Saddle Stresses!!!

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trickivicki

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Hi All,

I had the saddler out today to fit a saddle for P (and me)- well what a drama!!!

Due to him being so tiny (15.1 barely in a 5'9 rug) my 17inch saddle is to long so we need a 16.5 at best (fine).

BUT I am lanky (ish) so and so (compared to P) with wierd proportions (my hip to knee length is much longer than knee to heel and considerably longer than should to hip) SO I am unlikely to fit a 16.5 GP.

I have been advised to get a VVV forward cut jumping saddle or a dressage saddle but P isn't really 'special' enough yet to have a job specific saddle as he hasn't decided what he wants to do with his life yet.

Unfortunately, unless last nights lottery numbers came in and Dad hasn't told me I am not in a position to get a made to measure one.

Does any one have any ideas (or saddles!!!)- surely I cant be the only person with this problem
 
I have the same issue with my cob. She's 15hh and the saddle she's in now is 16.5", and I'm 5'8" and have freakishly long thighs and barely fit into a 17.5". I just ride her bareback - I'm too big for her, there's no way around it. Sometimes you just have to face facts. Her saddle is just for guests, it would be detrimental to her for me to ride her in it. It might be that you can make it work for you, your situation could be very different to mine, I'm just passing on my experiences.

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but if someone had told me that sooner, I would have been saved a lot of time and money.
 
Indigo Moose said:
I have the same issue with my cob. She's 15hh and the saddle she's in now is 16.5", and I'm 5'8" and have freakishly long thighs and barely fit into a 17.5". I just ride her bareback - I'm too big for her, there's no way around it. Sometimes you just have to face facts. Her saddle is just for guests, it would be detrimental to her for me to ride her in it. It might be that you can make it work for you, your situation could be very different to mine, I'm just passing on my experiences.

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but if someone had told me that sooner, I would have been saved a lot of time and money.
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oh god!!! would be distressing to have to sell pony as I dont fit in the saddle!!
 
It would suck if this was the case for you, but is it worth potentially permanently damaging your horse's back just because you want to continue riding him?

Like I said, your saddler can advise you better, but my saddler wouldn't tell me straight, even when asked straight (as a saddlery student myself), which is fair enough, it's hard to be the bearer of bad news.

It might be that a forward cut saddle could be the answer - I rode my youngster in a cross country saddle so that I would fit onto her! Don't be afraid to specialise, and I would certainly recommend a jumping saddle over a dressage saddle, which can be very restrictive, especially if you have to go a size smaller than you are comfortable in - I rode in a 17.5" dressage saddle a few months ago and I had three inches of knee hanging over the front on the last hole of my leathers.
 
I have a similar position, cob is 16.5 max and I just about fit it BUT Im waiting on a made to measure one from Matt Marlow and its only £700 so cheaper than most off the shelf saddles.
 
I ended up with a 2nd hand jumping saddle (jeffries Elite) because it was the only saddle that fitted my mare that I could afford. I love it. :)
 
I must admit I prefer the idea of a jumping saddle to a dressage saddle (I can flatwork in a jumper but can't jump in a dressager- I believe).

Apparently a square cantle will be preferable?

I'm sure it will all sort itself out in the end, after some creative thinking#!
 
trickivicki said:
Hi All,

I had the saddler out today to fit a saddle for P (and me)- well what a drama!!!

Due to him being so tiny (15.1 barely in a 5'9 rug) my 17inch saddle is to long so we need a 16.5 at best (fine).

BUT I am lanky (ish) so and so (compared to P) with wierd proportions (my hip to knee length is much longer than knee to heel and considerably longer than should to hip) SO I am unlikely to fit a 16.5 GP.

I have been advised to get a VVV forward cut jumping saddle or a dressage saddle but P isn't really 'special' enough yet to have a job specific saddle as he hasn't decided what he wants to do with his life yet.

Unfortunately, unless last nights lottery numbers came in and Dad hasn't told me I am not in a position to get a made to measure one.

Does any one have any ideas (or saddles!!!)- surely I cant be the only person with this problem
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what about a wow? I am sure you can have a 16.5" panel for horse with a 17" seat for you. ????
 
WOWs are fab, I didn't mention them as you said you're on a limited budget - they start at about £1800 for the competitor range (what you'd need). I got a used one on eBay that needed a bit of work doing to it for £800, and that was a good deal...
 
the best thing i would say is have a fitter (usually about £35) to see what panels/seat/flaps you need and then look about on ebay - am sure you will get what you need.
 
Unfortunately, 1800 is rather out of my price range!!!
I think I am going to hunt for a wintec pro- jump and get the cair changed for flockingm

So if anyone has a 16.5 inch blck (preferably) medium width jumping saddle. Please pm me :)
 
My OH teaches a girl that had exactly this problem.

Pony is a 14h native type and owner a skinny lanky girl.

She had a Saddle Company saddle made to measure. 16.5 pony saddle for the pony so not to cause him any problems but had adult saddle flaps put on it so as to give her more room for her long legs. Also had one with a square cantle to allow more bottom room ;)
 
OP - don't mean to be rude, but what's your budget? As someone has said - Matt Marlow does made to measure ones which are great - I've got two. And they're actually cheaper than most off the peg saddles. The leather is fab, the quality is just fantastic - I can't shout loud enough about them....if you have awkward proportions, he'll make the saddle exactly as you want.
 
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