Saddle for 'dippy' cob?

Jo1987

Jo1987

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Hello, I'm hoping someone can recommend me a saddle for my 5 year old cob, he has big shoulders and bottom which gives him the appearance of having a 'dippy' back and as a result most saddles seem to bridge on him (sit on his shoulders and the back of the saddle but not in the middle!) I've tried a thorowgood t6 cob and a silhouette so far and neither have sat right on him. What are people with similar horses using?? Thanks.
 
I've got a traditional short backed cob, was looking for a kent and masters but tried on my youngster's Flexee saddle just to see and it suits him v well, although I have to use the detachable shoulder shims as he's quite narrow there.
 
I had same problem so bought a riser now saddle fits fine and doesnt slip either. Be sure when you put it on you dont put it too far forward on to their shoulders.
 
A lot of people seem to prefer treeless on their cobs so maybe that's something to look into!
postputasocinit - what saddle do you have and is this a 'middle riser'? I have seen a gel pad with a raised middle section that I though might work rather than the usual front or rear risers.
 
Its a riser at the back, its fork a farrington GP saddle. But i also have a bareback pad which i still use the riser with otherwise it is too much pressure on hos withers from the front of the pad.
 
My old horse had a seriously dipped back and no saddle would fit. I used a gelpad with the inserts in the middle to bridge the gap. Once even considered trying to put a pillow under the saddle !
 
I have the same bridging problem with thorowgood t6 on my dippy backed chap (high withers, flat back, high bum). I actually found the wintec 500 a good fit ... just my experience with my horse. I have had to make a very slight compromise on seat size from my side of things in order to get a good fit. xx
 
Mine sounds similar to yours orsoncart, I will try and borrow my friends wintec as they look like the panels are not as deep at the back as the thorowgood, and wintecs always seem to stick up at the back on my other horse so it may suit my cob well!
 
If you are experiencing bridging with most saddles then you need wider (to bring the front down), curvier (to fit into the back) or shorter (to avoid the higher areas of the back). My recommendation is to try a fitter experienced in thse shapes - I often fit a shorter panel with a tree/seat large enough to carry the rider, I fit a fairly flat tree (the curvier ones look great at a standstill with no rider but lift at the back in rising trot, same if you go too wide) in most cases.
 
GeorgeyGal said:
I've got a traditional short backed cob, was looking for a kent and masters but tried on my youngster's Flexee saddle just to see and it suits him v well, although I have to use the detachable shoulder shims as he's quite narrow there.
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Thats interesting GeorgyGal, have just sent pics and a wither template to HM and one of her agents, to see if they think a flexee would be suitable for my cob, feel quite hopeful now!
 
A flexee may work although may need shimming, I've got one and love it but have a fairly standard barrel shaped horse. My friend has a vogue on her elderly pony with dipped back and it seems to be great. I don't think treed saddles are easy to work for this type of back as it can either fit 'into' the dip in which case how is the back supposed to lift, or bridge which is not ideal either. You need to be able to let the back muscle up underneath to help correct the dip.
 
Jo1987 said:
A lot of people seem to prefer treeless on their cobs so maybe that's something to look into!
postputasocinit - what saddle do you have and is this a 'middle riser'? I have seen a gel pad with a raised middle section that I though might work rather than the usual front or rear risers.
Click to expand...

Mmm...... we've been there, tried it, this is the way we (thought we were) going....... then tried a Barefoot size 2 and it just overwhelmed Trad-Lad tho' fitted mare (sec D) fine!!!

Tried a Wintec Wide 17" with a 3XXX gullet, but not an ideal fit.

We had a "Tree Free" Exmoor saddle on trial, which was good on both horses. Luckily there was one going on E-bay, so I've just bought it!!! Trial saddle goes back today.

Bleddy cobs, they're a b@gger to fit a saddle to!
 
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try native pony saddle company, arabian saddle company or friend uses pathfinder on dippy tb. pathfinder fab saddle.
 
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