Saddles for New Forests

[Time for Tea]

Hi everyone. I am having a bit of trouble with my Farrington saddle for my 14.1 NF. He has had it since he was 5, he is 7 now and it has had its width adjusted a couple of times, but it doesn’t seem to fit too well at the back now. He has a scattering of white hairs under the saddle, as though he is turning roan, which I don’t like the look of. It’s a 16 in saddle, a VHD. That’s to keep it off his shoulder, as he has quite a big wither and a very short back. But still a round ribcage! He is just a bit of an awkward shape……and he is quite lightly built, more like a show pony. I don’t actually ride him, I’m too heavy, but his rider is only 8 1/2 stone and small too, so I don’t think it is a question of his rider being too big for him.
Physio has just been and says he is very tight behind the saddle and she thinks it is the saddle.
We have an old Black Country Grafter, but that is ghastly on him.
I think I need some more help with this.
Any recommendations for a good saddle fitter in the Hampshire/Dorset/New Forest area? PM if you prefer.
Thank you

 

[Jenko109]

Martin Andrews.

 

[Time for Tea]

Thank you for the suggestion. I think he is in Ringwood, I will have a look.

 

[sbloom]

Farringtons tend to have slightly curvier trees relative to other brands that specialise in natives and wider shapes. A rocking tree is a common cause of a smattering of white hairs through the middle of the saddle area.

 

[pistolpete]

Sara Udal is Hampshire based. She may be able to help Connect Equine Ltd.

 

[bubsqueaks]

AH saddles are fab for natives - I have 2 on my Forresters - if you contact HQ they have fitter in your area.

 

[poacher82]

Highly recommend Sara Udal - her diary is pretty jammed but definitely worth a call!

 

[ozpoz]

Smart saddles have a native specific model and will fit difficult shapes. You can trial them too.

 

[Time for Tea]

Farringtons tend to have slightly curvier trees relative to other brands that specialise in natives and wider shapes. A rocking tree is a common cause of a smattering of white hairs through the middle of the saddle area.

Thank you, I think that could well be exactly what he has got, a rocking tree. I also suspect if it is flocked to stop it rocking it will be too tight
Thank you for the other suggestions, everyone, I will contact Sarah Udal, and also AH saddles. I will have a look at Smart saddles too, I think we are embarking on a bit of a journey here, I thought everything was fine, but it evidently is not.

 

[Snow Falcon]

Ideal. Chrissy Radford of Southern Saddlery is great.

 

[Time for Tea]

Ideal. Chrissy Radford of Southern Saddlery is great.

Thank you PF, I had heard of her and I think a neighbour might have had her out to help with her awkward shaped pony!

 

[eahotson]

AH saddles are fab for natives - I have 2 on my Forresters - if you contact HQ they have fitter in your area.

I have one for my trad mare after struggling to get one to fit her.This one fits her like a glove.