Saddle fitting woes for tank of a cob

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Rosiejazzandpia

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Had the saddle fitter out today now that covid restrictions are easing slightly.

Tank of a cob mare has outgrown previous saddles and changed shape so much lately. She was in a thorowgood t6 cob in the widest gullet but it's just perched on top of her now.
Nothing in the van fitted, the saddle that saddle fitter thought would fit was still slightly too narrow. He's going to have a hunt round the shop for me but not feeling very hopeful.

She needs a hoop tree for a very flat back. She's 15hh, coming up to 6 years old and still slightly bum high.
Does anyone have any saddle recommendations, have a magical 17.5 inch hoop tree saddle lying around or have any suggestions?

Losing the will to live at the moment, I've been hacking out bareback but forward going sharp spooky mare doesn't make for fun or safety ?
I'll try to attach a photo of said tank of a mare
 

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I ended up a solutions saddle for my cob
Shes a very sporty and sleek cob but still struggled to find a tree'd saddle to suit so thought I'd give them a go. Have always been a bit suspicious of treeless saddle as come from a saddle fitting background but can honestly say it been great. Ponies back gets checked every 3 months, is great, saddle doesnt slip like tree'd ones did, I don't get back ache riding in it. I have jumped in it too (have the eveter) and would have no issue jumping/hunting/xc-ing in it :)
 
The only saddle I have found that fits my mare and doesn't move anywhere is a dressage saddle. We don't jump though, so it's not a problem for us.

I have considered trying a Wow saddle but they are expensive.
 
Have you tried silhouette? Lovely comfy saddles and fitted my 15hh tank. Can normally pick nice ones up on eBay.
 
She is going to be a nightmare to fit. Surely a 17.5" will be too long? She is built to drive not ride and doesnt have a lot of room for a saddle. When I had a similar odd shaped horse I want for a Ghost saddle. They are only about £600 new. My fitter came out and fitted it to him and it was the most secure, comfortable saddle.
 
I was going to say a 17.5” would surely be too long? She doesn’t have much space. Is there another saddle fitter in you’re area you could try? You want something working hunter/dressage/show cut, those shoulders will move anything with a knee roll, back.
 
holeymoley said:
I was going to say a 17.5” would surely be too long? She doesn’t have much space. Is there another saddle fitter in you’re area you could try? You want something working hunter/dressage/show cut, those shoulders will move anything with a knee roll, back.
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Solution saddles are measured lengthwise to fit the rider, so you would be able to accommodate your own requirements too, OP.
 
I would look at Ideal H&C. I suspect I'll have the same issue. My boy is still croup high (just turned 6) and quite short backed. I ride him in a Thorn Pad with a pad underneath for spine clearance and hip saver on top for a little twist. He gets on really well with that, so I'm in no rush for a fitting and am waiting until he's finished filling out.
 
Wow thank you all for your replies. Apologies for my late response, phone took a dip in the water troughs today so have just revived it and logged back on. Cant quote and reply to individual posts on my dying phone.

Shes been in a thorowgood t6 cob since backing but has outgrown it and the shape of the tree is just not wide enough for her now even in the xxw silver gullet. Shes not as short backed as she looks in this photo, it was just the best I could find of her standing straight on the only flat part of the yard, the washing blowing in the farmyard was the big distraction hence why she's doing her best impression of a giraffe ? saddlers have been happy with a 17.5 on her, but now time to find a different saddler who can bring out some wider saddles I think.
I'm based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire if anyone has recommendations for local saddlers.
Happy to go for a straight cut saddle or dressage saddle if needed, we hack and neither of us will ever be jumpers
 
And thank you all for your suggestions, you've been more helpful than the saddler who I will be avoiding in the future as they didn't suggest any brands in particular and jumped straight to wanting to push for a made to measure so different opinions definitely needed.
Note to self to buy an easy to fit horse next time I think!
 
I love my Chunky Monkey dressage saddle and I've a few friends with wide fell ponies that rave about them too. Sam is fairly close to you too I think
 
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