Saddle fit on flat fat pony

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stencilface

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I bought a saddle last week and had it fitted on my 12.3 4yo native cross, saddle fitter recommended a t4 pony saddle for his shape in extra wide. I tried it, but stupidly didn't put him on the lunge or anything. Saddke fitter said an xxw would fit him better.

Anyhow, the saddle with an xw bar seems to move forwards on the lunge as he basically has no withers and might be bum hight atm. Is it likely that if I get an xw bar and move the girth straps forward this will be rectified? It may do I think.

Main problem is this saddle is synthetic and doesn't have a d ring on the back to take a crupper, which is the next option. Seemingly the only other saddles that might fit (bates and wintec so I'm told) also have no doubt on them! So is it likely a saddler will be able to fit a D ring on the back ofor a synthetic?
 
You can get a crupper attachment for a fiver which slots into any gulleted saddle. I've got one on a TG saddle.

In fact here's the whole thing for £11.99

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/black-schooling-crupper

Can't get link to work but if you search for crupper attachment you'll get it
 
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Thankyou! I'm sorry I should have googled that first shouldn't I?! I just thought it would be an impossible task. Otherwise the saddle fits (although saddle flaps are very short! Although it's a dinky 15inch) and pony was happy until it slipped.

I have to use my horses old girth on it as the straps are so short! Need a new one though without elastic as apparently they're not good on round ponies.

He's not obese, just round and pony shaped!
 
I would get a professional choice ventech neoprene girth for its softness and anti-slip properties. Denver do a cheap copy but it's not as good.

Also a non slip gel thing is good too.

Elastic fine as long as it's on both ends.
 
Thankyou for the tips, I had a pony that was like riding a credit card as a kid so with round ones I don't know!

I'll have a look for the girth :)

The little tubby custard in question

20160929_155905_zpsonv5gfbm.jpg
 
We tried all sorts of saddles on our little flat backed cob with zero wither. Had to go for a Black Country WH saddle in the end. There isn't a GP out there that will fit her I don't think, she needs something straight cut so it doesn't interfere with her shoulder and wiggle forwards up her neck. Twas a long and frustrating process.

Hope the crupper works for you, but I would def look at a show/WH saddle if not :)
 
Does you pony have a forward girth groove? I have four natives and one has such a forward girth groove that anything shot up his neck, found long dressage girth strap sorted that out.

Also have a 13.2 NF, flat back and mutton withers - fitted with a lovely Ideal WH saddle. I find that the synthetic saddles can be a bit perched and not broad enough in the panels which doesn't help fitting them to natives!
 
Thankyou for all your replies. I think I've fixed the problem by fitting an xxw bar and moving the far back girth straps forwards.

This is the pony post lunging, I don't think it moved forwards, it's hard to tell when they have little bellies!

20161005_111406_zpsxlecgpch.jpg
 
The photo shows the saddle too far forwards, at least an inch if not more. Not a problem on the lunge, and not always avoidable with this shape of pony, but more importantly it needs to be put further back and stay there when ridden. The tree points should be 2-3 fingers behind the back edge of the shoulder blade.
 
Pony is still being backed, so if it does move when ridden (although will only be on lead rein in walk so will take a while to notice!) I will fit a crupper as otherwise he seems happy in it. It's hard to position as he really doesn't have any withers!!
 
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