Saddle recommendations for Welshie

[Miggy99]

Hi all, this is my first post here so be gentle with me

I currently have a Wintec Isabell saddle on my 5 year old Welsh D. We've gone up through the gullets since backing him from a MW to now being in an XW as of a few weeks ago. Saddle fitter has advised that by March/April we will need to be getting a new saddle to accommodate his changing shape. At the most recent gullet change we have had to adjust the balance strap to stop the back of the saddle lifting, which makes me think I might be forking out for a new saddle sooner than Spring. I'd been looking at Chunky Monkey saddles, but am also aware that Black Country are good for the wider breeds.

Does anyone have any preference or pros and cons I should be aware of? I don't have a limitless budget, but I would like to buy new (or as new as possible) for something made to measure that has the option for adjustment while he's still growing over the next couple of years.

Photo of my boy just because he's gorgeous!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Have a look at Fiona Cork saddles, v knowledgeable fitters and they do a huge amount of native breeds.

 

[Zoeypxo]

I like Black Country , very comfortable

 

[AmyMay]

He’s gorgeous.

I had a Fieldhouse for my little mare.

 

[AmyMay]

Ps @Miggy99 - you’ll find the process a lot easier if you can get him a bit slimmer

 

[SantaVera]

Thorowgood suits mine

 

[toppedoff]

Oh he's gorgeous!

 

[Miggy99]

Oh he's gorgeous!

Thankyou, I adore him and feel very lucky to have such a gorgeous boy to give me kisses every day!

 

[Miggy99]

Ps @Miggy99 - you’ll find the process a lot easier if you can get him a bit slimmer

The photo may be a bit deceptive with lighting, he’s recently had a feed rep visit who is happy with his weight and condition and although he isn’t needing to gain weight, she’s happy he doesn’t need to lose weight

 

[Cowpony]

AH Saddles

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

Chunky Monkey & Black Country if you're after something newer.

I have an older hunter cut Cliff Barnsby saddle on my chunky Welsh D, super comfy & fits well!

 

[Muddywellies]

Make sure the tree suits your Welshie. Some have long points which don't suit a broad shouldered cob. Ideals and Albion are great on cobs. Always had mine in Ideals.

 

[sbloom]

Make sure the tree suits your Welshie. Some have long points which don't suit a broad shouldered cob. Ideals and Albion are great on cobs. Always had mine in Ideals.

Albion generally have long points, I'm not a fan of them on wide round backs. OP I would recommend looking widely at specialist wide brands, consider using a specialist fitter and research EVERYWHERE on any brand and fitter you consider using.

 

[Muddywellies]

Albion generally have long points, I'm not a fan of them on wide round backs. OP I would recommend looking widely at specialist wide brands, consider using a specialist fitter and research EVERYWHERE on any brand and fitter you consider using.

Well I never. I was told Albions would suit broad shoulders. Well I've learnt something today.

 

[Glitter's fun]

I can't help with saddles. Just want to say welcome to the forum and he's lovely!

 

[sbloom]

Well I never. I was told Albions would suit broad shoulders. Well I've learnt something today.

It's all opinion, we all fit differently, but saddles shouldn't have the trees on the shoulders anyway, they're just not the issue most peiple think in the cast majority of cases.

Occasionally a horse with massive shoulders and a lack of muscle and ribcage width behind, might have issues in a forward cut saddle otherwise it's mostly myth. And a horse like that would benefit from postural work in most cases, making them easier to fit and saving a saddle change in a short period of time.

Just find a fitter really experienced in these shapes with access to saddles truly designed for natives. And ignore most of the received wisdom from generalist fitters and brands. In my opinion

 

[Miggy99]

I can't help with saddles. Just want to say welcome to the forum and he's lovely!

Thankyou

 

[sbloom]

I am terrible for missing things when I read on the phone. Now I'm at the PC I will add don't focus on made to measure, statistically, especially for wider/flatter backs, they are no more successful/suitable, and sometimes less so. Plus that supposed very exacting fit may make it LESS flexible down the line. For horses that are changing shape I'd always recommend second hand on wooden trees rather than changeable headplate as a rule, the trees in the latter, and the panel design to an extent, aren't as well designed for these shapes. Wooden trees can often be adjusted a little, depending on their history.

 

[Spotherisk]

I loved my Ideal Grandee which was fitted to both of my cobs over the years. My younger one was welsh p/b and had a short curvier back than yours. I do remember the fitter saying not to discount the older less fashionable saddles, they were still fit for purpose for a lot of horses.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Gorgeous horse

AH saddles are for natives and are lovely
Black country love those
Ideal are also lovely

I use Lavinia Mitchell Dressage saddles on my wide Arab's also lovely saddles and go very wide, mine doesn't move on the round flat backed one.

 

[Rescue Cob]

Hi all, this is my first post here so be gentle with me

I currently have a Wintec Isabell saddle on my 5 year old Welsh D. We've gone up through the gullets since backing him from a MW to now being in an XW as of a few weeks ago. Saddle fitter has advised that by March/April we will need to be getting a new saddle to accommodate his changing shape. At the most recent gullet change we have had to adjust the balance strap to stop the back of the saddle lifting, which makes me think I might be forking out for a new saddle sooner than Spring. I'd been looking at Chunky Monkey saddles, but am also aware that Black Country are good for the wider breeds.

Does anyone have any preference or pros and cons I should be aware of? I don't have a limitless budget, but I would like to buy new (or as new as possible) for something made to measure that has the option for adjustment while he's still growing over the next couple of years.

Photo of my boy just because he's gorgeous!View attachment 120573

 

[Rescue Cob]

I had the same problem and after getting lots of saddle fitters out that didn't have anything wide enough to fit my traditional cob or had a stupid amount to have something m2m I called Matt from Heritage saddlery. I have a beautiful dressage saddle that fits and nothing in his range was over £1500. He specializes in the awkward sizes either horse or rider.