Saddle recommendations for a Highland

[heidi1]

Apart from the obvious "one that fits" can anyone recommend any saddle makes to look at as a starting point for a very wide highland.

When we bought him, he came to us in a very wide adjustable synthetic which has been great for getting him going but want to look for something better to get him out and about in next year.

Many thanks

[caspa]

We have a fylde Ray on one of our mares and a fylde Hayden on the other, Peter always recommends the Ray, as he believes highlands really need a horse saddle rather than a pony one..

Saving for another Ray at the moment, having just been ripped off by a scammer on the other posts on here..

[heidi1]

Thank you. I will start to look out for one. The advice regarding horse as opposed to pony saddles is really helpful.

Sorry you have been ripped off, the total disregard for others and complete lack of a conscience / morality that some people have is appalling.

[silvershadow]

I have a Black Country saddle on my Highland, I love it, I find it offers a little more security than most of the show saddles. Fits beautifully and looks fab x

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[heidi1]

Thank you, that's definitely also worth looking into especially as officially he's my OH's ride and he hates the very flat show type saddle

[sbloom]

A deep seat will partially depend on how much shape the Highland has to his back, I usually fit our standard twist tree to them which has a little depth, though often I go to flatter trees, both neat on top for the more sporting type, or very wide and very flat for the flat backed XXW plus. There is a deep seated model that I have fitted to maybe a couple of Highlands over the years. Most WH saddles are a little "more" saddle than pure showing saddles so should be your first port of call.

[breeze]

i have a fylde ray for one of my young mares, it is the comfiest saddle i have ever ridden in, the other two ridden highlands are in Native Pony 'Glens' when the mare using the Ray stops changing shape i will get her a native pony saddle as i prefer the wool flocking in them compared with the gel panels on the ray.

[StephWheway]

Have a look in to the new Fiona Cork Showing saddles! They are wonderful saddles, offer a huge amount of support and comfort for the rider and fit the pony perfectly!

[highlanderlass]

We are hoping to get one from Fiona Cork for our Dartie.;D ;D ;D ;D

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[heidi1]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, it's greatly appreciated. The saddler we use is great but if he doesn't have anything which fits or can be adjusted to fit I need to have some ideas to discuss with him to think about what would be best.

[misterben]

Hi Heidi,

By all means have a look on my website www.fionacorkshowing.co.uk

I have designed a new range of show saddles, which have trees to suit all shapes and sizes but more specifically we have invested a lot of time looking at the natives, highlands included, to design something that really works. I compete natives myself so I know where you're coming from.

If you need any more info feel free to get in touch. I cover the whole of the UK including Scotland so you can have a demo and see what you think if you wish.

[sophiabell]

interesting to read as my mum's highland x will be ready to be broken in the spring, I was looking at her this evening thinking how on earth will I find a saddle wide enough?! A bit of a difference to my anglo arab

[Guestless]

My two Highlands (and most of my Fells) are in Native Pony Saddle Company (NPSC)tack. Most Highlands need a fairly flat tree although you do get the odd one with a bit of a wither (one of mine has).

[sbloom]

Dec 27, 2013 21:50:40 GMT sophiabell said:

interesting to read as my mum's highland x will be ready to be broken in the spring, I was looking at her this evening thinking how on earth will I find a saddle wide enough?! A bit of a difference to my anglo arab

Specialists in natives will have a choice of wide, flat trees with short points rather than choosing from the big saddle company's tree choices (which tend not to be flat enough, wide enough or short enough in the points for many natives), including hoop trees and super flat seats. The saddles I fit to very wide highlands (mainly Native Pony Traditional WH) are on a hoop tree with short points, a flat seat with square or round cantle and a choice of two WH flaps in stock. We also can adjust the tree width a handful of times, useful for growing ponies.

You should be able to buy something from stock which means you would have a 7 day trial by law. Buying custom means you are not entitled to a refund, though of course many companies do have good customer services and will honour a refund.

[kirtonian]

Steph Bloom has fitted all my guys and am very happy with Native Pony saddles, various widths and shapes of tree, its not just the width that matters, but also the curve of tree, I have three Highlands in work at mo, all in very different saddles in terms of both width and tree curve Only other make of saddle I have found works is a Black Country GPD on their freedom tree,

[kirtonian]

PS have a Black Country GPD for sale in a very wide fitting if anyone interested

[hack]

I have a Native Pony 'Fen' on my newly backed highland, just had the fit checked and is fine, very comfy too.