Saddle For Very Wide Cob

Brummyrat

Brummyrat

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We have at our yard a 14hh coloured cob who hasn't been exercised much in the last two years and has been out for 12 hours a day, despite everyone nagging the owner. However, she has now loaned him to a lady who wants to sort his weight out and bring him back into some sort of work but his GP no longer fits and in order to hack out on him she needs a cheap saddle for the time being. He has no withers and is incredibly wide, especially in front of the saddle. She was thinking of something synthetic but I said I'd ask on here to see if anyone has had experience of fitting a saddle on a tank, and what you found was most suitable. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Maybe a treeless saddle until he slims down? You can get some pretty cheap ones on Ebay. Or even getting a barebacking pad? You just don't want to buy a saddle to have to sell it again when he is slimmer.
If these are not viable options then a wintec with an adjustible gullet could be an option.
 
I would get the cob to shift some weight first, because if you fit a saddle now (which may be a struggle) by the time the now rider has got his weight down, got him fit and muscled up etc he will of changed shape, yes by all means you can have a changable gullet system (Thorowood Griffen Cob) but still its better to fit a saddle to a a horses more natural shape to begin with.

I do however recomend the above saddle if fitted by a saddle fitter etc, the saddle also comes with Fish (little inserts to change the shape down the sides that runds behind the shoulder.

They are very hard wearing and comfortable, Wintec also do one to fit wider horses etc but it really depends on his shape.

Treeless...again depending on his shape, muscle and what will come into contact along the back...I've used a Torsion in the past with a cob and was impressed also.
 
He might be better with a straighter cut saddle such as a WH style if he's got huge shoulders. We couldn't fit a GP to our cob as it restricted her movement too much.

If she does get a synthetic for him, then make sure the back of the gullet has clearance as some of them are quite narrow at the back even if they are wide at the front, and can press on either side of the spine with larger horses.
 
Get some of the weight off first by loose schooling/walking in hand/cutting down on food stuff before trying to get a saddle on him. If he's that unfit and obese that his saddle no longer fits I think it's a bit unfair to just jump on him and try to work the weight off
crazy.gif
 
You could try looking for a 2nd hand Ideal H and C get it fitted and then sell it on when he slims down. They do come up 2nd hand on ebay sometimes.
 
Got similar problems Brummyrat. My rescue gipsy cob mare is 14.2 tall and 14.2 wide! She's just been backed at the ripe old age of 12 and I have worked very hard to get some weight on her because she came to me a bag of skin (burnt) and bones because of terrible ragwort poisoning. Well, I seem to have succeeded rather too well! She is now too wide but all the advice I have had is to move her weight slowly and carefully but it's hard to do this without a saddle that fits. So I've just bought her one of the brand new design Wintec Wide. They are specifically for very wide cobs and come with their own set of 3 changeable gullets so you still have some leeway if your cob alters shape up or down a bit. I am very, very happy with it. It is comfortable for me AND Angel and it looks great. £350 but looks twice that! Can send you piccy if any help?
 
Agree with Silverspring and would also recommend that unless it is raining cats and dogs, do not rug. This will help get the weight off.

I have a wintec wide looking for a good home.
 
Some brilliant advice, thanks guys I'll let his "aunt" know all what you've said, specifically about the Wintecs. Already he's looking a much happier boy, rather than coming in at 7pm he's coming in with the others in the afternoon because he's now on 5 day livery, plus he has a small net given in the evening like the others, she's trimmed him, washed him and is walking him in hand as Silverspring suggested. She's a sensible lady and realises that he can't be rushed and she also realises that anything she buys now will probably not fit him in 12 months time but as thats her goal anyway she's happy with it. Boxoffrogs, good luck with Angel, she's lucky to have found you x
 
Oooh sorry, hellybelly I missed the last line of your post, I'll defo let her know about your saddle and contact you should she be interested, thanks v much for that
 
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