| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Otto |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 8:02:02 PM
Hi there
I'm sure this topic has been on here before so apologies if we're going over old ground.... I'd like any saddle recommendations for a extra extra wide 16.5" purebred gelding. Does anyone use the Arabian Saddle Company's show saddle with any success for this shape of Arab? Or is treeless really the only option here (although from what I've heard I might as well forget about showing him under saddle if that's the case!!!!).
Any advice or recommendations would be as ever gratefully received.
Thanks!
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| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Otto |
Posted - 15 Jul 2009 : 11:54:59 PM
oh yes I see what you mean now  . Imagine how cute a 16.5" high Arab would be! Think he'd have great fun with my terriers
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| faymouse |
Posted - 15 Jul 2009 : 10:35:47 PM
Sorry, only jesting just the way it read to me as a 16.5 hand purebred gelding.Ignore me,just a silly sense of humour.
Seriously I agree the vast majority of Arabs I have had are hard to fit saddle wise. Good luck in finding a good fit.I have a Throwgood saddle which is fairly straight cut and seems to fit most shapes and allows freedom for the shoulder. plus it has the fish system so make it even more adjustable and it is super comfortable.!
Originally posted by Otto
Thanks for all the advice!
Faymouse, I don't think my boy is unique, I have seen plenty like him (although please correct me if I'm wrong anyone!). He is a very athletic/muscular sort (pure Polish of course!) with rather large shoulders which really get in the way of the saddle - realistically I can't see him ever coping with any type of forward cut saddle. Anyone else out there with this shape of back? Vera, your Dennis sounds a similar shape or is he a bit longer than mine?
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| Otto |
Posted - 15 Jul 2009 : 1:12:00 PM
Thanks for that Kelly, I'll go and have a look...
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| Kelly |
Posted - 15 Jul 2009 : 12:05:20 PM
Otto,
it's a Heather Moffet Phoenix that I have now. They say it's part-treed, with the structure in the cantle to give the rider more support, but that's sometimes corrected to 'soft treed' - layers upon layers of leather and foam to give it a structure and more weight bearing surface.
If you google it, or go on the 'Enlightened Equitation' website, there's loads of info. It rides a lot like a treed saddle, but less hard on my posterior as it's a memory foam seat!
Incidentally, I thought Jack would never be able to take anything bigger than a 16.5" - the Saddle Co. 17" were too long, even WH model, and my ASC was 16.5". Our HM is 17", and he is fine with it. It's also a GP model, with knee rolls and forward cut flaps for my knees, but the inner flap is straight cut to allow for his shoulder. As the saddle warms, it moulds to both our shapes. The stirrup bars are set back to encourage correct heel, hip, ear alignment.
Jack is a short backed barrel, but we went on a ride on Sunday that would've tested any saddle - up and down very steep hills, over moorland, uneven ground, and some fast work. The saddle stayed put without a breastplate.
(I also had a Barefoot Cheyenne that I loved, but it didn't have any knee rolls. Am not sure how sure I'd feel about it doing harder, faster work though, but it was great for us and what we were doing then, would recommend). |
| Otto |
Posted - 15 Jul 2009 : 06:23:19 AM
I have tried my boy in the Strada C (widest possible) and the width is perfect but it is just too long for him at the moment, maybe he will be able to take 17" in future but I have a feeling he won't grow anymore in length now. Such a shame as I love the Strada concept and it has worked wonders for my mare, who incidentally has put on an extra 1/2" either side of her wither template after using the Strada for 6 months - amazing considering she is 30 years old and hasn't put on any extra bodyweight anywhere else!! I highly recommend the Strada but I wish they'd do a 16.5" saddle!!!!!
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| Marie-Molly |
Posted - 15 Jul 2009 : 12:05:57 AM
My gelding came to me in a 16" dressage saddle - which I never could use - I need a 17.5!
His ideal saddle is a Strada IC (for very broad shouldered horses) - Strada saddles only come in one size, the right one - so fit the horse's shape and is flat enough in the seat to accomodate larger bottoms... 
A Strada might be the solution.
Marie |
| Otto |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 11:04:56 PM
Just goes to show how different they all are - my boy is 14.3 (and still growing but probably won't get beyond 15hh) and is already in 6ft rugs, which are already tight at the front and look as though they won't fit his chest next year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed he has stopped growing outwards and will keep on growing upwards!
Thanks for the info on SC saddles Montikka, might give them a serious look as well as ASC saddles.
