn’t be adjusted I wouldn’t of bought it. I didn’t ask as I assumed it was adjustable, so my fault.

As a rule I would say that wooden treed saddles CAN be adjusted (there are a few exceptions) but not all saddlers believe in doing it. It needs doing carefully, and only a few times, but it does mean you get the benefits of a wooden tree - performance and choice of shape, way more shapes than in changeable headplate saddles. Off topic but thought it was worth saying as many people will only have changeable headplates and actually end up compromising in the fit or stability in many cases, flat backs are so often better in flatter wooden trees.