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Post by alisonraven on May 11, 2006 11:58:06 GMT -1
OK - I'm going to show my ignorance I guess, but I need help. How do I determine the right size saddle for Raven for when I start to back him?
I don't have a saddle that can be used - have an old one that's been lent to me to get him used to having one on, girth etc, but not suitable to use for weight bearing.
Saddle fitter won't fit one on a horse that I can't ride, and I am at a loss to know what to do. I was thinking of getting a synthetic adjustable saddle like a Wintec to start as then it can alter as Raven fills out etc, but how do I determine width, length etc?
There's probably a lot of you more experienced people shaking your head at me at this stage, but I want to try and get it right!
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ccc
Shetland
Posts: 3
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Post by ccc on May 11, 2006 12:19:13 GMT -1
Alison,
If you are fancying a Wintec, your best bet would be to speak to Claire at Matlock Saddlery. She was very helpful when I spoke to her about getting a saddle for Rose, but personally I don't like the Wintecs.
Can't remember what she charges, but I doubt it will be too much! ;D
Best of luck
Clair
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Post by mabel on May 11, 2006 15:02:57 GMT -1
I expect there'll be a lot of different opinions on this LOL. I really like the wintecs and have used them for years. You can buy a gullet guage which will tell you what size gullet you need and they're easy to change when the pony changes shape. With the length, can you measure the one you've been lent if that's OK for Raven.
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Post by juliansteve on May 11, 2006 15:16:35 GMT -1
we have a Wintec Wide for Zoey - I've only walked around a little bit with it because shes only 3. It seems fine and we couldnt afford to buy a leather saddle and heve her outgrow it in a few months.
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Post by flintfootfilly on May 11, 2006 16:40:37 GMT -1
Hi Alison
It's so difficult to get the right saddle for the pony, the person, the job...... and then expect it to last when any one of those 3 things changes in any way. Megz went through 3 different saddles in the first 3 years I had her (needed a well fitting saddle when I got her at 3, then with changes in shape..... getting wider at 4....... and wider again at 5). In retrospect, I could possibly have got away with just the first and third saddle for her, if I'd used the third saddle on her from when she was 4 but just with some extra padding. I did try that saddle on her at 4 and it was nearly the right fit, but not as good as the one I went for.
When it comes to starting any of the youngsters here, in a year or two, then I'm hoping that one of my treeless saddles will fit nicely and be stable enough for early rides. I really like the barefoot cheyenne saddle (I've got the nearest equivalent to it but from an obsolete make) - very soft, comfortable for both pony and rider, it has a solid form at pommel and cantel which adds lateral stability, plus it gives a good deep seat (useful in the unlikely event of your pony becoming a bronc!!!). I've used it on quite a few ponies and it's fitted just fine, but there have been a couple of ponies on whom it didn't sit so well (slid forward on one, and no lateral stability on the other).
Adjustable saddles are great in theory, but it only works if they are the right basic shape for your pony in the first place. I love the Free and Easy saddles (which is what Streak has) but it's just not the right basic shape for Megz - tried one on her on 3 separate occasions, but it's just a no go for her. Do you know anyone nearby who could lend you, even just to try for a couple of times, one of the adjustable saddles you are thinking of, so you can see whether it sits nicely without rocking at all or putting pressure anywhere it shouldn't?
Otherwise, I don't know about saddlers in your area but when I was on a big hunt for saddles for Megz I used to bring back a carload from Hey Farm Saddlery, at Lepton (I think), near Huddersfield. They had a huge selection of used saddles, and if I made a template of Megz's back, it gave me an idea of which ones might be possible.
Also found it was worth jotting down which saddle makes, styles, lengths, widths I'd tried and brief comments so I didn't end up trying the same ones again in a few weeks! Also, when it came to changing saddles later on, I knew which ones could be ruled out instantly as being too narrow, and had a fair idea of which ones had just been a bit to wide the previous time, and might now be ok.
Good luck!
Sarah
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Post by morris on May 11, 2006 18:55:46 GMT -1
Alison, sorry I forgot to get back to you about the wintec which I thought I had in the garage. Its not there!! I think Jayne (daughter) has either got it or lent it out. I've only got a 16 1/2 "wide leather which I think will be too small. Can only suggest you have a chat with Clair at Matlock Saddlery as she always has a good supply of second hand saddles. Good luck. Jean
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Post by dalesponyrider on May 12, 2006 5:32:22 GMT -1
Well I love my treeless SBS soooo much that I wouldn't hesitate to use it with a growing youngster. No hard bits to stick in, will "grow" with pony and superbly comfortable for me! I know it was expensive but I spent a lot more in fact trying to find a bl**dy saddle to fit! Wish I had got this in the first place.
