Suggestions for saddles

[charliefar]

I need a new saddle for Alfie, I took him to a local saddlers for a fitting and they came up with a Kent & Masters Cob saddle extra wide, it fitted Alfie but was awful to ride in and didn't fit me at all.

I've just tried on a Jefferies hawk event that suited me but was way to big for him and he didn't like it one bit..

Does anyone have any recommendations for a nice saddle that might suit us both?

I'm currently riding in a wintec synthetic that he's happy in and is doing the job but I'd really like a nice leather one.

[tinkerdorisalison]

I really like Ideal saddles, I have two at the moment and have had a few in the past.

Otherwise, Farringtons are nice and fit Dales well

If you look back thru the saddlery section you'll see we have this topic often.... ;D

[kezndkaren]

I have a Manor saddle it's very comfortable and fits Kez really well. there a couple for sale on Ebay at the moment.

[charliefar]

Thanks,
I had read a few of the strings then got bamboozled.... was interested to see about the made to measure service and saddle by heritage, might consider that if I don't find one soon!

[carolinec]

I had one made to measure for Pip by Heritage in Stockport about 12 months ago. It's proved to be very well made and Fits pip very well. I've been really happy with it and and it's never slipped once.

[mickey]

It's really trial and error- what suits one pony and rider wont always suit another. Do you have any saddlers locally that have a large range of new and second hand to try?

[harveydales]

Mickey is right, it really is a case of trial and error. Harvey is not typical Dales shape so no point mentioning his saddle but we had quite a struggle with Dolly finding the right saddle and in the end our saddler found a second hand "saddlers bench" GP which has proved to be a perfect fit for her and lovely to ride in. It has good supportive knee rolls for the rider and yet doesn't restrict her at the shoulder.

[charliefar]

I put him in the trailer and took him to rideaway where they have lots of saddles to choose from but the Kent & Masters was really the only one that fit him. There is a saddler near us that will come out when shes back from holiday and I've also got a number for the barnsby lady local to us so fingers crossed.. its just soooooo frustrating, I never had this much trouble with fatty!

It was Carolinec's post that inspired me to go and have a look at custom made, do you think he'd ever forgive me if I got one like this??
www.heritagesaddlery.co.uk/content/cheshire-rainbow-general-purpose-saddle-choice-leather-colour-highlights-ideal-saddle-gift

[newbie]

Hi, I have an ideal. VSD which, with a sheepskin numnah works really well for phoebe. It is also very comfortable for me.

[harleydales]

As others have said, every horse is different. Harley had a wintec for years and did well with it (up to 40 mile endurance rides @ 7mph), then he had an Ideal, now he and my other mare have both got Free n Easy saddles.

[carolinec]

The "Cheshire Rainbow" by Heritage looks lovely but I doubt you could use it in a show ring Pip has quite a curve to his back and I found a lots of the "standard cob saddles were too flat in the tree.
I love my saddle but tbh in Winter it would be easier to have a synthetic that I could just wipe clean.....

[Anna]

oh my lord @ the Cheshire Rainbow! Look on the bright side, you could get a matching bridle for another £200! :faint:

Echo Alison, Ideal are lovely saddles for the natives and Dales, also take a look at Barnsby, I have a very comfortable saddle that seems built for a Dales and I use it on 3/4 ponies at the minute in work as it fits them all so nicely.

[The Moo]

I had a wide Ideal WH for Ed and I loved it but it wasn't quite right for him so now I have a Lavinia Mitchell saddle fitted by Julie Robertson (southerner on here) and it's wonderful for both of us.

I ought to sell the Ideal really.........

[DalesLady]

In the past we have had a Farrington, and several Derby House Sambers as well. Those did a good job, but it was the Ideal which really worked for us. Initially we were lucky enough to be able to borrow one from Alison (tinkerdorisalison) when one of our own saddles was just not right any more and we were showing and had no saddle and she kindly lent us Doris's and we very impressed with it.

Ideal WH saddles are brilliant. We now have two, one is now fitted for Bill and one for Joanne, and they never slip. They were both bought second hand and checked and fitted as appropriate and in the case of one, restuffed - cost £60 to have it done....by a fabulously helpful saddler we have locally who worked with our physio to get it right.

[Minnie]

Ooo if you do put your ideal up for sale can you message me with details please?

I've started backing our stallion, have sat on him only once and he walked beautifully (off any lead) for me. Love him to pieces. I'm going to start looking for a second hand Ideal for him as ours are all a bit too wide really. I've been using Poppy's old saddle on him which fits but I don't really like using it because I'm all sentimental like that lol... despite the fact it's actually brilliant for my duff hip