Saddle for wide cob with zero wither

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Clare85

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Esme is 4, a gypsy cob, 13.2hh and wide as she is tall. She was backed in May and has changed shape since then. The saddle we initially used is an xxw L. A. Jones leather saddle. It was fine at first but now it is too wide and slips forwards.

I have tried a number of saddles on her with our saddler a few weeks ago and the best fit was a Kent & Masters with changeable gullet. Saddler ordered one for us which arrived at the yard today. Rode in it, she strode out beautifully in walk, popped up into trot, was perfect for first half of long side and then the saddle flew forwards, which she hated and got all humpy and tail swishy. Saddle has gone home with the saddler :(

We are going to try an Ideal H&C which saddler is getting in stock next week and potentially a Fylde (which I've not heard of before - will be researching).

I am thinking of getting a Thorne Saddle Pad in the mean time so we can continue with her training. Can anyone recommend any other saddles to try, bearing in mind we don't want to go mad on price as she is only 4 and will continue to change shape for a while yet.
 
Mmmm have every sympathy here.

Mine's just the same.

We've been there and done it with the synthetics. Wintec's just don't suit his back and in fact when he was fitted with one whilst on working livery he had to be taken out of work as it was very obviously causing him pain and discomfort. The Wintec Wide - we had the purple gullet - was AWFUL. Rolled around like a ship at sea and was the most unstable thing I've ever sat on, rolled round as soon as I put my foot in the stirrup and shifted around when I was up top and that was only in walk.

Tried the Thorowgood T4. Was so uncomfortable in the bleddi thing that I had to get off and walk home after only riding in it for 30 mins.

Current saddle is a Lovatt & Ricketts GP. Got it for fifty quid from a car boot (made up my own template from cardboard box!). Saddle fitter (SMS) flocked it, and it does the job, for now. I can't say I'm 100% keen on it TBH but it does suit the friend who shares my horse as she's got longer legs than me.

When I ride him, I prefer to ride in a "Tree Free" treeless saddle, the new Tor version they've brought out, it has a much narrower twist than other treeless saddles I've tried. I love it to bits and can ride for a good 2 hours or more in it!

As yours is growing OP, you might find treeless is the way to go, for now, then when she's older and filled out you might then find a suitable treed saddle.

One of my livery's showed me her "Limpet" pad which does just that apparently, holds any saddle in place very firmly! - you might find that if used with a treeless saddle this does the trick nicely for a year or two and might be a good solution.

There are companies that fit especially for wide cobs and have a special range. i.e. Andrea Hicks, and others. If thinking of these saddles then be aware that there are "others" out there using the same sort of description i.e. native pony saddles etc. My advice would be to stick with the Andrea Hicks range and that only. I've had a really bad experience with another brand which basically sounds very similar to theirs and the saddles look the same. PM me if you want the full details.

If you haven't tried treeless before then be aware that you really do need to try a few before you find one that suits you. Barefoot are difficult to get the right size: I've given up on them, their size 1 is too small for me (a classic size 14) but just right for my short-backed 15hh cob; and their size 2 is way too big for me and the horse! Freeform are lovely and comfy initially, but obviously didn't offer enough support as I got lower back pain after an hour in the saddle. Libra are frankly awful and not worth buying. You might find Heather Moffatt saddles suit you, I had a HM FlexEE (no gullet) which was one of the first ones they brought out and it was a right PITA to get a correct fit with and I gave up, but I think they are different now and might well be worth a punt on E-bay. Be aware that there are lot of rubbish treeless's on E-bay which are made in India, only suitable for the bonfire I'm afraid.

Hope you find something! These odd shaped cobs are a nightmare for sure.

Sorry (edited) meant to say that Saddles Direct is a website where there are details of treeless saddles you can trial. Usually costs about fifty quid for a week which is then deducted from the price if you buy. Or if you want to try the one I use i.e. Tree Free, go direct to their website. They're based in Buckfastleigh Devon, and will come out and fit for you. Don't know where you are in the country? I guess they'd be able to post something out if you describe the horse. I found them really helpful.
 
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Thank you so much for all that info. Yep, we've tried synthetics galore, none have been any good, plus I really don't like them anyway. The Thorowgood was especially uncomfortable, totally agree there.

Treeless had crossed my mind, I shall do some research into those, thanks :)

I am hoping to go down the AH route at some stage, but not until she has finished growing - so at least another couple of years until we're at that point.

Will pm you re. the native/Cob saddle companies to avoid as will be useful info.

Thanks again for your post, very helpful :)
 
At this stage I would think treeless, what I like about the Heather Moffatt range is that once it's warmed up they stay pretty stable. Now I have the Fhoenix , which is the treeless version. Why I like it for the wider, flatter back , is that the version I use has a point strap. The newer saddles don't and I think that's an invitation for forward slippage. I got mine on eBay. Great ride, stays put and once you learn to bAlance it really good.
 
Depending on how wide- have you tried a falcon hawk event saddle- s/h costs between £200-400, alternatively mine is in a Barnsby show saddle- fantastic as my horse is not only wide and flat. but short backed and bum high too! Would personally (From experience) hold fire on the AH/Native pony ones though until you have exhausted other options.
 
Jnhuk said:
with regard to Thorowgoods - I hated them all apart from the T8 jump
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Totally agree.....Loath might be a better discription , however the T4 fits my Clydesdale and I'm having to put up with it for the time being. They are cheap and they alter so are good for young horses or horses still developing.
 
I'm another who feels your pain. I've been told that saddle is a good fit, but it still slips so I've arranged another Saddle fitter - coming soon and she's suggested Black Country and ideal as ones to look at. Fingers crossed.

