Question about 'cob' saddles...

E

EquestrianFairy

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 October 2006
Messages
6,502
Visit site
Is there a particular type of 'cob' that these only fit or can you pretty much have them for any cobby horse?

I've been offered a cob saddle company one for my section D and without buying it and having it fitted I won't know if it's suitable but I don't want to buy one only to be told I should have got a normal tree- if that makes sense?

Can they pretty much be fitted to most horses or does the 'cob' part make a massive difference?
 
Saddle Co saddles are generally adjustable, so you can adjust the width to fit. The 'cob' design is just for flatter backed, lower withered horses - so wouldn't fit a high withered TB for instance. However it essentially is just a modified GP saddle.

I have had a lot of success riding cobs/ponies in cob type saddles, in my opinion they fit better as there is less curvature to the saddle than a regular GP. However I would check the seat length etc before buying.
 
It depends totally on the individual saddle and the horse. I see plenty of cobs and natives that need special flat and/or wide trees that some companies just do not do, or understand. There are loads and loads of trees available across the market and you can't simply say some are cob and some are non-cob, just like any horse you need a tree that fits your individual horse. Which specific saddle is it, and has anyone at least seen photos of the horse and advised it may be suitable?
 
It's not all about the tree but the shoulders as well. Both my sec d x's have had big shoulders so a normal gp didn't give enough clearance. Yes the trees are for flatter backed wider animals but the saddles are cut straighter at the front so as to not impinge shoulder movement which is just as important IMO.
 
sbloom said:
It depends totally on the individual saddle and the horse. I see plenty of cobs and natives that need special flat and/or wide trees that some companies just do not do, or understand. There are loads and loads of trees available across the market and you can't simply say some are cob and some are non-cob, just like any horse you need a tree that fits your individual horse. Which specific saddle is it, and has anyone at least seen photos of the horse and advised it may be suitable?
Click to expand...

It's a saddle company cob saddle- currently no one has seen it or the horse. I have photos of both but I would be taking a risk buying it and if it wasn't suitable (when fitter came) then I'm concerned trying to sell it on will take forever. I need two saddles so limited on budget as I have a leather Jefferies falcon I also can't shift. Agh!
 
The saddle company cob saddle has a wider gullet then say the GP which is good as there are lots of nerves running along the side of the horses spine that need to be kept clear of the panels. I have got one and use it on a Welsh D and am very pleased with it.
 
If I remember rightly from your pic of your new lad, he currently has an undeveloped top line and a bit of a pot belly. I would expect him to change shape and muscle up when he is worked and fed correctly. A saddle that fits now may well not do so in 6 or 12 months time, but that is pretty common with young horses, I'm afraid.
 
My high withered TB has a Kent and Masters cob saddle.
Had the saddler out to check it and she just reflocked it. It's the one he came with, but I was expecting a stern telling off but she was happy!
 
Tiddlypom said:
If I remember rightly from your pic of your new lad, he currently has an undeveloped top line and a bit of a pot belly. I would expect him to change shape and muscle up when he is worked and fed correctly. A saddle that fits now may well not do so in 6 or 12 months time, but that is pretty common with young horses, I'm afraid.
Click to expand...
That's right, it's why I want a saddle company one so it can be adjusted to grow with him or if needs be, sold and replaced with one that fits etc.
 
Just a suggestion - a treeless while he is still growing ? It was the only solution for my lad. He's now 7 and still growing and filling out. We have a barefoot saddle.
 
Getting a decently fitting saddle is IMHO the worst part of buying a new horse!

The problem with buying a saddle on spec, and then getting the fitter out, and then being told that it's not suitable, is that it takes a lot of time. If you then have to sell the saddle on before you can look for another one, you will have wait until it's sold and you have the money back. That may take weeks.

If you have already got a saddle to be getting on with, then it may well be worth taking a chance on it. Otherwise, you really will be better off getting a decent saddle fitter out, with a range of second hand saddles, who can get you sorted ASAP. Then you can get riding!
 
Just noticed you are buying a youngster. ...I bought my sc cob saddle for my 4 year old section d before buying him and have had no problems. In fact it didn't even need altering to fit!! Sc saddles are perfect for growing youngsters as are so adjustable. They go for around £200 on eBay. I will sell mine once he is fully grown and get a nice leather one but in the meantime I am happy with this.
The sc cob saddles have extra girth straps so perfect for the more barrel shaped horse!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top