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Post by loopylouis on Apr 16, 2012 14:51:44 GMT
Looking for some saddle suggestions!
13.2hh welsh b, extremely flat backed. Bought a brand new 17" fylde samantha at great expense last year, with fylde saying it fit her perfectly and would be the only saddle to fit.
However from day one it has not stayed where put and this has not improved with muscling up/maturing as hoped. Sticky limpet pad thing not really helping.
So - any suggestions? It needs to be suitable for top end showing, wide enough to sit on top but cut far enough back that it doesn't slip. The basic problem with the samantha is that when it is in the right place the girth is too far back under the belly and therefore the saddle comes forward.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions..going to get a saddle fitter out in next few weeks but unsure of what saddles to try!
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Post by Sasha on Apr 16, 2012 15:18:41 GMT
Go back to fylde and get it adjusted! They are expensive saddles and can easily be adjusted to fit don't buy another saddle just get fylde to make yours fit
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Post by GinaGeo on Apr 16, 2012 15:36:27 GMT
Sbloom on here fits Native Pony Saddles. I don't have one, but if I were looking to buy I'd contact her.
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Post by loopylouis on Apr 16, 2012 15:48:04 GMT
Thought about getting it adjusted but would it make any difference to where the girth sits?
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Post by lucynlizzysmum on Apr 16, 2012 16:59:48 GMT
If you want another saddle I would recommend the native pony saddles - we have one on our 13 hander and it is a lovely saddle. We had a fylde on our section A and I was never 100% happy with it, even though it was altered it never seemed to sit quite right - but I know a lot of people love their fyldes - personal choice  |
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Post by showingfanatic on Apr 16, 2012 17:03:17 GMT
I have a completely flat backed section b, she has no wither and is flat as a table, the fylde haydon and fylde emma fit her perfectly and never move an inch. She had a custom made samantha but i dont feel it ever quite sat right. Give peter wilkinson a ring and explain the situation, Im sure he would do some sort of exchange if another style suited better.
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Post by country girl on Apr 16, 2012 20:05:17 GMT
yep get intouch with peter my ray saddle was moving on my d had it widen half a width now is perfect does not move one bit , its alot cheaper to have it adjusted than starting again
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Post by bouncer on Apr 17, 2012 9:16:04 GMT
We had a very similar pony, tried umpteen Fylde saddles at champs one year and none fitted right. I would recommend Native Pony every time, a little more cost but super quality, fitters are able to flock in situ, adjust tree etc. and spend time getting it right. They are very comfy too I am told |
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Post by haggismarmite on Apr 17, 2012 9:43:38 GMT
I have a native pony saddle that might fit yours perfectly that doesn't fit mine at all - completely useless to me as my Section b has a wither and a shaped back not flat backed and the native pony saddle sold to me has a straight tree which bridges on him but would be perfect for a flat backed pony! They don't all have the same shaped tree so just buying a 'brand' doesn't work it's the individual saddles within that range you have to explore. If you are around the SE you are welcome to try it - or if you get Native pony out and they recommend this style you can always get in touch with me before committing to a new one. I am very cross with myself for not trusting my instincts I always knew it was wrong but was talked around and feel like an idiot for hurting his back. We have just got a new pony who also has a wither and a shapely back not flat backed and I've just spoken to Peter at Fylde who's been through lots of options with me having seen his template and recommended their flocked range not the Samantha or Emma so if you have a chat with any of the good saddlers they should be able to help. My advice though would be you know your pony best, and your jockey and don't be talked round go with your instincts wish I had it would have saved me a fortune in osteo for my poor pony  I didn't think I knew what I was talking about but it turns out I did  |
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Post by dancer on Apr 17, 2012 10:20:45 GMT
Not all saddles can be made/adjusted to 'fit' every shape of pony - too many people seem to follow the 'fashion' for certain makes of saddle rather than getting a fitter out to check it actually suits their pony & rider.
Hagismarmite - I had exactly the same problem with one I bought, the 'fitter' even told me I didn't need a 17" before he'd seen the pony just because as far as he was concerned Exmoors don't need a saddle that big!!!!!!!
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Post by loopylouis on Apr 17, 2012 12:16:44 GMT
Haggis that is very kind of you but unfortunately we are in the Midlands. May have to look into going up to Fylde but it is a good few hours for us and honestly i'm quite racked off at paying a small fortune for a saddle i was told fitted perfectly. We have tried our 'haydens' on her too and they are too high on the wither. Love the native pony saddles but they are very expensive and can't really afford to pay out for a new one so soon!
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Tywood
Full Member
"Great ponies are never forgotten, just locked away in our hearts"
Posts: 482
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Post by Tywood on Apr 17, 2012 12:23:04 GMT
Does the samantha have point straps like the Hayden, if not could they be fitted, I'v got the same problem?
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Post by sbloom on Apr 17, 2012 18:00:48 GMT
Love the native pony saddles but they are very expensive and can't really afford to pay out for a new one so soon! I'm always happy to help on what second hand NP saddle might work if you can send me pictures of the pony. And of course I'm biased but I think they're actually not that expensive for the quality, but I am very aware that doesn't mean you can lay your hands on that amount of money! |
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Post by hedgehopper on Apr 17, 2012 19:29:34 GMT
I too have a flat backed fell, had a brand new np saddle fitted by them,but we have had a lot of issues with it over time.It just won't stay still! My back lady thinks it is too small as well. Would recommend that you arrange trying loads,with your equine back specialist present,not just the company fitter.
