What measurements to fit a saddle? + Why are Synthetic frowned up?

CobSunshine

CobSunshine

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Evening all :)

Tried over 8 saddlerys to come and measure up my pony but unless i'm spending £400-£700 on a second hand or custom made no one will even come out to measure my pony :(

I've seen the coat hanger trick which I don't fancy, and the Wintec measuring cardboard devices are £17!

If I go down the route of the wintec device and measure on the withers, how do I determine the best length of saddle to get? any other measurements i'll need?

Currently have a heavy leather saddle and quite fancy a lightweight synthetic. Rode my friends and it was a lot grippier, super light weight for carrying to field, and good to get wet in rain (AND big point can be had for £200 ish brand new) also i heard 2nd hand leather are usually custom made for a certain horse/change shape to mould to that horse over time.

I'm really not fussed about cosmetics or looking posh etc the most comfy solution for me and the pony :cool:

Thanks!!!
 
It is best to try to get a Saddler to measure up and template your horse for you if you can.
If you are near me (up to 15 miles away)I will do it for nothing I only ask for diesel money, at least it helps people find the right saddle!
Oz :)
 
My dear, don't listen to this lot about synthetic saddles - they're all abit stuck up and as long as you make sure it's comfortable for the horse: it fits well, it takes into account growing space and causes no pain or pressure points then who gives a monkeys what it's made from - hell, why get a saddle in the first place!!!!!

I would take up Oz's offer (just looked up and saw it, bless you!)!!!!!!
 
CobSunshine said:
Evening all :)

Tried over 8 saddlerys to come and measure up my pony but unless i'm spending £400-£700 on a second hand or custom made no one will even come out to measure my pony :(

I've seen the coat hanger trick which I don't fancy, and the Wintec measuring cardboard devices are £17!

If I go down the route of the wintec device and measure on the withers, how do I determine the best length of saddle to get? any other measurements i'll need?

Currently have a heavy leather saddle and quite fancy a lightweight synthetic. Rode my friends and it was a lot grippier, super light weight for carrying to field, and good to get wet in rain (AND big point can be had for £200 ish brand new) also i heard 2nd hand leather are usually custom made for a certain horse/change shape to mould to that horse over time.

I'm really not fussed about cosmetics or looking posh etc the most comfy solution for me and the pony :cool:

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

If you go down the wintec route and get their guage measure, be careful that you place it correctly on the horse. This is not he withers but where the saddle panels would lie. The angle at the wthers is often much narrower than where the saddle fits. Also, if you have a very round backed pony, most wintecs are not a good fit, no matter what gullet you fit them with. There is a wintec widebut I have not been that impressed with them. On one pony it slipped forward and on another it caused a bad back. I do however recommend wintec and Bates saddles for TB type horses. I have used them on several.

In terms of length, this depends on how long your legs are, how big your bottom is, and the length of your horses back. The back of the saddle should not extend behind the horses last rib. Preferably it should be a couple of fingers width or more in front of this point.
 
If you go down the wintec route can you get a saddler to measure your horse for a saddle/get a saddler out and check it for you once you have bought it? Although you can change the gullet sizes, some tree types do not fit every type of horse. You could fit it well at the withers, but it may not fit well for your horse at the back, accommodate her shoulder etc.

Can you get a saddler to come out with some synthetic saddles at all? I had a mare on loan and the owner wanted a Wintec fitted to her. Saddler came out with new Wintecs and all in all cost about £300 including fitting.

I think many just prefer a nice leather saddle as do I, to me the Wintec was SO uncomfortable, very stiff and cheap looking. My friend went down the Thorowgood route and I thought it was a much nicer saddle...if you can stretch your budget I'll be looking at Kent and Masters too :)
 
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How frustrating for you! :( When I bought my saddle the saddler came out and tried a few different ones on horse (I had told him a rough budget and horse size, shape etc beforehand), then as I bought one of them he didn't charge me any callout. I am surprised no one is prepared to come out to you, have you tried contacting Thorowgood to see if there is a fitter/stockist in your area, this is who I got mine from (he specialied in Thorowgoods but also had various secondhand leather saddles in his van too). I find the thorowgoods very comfy, not such a big fan of wintecs personally.
 
Have a look at this http://www.thorowgood.com/fitting_guide.html
I personally wouldn't be happy to fit a saddle myself, but you could buy a saddle with a changeable gullet and get someone to check it for you. I had problems with my saddle and bought a Kent and Masters saddle (leather version of thorowgood) second hand for £350 and then got my saddler to come and check it for me.
 
I'm sorry but if you are asking how to fit/measure for a saddle you really aren't capable off doing it so I would seek a saddler to get a saddle that fits. There is more to it than measuring nr the wither.
Oh nothing wrong with synthetic saddles
 
I am not at all snobbish about saddles - to me its the fit and comfort for horse that counts not what they are made off. i have been looking at thorowgoods or the kent and masters, no cash currently (i keep looking on ebay but I too am not sure which size yet) and have had so much trouble with made to measure I no longer know who to trust to measure up for me.
 
If you ask on here maybe someone can recommend a saddle-fitter in your area who would be willing to come out to you. Personally I would hesitate to try to fit a saddle myself as it's really tricky business.

As for synthetic saddles I have bought a couple before but I generally find that they lose their shape within a year or so. This used to be fine when they were really, really cheap, so that they could be replaced every year, but I wouldn't pay 400 quid for a saddle that's all over the place a year later.
 
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