saddles

[FirenLady]

I have ridden Fire in a Wintec saddle for years, i had two one for him and one for lady his was 16" hers was 16 1/2" anyways him and i grew and the saddle lady suggested riding him in hers.

As you may know i am going to get his back saddle checked and mine may perhaps need reflocking etc. I was just wondering if anyone finds much difference between cair and normal flocking? As I don't mind replacing it if i feel he will be more comfy.

I sometimes feel quite crampt in his saddle. He is quite short backed and i don't wanna ride him in one thats too long.
I find Tiggys saddle more comfortable with its lower cantle. but its one made for small round ponies. I keep thinking about treeless...Fire does enjoy being ridden bareback. I do like jumping though and dunno how i would get on in one. just wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

It might just be my imagination, or my riding may need serious work but i do feel like the cantle comes up high. I've tried putting a narrower bar in to counteract this and he was not comfortable.
I think that perhaps the saddle may fit him but not me.

This is me riding tiggy, i feel like i have a flater surface to sit on.



This is me on Fire







I am gonna get a saddler out to look at him but i want to have some direction with it first. (as that will help decide which one i call). thanks.

[zara]

Hi, you look like you ride quite short which will alter the point of balance. However, i have a short backed arab which I will presume has similar problems to yours! As an adult rider I needed a 17" deep seat and my horse needed a 16.5" shallow seat! My saddle fitter told me that I would never find an "off the peg" saddle and I would need to have one made. I did this and I'm delighted. My saddle is a Farrington WH saddle with a 17" seat for me but shorter pannels for him, it is as deep as my horse's back and the saddle could take. Zx

[FirenLady]

Thats really interesting. hes 13 years old and i hope to have another 12 years riding outa him *all being well* I just want something we will both be comfy in. if you don't mind me asking what sorta price do they start at? Do they come out and measure you and your horse? thanks.

[zara]

My saddle fitter came out and assessed both me and AJ and she made templates of his back and notes as to what I wanted and what AJ needed. Six weeks later she returned with a beautiful saddle which fitted perfectly. The inititial assessmnet cost £15 but I did share call out with 2 others (would have been £25). The fitting visit was included if I recall and the cost of the saddle was £749. I've had one visit since to chck the fit and I'm planning another soon but I'm delighted with it and it has been worth every penny. She comes for Harrogate, N Yorks but does travel quite extensively Zx
ps I tried a Wintec on him and it didn't fit at all even with the widest gullet - just didn't "sit" right.

[raymond]

Farringtons are great - I have one too and one of most comfy saddles I have ever had.

[Becca]

I have a Freeform Treeless. It is perfect for bernie and he changes more than the british weather! and my sharer jumps him xc no problem although it does feel totally different to a normal saddle. My friend who has a welsh x arab also has the same saddle and it has done wonders for her back and building more muscle. The guys at Goldfinch have reps that will bring out a saddle for you to try as do many treeless makes. Well worth it even just to say you have tried it
goldfinch-equestrian.co.uk/ff*gents.html

[FirenLady]

Thank you guys for the info, it was really useful readin comments of people who have been there done that.