Saddle for a short backed pony with a deep barrel??

[Ginger Bear]

Pony is 14'1, was out of work when he came last October. Since then he has been through 3 saddles & gone from a medium to an ex wide width. He can only take a 16', maybe a 16.5' at a push depending on saddle fit.

He currently has a 15.5' thorowgood pony club with changeable gullet but 12 yr old rider is outgrowing it.. Also this saddle has short girth straps & he has a deep barrel, which results in girth being tight under him but loose on his sides. He's not fat, scored 3.5 on ideal weight scale with nutritionist in summer. We also noticed last night that saddle seems ok but once rider is in the saddle it's very tight just behind his shoulders - indicating that rider is now too big for saddle? Am now wondering if just a bigger thorowgood will sort this or of if he needs a different type/make of saddle..? Thanks

 

[Darkwater]

I have a similar shaped pony and find a working hunter type saddle fits him best.. I personally use the Ideal working hunter in 16" and I have no problem riding in it, i'm about 5'4 with long legs and would normally need a 17" saddle if it was a gp or jumping saddle, but because of the position they puts me in I find I can comfortably ride in smaller wh/dressage saddles. It also suits the pony as it sits behind his shoulders and its slightly longer panels means the girth is fastening lower down the ponies barrel which might help your girthing problem.

 

[Spot_On]

My 14hh took a 16" saddle, but I needed a 16.5" seat.... ended up with a made to measure by native pony saddles.

 

[WelshD]

I have been chatting to staff at my local saddlery with a view to buying the pony club saddle and two people have mentioned interesting things

One said that the padding at the back of the saddle could be adjusted to give a rider a little more room without affecting the fit for the pony

The other said that the pony club always did (but they were not sure if they did still) do two versiobs with different length flaps and the longer version was ideal for growing riders and deep bodied ponies

Worth checking in to maybe?

 

[FairyLights]

If you Google Thorowgood and also Wintec then thereslots of info on their sites about all the many models they make.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Check out the Native Pony Saddle company - and also send sbloom a PM on here.

 

[Ginger Bear]

Darkwater, thanks for your comments will definitely look into wh saddles.

WelshD - I've already checked out about the flap length & they no longer do 2 versions unfortunately.

Will also look into the native pony saddles.

Thanks all x

 

[Shysmum]

Treeless ?

 

[Inthesticks]

I have a very similar pony, and he is in a treeless because two saddle fitters said it was the best thing to do for him. I have a Barefoot Cheyenne.

 

[Shysmum]

Yup, I have the same.

 

[showingmadfilly]

Try fylde or ideal, both great saddles. Apparently ideal have more padding for their backs.

 

[Ginger Bear]

Never tried a treeless?? Can they be used for all disciplines?? What about jumping?

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Check out the Native Pony Saddle company - and also send sbloom a PM on here.

Ditto this.

I am going to PM you OP as I've had a bad experience with a company (NOT this one!!! which you may wish to avoid.

Sorry meant to say that anyone else with "short backed ponies/horses with deep barrel" wanting to know which one this is, please feel free to PM me.

Please, if "Googling" or looking for these sorts of saddles, take especial care as there is another set-up out there which unfortunately uses a similar sounding name and it would be very easy to get confused. Best to contact "sbloom" direct TBH so there's no confusion.

 

[castella]

Im an adult riding a pony and struggled to find a saddle to fit us both so ended up in a flexee leather tree, I have both gp and dressage and am pleased with both.