Saddles for backing/breaking…..looking for advice please

[Vekoma]

Advice wanted please for saddles for backing/breaking!

What does everyone do/use? I have a lovely rising 4yo coming next week who is unbroken but this will be the first time I have started one from scratch as my youngsters in the past have all been backed and lightly ridden away….obviously we can’t initially do a fitting with a saddler so is getting something like an adjustable wintec for the first initial month or so with a rough idea on a gullet plate/pad the right thing to do?

I have one other horse with her own fitted jump and dressage saddles so don’t exactly have a selection lying around to choose from so will need to purchase something to use….what would people advise? Thankyou, and sorry for the numpty sounding question, I just want to make sure everything is right

 

[eggs]

I always used a Wintec GP when backing youngsters.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I've only really backed arab or TB types and used a basic synthetic wintec saddle but very early on have had a proper good fitted saddle.

I have always used the go wide and shim concept to start with as long as you understand how it works, I would much rather have a too wide saddle and shim it than a too narrow.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

I had a Wintec GP fitted to my boy ready for when he went for backing last year, then as soon as he came home had a 'proper' saddle fitted & adjusted to him regularly ever since - has a changeable gullet.

The one thing I was always told is not just to use any older 'breakers' saddle that gets jammed on anything & everything, with the view that its only in the short term. You want them to have the best experience from the off.

I was under the impression too that if anything have them fitted slightly wider & use a prolite or shims - as as Pinkboots has said, its better than being too narrow.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Used a wintec for my mare, you can pick up a second hand one on ebay or marketplace for around £100-150, they are adjustable so perfect for a horse changing shape x

 

[LEC]

Given up on phone due to forum issues on iphones

 

[rextherobber]

Agree with the above, use a Wintec or Thorowgood adjustable, I had a saddle fitter advise on which had the most suitable tree, and have it checked regularly once ridden away. I hate the saddle for sale adverts you see, "Suitable for breaking" , the only suitable saddle is one which fits the horse

 

[Melody Grey]

I have a wide shires hi-lite that I use as a spare with shims- there’s a degree of flexibility in the points and very Inexpensive second hand.

 

[Sleipnir]

I use Ghost saddles, they're extremely adjustable while also providing good spinal clearance and shock absorption, and are also very light. Currently backing my nearly 4yo in one.

 

[Whoopit]

I used my Wintec GP but had the saddle fitter check it before horse was backed. No point starting off with a saddle that doesn’t fit!

 

[sbloom]

Use the best fitting saddle you can, simple. I do remote and in person checks for horses being backed, I make recommendations of what to source. Sure, we should always see horses ridden when doing saddle fittings (if only all fitters actually did that, SMS included)....except when they can't be, when we do the best we can, and provide written, agreed, caveats. The first ridden experiences are SO important, mentally and physically.

 

[SpeedyPony]

I'd be inclined to get a saddler out, although they can't do a proper fitting they should be able to advise you on what is most likely to fit based on her her shape- different brands of adjustable saddles will have slightly different fits.

 

[RachelFerd]

I'd use a Wintec or other dependable brand of cheap synthetic, put a gullet in that is maybe slightly on the wider side than the horse needs and pad it out.

 

[eggs]

I do as RF says with my youngsters. I use a Wintec GP.

 

[sbloom]

If most of my customers had used a Wintec GP for their natives, cobs etc it wouldn't have ended well!