Saddle for a baby - recommendations pls!

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orsceno1

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Hi all,
I am in the process of backing my 3yr old TBxWB mare who I reckon is around the 15.2 mark at the mo and rather tubby! I have borrowed an old saddle off a friend but am looking to get something to use for the next couple of years until she is mature enough to start doing more serious work with, when hopefully I will event her and thus invest in a couple of nice albions which I lurve.....anyways...I cant decide what to do about the saddle! I am thinking a wintec or similar that is adjustable is the best bet but I do want something comfy and ok to jump in too when the time comes (I had a wintec GP for my other horse when he was a youngster and never got on with it to jump in so its put me off a bit!). Basically I want to minimise the amount I have to spend on saddles in the near future withough compromising on fit/performance! So if anyone has any pearls of wisdom or advice I would be very grateful (especially on comfort/fit etc of any specific saddles)
Thank you!
 
I'd recommend thorowgood, the ones with the fish inserts are great for seasonal changes to shape. I've got the cob version for my 5yo who has already gone up a gullet which would have resulted in me buying a new saddle if I had a leather one. I think I may actually stay with synthetic forever.
 
Well personally an adjustable gullet stock saddle, but that's not quite what you meant - they really are fab for anything that broncs, but useless for jumping!

Otherwise a wintec / bates with a good bit of padding is a sound investment and had a good resale value
 
another vote for synthetic (thorogood0. they are lightweight and realatively cheap to buy new. I bought one for my youngster and never looked back. I still have it now,never bought another for her, rode many miles, great saddle.
 
I've just bought a Shires Optimus for my 4yo until he is fully developed. Like you I wanted something which would be comfy for both of us; and hopefully adjustable so eliminating the need to buy multiple secondhand jobbies.

I couldn't get on with thorowgood or wintec (mainly as used to riding in CC/Monoflap jump saddles!) and found them hard and uncomfortable.
I don't know anyone else first hand who has one; but for £399 for an adjustable gullet , fully flocked soft leather saddle which has been fitted by a saddle-fitter I was delighted. I went for the jumping version (which has nice padded kneerolls, not too flat seat, and a cut-back head) very comfy and lots of room for extra/removal of flocking for changing shapes as he develops which the wintecs dont offer. The fact is is leather was a huge appeal (at risk of being a 'snob') I absolutely HATE the feel & creaking of synthetic tack!

Only downside is the flaps are quite short so it does make the pooh look even more gangly than usual, but otherwise can't fault it and I have had several compliments on it as it looks much more expensive in the flesh!
 
I've just bought a kent and masters. They're made by thorogood but are leather so have a bit more weight to them and look smarter. Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to ride in mine since I tried it to buy it as my boy went and got kicked the night I had it fitted!! But it is worth a shot. they retail at about £700 new and they are adjustible.
 
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