Youngster needs a saddle

[shell23]

I have a nearly 3 year old coloured cob who I'm sending away next year to be backed. He needs a saddle before he goes. What I have doesn't fit. He's short & round with not much shoulder, what type/kind of saddle should I try? I tried k&m jump which has cob tree, saddle on him tree might be ok but too long at 17" and too forward cut.

Would I be best getting my saddle fitter to fit & measure him for a saddle even though I obviously can't sit on him yet??

 

[Lauraback]

What ever you buy probably won’t last long as your horse will change shape so I’d get a good second hand saddle that fits for now you can sell on, get a good saddler out who has a good selection they can try

 

[sbloom]

I have a nearly 3 year old coloured cob who I'm sending away next year to be backed. He needs a saddle before he goes. What I have doesn't fit. He's short & round with not much shoulder, what type/kind of saddle should I try? I tried k&m jump which has cob tree, saddle on him tree might be ok but too long at 17" and too forward cut.

Would I be best getting my saddle fitter to fit & measure him for a saddle even though I obviously can't sit on him yet??

Wait as long as possible, and yes, your fitter will be able to advise on a suitable used saddle, even if they can't supply one. I've even done backings on the day with a new saddle, but do understand that a static fit is never going to leave you with a guaranteed fit, so you'll need them back out asap once the pony is trotting easily. Then you'll need super regular checks as young horses change rapidly, a shim pad may be useful too.

Search on here for saddle fitting, but as a wide horse specialist I'd say there's an awful lot of guff spoken about fitting them, but ultimately it comes down to each fitter's approach (https://stephaniebloomsaddlefitter.co.uk/blog-and-resources/why-cant-saddle-fitters-agree) so go on their advice.

 

[Kirstd33]

How big is he? I’ve a coloured cob x who is 14.1 and is narrow withered but gets wider. I use a 16.5 saddle company company. I know they’re not everyone’s favourite but for a pony that is going to change shape, they are relatively cheap and can be adjusted until he finishes growing and you can upgrade?

 

[Kirstd33]

I should add mine is a working hunter shape which is straighter and suits his confirmation better

 

[Highmileagecob]

You might be better to try a treeless, with pads that can be shimmed to balance and cope with a few years of shape changing. My lad didn't really finish levelling out until he was around 9 or so.

 

[sbloom]

I should add mine is a working hunter shape which is straighter and suits his confirmation better

One of the things I worry about way less than other fitters, you've made my point perfectly .

If the muscle behind the shoulder is half decent, and the shoulders not made massive by postural issues, then most horses can accommodate at least a GP, and that leaves more leg room for riders. I'll only fit a WH for a rider who genuinely needs that straight a cut for their own leg, which is rare, or they are showing at upper levels.

Not saying what you have is wrong, not at all, it probably works great for you both, but just shows how approaches can vary.

 

[lauragreen85]

I have a nearly 3 year old coloured cob who I'm sending away next year to be backed. He needs a saddle before he goes. What I have doesn't fit. He's short & round with not much shoulder, what type/kind of saddle should I try? I tried k&m jump which has cob tree, saddle on him tree might be ok but too long at 17" and too forward cut.

Would I be best getting my saddle fitter to fit & measure him for a saddle even though I obviously can't sit on him yet??

I like the bates saddles we have a xl one for a broad cob

 

[sbloom]

I like the bates saddles we have a xl one for a broad cob

Afaik the Bates Wide is almost identical to the saddle she has in terms of how it fits the rider, but would also be too wide for the horse.

 

[Vodkagirly]

I have a nearly 3 year old coloured cob who I'm sending away next year to be backed. He needs a saddle before he goes. What I have doesn't fit. He's short & round with not much shoulder, what type/kind of saddle should I try? I tried k&m jump which has cob tree, saddle on him tree might be ok but too long at 17" and too forward cut.

Would I be best getting my saddle fitter to fit & measure him for a saddle even though I obviously can't sit on him yet??

My youngster has changed so much from 3 to rising 5. Started in an xw bates and now in 3xw wintec wide. I would suggest leaving saddle fitting as late as possible and expect him to change.

 

[Polos Mum]

A good fitter should be able to come and measure/ try some on before he's being sat on.
Then come back and see you / your breaker walking around - maybe only 1-2 weeks later
then come back and see him trot a little under saddle

I'd plan to have the saddler at least 3-4 times in four months - if he's simple and all goes according to plan.

Then every 3-4 months as he matures and gets more muscle

You may need to prepare youself to have say 6-10 different saddles on him between now and when he is 8 y/o and fully grown and riding away.