What saddle?

[tanira]

Hello everyone.

I have a welsh section D. I currently ride him in a barefoot treeless saddle, which is brilliant, but im looking to compete him and I know this saddle doesn't really "show him off" (although I have no problem with people showing in treeless saddles this one just looks too bulky on him even though he goes superbly in it and its very comfy).

I choose this saddle because the two treed saddles I had before that (one was made specifically to fit the other was just a synthetic where you can change the size) continuously slipped or twisted causing him striding problems and making my position bad to try and counteract the slippage. He seems to be built slightly bigger to one side than the other causing everything from saddles to rugs to slip.

I am looking into buying him a saddle for competing him in but am really unsure what to get.
I worry about treeless saddles such as solution because some people say they slip and with him being a slightly odd shape Im concerned this may exacerbate the problem. However, I keep reading how treeless saddles slip, yet my one never moves. At the same time Im concerned about looking for treed saddles which may end up twisting on him and making him uncomfortable.

Any help or ideads on this would be great.

 

[Donkeymad]

More often than not you will find it is the anti-treeless people who claim treeless saddles slip. They slip no more than treed saddles, and any problems can usually be overcome by the use of the correct cloths/pads for that saddle.
Unless the difference is severe on your horses back, a saddler should be able to flock a saddle in such a way that it will sit properly and not slip.

 

[eishi]

I don't know a huge amount about treeless saddles so I'm afraid I can't give a view on those!

but I have a 16 year old Warmblood X TB mare who is much more developed on one side to the other I have a similar problem with rugs and saddles! obviously I work schooling etc to build up the muscle but she old so its taking time.

I needed a jumping saddle to event her with so my saddler got a new one and basically re stuffed the whole thing..
looking at it off the horse it looks awful.. very uneven.. but on her it fits doesnt slip and keeps me straight..
have you tried having your treed saddle re flocked?

sorry essay

 

[PucciNPoni]

I bought an Ideal Working Hunter saddle for my Welsh D. I use under it a really soft spongy (like 1" thick) rubber pad. It does not add bulk under the saddle - I think they use them under racing saddles? It squashes down to a lovely soft barrier between saddle and horse and then keeps it from shifting. My instructor told me to get one and it made a HUGE difference to keeping her saddle from slipping. I think that's just part and parcel for having these barrel shaped horses.

Meanwhile the Ideal saddles do suit that type of horses back - liked mine so much that I went out and bought an Ideal Jessica Dressage saddle, too.

 

[Cassy]

I have an Ideal WH saddle too Xw. I rode my percheron in it last year and am now using it on my Percheron x Welsh. Am considering buying a GP now perhaps a Wide as we have a bit of slipping too.

 

[tanira]

Iwill look into the ideals thanks.
As to reflocking. the second saddle i had was supposidly made to measure by a master saddler so should have fitted him even with his shape. i do try and work to keep his body development even but it is definatly a problem with the little barrel ponies (as lovely as they are)

 

[almorton]

there are some 5 girth-strapped saddles around now, to prevent roll, black country and the like, which shouldnt slip if fitted properly. we use them on fat round show fells etc with a lot of success!
make sure you get a saddler with experience of fitting to native types!

 

[tanira]

Yes my sythetic one had 4 which seemed to reduce slipping compaired to when I put the girth on straps one and two. Sadly didn't overcome the problem.

The ideal saddles look loverly though and are a lot cheaper than the solution saddles.

 

[PucciNPoni]

Another saddle to consider as well is the Native Pony Saddle - however, I think they are more expensive and perhaps secon hand ones like hen's teeth. Both my Ideals are second hand and lovely to ride in.

 

[tanira]

The native pony saddles look interesting as they either come flocked with usual flocking or a gel panel. The gel may adjust more to his back ? I have found a saddlers close to me so I will have to give them a call and see what they have. Thanks every one for your help