Young Horse needs new saddle, what to do?

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LansdownK310

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My 5 year old TB needs a new saddle – currently have a synthetic GP which we’re not getting on with. I’m having a dilemma as what to replace it with. He will change shape as he builds more muscle and tone but not sure how significantly, I recognise that every horse is different!

By the end of the year we’re hoping to have done some dressage and SJ before eventing next season.

I’m not sure whether to replace my GP with another GP but I would like a dressage and jumping saddle as I do prefer the leg position of a dressage saddle. Either way I’m looking at second hand saddles rather than brand spanking new.

Need to decide so I can give my saddle fitter a steer as to what he should bring out for me to try.
Just wondering what other people have done and at what age with their horses, and whether they drastically changed (completely new saddle required) between 5 and 6…
 
Get the saddler to bring a selection of saddles....GP, jumping, dressage.... That way you can try the various types, find the one you want, and the saddler can always bring more of that type another day.
 
For my youngster who is forever changing shape, I have a Bates Caprilli dressage saddle which is lovely leather and also has the interchangeable gullet so I get it changed as needed. I also have a GP wintec saddle, with the interchangeable gullet of course. I find these saddles work for me because I don't have to spend out a fortune replacing saddles whilst he's changing shape and yet the dressage saddle is lovely to ride in and lovely to look at :p
 
for a youngster im not a fan of the gullet changables, my thinking on this a horse still growing etc is changing shape all over not just around the withers.

Id personally accept that im going to get through a a few saddles over the next few years and stick to second hand and cheaper ones, dont for get if the basic fit is good then flocking all round can adjusted.

i apperciate not every one wants to lots on a new saddle but i bought a kieffer, its a paini as the saddle has to go away to be adjusted but they have fully adjustable trees to for a lot of horses are ideal.
 
Look at Balance saddles. They are the best saddles for any horse, they will allow your youngster to develop to its full extent without restriction, and the system means that small adjustments are easily made over time.
 
I've just bought a Thorowgood saddle for my 4 yr old girl, (TBX) it gives good clearance across her withers, and has the changeable gullet system, but more important, has flocking that can be adjusted. It just 'sat' right on her where the Wintec didn't. I will be getting it checked every few months while she is growing and maturing, she is still a bit 'bum high'!
I'm not intending jumping, just hacking and dressage, and it seems to put me in a pretty good position, but I will look at getting a dressage saddle once she has matured.
 
jhoward said:
for a youngster im not a fan of the gullet changables, my thinking on this a horse still growing etc is changing shape all over not just around the withers.
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I get both my saddles fitted and checked regularly so no it's not just about the interchangeable gullet, they are also flocked or whatever is needed as and when his shape changes. I have always ensured they fit him well and comfortably!!
 
Mine has the GFS Genesis APX saddle (with interchangable gullets), he gets checked every other month a the min as he changes shape but it seems to fit fine so far. Thankfully our saddler is often passing and doesn't mind checking! :)

It wasn't expensive, it synthetic suede so easy to clean, but had trad flocking so can be reflocked too and it's mega comfy :D I liked it so much I got one for the 9yo too!
 
Thanks for all your experiences, been speaking to a lady on my yard and she suggested perhaps sticking with a GP until we start to get more serious. :D Waiting for the saddler to ring back so we'll wait and see what he can bring out. My horse was in a stubben jumping saddle before I got him with a thick pad, he came with a GP which was fitted but incorrectly :mad:. We're in a Wintec at the moment which was a better fit across his shoulders and wither but doesnt distribute the weight properly (sits up at the back when no weight in it) and I feel it tips me forwards and doesnt give me a secure lower leg. So I'm not riding until I can get a properly fitting saddle as I dont want to make him sore - we're just doing lots of lunging at the moment (yawn) but I dont want to create problems!
 
I used to have a collegiate saddle. It was leather and I ended up selling it because the saddle fitter did an awful job.
However its a leather saddle with an adjustible gullet system. Ask your saddler if they have something like ths. If the saddler had done a proper job the saddle would have been fine!
 
Lansdown - we've also used a wintec GP for the last 18 months. Horse has just turned six. We've had to change gullet as she grew and we also found back of saddle w.as slightly off her back when not sitting in it. Had it checked my master saddler (maybe same one as you as we're in the same area) and he suggested a decent make half pad as everything else was a good fit. This has made all the difference. Impressed he didn't try to press us into buying a new saddle
 
Have a look at the kent and masters saddles you can change them.

When my young horse is ready to be broken- in about 2.5-3yrs! I will use a race ex saddle as they fit everything and then buy him one when he is ready to go out and about!
 
Go for a tree free option as the same saddle will fit your horse for the rest of your life. Have a look at the Heather Moffett website Enlightened Equitation, you can pick up some 2nd hand saddles, they come in dressage or GP
 
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