Saddle for flat backed, low withered Arab?

m3gan

m3gan

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Sorry I know its been a topic before, but I am seriously concerned about what I am going to do. My Arab is 14.2 in addition to the above he is short coupled and has had a bad back in the past, when I bought him, 5 yrs ago.

I think he is a bit lopsided as the old saddle slipped to the right, and the ones that I have borrowed have done the same: Namely a Heather Moffett Vogue and a treeless Libre. I have just returned a Thorowgood T4 Pony Club saddle as I felt perched on it and also think it was a bit too small for me.

I am 5ft and size 8/10 .

I did think about treeless but have read reports that they can damage horses backs. I cant afford to spend mega bucks either, so I would possibly buy used saddle or a new synthetic , any suggestions please? I have got a saddler booked for Monday, this will be the third one that I have had, the first one didn't have anything to fit him, and the second, who I will not name, had told me she had lots of saddles and came out with one which belonged to her livery and then charged me £50.

Thank you for reading
 
Eek sorry you haven't had any luck with saddle fitters, that last one I would be complaining big time!

Lots of cob saddles can work for Arabs, but I am sure someone will come along with more specific recommendations soon. Have you also tried the Arabian lines forum?
 
Thank you, I will try Arabian Lines, did not think of that.

The saddler who ripped me off is well known and I am sure would not hesitate to sue me if I mentioned her by name.
 
I have a WOW that used to fit my boy really well - until he lost all the weight he needed to lose and we realised that there actually was a wither under there! :D really upset that it doesn't fit anymore as it was the comfiest thing ever.
They're great as they're customizable but they're not the cheapest saddles ever so it depends on your budget but I do recommend them :)
 
What about the new compact gp by Thorowgood? They sent me a brochure and although my horse isn't an Arab I have similar requirements. Flat, short back fairly low wither etc and its sounds ideal
 
I've had a few saddles over th years for my arab! Best GP I ever had was a Native Pony Saddle company one. I only changed that when I needed a jump saddle (starter doing BE90 with him and was a little scary with no knee roll!)
Took a while to find a jump saddle but ended up with an Albion legend XC saddle that has very flexible knee rolls, so it moves with his larger than average shoulders. he's also in an ideal suzannah dressage saddle at the moment!
 
over the years ive had saddles slipping to the right kept feeling the need to rebalance myself last year after my mare had an equine bowen treatment this no longer happens ,we now have a saddle company cob with no problems so far ,hope you can find a nice saddle.
 
I have found ideal saddles to be the best fit on my mare...shes short coupled straight backed and wide, I bought second hand and had saddler adjust flocking, it doesn't rock as the others did and don't feel perched and mare moves lovely in it, think its on the h&c tree so made wider and flatter than the normal gp
 
Thank you for all your helpful replies. I am going to research your suggestions. The saddle that now does not fit is an Ideal, which until now I found very comfortable, but it is a heavy saddle, and as ned has had back problems in the past I would like to find something lighter for him.
 
M3gan, are you anywhere near the South West? Can recommend Julia Garrett so strongly. I had terrible problems with my Arab and had really respectable people coming out and getting nowhere. Eventually called Julia and she fitted an Ideal and it is great. I have her out regularly and she adjusts there and then.

When she saw my gelding she could just tell immediately all his problems without me saying a word. She just felt his back and shoulders for a few seconds. I think she could have a second career as a real 'horse communicator'!
 
I've got an Arabian Saddle Company Solstice endurance saddle for my arab. It's the most comfy saddle in the world, and because they are designed for arabs, the tree points sit well behind the shoulder and allow for their movement. It has a straighter flap than a GP, more of a VSD, and offers a very secure seat. I found mine second hand on the EnduranceGP website classifieds.
 
Sorry, just read back and you have an Ideal.

I was going to go Treeless or get a really expensive endurance saddle but it might just be worth trying another fitter - I am sure there is a conventional saddle out there for you somewhere, if that is what you want.
 
Hi Blue Whippet - Yes I am in Devon, please can you give me Julia Garretts contact info. Thank you very much.

Thank you also Ihotse for the info. about The Arabian Horse Company I will investigate them as well.

Many thanks to you all, you are all such a help on this forum x
 
Ideals don't fit my Arab, thorowgood cob is too low at the front.

I tried 7 saddles in 18m then gave up and had one made.
I had the tree widened this spring and bigger knee blocks fitted by the bloke who made it. I wish I'd done it sooner, it was money well spent.:)
 
m3gan said:
Hi Blue Whippet - Yes I am in Devon, please can you give me Julia Garretts contact info. Thank you very much.
Click to expand...

W E S Garrett (Saddlers)
Back Lane, Draycott, Cheddar, Somerset, Somerset, BS27 3TH, United Kingdom

www.garrettsaddlers.co
Tel: 01934 742367
Email: julia@juliagarrett.wanadoo.co.uk

You might have a couple of weeks' wait, but she is worth it and not expensive - just years of experience - and very nice too.
 
bluewhippet said:
W E S Garrett (Saddlers)
Back Lane, Draycott, Cheddar, Somerset, Somerset, BS27 3TH, United Kingdom

www.garrettsaddlers.co
Tel: 01934 742367
Email: julia@juliagarrett.wanadoo.co.uk

You might have a couple of weeks' wait, but she is worth it and not expensive - just years of experience - and very nice too.
Click to expand...

Thank you! But I am in West Devon, it is quite a journeyfrom Cheddar, not sure if it will be cheap for her to come that far, but thank you anyway.
 
I know it's not the 'done' thing, but the 'Gallop' type foreign saddles do an XXW which is the widest, flattest thing I've ever seen. I have one which we use on a Dartmoor pony stallion. In summer when he's the same shape over his withers as his bum (i.e. circular!) it's the only thing that fits him. It's that or bareback ;o)
 
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