Saddle help!! Wide pony..no withers

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jadeD

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Has anyone had the same problem trying to find an affordable saddle to fit a wide pony? i have a 12.2hh chunky cob type pony with no withers at all and a short back.. I've been using a 15 1/2inch wintec with an extra wide gullet and it fits okay bit constantly slips! I then went and bought a treeless saddle but it looks a bit too long in the back for him.. i need to get a smaaler dressage girth before i try it out but im pretty sure its gonna be good..
Any suggestions much appreciated :)
 
Not sure if you can get them for ponies but I had a T4 cob GP saddle for my Sec D who was a similar shape. I used a 'sticky' numnah underneath it for extra grip and sometimes a breast girth if I wanted extra security.

Mine did have a bit of a wither but he was quite short in the back, barrel shaped, big in the shoulder and absolutely hated anything that came over his shoulder but the T4 worked really well for us.
 
Arabian Saddle Company would be worth a look. Arabs are surprisingly wide & flat, which is why many wear Native Pony Saddles as well. ASC do some lovely saddles.
 
I fit Native Pony saddles - happy to answer any questions. They're not cheap (though they do pop up on Preloved, HorseGossip, ebay etc occasionally) but they really do work, and are beautiful saddles.
 
Have a look at the Thorowgood Pony Club Approved range. They are available in 15/15.5/16 & 16.5 " seats. They are made on the smaller cob tree, so are ideal for chunky types. We have a 16.5" on a 13.3 cob - hugely wide with no wither. We don't use a numnah, but we do use the Professionals Choice Neoprene girth which helps prevent the saddle moving. He is ridden by 3 adults of varying sizes & abilities & this saddle has been very good. It also has an adjustable gullet. We also use the balance strap on one side to help prevent it moving, which it does slightly with the least inexperienced rider.
I would thoroughly recommend the combo of girth & saddle!

PM me if you would like anymore info

L
 
I have a short backed, flat backed, wide, no wither, 13.2hh cob. I looked at loads of saddles. I just didn't think that most of the saddles out there would suit him at all - they just didn't have the right tree shape.

I've ended up going with a Native Pony Saddle. It's arriving shortly, so too early for me to be able to say how we get on under saddle, but I'm really happy with the fit of the saddle, the shape of the tree. I was also pleasantly surprised how they fitted me - I've always had a 17" before, and we were able to put a 16.5" saddle on this pony, and it was still plenty spacious for me. It really enabled me to keep a good position too - important to me when choosing a saddle - I can't bear it when you're fighting your saddle, and it wants to stick you in a chair position.

The other thing I liked about it is that a lot of saddles I looked at swamped my pony - it just looked like an awful lot of saddle for a pony! This one looks fab - shallow I know, to be so interested in the look of the saddle, but it does look nice, which if we ever get around to showing (I hope to) then it will help complete the picture in the ring.

It was also a relief to talk to a saddler who spoke sense! I spent the last couple of weeks talking to different saddlers (lots in our area, but very few good ones!). I can't tell you how much rubbish has been talked at me! A relief not to be treated like an idiot too, and to be able to ask questions and discuss options sensibly.

Not the cheapest option of saddle out there, but I firmly believe the best one for my pony.
 
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