Saddles for trad cobs - recommendations?

Orchardbeck

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Sorry if this had been done to death (I know it has, there is no 'if' about it!). I have a traditional gypsy cob and I'm looking for a gp/vsd/ not too deep seated dressage saddle for schooling and general hacking as I don't feel terribly secure in a tiny plain show saddle!

This one is 16.5". I am 5'1", he is 14hh and quite close coupled so can only take a 17" if it has a compact panel. He is wide, but has a prominent wither, so flatter trees aren't totally right on him. Has anyone any recommendations of suitable makes/trees/models that would be anywhere near this spec? I can't go new or m2m as he is only on loan to me.
 

sbloom

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You don't need a 17" and going that large means you have to deal with more wither, I would go for 16" in a saddle that has decent space (a Fylde Hayden for instance rides like a 15") and keep it back off the wither, the flat rails in a flatter tree are the benefit, they give stability and shoulder freedom (giving space for the back of the trapezius muscle).
 

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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Well....... for what its worth, I've tried the Wintec Wide (bleddi awful thing, rolled around like a pig); and the Thorowgood T4 (had to get off after half an hour as was in so much pain).

I suggest you get a fitter who specialises in saddles to fit this specific type; "AH saddles" would be a good start.

Just a word of warning - if you are feeding in stuff like "native pony saddles" you will come up with a firm that I (and many others) had a bad experience with; so make sure you get the "AH saddles" and not anything else that comes up under the "native pony" banner............... PM me if you would like to know who to avoid.

"sbloom" fits for the AH saddles; you can engage her with confidence, I've seen her fitting at my yard and would have every trust in her.
 

Inda

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I was recommended a cavaletti. Designed for wide backs, low withers. The gullet wings are swung back to allow the shoulders to move freely.

Since she's going to be backed in it, I can't actually give you a ridden opinion but it looks like it's going to do a job.

The other one I was recommended was the schleese, primarily for the swung back gullet wings again. For a young growing horse I couldn't justify the price, once we're done growing I may reassess.
 

sbloom

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In my experience if the tree is fitted where it should be, with the tree points 3 fingers behind the back edge of the shoulder blade, then the shape of the tree is more important than if the points are swept back.
 
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