wide cob saddle

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HilaryP

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Can anyone tell me if they are having problems with a Kent and Masters cob saddle slipping? I have a Percheron cross cob, and the Kent and Master 17" xxw saddle appears to fit quite well, but it slips quite often when we are out hacking and in the sand school. My cob does paddle in trot, moreso on one side where he is pigeon toe, so I want to know if the slipping is down to the paddling or a poor saddle fit.
 
Have you tried using a grip pad instead of a numnah, or a numnah that is grippy on both the top and underside?

I have the same problem with my mare, her saddle fits really well, but she is so wide with low withers. I use a grip numnah and the saddle stays still.

Also check that you don't put more weight in one stirrup, as this could also cause the saddle to slip.
 
When the saddler came out to fit my Highland's saddle he recommended I use a non-slip saddlecloth and a synthetic girth (I use the wintec one) as the girth gets 'tacky' as it heats up and grips the horse and helps to stop slipping. Also make sure girth is tightened equally
 
My Kent and Masters does slip but my other saddle did as well, I think it is her shape that is the problem not the saddle. I have an acavallo thin gel pad under the numnah and use a kieffer girth. Which girth straps are you using? I use the second and fourth strap which helps to stop the saddle moving.
 
I can also recommend the Acavallo thin gel pad. My cob has no withers whatsoever and is built like a hippopotamous. The xxw Barnsby saddle I have fits her fine and I get along fine with no slipping but when my friend rides her she is wonky after 100 yards without the sticky pad. No movement with the pad.
 
I agree with the above poster - the definition of a saddle that fits is two fold - that is has even pressure all over and that it is STABLE. If it is not stable it does not fit. It doesn't mean cobs are easy to fit - I fit mostly wide natives and cobs - but with the right saddle - tree, panel, girthing options - and flocking techniques, they can all be fitted. I find that for some cobs the TG cob is okay, for others it is one or more of - too narrow in the head, too curved from front to back or too perched on fat fluffy panels.

On a wide horse I will nearly always end up girthing on the point strap and the third strap (the fourth, I think there are five, would be okay on a TG) - lateral stability only comes in part from the girth and usually it is more important to stop the saddle moving forwards. The point at which the billets you use are attached to the tree will always try and migrate to be above the girth groove, especially on wide horses who tend to have big rear ribcages.

I also always recommend elastic girths - STRONG elastic on both ends, and as wide a girth as your horse can take, to give just a little grip all the way around. If the saddle fits properly it does not need non slip pads or non-elasticated girths.
 
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i brought a kent and masters gp and dressage saddle for my boy who is a chunky welsh cob. He is alos xxw and 17 inch my gp saddle is great on him but i have had so many problems with my dressage saddle slipping to the side and also going forward, we tried putting a sticky pad on underneath but that didnt make any difference, we sent it away to kent and masters who re flocked the saddle and changed the girth strapes and yet again that hasnt worked either. The only thing that is stopping my saddle moving forward is a banana girth, now thinking along the lines of changing the saddle, which is a shame as they are such comfy saddles.
 
Performance Equestrian do an Endurance non-slip pad; and it does what it says, sticks like a limpet!!! All the endurance people use these pads coz they're not only non-slip but they also have little rubber nodule things on the back which apparently massage the horse's back as well as wicking away sweat.

For saddles: I've gotta wide-backed cob. We tried a Kent & Masters but he tucked himself up as if to bronc in it, so in spite of the saddle fitter saying it was OK I had grave doubts! He needs no encouragement to bronc.

Try www.thepainfreehorse.co.uk - fantastic saddles, fantastic people. And the saddle actually FITTED. Plus I discovered my boy had a lovely elevated trot which I never knew he had. You can read our testimonial on their website too!
 
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