Young growing pony, human with stupidly long legs saddle advice please!:D

[Ilovemyconney]

Hi All!
So I am going through the remaining stuff I need to get for my stunning Connemara she will be 3 next year and I was thinking about saddles obviously i have some time I was thinking of getting a second hand one that fits her fine to start her in but I would need to get a saddle that also fits me, i have stupidly long legs and my knees always stick over the knee pads and I’ve been in situations before where I’ve been in a saddle that’s too small for my lanky self and when my old horse bucked my knees had nothing to grip I flew off and worst case scenario I ended up in hospital (would like to avoid that again) I had a saddle fitted to me and my horse in the past and it was sooooooo comfy and I felt a lot safer I had to have a longer seat and an extended saddle flap in length and width so what would you guys recommend I do, she will obviously keep growing for a while and her muscle will keep building as she gets older and fitter but I just want to decrease my risk but what are my options any advice would really be appreciated

 

[Fransurrey]

Thorowgood do a pony club long leg saddle (the T4), assuming the tree fits her. Worth a try, anyway, as you can adjust the gullet as she fills out.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Sbloom on here fits my connie. We have an AH Native Pony saddle and it is perfect. Cut back from her big connie shoulder and our canter/jumping is unrecognisable since we got it. Honestly can’t fault it. Fits her like a glove. They’re not cheap but you can occasionally pick up a second hand one via their fb group that Sbloom runs. Have attached some photos of it on.

 

[sbloom]

So many variables that it's impossible to comment until they're known, and they won't be known fully until you actually come to fit her. The biggest thing is how much space she has, if she can easily accommodate a decent seat size for you then you may have plenty of options, if she's short backed compared to your bum or leg size then it's more difficult. Can you ride longer? What activities do you want to do (jumping?)?

It may be that you need a jump saddle, but sometimes on chunky horses and ponies the shoulder can interfere with the fit, but again, that depends on relative seat size. Velcro blocks, or high set blocks, will be better than "crescent" blocks that come down in front of your knee....

I would say that a saddle seldom is the only difference between staying on and not, but you should be able to find a fit that keeps you safe, having the saddle in perfect balance (ie checked and adjusted regularly) may be more important that anything else, if the balance is off it can make a vast difference, much more than you'd imagine.

And yes, go for used (in general better for flatter backs than changeable headplates, and you might even profit through buying and selling as she grows), but for a tricky pony (and most natives etc fall towards that end of things) AND a tricky combo, you may have to compromise. But by the time she's stopped growing you'll be able to have the perfect saddle for both of you I'm sure, but get saving so you have plenty of options when the time comes