Soft pommels on treeless saddles

[CobsGalore]

I'm considering getting the soft pommel for my barefoot treeless saddle, but I have heard of other people stuffing it themselves?

What is it best to stuff it with? and did you find the saddle less stable once you had done it?

Im currently using the wide insert, but still feel that it is too narrow, or just not the right shape for him, and I'm worried it's digging into the side of his withers.

 

[harrysmum]

Not done it myself but know someone who experimented with foam and later newspaper

 

[AngieandBen]

I swapped the soft pommel on my Barefoot saddle for the solid one as Ben has quite high withers and I felt it was digging in, he has been much better since. I have heard that people have stuffed it with socks?!

 

[CobsGalore]

I swapped the soft pommel on my Barefoot saddle for the solid one as Ben has quite high withers and I felt it was digging in, he has been much better since. I have heard that people have stuffed it with socks?!

So are you using the soft one or the solid one now? Which one was better?

 

[Shysmum]

I used old towelling ripped up and really stuffed into every corner - works brilliantly.

 

[CobsGalore]

I used old towelling ripped up and really stuffed into every corner - works brilliantly.

Ooh great idea did you find the solid pommels too narrow too?

How is the stability of the saddle since changing?

 

[Shysmum]

The saddle came with a medium pommel, and it was much too narrow for the lad - hence it slipped quite a lot. Since self stuffing, it fits MUCH better, and doesn't move around at all.

I had to add extra stuffing a few weeks on, but it works a treat, probably better than the soft pommel, as you can adjust it. x

 

[AngieandBen]

I'm using the hard one, the soft one squashed his withers too much; he's getting on a bit now and has a bit of wasted muscle either side.

 

[CobsGalore]

Thanks Shysmum - when you say old towelling, where did you get that material from? Like an old dressing gown?

 

[Shysmum]

well I think there might even be a few pairs of old knickers in there and just any old rags or towelling you have around, that you can rip up into small strips.

make sure you really pack it in tight, so the zip only just closes (hold the material down as you close the zip to stop the zip going funny. )

 

[BlackRider]

I got a pair of socks and filled with soft toy stuffing - worked a treat

 

[Coblover63]

I stuffed mine with straw and it was fine....

 

[Shysmum]

For the price of the saddles, they really should provide talc to stop the squeaking, and the soft pommel just in case.

Mind you, i do love my barefoot...

 

[EstherYoung]

We stuffed the front and back of ours with teddy bear stuffing. It meant we could get them pretty firm.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Sorry if hijacking here....... but where, by the way, did all you good people get your replacement pommels??? I would like a wide/extra wide one but don't quite know where to go to look for them.

 

[Coblover63]

You can get them from Horse & Harmony.... well certainly for Barefoot saddles, anyway...

 

[CobsGalore]

For the price of the saddles, they really should provide talc to stop the squeaking, and the soft pommel just in case.

Mind you, i do love my barefoot...

Agreed!!