Stuck with saddles

[MummyEms]

Hello Im Belle, Emma's daughter!! So I have some lessons on riding school ponies sometimes and they just have a normal gp saddles. I find with my own two ponies these are uncomfy for both horse and rider, I know zoe snape saddles are amazing but why? I need a comfy, safe saddle that will fit both my ponies perfectly. They are roughly the same height but one of them is alot wider? so do you know of any saddles as in saddle pads like the Zoe Snape or thorn which are super comfy? Im very petite.

 

[soloequestrian]

Heather Moffett Paddle? No experience of this model but her other saddles are lovely and can be used on different horses.

 

[Griffin]

The best thing to do would be to get a qualified saddle fitter out. Give them an idea of what you like and they should be able to find some options that will fit both you and your ponies.

 

[sbloom]

I think you have the wrong GP saddles, they should be comfortable, you don't have to have GPs, there are WH and VSD models which can be suitable for general riding. However, whether you can have one saddle for two ponies is another matter, it may be possible with padding and shimming the narrower one. There are lots of shetland pad, treeless, and bareback pad options that may suit, have a read around.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The best saddles to share between ponies/horses are treeless, or something as small as a racing saddle. If GPs are uncomfortable for the pony they don't fit correctly.

 

[Skib]

I am an adult RS rider. I dont know much about saddles. But I learned from a friend who is was an RS owner that many riding school GP saddles are quite old and thus traditional GP. That modern ones may be different. But the gp saddles fitted ponies of all shapes and sizes. You can use a GP saddle on any horse.

 

[Nari]

I am an adult RS rider. I dont know much about saddles. But I learned from a friend who is was an RS owner that many riding school GP saddles are quite old and thus traditional GP. That modern ones may be different. But the gp saddles fitted ponies of all shapes and sizes. You can use a GP saddle on any horse.

You can use a CORRECTLY FITTED gp saddle on any horse, the same as you can use a correctly fitted dressage, jumping, endurance, western etc saddle. The key is it must be correctly fitted, gps aren't and never were a one size fits all.

 

[Skib]

You can use a CORRECTLY FITTED gp saddle on any horse, the same as you can use a correctly fitted dressage, jumping, endurance, western etc saddle. The key is it must be correctly fitted, gps aren't and never were a one size fits all.

Of course I meant properly fitted. Diidnt think I neded to spell it out. Was referring to the type. But also to a style of saddle that may no longer exist.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Of course I meant properly fitted. Diidnt think I neded to spell it out. Was referring to the type. But also to a style of saddle that may no longer exist.

Saddles were easier to fit to multiple horses many years ago because they were not so shaped/ had shorter panels/smaller knee rolls etc but that is a very long time ago and I doubt that many RS are still using such saddles. One we bought with a horse and were still using occasionally fell apart several years ago.

 

[Jellymoon]

Zoë Snape pads were designed for shetlands, and they are excellent. Thorne pads are similar. I would say they are more for little kids on round ponies though, anyone welcome to correct me if I’m wrong! Not sure what age you are or what ponies you are riding.

 

[Skib]

Saddles were easier to fit to multiple horses many years ago because they were not so shaped/ had shorter panels/smaller knee rolls etc but that is a very long time ago and I doubt that many RS are still using such saddles. One we bought with a horse and were still using occasionally fell apart several years ago.

Thank you for explaining. I didnt know that. Yes, you are right. My favourite mare's saddle was falling to pieces and the RS saddler kept it going until she died, as she was a Connie type, narrow in front and hard to fit.
My new share saddle has a higher cantle. I wonder how much that alters the way the seat of the person riding is felt by the horse. The current saddle doesnt slip but I dont know if that is thanks to the saddle fit or because I am more balanced as a rider now than I used to be. Thus in theory I like the old things but this modern synthetic may be more practical. A pity.

 

[MummyEms]

hi, it's mummy now. She's a tiny sized 9 year old. Her ponies are only 12hh xx

 

[ycbm]

She writes really well for 9, you must be very proud of her I would think a treeless will do the job nicely for such a small rider.

 

[ycbm]

https://thetreelesssaddle.wordpress.com/children-small-adult/

 

[MummyEms]

she will be thrilled you said that, thankyou.

she really wanted to write a post as never has before and sees me on here sometimes.

we will look into some of your lovely suggestions xx