What saddle do you have your wide ponies in? Looking for a Sec D

One of my D's had a new saddle last week. I think the fitter said it was an Ideal GP/VSD cob. She tried a whole van full of saddles on her before that one and as soon as I got on it just felt right compared to everything else.

She didn't have anything with her that fit my other D and is coming back next week with a van load for her to try (she was in an Albion Legend but she has changed shape, the Ideal Working Hunter also fits her ok but I don't like the feel of the WH so looking for something else).
 
My Sec D x Haflinger is in a Black Country, which suits him for now but in a perfect world isn't quite flat enough through the tree. I would try another Black Country though as it's a lovely saddle, but his next saddle will likely be an Ideal, Native Pony Saddle or Bates (new model Bates are flatter trees than the Wintecs, I've had a friend's Bates on him and it looked like the tree shape suited him, he'd just need a bit narrower and a shorter length as he can only take 16.5").
 
BayLady, I had a very very wide mare who had a Black Country saddle made to measure. It was their GPD model with a special tree made for flat backed types.
Cost about the same as the Native pony saddles (which are beautiful).

The Bates wide are good though, and sit very level. I just wish that the leather work was the same standard as Walsall made though!
 
There are various Walsall options that are cheaper than Bates :), I generally find the Bates bars are too upright for most natives, even if the tree is flat enough front to back. I am a specialist in fitting wide and flat ponies and recommend that you find the same, most companies have only one wide, flat tree, a specialist will understand the differences between the various shapes and sizes of natives, and have different trees, panels etc that all suit natives. Hoop trees will suit some, but not all, some need a curve in the tree front to back (Welsh cob stallions, larger traditional cobs in some cases) and some will need very flat trees - NF/Connies tend to need "neat" trees with not-too-wide seats and pommels, whereas some very wide horses need very flat hoop trees with wide seats. It's all about stability so do make sure any saddle fitter that comes out to you can not only bring a selection of saddles that you can actually ride in ie wide enough, even if you're ordering one. Ideally I would say try and buy fron stock, you have a legal right to a 7 day trial if you do so.
 
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MissMistletoe said:
BayLady, I had a very very wide mare who had a Black Country saddle made to measure. It was their GPD model with a special tree made for flat backed types.
Cost about the same as the Native pony saddles (which are beautiful).
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Thanks, that's useful to know. I do like the saddle I have but it's just ever so slightly too curved through the tree. Pony seems happy in it but he's not doing a huge amount of work. I'm checking it every time I put it on and also checking his back but do have it in the back of my mind that he'll likely need something else in the not too distance future.
 
Kikke said:
saddle exchange, Thor WH saddle. after lots and lots of different ones this is the only one that fits.
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I personally would exercise EXTREME caution if going for one of these saddles: having had a negative experience with them I'd avoid like the plague. They are only interested in you if you're buying a new saddle from them, they're over you like a rash then, but if you have any problems later on you can forget it. As a YO I put over £4000 worth of business their way via new saddles, fittings etc., but when I had a problem with my saddle - then I realised just how cr@p their customer service really is because they just didn't want to know and in fact blamed me for what I consider was a manufacturing issue; THEN expected ME to have to pay for it :(

Try elsewhere.

And PS, please be aware that there are other saddle concerns which have a very similar-sounding name; its easy to be confused. If in doubt, feel free to PM me, or "sbloom" on here, if you want clarification.

Sorry (edited) have just re-read the original post, am not sure whether the OP means the "Tor" which is the saddle I had, and had problems with, got from here: www.saddleexchange.com - just to clarify.
 
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Kent and masters, cob GP look on their website and play the video. You will see a welsh sec d being fitted with same saddle :) gives a really really secure comfy seat :)
 
I had to blow the budget and go for a second hand Solution . Massive difference between this saddle and the wintec wide that came with my welsh d. My mare seems to change shape often i was going thru the gullets rapidly , we both find the solution much more comfortable she is so much better behaved out hacking now, saddle for life :) our barrel like NF does well in an Ideal tho.
 
jadelovescassie said:
I ended up winning the bidding for a wide Ideal tonight so I am PRAYING to the lord that this one fits or I may just never want to see a saddle ever again!!! Thanks for all replies guys :)
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Could I have an update please? I have my extra wide Black Country arriving tomorrow (from recommendations on here) and it's 10 inches D ring to D ring so praying/touching wood/crossing everything it fits!! How did you get on with your new Ideal?
 
My DxHanoverian is in an Albion K2. Pretty expensive new but can often pick up a fair price second hand. The only thing that fitted my awkward legs and the fact my boy is probably a tincy bit too small!
 
Hippona said:
I've given up on leather saddles and am now a thorowgood convert for all three of my wide ones.
T4 cob, pony club and a sadly no longer made Griffin endurance are order of the day :)
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I had the saddle fitter down a month or so ago and had the money ready to throw at him for a T4 Cob but even that on the widest gullet didn't fit. Gutted :(
 
Our extra wide sec D is in a made to measure Silhouette...which probably worked out cheaper than many 'off the peg' saddles and fits perfectly.
 
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