I've got a Strada saddle on my mare (normal shape 17") and I completely adore it, I'd love to be able to have the same for the boy but they start at 17" which is just too long :((
I wonder why a lot of these "specialist" saddles (ie flexible or soft trees) only seem to start at 17"? Surely there is a massive Market for 16.5" what with all the cobs and welshies we have?
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| Vera |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 9:56:46 PM
Mine is a 17" which is the longest saddle he can take.
He's a smidge under 16hh but only takes a 5ft 9 Rambo (6ft Amigo) rug so has a lovely short back. He's also very deep in the girth and has a 52 inch girth. |
| Montikka |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 8:42:38 PM
Hi Otto, another Saddle Company fan here - my mare has HUGE shoulders, and as a result, all saddles either roll or slip forward or back on her.
Obviously I knew I needed a straight(ish) cut panel to accomodate the shoulders,
I have had three qualified saddlers out.
I have tried Jeffries, Baines, and Arabian Saddle Co. saddle on her and ALL roll.
Finally, I have settled on an XXwide Saddle Company Saddle (the saddler will come out for £30 to re-flock or adjust the width) and as I bought this saddle on ebay for little over £100 I think it's been a brilliant investment.
My mare is happy - I am comfortable - I would just add one thing; I do feel she needs a breast plate - but that could just be my girl.
:-) |
| Otto |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 7:12:34 PM
Thanks for all the advice!
Faymouse, I don't think my boy is unique, I have seen plenty like him (although please correct me if I'm wrong anyone!). He is a very athletic/muscular sort (pure Polish of course!) with rather large shoulders which really get in the way of the saddle - realistically I can't see him ever coping with any type of forward cut saddle. Anyone else out there with this shape of back? Vera, your Dennis sounds a similar shape or is he a bit longer than mine?
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| Vera |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 5:16:12 PM
I had it made for him when he was 5, and it was refitted (tree adjusted wider) a year later. It needs refitting again now.
They have adjustable trees but (I believe) there is only so many times they can adjust them before needing a new tree - hasten to add that when they can't be adjusted any more you don't need a new saddle, just get the tree replaced. |
| faymouse |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 4:11:52 PM
Thats an unusual sized Arab??
Originally posted by Otto
Hi there
I'm sure this topic has been on here before so apologies if we're going over old ground.... I'd like any saddle recommendations for a extra extra wide 16.5" purebred gelding. Does anyone use the Arabian Saddle Company's show saddle with any success for this shape of Arab? Or is treeless really the only option here (although from what I've heard I might as well forget about showing him under saddle if that's the case!!!!).
Any advice or recommendations would be as ever gratefully received.
Thanks!
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| sonflowerinwales |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 4:07:41 PM
I had an Arabian saddle co. show saddle made up from a template a few years ago, it was and still is fab. |
| Claire |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 3:59:54 PM
I have got a balance saddle, a zenith which is the closest to a conventional saddle. It has a tree and I'm sure they would have no problem with width as they are designed to allow the shoulders to move. PM me if you are interested or just google balance saddles. Hope this helps- have to say they are expensive but having been through three saddles in 3 years I've now had this for 4 so in my case well worth it! |
| Otto |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 3:34:50 PM
Vera, at what age was Dennis when he had his ASC saddle fitted? My boy is only 4 so I'd dearly love to wait a year or two but I'm running out of treed options at the moment!!
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| Vera |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 12:56:50 PM
I have got an XXW ASC Showing for Dennis, it was made to template. It is fabulous. Fantastic quality. I went for the doeskin seat and buffalo leather with serge panels. A bit dearer but well worth the extra. |
| Otto |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 12:30:51 PM
Thanks for the advice everyone. Kelly you say you have gone 'soft treed' , do you mind me asking what brand you have gone for as your boy sounds a similar shape to mine.
Thanks
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| Kelly |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 10:01:02 AM
Arabian Saddle Company make to template, so I would assume they'd be able to make whatever size you like.
I loved my ASC Solstice (endurance). If I were to get a treed saddle, that's what I'd have.
Though I haven't tried the rest, so can't actually compare!
Good luck - Jack is XXX wide, and that was 2 years ago before he developed shoulders - I went 'soft treed', but then I don't want to show. But you can get some treeless saddles that look very conventional - they do ride different though, so if a judge were to ride, they might not be comfy. |
| BeckyBoodle |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 8:21:49 PM
Lavinia Mitchell - her saddles are all wide as standard. She fitted my friend's highland and another's clydsdale fantastically. I think she has an arab so is also used to the shape.
B |
| Mrs Vlacq |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 8:17:32 PM
Ideal
Farrington
Ambassador
Frank Baines
All do mega wide, as do Native Pony Saddle Co |
