Saddle situation!

[poiuytrewq]

I brought my retired horse home last week.
I’d *like maybe to try getting on him again.
He’s only 13 and been retired 18 months or thereabouts.
I maybe stupidly sold his saddle which fitted perfectly.
I can’t afford to get a saddler and fit a new saddle at this point as I know really the chances of him standing being ridden are very very slim. However I won’t know until I try and for that I do need a saddle.
He had an Ideal Impala Pro. In what appears a less common size as I’ve had a quick look what’s about second hand.

What would be advisable in this situ?
Is there a brand of cheaper adjustable or something that would fit similar to his old one?
Would the double flap impala in the same size fit roughly the same?
I have pads with shims etc as an emergency measure.
To my eye he really doesn’t look to have changed shape massively, obviously I’m sure he has but I’m not talking long term, just to try walking him out in a few times a week for a month or so to give me an idea as to wether it’s worth getting a proper saddle again.
Having lost so much money the past two years on saddles I’m a bit cautious!
I could try Ziggys saddle on him but it would be amazing coincidence if that fits
I believe before the Impala I popped a Wintec pro in to try him out (home before I rode him!) I’ve since sold that on as-well though.

 

[Widgeon]

Would the double flap impala in the same size fit roughly the same?

I believe before the Impala I popped a Wintec pro in to try him out (home before I rode him!) I’ve since sold that on as-well though.

I tried a friend's old model Impala monoflap on my horse and it fitted nicely. I bought a newer version of the same saddle (monoflap) and it didn't fit. So if there's that much variation in the monoflap I wouldn't count on the double flap version fitting exactly the same as your old saddle.

If the Wintec pro actually fitted him I'd buy another one of those - they're cheap and you should be able to find an exact replacement for what you had. Just make sure you buy exactly the same saddle from a similar year. I can only speak for the Pro dressage but when I contacted Wintec they said "The Wintec Pro Dressage had a complete revamp in 2010 and again in 2019. The original Pro Dressage model (pre-2010) has a completely different tree and materials to the post-2010 model." I have the old model, I think it's a 2007.

I'm not any kind of an expert btw, I just happen to have had experience with both those saddles. Perhaps our horses are the same shape!

 

[expanding_horizon]

I brought my retired horse home last week.
I’d *like maybe to try getting on him again.
He’s only 13 and been retired 18 months or thereabouts.
I maybe stupidly sold his saddle which fitted perfectly.
I can’t afford to get a saddler and fit a new saddle at this point as I know really the chances of him standing being ridden are very very slim. However I won’t know until I try and for that I do need a saddle.
He had an Ideal Impala Pro. In what appears a less common size as I’ve had a quick look what’s about second hand.

What would be advisable in this situ?
Is there a brand of cheaper adjustable or something that would fit similar to his old one?
Would the double flap impala in the same size fit roughly the same?
I have pads with shims etc as an emergency measure.
To my eye he really doesn’t look to have changed shape massively, obviously I’m sure he has but I’m not talking long term, just to try walking him out in a few times a week for a month or so to give me an idea as to wether it’s worth getting a proper saddle again.
Having lost so much money the past two years on saddles I’m a bit cautious!
I could try Ziggys saddle on him but it would be amazing coincidence if that fits
I believe before the Impala I popped a Wintec pro in to try him out (home before I rode him!) I’ve since sold that on as-well though.

No chance the person you sold old saddle to might be willing to sell it in again?

 

[Jellymoon]

Could your other horse’s saddle work temporarily with pads/shims?

 

[splashgirl45]

Why not try long reining him where you could normally ride? Or ride him bareback if you have an arena just to get the feel of how he is moving

 

[poiuytrewq]

I tried a friend's old model Impala monoflap on my horse and it fitted nicely. I bought a newer version of the same saddle (monoflap) and it didn't fit. So if there's that much variation in the monoflap I wouldn't count on the double flap version fitting exactly the same as your old saddle.

If the Wintec pro actually fitted him I'd buy another one of those - they're cheap and you should be able to find an exact replacement for what you had. Just make sure you buy exactly the same saddle from a similar year. I can only speak for the Pro dressage but when I contacted Wintec they said "The Wintec Pro Dressage had a complete revamp in 2010 and again in 2019. The original Pro Dressage model (pre-2010) has a completely different tree and materials to the post-2010 model." I have the old model, I think it's a 2007.

