Saddle recommendation for a fat hard to fit pony

[Nicole97]

Hi everyone, I have an 11 year old pony that we got at auction 7 years ago, some of the info we got said welsh cross and some said quarter pony.
I currently ride him in a tekna dressage but it leaves lots of ruffed hair towards the back of the panels after a ride (even though when I sit it on him it doesn't rock and appears a good fit)

I'm wanting to get an all purpose saddle (synthetic or leather is fine) and am looking for recommendations on what might fit him a bit better, I'll attach some photos of him for reference
Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Our flat backed rounded mares have been fitted with Kent and masters, Wintec, and Bates saddles.

 

[Nicole97]

Our flat backed rounded mares have been fitted with Kent and masters, Wintec, and Bates saddles.

Thank you for that I'm looking for a saddle fitter but this gives me a good starting point

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Try Andrea Hicks' Native Pony Saddles. "SBloom" on here is one of their fitters.

 

[Nicole97]

Thank you so much I'll look into them

 

[marmalade76]

I find straight cut, low profile show or working hunter saddles work well on round ponies & cobs. They also make a better GP than a GP IMO.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Thank you so much I'll look into them

If you ARE Googling around the "native pony" wording then you may also come across a set-up called "saddle exchange". I would counsel you to avoid them, having had a negative customer experience with them.

I have seen Steph from Andrea Hicks do a saddle fitting with a livery client and I would be happy for her to do one of mine anytime.

 

[sbloom]

Straight cut is usually neither here nor there in my opinion, the shoulders have to be really large, and for them not to run smoothly at all into the ribcage, for it to make any difference, and a neat cut GP is almost always possible.

You need a flat tree and wide rails to get a stable fit, IMO very few changeable headplate saddles have the right shaped trees or panels, and are often "too much saddle" on the neater types of ponies.

Thanks for the recs!

 

[SantaVera]

Our flat backed rounded mares have been fitted with Kent and masters, Wintec, and Bates saddles.

^^^^
this

 

[Nicole97]

Straight cut is usually neither here nor there in my opinion, the shoulders have to be really large, and for them not to run smoothly at all into the ribcage, for it to make any difference, and a neat cut GP is almost always possible.

You need a flat tree and wide rails to get a stable fit, IMO very few changeable headplate saddles have the right shaped trees or panels, and are often "too much saddle" on the neater types of ponies.

Thanks for the recs!

Thank you for that info, the tekna does look like too much saddle on him which is what first got me thinking to look for a more pony specific saddle

 

[onemoretime]

Try Andrea Hicks' Native Pony Saddles. "SBloom" on here is one of their fitters.

Yes certainly worth trying Andrea Hicks saddles. I have one for my mare and we are really really pleased with it.

 

[scats]

Try Andrea Hicks' Native Pony Saddles. "SBloom" on here is one of their fitters.

I’ve got one on order for Millie. The fitter who came out (not sbloom, but recommended by her) was so thorough and knowledgable. Far more than any fitter I’ve ever had in over 30years.

 

[Moogleberry]

Another recommendation for Andrea Hicks sbloom fitted a lovely saddle to my hard to fit flat backed boy

 

[Sprout]

My pony was wide backed and fat when he arrived, he has a Kent and Masters cob saddle and being adjustable is very helpful as he fitens up.