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Post by alisonraven on May 12, 2006 6:55:38 GMT -1
Thank you for al your comments - I have been in touch with Matlock Saddlery, and as before when I wnted a saddle for Jerry they were somewhat less than helpful. It was Claire who told me she couldn't fit a saddle on a pony which couldn't yet be ridden!
I might have to consider a treeless saddle, although having never ridden in one I am not sure how I would find it. Going on holiday tomorrow, so will give it some considerationand try to sort it out when I get back.
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Post by dalesponyrider on May 12, 2006 9:10:28 GMT -1
There are dalesfans in Derbshire with treeless saddles who I'm sure will volunteer for you to look at them. If not, come over to Lincoln and I'll show you mine. Or wait until the Bakewell show where there will be a few of us!
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Post by bevbob on May 12, 2006 14:45:57 GMT -1
I like Crewe saddlery for fitting but I must admit I have never looked back after going treeless.
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Post by greydales on May 12, 2006 15:38:32 GMT -1
I did have a wintec and quite liked it for my horse Pip, but am not convinced about the fit of them on our flat backed natives. Some of them are quite banana shaped and if you radically change the width it can alter the whole fit of the saddle.
I'm another one with treeless saddles and have no problems with them fitting all of my herd, from little Toby the Exmoor, to Dancer the Morgan and fat Dan the Dales!
I lost [glow=red,2,300]LOTS[/glow] of money looking for the right treed saddle and never did find one, although I had a few that I did like such as the Derby House Samber, but my horse outgrew it.
With a youngster you don't want to spend too much money as he will obviously change shape; you're probably best off getting a reputable saddle fitter to give you advice and see if s/he has anything second hand that may do a temporary job - failing that have a look at the treeless saddles! There are many on the market now and they vary considerably in price.
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Post by ang on May 13, 2006 16:56:34 GMT -1
I would second Sarahs choice with the barefoot Cheyenne. I think it is excellent for feeling them and adapting to all the changes they will go through. I wish I had know about them when I first had Charlie Boy - it would have made things quicker and easier as I don't think as many schooling issues would have built up. I would feel so much happier knowing that nothing was being 'trapped'. Its also really light in weight. I have always felt secure too - during spooks, spins and bucks. I think as long as you have a good balanced rider it would be ideal for starting.
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Post by Biggerside Benwell on May 15, 2006 7:12:03 GMT -1
Well I am a saddle fitter and Im still uming and arhing as to what to do for my 3 year old.
The youngsters I have fitted we have worked with what shape horse/pony we have in front of me and how I think thay are going to change then gone for what is most suitable for the horse primarily, then the qwners bank balance and thirdly what the rider wants in terms of their own needs.
It is a difficult one, a lot of the time people have saddles that they would like me to try on or we quite often go for something like a wintec. Some people like leather and will only have a second hand leather one but they always lose the most money longer term.
If you would like some advise please feel free to pm me.
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Post by louisesmob on Jun 11, 2006 20:11:12 GMT -1
I bought 5 saddles in 3 years all english leather and cost me an arm and a leg for my youngster! When Ace grows up he is nearly two, I am gonna def have a treeless for him. The big cobs all have farrington wh saddles which seem to sit lovely on the roundies, and mega comfy too! Wouldnt launch out too much money as they change shape loads of times between 3 and 6 or 7.
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Post by akehurstannabel on Jun 12, 2006 6:24:19 GMT -1
I started with a wintec for Holly and changed the gullet as she matured. However by the age of six she was way too wide for even the cob style synthetic and I had a Native Pony Saddles Company Glen made to measure for her. That also got too small but luckily when she lost a load of weight (she needed to!) I had it checked again and was told it is a very good fit. Some people love the wintec and some hate it. For me it was a good saddle for a couple of years, quite good sticky seats, but as she matured just not right. If you could get hold of a second hand one it shouldn't cost much. I have just sold 2 for £75 each as they really do not hold their price secondhand.
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