I'm not any kind of an expert btw, I just happen to have had experience with both those saddles. Perhaps our horses are the same shape!

You’re right there. Mine was ancient and too old to adjust at all because I asked when he retired if it was possible to adjust for zig, it wasn’t but the new version, same size fitted him but I hated it. It will have to be a second hand version of the old one, which I have seen but too expensive before I know he’s ok or not

 

[poiuytrewq]

Could your other horse’s saddle work temporarily with pads/shims?

I will try it

 

[poiuytrewq]

No chance the person you sold old saddle to might be willing to sell it in again?

I wish! I sold it via fb and she was looking for ages apparently

 

[poiuytrewq]

Why not try long reining him where you could normally ride? Or ride him bareback if you have an arena just to get the feel of how he is moving

I’m intending to ride and lead at first and see how that pans out.
I don’t even have a bridle to fit but that’s a much cheaper fix and one Is ordered.

 

[sbloom]

I would wait until you can get the fitter out. Ideal saddles are almost always made to order and I suspect the one Widgeon found was made on a different tree, as so many are. Minefield.

 

[Widgeon]

I would wait until you can get the fitter out. Ideal saddles are almost always made to order and I suspect the one Widgeon found was made on a different tree, as so many are. Minefield.

That's interesting. Yes you're probably right - it was a completely different fit despite being "the same thing" and with the same width stamp. At the time I was GUTTED.

ETA at least cheapo Wintecs have a serial code so you can look up exactly what they are.

 

[planete]

You can try and phone Ideal with the serial numbers of the saddles to find out which tree they have. Not sure how helpful they are nowadays, better than during Covid I hope.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Just throwing this into the mix; and appreciate they are a bit of a Marmite thing, but had you considered the Total Contact Saddle?

They have a FB page and several groups attached to them.

It is possible to trial one first; most people don't send them back which speaks for itself.

It is the ONLY thing that suits both myself and pony.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I would wait until you can get the fitter out. Ideal saddles are almost always made to order and I suspect the one Widgeon found was made on a different tree, as so many are. Minefield.

It’s less a case of waiting for a fitter, I just need to know he’s going to stand being ridden before I commit to spending £££.
I spend so much getting Ziggys saddle sorted via fitters and lost a fortune.
The cheapest option last time was nearly 2k
Which i can’t afford to pay just to try him out.
I may only ride him once- I got on him last summer, he looked ok on the ground but felt awful out on the roads.

If he’s ok I will of course get a fitter and a proper saddle for him at that point but I want to know he’s got a chance of hacking first.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Just throwing this into the mix; and appreciate they are a bit of a Marmite thing, but had you considered the Total Contact Saddle?

They have a FB page and several groups attached to them.

It is possible to trial one first; most people don't send them back which speaks for itself.

It is the ONLY thing that suits both myself and pony.

I’ve no idea what that even is! I’ll have a look. Thank you

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have a gorgeous Ideal deal I could send to you to use meantime if it fitted. It was BB’s its medium wide /wide and been adjusted slightly to be closer to the wide side of it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I have a gorgeous Ideal deal I could send to you to use meantime if it fitted. It was BB’s its medium wide /wide and been adjusted slightly to be closer to the wide side of it.

That is incredibly generous and if you were close by I’d certainly take you up on such a kind offer.
I’d be way to nervous of it getting damaged in transport or going missing or goodness knows what.

Let me see what I can think up temporarily!
I’m almost certain I’m being an idiot. I’ve tried so much to get this chap right! Chances are I’m not going to hop on and ride off into the sunset!

How are you doing anyway! I was thinking of you only yesterday oddly!
Have you been umm, away again?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Just throwing this into the mix; and appreciate they are a bit of a Marmite thing, but had you considered the Total Contact Saddle?

They have a FB page and several groups attached to them.

It is possible to trial one first; most people don't send them back which speaks for itself.

It is the ONLY thing that suits both myself and pony.

