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AppyLover1996

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Hi everyone!

So as it’s Christmas hols for most people who are lucky to have the time off, as I’ve had bot much luck trawling the forum and ye old Google search engine, I thought I’d pop a post in here!

So I have a 14.1 pony who is half Appaloosa half New Forest, with a short back and he isn’t overly high withered but his withers aren’t non existent either, and I’m needing to get a saddle for him. When I ride him bareback he isn’t the comfiest (think having something uncomfortable shoved up your bottom!) and I don’t want my bum to go numb on a hack with friends so am on the hunt for a saddle! I’ve attached (hopefully!) a piccie of the ponio needing a new saddle so you can see the wither situation 🤣

I have been looking at the Premier Equine saddles (love their rugs etc!) and they seem to be lovely looking and I like the fact they’re adjustable, however in the past we’ve had issues with adjustable saddles from brands like Wintec not fitting him - would you say it is likely to have the same problem potentially popping up with the PE?

He is not afraid to tell me how things are and has been known to deposit me on many occasion when something hasn’t been to his liking, so I know if the saddle will get his approval or not🤣

I used to use a treeless saddle on him many moons ago, but want something smart and practical as I would like to potential go to some shows…..

I, of course will be getting a saddle fitter out to look at him, but thought it might be good to start researching now rather than having no idea and being an annoying client who doesn’t know what they want!
 

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Have you tried a Heather Moffett Flexee in your treeless search? They look like conventional saddles for showing & I've been very happy with mine on my short back, wide, little withered Exmoor.
 
We have an Appy x NF but he’s built like a tank and is about 15.3! He’s in an Ideal H&C at the moment but we are keeping an eye out for a Harry Dabbs on a hunter tree.
 
I had one of the PE dressage saddles - it came with a young cob. It may have fitted him when he was a scrawny 3yo but it gathered dust pretty quickly because it was no good for a wide pony with a flat-ish back

Mine wouldn't have suited the shape in your photo.

I had him in an Ideal, then AH saddles.
 
I would look at the specialist brands for native types (I fit for AH, the saddle SEH had) or possibly the standard British brands like Ideal or Black Country. Beware of flat panels, ie the underside of the saddle is long (it's not always a good idea to try and spread weight as widely as possible) as he has that slight curve.

He may need strengthening work,.ideally, as that shape is often a sign of a slight lack of postural strength, and then a short, or no, rear gusset in the panel,.and a tree that has the width at the twist to allow a wider back to lift. So often the tree is curved and the wrong shape in the twist and then has q flat panel that digs in, the opposite combo is better, flatter tree and "rounder" panel.

Then it needs to fit you and I'm guessing facing the typical issues of fitting an adult rider on a pony, if so the short panel and a flat/open seat are the way to go. Beware of the "17" seat on 16" panel" approach, it's too much of a compromise and has risks of leverage etc onto the horse's back.
 
sbloom said:
I would look at the specialist brands for native types (I fit for AH, the saddle SEH had) or possibly the standard British brands like Ideal or Black Country. Beware of flat panels, ie the underside of the saddle is long (it's not always a good idea to try and spread weight as widely as possible) as he has that slight curve.

He may need strengthening work,.ideally, as that shape is often a sign of a slight lack of postural strength, and then a short, or no, rear gusset in the panel,.and a tree that has the width at the twist to allow a wider back to lift. So often the tree is curved and the wrong shape in the twist and then has q flat panel that digs in, the opposite combo is better, flatter tree and "rounder" panel.

Then it needs to fit you and I'm guessing facing the typical issues of fitting an adult rider on a pony, if so the short panel and a flat/open seat are the way to go. Beware of the "17" seat on 16" panel" approach, it's too much of a compromise and has risks of leverage etc onto the horse's back.
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Thanks for the tips! I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for the tips and points you’ve mentioned :) He’s been out of work for just under a year so does need a lot of strengthening work to build muscle etc back up. With a short panel am I better off looking for close contact styles of saddles? :)
 
AppyLover1996 said:
Thanks for the tips! I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for the tips and points you’ve mentioned :) He’s been out of work for just under a year so does need a lot of strengthening work to build muscle etc back up. With a short panel am I better off looking for close contact styles of saddles? :)
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No, completely different. A close contact saddle has a thin foam panel, the worst kind for any kind of rehab. A semi close contact fit with a healthy back is fine, but usually best with a flocked panel imo. A deeper panel and a softer pad that matches the softer tone of the out of work horses back is the way to go
 
SEL said:
I had him in an Ideal, then AH saddles.
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I really like Ideals for ponies and cobs - they're good saddles and easy to pick up inexpensively second hand. So if a particular model doesn't fit, you can sell it on without too much of a loss. I would start there if you're on a synthetic-saddle sort of budget, or go straight for a new AH if you're feeling flush. If you do the latter please don't tell us about it because I will be green with jealousy.
 
OP you may also find that once your horse is in work you get through saddles painfully quickly. I have a little cob ex broodmare with wonky legs and a dipped back. Saddles have been a challenge and she's now in a WOW one which at least has the advantage of being modular.

Her back is looking a lot better but I'm fortunate the fitter is local, experienced and likes a challenge! I was able to buy some of the parts 2nd hand but she had to have bespoke panels because of her short back. If she can manage to stay in work then I wouldn't be surprised if I need some quite significant (expensive) changes to her set up this year.
 
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