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hels
Junior Member
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Post by hels on Apr 17, 2012 19:45:59 GMT
I have a really good saddler in Bromsgrove- Issac saddlery- Mel is super and she would give you an opinion on fitting.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2012 19:58:35 GMT
I bought a "professional choice" non slip girth for my mare, along with a non slip sticky pad under her saddle. With these girths, the saddle is litteraly stuck to them, so if you do up the girth while crooked, you cannot move it. My sausage shape, flat backed mares saddle now never moves They do a leather showing version from Flexi girth. Good luck xxx |
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Post by NicolaC on Apr 17, 2012 20:11:34 GMT
I have just ordered a new Native pony saddle off Sbloom. Stephanie came out to me last Friday and was brilliant with my mare. Really looking forward to getting it. Cannot praise them enough, oh and lovely saddles! x
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Post by copperfields on Apr 17, 2012 21:10:19 GMT
Another vote for Native Pony Saddle. I have a 15" fen on my very flat section B. We searched for a good second hand one for ages. When we eventually found one which looks almost new, we had to get it made quite a bit wider to fit her properly and now it's fits her lovely. Flippin typical as she is now not a well girlie and can't ride her 😔
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Post by loopylouis on Apr 18, 2012 11:23:21 GMT
thanks for all the suggestions. Am going to have point straps put on and invest in a flexi girth!
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Post by Jessica on Apr 18, 2012 12:55:18 GMT
Native pony / ideal saddles are lovely
The Native pony lady in our area (Bedfordshire) was brilliant when she can to alter/fit our sec B's saddle.
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Post by highlanderlass on Apr 18, 2012 13:20:41 GMT
Another lover of Native Pony Saddles here!!! We have them for our two Highlands and our Dartmoor pony - all of whom are very flat backed. I will be purchasing another saddle or two for our Natives and will definitely give Native Pony Saddles the first try!
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Post by sbloom on Apr 18, 2012 17:26:55 GMT
I too have a flat backed fell, had a brand new np saddle fitted by them,but we have had a lot of issues with it over time.It just won't stay still! My back lady thinks it is too small as well. Would recommend that you arrange trying loads,with your equine back specialist present,not just the company fitter. Sorry you've had this experience hedgehopper - would you mind me asking if it was from www.nativeponysaddles.com or from Saddle Exchange/Woodward & Woodward? I work for the former, the latter are actually a totally different company and different saddles. Again I can only apologise for any confusion and promise we are doing everything we can to sort this out. |
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Post by hedgehopper on Apr 20, 2012 18:37:14 GMT
Hi sbloom,we bought a np saddle brand new,fitted by them, it was approx 4 years ago.Have no complaints about the quality,craftsmanship or comfort,just that it will not stay still! It is a black fen,either 16 or 16 1/2 inch,wide fit. Have tried various pads etc,but it still goes round corners faster than me! Now my back lady says my pony has uneven musculature over her shoulders,but its chicken and egg. Maybe it can be reflocked to fit,or even exchanged,would welcome your suggestions,and prices, thankyou very much.
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Post by waspblue on Apr 20, 2012 22:50:22 GMT
I have a Mathew Lawrence Comfort saddle on my D, which came from Native Pony Saddle Co and is superb, it never moves and from day one my horse immediately moved far freer in his action with noticeable differences. Fab saddles and quality superb, need no 'breaking in' as immediately comfortable. You would not be disappointed with one I'm sure. Good luck x
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Post by sbloom on Apr 21, 2012 6:50:46 GMT
Hi sbloom,we bought a np saddle brand new,fitted by them, it was approx 4 years ago.Have no complaints about the quality,craftsmanship or comfort,just that it will not stay still! It is a black fen,either 16 or 16 1/2 inch,wide fit. Have tried various pads etc,but it still goes round corners faster than me! Now my back lady says my pony has uneven musculature over her shoulders,but its chicken and egg. Maybe it can be reflocked to fit,or even exchanged,would welcome your suggestions,and prices, thankyou very much. It sounds like the saddle is probably perched, likely too narrow which means it won't wrap down around the wither and ribcage, and probably sits down at the back, putting your weight on the cantle and leaving the front "light" which also encourages movement. It should be possible to adjust the tree (they can be done a handful of times, a size or two in each direction usually, though it is usually harder to narrow trees) and possibly the flocking. The main thing we can't cater for is if the rear panel is just too shallow - the better solution is a deeper panel but obviously a rear riser (the pad you have at least is a neat solution and doesn't look like a rear riser) can be used as a temporary solution - it is really important that a saddle is in balance from front to back so that your weight is in the middle. The Fen has a very low cantle and low pommel and is usually in balance with the cantle about 1cm or so higher than the pommel, depending on the size of tree. We do have another model that is similar (Phoenix Symphony show saddle) but has a deeper rear panel and we could certainly trade in for that if necessary. Hopefully with a Fell the saddle will be in balance once the tree is the right width. A saddle is generally never actually too small in seat length for the horse, but for the rider. If the horse cannot take a longer seat size and the rider is too big for the saddle then options are more limited... If anyone has had fitting problems in the past with NP saddles PLEASE do pm me (esp to say who fitted it) and even if we can't help with getting the saddle to fit we can at least get to the bottom of what happened. |
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I didn't think I knew what I was talking about but it turns out I did 
