What saddle for a lead rein pony please?

[LilMissy]

Am having problems finding a saddle to suit my lo's lead rein pony. He is a sec a, deep girthed and regardless of weight he is always fairly wide. He does have a dipped back which is getting worse with age, he is 17 now.

The cub saddle was ok as it had removeable bits underneath which helped with weight change but it no longer fits my lo properly as she has very long legs for a toddler! The other saddle I have which is bigger and wider slides both ways and gapes in odd places.

I dont have loads of spare cash so any ideas on a make/model I can try please??

 

[nikicb]

I've found Ideal saddles to be great for a variety of pony shapes. My Sec A has one and I managed to pick up a lovely 2nd hand one for my 13.2.

 

[sbloom]

Do you need a showing saddle or just a regular GP type? Showing saddle tend to be very flat and so not always suitable for ponies with dropped backs - if you do find any look for a rear gusset that is at least 1.5" deep, if not 2". This will help keep the saddle level and stop it sinking at the back. Obviously you can also use a riser pad (Mattes are wonderful) but that's not such an ideal long term solution.

If you can find one a used Native Pony Pony Club GP might work - not too flat a tree and a decent rear gusset depth. Most Welsh As are better in a 14" in our saddles, some can take a 15" but it's not always the best option to achieve a stable fit, and of course 15" are much more common than 14"

 

[naid pollyanna]

could be worth speaking to a master saddler in your area and getting advice that way..our old lead rein pony went in an old fashioned show saddle but i dont think it was branded. we got that off a master saddler who looked at her back and then searched for something for us and it fit like a glove all year round!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I have a section A. Went through 3 saddles, an Ideal totally useless went up her neck - 2 other saddles nothing fitted well enough in the end I bought a 14. 1/2 Wintec its the best one for my gal.

 

[LilMissy]

Thanks for your responses.

I dont want a showing saddle, he isnt show material bless him!! I just want a saddle that he is comfortable in, doesnt slip and that my lo can learn to ride in. We are trying to learn riding trot at moment but cant really as Im worried that the saddle is tipping her forwards and then sliding! I dont want to overgirth the poor little chap!