What saddle do you use on your Irish Draught

ecb89

ecb89

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 October 2008
Messages
2,868
Location
Essex
Visit site
I know that all horses are different shapes etc but was just wondering what brands tend to be good for big chunky IDs.
Getting a new saddle for my boy soon, currently in a Frank Baines working Hunter, just wondering what other people have.
Thanks :)
 
I use a Albion K2 Jump which has quite a deep seat for a jumping saddle he is 16 hands with a lot of bone and long in the body
 
Mine's an ID x something - slightly less chunky thank a full ID but not much. He has an Ideal Event as does my share horse - who isn't an ID but equally chunky. I love them both, so comfy and seem to suit their shapes. They're both at least 16 years old (bought 2nd hand) and like new even though I don't look after them as well as I should.
 
Mine is a 3/4 ID (xTB), is very deep chested and has pretty big shoulders. He has Bates GP and dressage saddles, we tried a lot of different types on him and that was what fitted us best. However, I was more limited as I wanted something that was adjustable as he was young and very overweight and undermuscled when I got him, so I knew he would change shape quite quickly. If your horse is a bit older/more established then you may have more choice. I was absolutely gutted that my Albion K2 didn't fit him as I loved it!
 
Well though my wonder Irish Draught mare went to the Happy Paddock getting on for thirty years ago now - I still have her saddle (and all her other tack) in my loft room - almost a shrine!

It's a "Fulmer" general purpose dressage pattern made by the old Turf & Travel company (very similar to the "Fulmer" shown on the modern website) - it is a beautiful example of the finest English craftsmanship and is now a very similar age to myself but in much better condition! Under the flaps there are two makers labels inscribed "Your pleasure is our business" - it's the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat in (in, not on) I clocked up somewhere in the region of 20,000 hours in 17 years wearing out two pairs of leathers and the original girth restitched several times.
 
I don't have iris draught horses but have wide arabs I use Lavinia Mitchell saddles they come up very wide and they tend to specialise for the wider horse, I also use black country they are lovely saddles used a lot in the ring.
 
Farrington WH and Flyde, both will show the shoulder off and the farrington is fine for dressage.

Farrington GP for hacking/hunting. I love Farrington saddles, well made and long lived, my GP is 35 years old and immaculate despite having had plenty of use and abuse.
 
I have a GFS adjustable monarch jumping saddle for my ID very comfortable and fits him well. My id mare has an old Lovett & rickets event saddle .
 
All of our draughts have Stubben saddles - Siegfried or Daland models.
Brilliant fits, never move, never get sore backs - and they wear them for many hours while we're hunting all winter.
 
I have a Albion K2 legend GP that is a wide fit and Albion altered the panels to the rear of the saddle to fit his wide flatter back. It was only used for a matter of months is in fantastic condition and for sale if anyone is interested as unfortunately my boy was pts.
 
What I would like to say is that so many people think that chunky horses with big shoulders need a straight cut saddle whereas the biggest shoulder freedom comes from the right tree, and usually a flatter tree than most people think, and than is often fitted. It gives more space for the "junction box" of muscle nerves that is roughly where the stirrup bars are, and give greater stability too. The tree should stay well back behind the shoulder, the tree points should be 3 fingers' breadth behind the back edge of the shoulder blade and it should stay there. Then the flap cut is less important and you can have the flap you need for what you're wanting to do and that will suit you as a rider. I see too much about WH saddles or dressage saddles being the best fit for these shapes and it's not true, I fit more GPs and jump saddles I would say than I do WH and dressage and I only fit these shapes. Rarely do you really need a straighter cut for the horse - a VERY prominent upper shoulder blade and lack of muscle behind may make a jump saddle very difficult, and super short available space and a larger rider may mean that the very slightly smaller footprint of a WH compared to a GP on the same tree may mean you can get 1/2" larger seat on. These are exceptions though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top