Ohh ok so Googled it, I have in fact ridden in one. A lady whose horses were coming into work and too fat for their saddles bought one for me to try on them.

I didn’t dislike it. I think I’d feel a bit safer getting on first with a more conventional saddle at first but I’d not totally write off the idea of using one.

 

[planete]

You can buy good treeless saddles second hand and resell them for the amount you paid for them: Barefoot, Torsion, Treefree and others. Just get one from a reputable expensive make which will hold its value. If you can get hold of a top of the range treeless pad as well and add a hip saver to give it a twist if needed both your horse and yourself should be happy with it until you decide whether to upgrade.

 

[Barton Bounty]

That is incredibly generous and if you were close by I’d certainly take you up on such a kind offer.
I’d be way to nervous of it getting damaged in transport or going missing or goodness knows what.

Let me see what I can think up temporarily!
I’m almost certain I’m being an idiot. I’ve tried so much to get this chap right! Chances are I’m not going to hop on and ride off into the sunset!

How are you doing anyway! I was thinking of you only yesterday oddly!
Have you been umm, away again?

No, ive been ill

 

[cauda equina]

If he's likely to be fairly sedate and you don't want to do too much a Christ Lammfelle sheepskin saddle might work, at least initially

 

[poiuytrewq]

No, ive been ill

Oh no! not good. Hope you’re feeling better.

 

[poiuytrewq]

If he's likely to be fairly sedate and you don't want to do too much a Christ Lammfelle sheepskin saddle might work, at least initially

Honestly I’m not really sure!
It’s been a year, last time I got on him he’d had 6 months and I didn’t dare put my feet in the stirrups the first bouncy 10 mins say, than he calmed quickly and plodded round the village.
I’d be happy to try something like that after the initial ride I think.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Oh no! not good. Hope you’re feeling better.

Yeah a lot better than I was

 

[Flame_]

Can you hire a saddle anywhere? Like some saddlers let you trial saddles for a fee. If you find one with a lengthy trial period, lease it, and if all is going well at the end, buy it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Can you hire a saddle anywhere? Like some saddlers let you trial saddles for a fee. If you find one with a lengthy trial period, lease it, and if all is going well at the end, buy it.

Oh actually yes, I can’t think of the name of the place but I did look a while back and was going to try one. They did a really good deal. Can’t think what the site was called but can find it out I’m sure.
Thank you!!

 

[planete]

Sheepham Saddles and the Saddle Bank send saddles out on trial.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Sheepham Saddles and the Saddle Bank send saddles out on trial.

Thank you! It was saddle rentals I was thinking of but those are definitely worth a look too.
Thanks

 

[sbloom]

I have a gorgeous Ideal deal I could send to you to use meantime if it fitted. It was BB’s its medium wide /wide and been adjusted slightly to be closer to the wide side of it.

Ideal have literally hundreds of trees, they all fit differently, and can be found in all sorts of models (ie in most models you'll find a good proportion built on a tree different to that listed on the website).

I'm not a fan of the TCS having seen some yards where they were popular and universally poor muscling on the horses (and the bodyworker who saw them also feeling the same) but I know they are popular and seem to work for some.

It is tricky, for my customers with saddles I've fitted I offer a basic visual check from photos etc when the horse has been off work. Is there a way your fitter can help you more cheaply and perhaps suggest something that would work for now?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Ideal have literally hundreds of trees, they all fit differently, and can be found in all sorts of models (ie in most models you'll find a good proportion built on a tree different to that listed on the website).

I'm not a fan of the TCS having seen some yards where they were popular and universally poor muscling on the horses (and the bodyworker who saw them also feeling the same) but I know they are popular and seem to work for some.

It is tricky, for my customers with saddles I've fitted I offer a basic visual check from photos etc when the horse has been off work. Is there a way your fitter can help you more cheaply and perhaps suggest something that would work for now?

The new fitters I used last time only stock brand new. They might I suppose advise off photo's as they were really helpful and did prior to coming out when I was trying to find something else for my other horse, However then when i asked i knew i was in the market for buying from them, I'd feel a bit cheeky knowing I'm not, they are super nice though so maybe now I'm a customer they might just lend an eye- Is that rude?