Saddle for backing a pony?

[Melandmary]

Hi everyone! I've just rejoined the tack room for some advice on what saddle I should use for backing my new pony. She is a 12h, 12 year old coloured cob that has been a broodmare all her life, so she is very wide and flat backed. I got her as a companion for my mare but want to give her a job as a lead rein pony for the grandkids aged 3-7. I have looked at various saddles from treeless to cub saddles and don't know which way to go. I think finding a traditional saddle that actually fits will be nigh on impossible. For anyone that has backed a small pony for lead rein what have you used as a starter saddle. Thankyou f

 

[sbloom]

Traditional saddle isn't impossible at all, these saddles are out there I promise. It may be a little more expensive, or it may take a little longer to find. And will need fitting professionally, the first saddle is the most important saddle, you should have a static fit, and then a revisit once the horse is established in trot, reporting any issues in the meantime so you can nip problems in the bud.

Cub saddles are pretty grim on very wide backs, almost impossible to balance and not very stable.

Anything treeless may not be stable, on some they are stable, of course, but it's hard to predict. It's not uncommon to have to do a light rebacking if/when you want to introduce a treed saddle as they have a quite different feel.

I would HIGHLY recommend doing some really good postural rehab type work, especially as she's a broodie. She could do with developing some tone in her abdomen, and stronger, lifted back muscles to be ready to take a rider. I have a list of groundwork links I could email to you if you pm me an email address.

She will probably only take very lightweight riders, but I'd bet the person backing will be a little heavier, and even with lightweight riders, helping her to work in correct posture from the go get, before adding the weight of a rider, is a really good idea. And if she needs more schooling for any reason then she may need to take a heavier rider...

 

[Melandmary]

Thankyou sbloom, I didn't consider working on postural exercises considering her history and the exercises would be helpful if I can work out how to PM you ?. I thought the cub saddle would be OK considering that is what I see most tots sitting on as it has the handles to hold on to and she will only be hacking a coupe of times a week but I will invest in a saddle fitter coming out for something more suitable for the long run.

 

[sbloom]

Thankyou sbloom, I didn't consider working on postural exercises considering her history and the exercises would be helpful if I can work out how to PM you ?. I thought the cub saddle would be OK considering that is what I see most tots sitting on as it has the handles to hold on to and she will only be hacking a coupe of times a week but I will invest in a saddle fitter coming out for something more suitable for the long run.

It's the backing in a cub saddle I'd be most worried about as it won't be a tiny tot backing her, they have narrow, hard panels which have a very "sharp" edge, and if the saddle is at all out of balance then you'll have a ton of weight on that sharp edge, front or back.

Click on the photo of a saddle on the left, and then "start conversation"