Saddle fitting for new pony - help!

kellybee

kellybee

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 November 2010
Messages
1,154
Visit site
We are trialling a 11.2hh welsh sec A and have been looking at saddles for him. I tried our shetland's medium fit jumping saddle on him and it seems to be fine on his shoulder, sits flat on his back with good spine clearance but i can only fit two fingers under the pommel. Girthed up it sits really nice but is the 3/4 finger rule applicable to horses, or ponies too?

I'm happy to go and buy one once we're happy he's suitable and have paid for him but whilst he's on trial i'm a bit reluctant, i have a felt pad or the jumping saddle. Are two fingers okay when it seems to fit everywhere else? Or should i stick to the felt pad for now?

Thanks :)
 
I'm not going to be much help other than to say I'm sceptical about that 3-4 fingers rule. I dislike any blanket rules as every horse or pony is an individual. What's it like with rider on board? Less room between pommel and wither? Or the same?
 
if you are absolutly certain it wont make contact with the pony when she rides (three year olds arnt usually the most balenced so she might bounce a bit,bear this in mind) then i cant see a problem. :D
 
people usually position the girth far too far forwards on small ponies,like this:
http://www.trumbullmtn.com/wp-content/uploads/girth-2.jpg

when it should be this far back:http:
//3.bp.blogspot.com/-e24RC8-kGKM/T80A1R3y1ZI/AAAAAAAAAEc/ObOI9mn0tjE/s1600/Picture+007.jpg

to avoid girth galls and a lot of pinching . its basically a cheap way of replicating what the fairfax performance girth does!
 
Thanks all, I've tightened it and made sure it's in the right place, but little one is very light. Will see if I can pick up a gel/riser/treeless pad for him before I let her bounce around on him just in case.
 
ShowjumpingPrincess said:
people usually position the girth far too far forwards on small ponies,like this:
http://www.trumbullmtn.com/wp-content/uploads/girth-2.jpg

when it should be this far back:http:
//3.bp.blogspot.com/-e24RC8-kGKM/T80A1R3y1ZI/AAAAAAAAAEc/ObOI9mn0tjE/s1600/Picture+007.jpg

to avoid girth galls and a lot of pinching . its basically a cheap way of replicating what the fairfax performance girth does!
Click to expand...

A girth will often as not migrate to the girth groove which is usually quite forwards in ponies. A correct fitting, flat treed saddle, in balance, and use of the point and third girth straps will usually work, certainly the way I work with my saddles.

I think you should be fine for a little jockey, I think I'd seldom expect to get over 3 fingers clearance on a highish withered (and yes they can be) Welsh A, I fit quite a few. Your biggest issue is unlikely to be contact on the wither (if it keeps the balance reasonable, use a thicker pad if there are clearance issues, temporarily), but the saddle moving forwards.
 
sbloom said:
A girth will often as not migrate to the girth groove which is usually quite forwards in ponies. A correct fitting, flat treed saddle, in balance, and use of the point and third girth straps will usually work, certainly the way I work with my saddles.

I think you should be fine for a little jockey, I think I'd seldom expect to get over 3 fingers clearance on a highish withered (and yes they can be) Welsh A, I fit quite a few. Your biggest issue is unlikely to be contact on the wither (if it keeps the balance reasonable, use a thicker pad if there are clearance issues, temporarily), but the saddle moving forwards.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I shall. We should know in a few weeks whether we intend to buy the pony but my main concern was his comfort. He's moving fine in the jumping saddle but obv his discomfort is priority and in turn the safety of the kids.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top