What size saddle on ponies with adult riders?

[sbloom]

Not checked what I posted previously but...

Not all very tall or lage riders can be fitted on all ponies with a treed saddle - I'm no great fan of treeless but they might be worth trying, or a flexi panel saddle which wil be non-weight bearing at the rear of the panel, allowing a larger seat size.

Any bench made saddle can be made with longer flaps, but for a taller rider a more forward flap is often more useful. And with a heavier rider the saddle may need a deep rear gusset to keep the saddle in balance - or, if the larger rider is only occasional and lighter rider is riding mroe often, then a rear riser to be used for the heavier rider. It all depends on how the rider affects saddle balance. Sometimes a thicker pad altogether may be needed if the whole saddle is squished and the rear of the spine is close to contacting the cantle.

A shallower seat, which will suit most natives, cobs etc, will give more room for the rider.

You really don't need to go m2m, I fit lots of adults on ponies and short backed horses, an often with in stock standard saddles - it's not impossible.

 

[little_critter]

Walrus has a good point - a little more knee roll ie a forward flap will allow a longer leg, a flatter seat will allow a bigger bum so all saddles are different. When getting a larger rider into a smaller saddle a short panel, not extending much beyond the cantle, will obviously help in getting a larger seat size on a smaller pony.

I've been having a little trouble with my lower legs swinging back when jumping - it feels like there's not evough room to accomodate my knees on my 16.5 inch saddle. I was thinging of looking for a different saddle (longer if possible, if not then more forward cut) until my instructor said 'what happens when you remove the knee rolls (velcro on blocks)?'
Bingo - instantly more room for my knees and better lower leg position, and I didn't feel insecure without them.

 

[SpockkyBoy]

I had a 14hh Cob X who was very short flat backed, took 5'6/5'9 rugs and wore a 16" made to measure GP/event saddle, with longer saddle flaps.

 

[POLLDARK]

Make sure that the saddle padding below the cantle doesn't extend beyond his last rib, if it does it could start internal bruising.

 

[Fransurrey]

Walrus has a good point - a little more knee roll ie a forward flap will allow a longer leg, a flatter seat will allow a bigger bum so all saddles are different. When getting a larger rider into a smaller saddle a short panel, not extending much beyond the cantle, will obviously help in getting a larger seat size on a smaller pony.

This pretty much describes my saddle. I had it made especially for me and Henry, who's about 12hh. The saddler described it as a 'sweeping seat'. It's a 15.5" saddle, but the seat is more like 16.5" (I'm a size 12, so it's snug, but comfortable).

 

[sbloom]

Yep, nice flat cantle is also great for most jumping as you should be keeping your backside in the saddle and sliding it back rather than popping up and out of it as some deeper seated saddles can cause

Good point on the knee blocks - a fixed block that sits AT your knee will get in the way with short stirrups, and will take your leg out away from the horse. I personally have a long femur and like velcro blocks - I use triangular blocks for both jumping and dressage and like them high up out of the way of my knee, more a thigh block than a knee block (calf blocks are the ones at the back, and they can be some help in stopping a swinging lower leg as well, but best to address the cause).

 

[Lobo]

The 12.2 Dartmoor had a 15" Wintec PC saddle which I just about managed to ride in (5ft 71/2)

My personal rule is if the saddsle fits the pony and not me then i wont ride the pony.

I now have a felt pad that we use on the Welsh A as she was a ****** to fit a saddle to and at the moment I can't afford to get a custom one made

If I had had the pad when we still had the Dartmoor then I would have used this instead of her treed saddle for when I would ride her.

Hello, I have a small Welsh pony 11.3/12 hh. She has a VERY short back and is very dainty. I have tried saddles on her with no luck. I would like to find a saddle (western) for her that will also fit me. I'm 5 foot 1, so I'm fortunately tiny. I have thought about bareback pads (with no stirrups) but haven't tried any yet though I have barebacked on her. I would like something so that I can work with her longer. I don't have the money to get a custom made saddle either right now, but I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on this?

 

[moodymare123]

13.1 pony 17 inch saddle

 

[Angelz]

I've had a nightmare with my 14'2 cob, I've had two M2M saddles now, none of which fit. I've now bought a 2nd hand saddle company Sadle off eBay with a 17 seat and 16.5 tree, saddler coming out to fit it this week but we have got a custom made Ideal on order to, if this doesn't work I'm going bareback

 

[sbloom]

Hello, I have a small Welsh pony 11.3/12 hh. She has a VERY short back and is very dainty. I have tried saddles on her with no luck. I would like to find a saddle (western) for her that will also fit me. I'm 5 foot 1, so I'm fortunately tiny. I have thought about bareback pads (with no stirrups) but haven't tried any yet though I have barebacked on her. I would like something so that I can work with her longer. I don't have the money to get a custom made saddle either right now, but I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on this?

I would start a new thread as this is rather old, and western saddles are totally different and rather specialist. An English saddle for that size would be 14"-15" and the former would be VERY small for you, the latter less than ideal. I believe you take off 2-3 inches to get the right Western seat size.