In the meantime I've solved the slipping forward by using point straps and a girth for forward girth groove (I use the prolite one). But still have the side slip hence ongoing search. Playing around with pads can help - mine suits sheepskin le mieux pad with a gel pad then the saddle. The double sided gel saddle cloths are also good, but my mare doesn't like the gel straight on her back.

If this attempt at finding a treed saddle doesn't work I'm tempted to try the solution route.

Good luck op
 
My little Gypsy Cob is in a Farrington working hunter - might be another brand worth trying. It's actually my Connie x TB's old saddle, but it was professionally fitted by my saddler and seems to suit her really well.
 
Sukistokes2 said:
At this stage I would think treeless, what I like about the Heather Moffatt range is that once it's warmed up they stay pretty stable. Now I have the Fhoenix , which is the treeless version. Why I like it for the wider, flatter back , is that the version I use has a point strap. The newer saddles don't and I think that's an invitation for forward slippage. I got mine on eBay. Great ride, stays put and once you learn to bAlance it really good.
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Thank you :) yes, treeless is definitely something I will be looking into as I think she needs something as close contact as possible ATM to mould to her shape almost. Will def be looking into :)

serenityjane said:
Depending on how wide- have you tried a falcon hawk event saddle- s/h costs between £200-400, alternatively mine is in a Barnsby show saddle- fantastic as my horse is not only wide and flat. but short backed and bum high too! Would personally (From experience) hold fire on the AH/Native pony ones though until you have exhausted other options.
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Thank you :) a couple of people at my yard have suggested using a show saddle. Esme is also all the things you have described for your horse so could well be the way to go. Could I ask why you think I should use AH/Native as a last option? :)

Jnhuk said:
with regard to Thorowgoods - I hated them all apart from the T8 jump
Click to expand...

Agree, really disliked the one I tried - as did Esme.

Cobbytype said:
Have you tried Black Country saddles? I've had one for years and it's great.
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I haven't but will look into them, thank you :)
 
McFluff said:
I'm another who feels your pain. I've been told that saddle is a good fit, but it still slips so I've arranged another Saddle fitter - coming soon and she's suggested Black Country and ideal as ones to look at. Fingers crossed.

In the meantime I've solved the slipping forward by using point straps and a girth for forward girth groove (I use the prolite one). But still have the side slip hence ongoing search. Playing around with pads can help - mine suits sheepskin le mieux pad with a gel pad then the saddle. The double sided gel saddle cloths are also good, but my mare doesn't like the gel straight on her back.

If this attempt at finding a treed saddle doesn't work I'm tempted to try the solution route.

Good luck op
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Thank you, good luck with your search! We will be trying an Ideal H&C and will look into Black Country also. Fingers crossed!

We have point straps on her current saddle and have ordered a polite, as apparently they are good at anchoring saddles in place. The slippage to the side I could deal with if it was that alone. It's the saddle running up her neck that is just a no no. She hates it and reacts very negatively. Frustrating as I won't push her through and make her work when she's uncomfortable, so we are really limited as to how much we can do with her ATM. Grrrrr.

JJS said:
My little Gypsy Cob is in a Farrington working hunter - might be another brand worth trying. It's actually my Connie x TB's old saddle, but it was professionally fitted by my saddler and seems to suit her really well.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the suggestion, I will have a look into those also :)
 
Hippocob could also be described as wide (very, incredibly) with no wither (zilch, nothing) and after trial and error, then some more trial and error, the only saddle which really works is a solution smart native. Absolutely love it - can't say enough good things about it. Have a google, see what you think.
 
I am following this thread with interest as I have recently bought a short backed cob with a high croup and little wither!

I am using a Thorowgood cob saddle on her which is okay on her but is doing me no favours at all! I feel like I am constantly fighting the saddle to stay in the correct position.
I am thinking of going down the Andrea Hicks route once I have saved my pennies.
 
Hi there! A slightly less well known choice- Free n Easy saddles. I went on a riding holiday with Cumbrian Heavy Horses and quite a few horses (including mine) were wearing them. I can really vouch for them; they're a pretty 'different' saddle to the norm. We were riding for 8 hours every day and the saddles didn't slip forward or back an inch.

The saddle has two panels that aren't really connected in the middle, meaning total clearance from the horse's spine. However, you can hardly tell they're any different in their appearance when you see them on the horse. I really liked em. They were fabulous.

Here's the saddle I rode in. http://www.fnesaddles.com/Endurance_Pro.shtml
 
Sorry meant to add that re treeless saddles: I have a friend who used to work alongside a professional saddle fitter, and the "Trekker" ones impressed her a great deal. She said they are easy to adjust using the pommel section - which whilst it looks unsightly - is actually very effective in helping to get a good fit.

Aesthetically these saddles do look a little odd, but apparently they are really easy to adjust and fit - so through this into the pot for good measure.

I've never tried one myself.
 
I got a treeless lamfelle bareback pad when mine was 4 until my Coblet turned 6 this year and had matured more.

I've now got a Farrington gp which I purchased 2nd hand for £400 this year and had it altered to fit, though not a lot needed doing to it. It's super comfy and the right shape for us both. The panels aren't super thick, they're low profile and flat and the cantle doesn't come up high. Seems to ride in more like a 17" than a standard 16.5"!
It isn't just the D-d width but the shape also. There was a good photo demonstrating this on the second hand cob saddles page on fb.

I can't get anything too forward cut as you lose the seat room on a short back. Equally, I'm too long in my leg to go for a solely straight cut saddle either. For the amount of jumping I do, I was always going to go for a gp or wh type saddle :)
 
Balance do pony saddles now - have a look at them. I would be wary of Free n Easy - had a cob in one for a while and he loved it to begin with but over time it started to make him quite uncomfortable. He went into a Balance and never looked back!
 
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