saddle fitting (or not)

[riding_high]

i was looking at a few saddles that someone on the yard had for sale for my pony, he's extra wide (very flat backed) so unless i spend hundreds on getting one made to order i think i'm going to struggle so thought i'd look at these second hand ones.

the one i tried on seemed to fit him lovely in every way, length, width. wasn't high on either front or back. it gave a fair bit of clearance over his spine and seemed great.

anyway i tried riding in it and it was fine until i did a little trot, it felt like the seat of the saddle was coming up to meet my butt. now that tells me the saddle isn't right but is there anyway i can do something to stop this from happening?

i'm not a saddle fitter which is why i'm asking on here, if any knowledgable people think it will be fine with a few adjustments (different numnah/flocking/change the girth straps etc) then i will call in a saddle fitter for a better look but there's no point if the majority of people say definately a bad 'fit'.

 

[Bethie]

It sounds like the saddle is too wide or the tree is too curved for your pony. I'd look at what second hand saddles a saddle fitter may have in for you to try, and/or look at the Thorowgood Pony Club saddle as that's generally a reasonable fit on ponies. If you're not confident as to what you're looking at though you really need some expert eyes on the ground to give you some help.

 

[Mince Pie]

I'd have a look at the old Maxam saddles.

^^I had one for this pony and it fitted her well.

 

[cremedemonthe]

Without actually seeing it it is very hard to say, we need to be able to see it to determine if it fits on not, very hard to do with just a description and not always possible with photos either, best to get a saddler out,Oz

 

[riding_high]

thanks. i kinda figured i'd need to get a saddler out regardless but thought i'd see what others opinions were first.
broke-but-happy my pony is probably as wide as your pony so will ask about the maxam saddles. nice to have suggestions.

 

[sbloom]

Sorry I missed this post. As someone said, the tree might be too wide, but more than likely it is too curvy from front to back. I've not seen a Maxam so can't comment in whether it might work. Used saddles that might work include those built on the H&C tree (mainly Ideal) and the Haflinger tree (mainly GFS), and possibly the Arabian Saddle Company. I am a fitter for Native Pony & Cob Saddles and we have a range that specialises in wide and hard to fit horses and ponies as well.

 

[123Jump!]

I would get a expert saddle fitter if i were you. the cost of a fitted saddle is probably cheaper that the vet bill you would get for damaging your horse's back