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Post by highlanderlass on Feb 22, 2014 15:37:27 GMT
Can anyone recommend a brand of Fylde saddle that would be best for a Dartmoor? I will be getting a 16" but not sure which one would work best, mainly for showing.
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Post by ponymum on Feb 22, 2014 19:54:52 GMT
We used a hayden x
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Post by dancer on Feb 22, 2014 21:22:50 GMT
One that fit's properly - try several 'makes' & then choose the best for your pony. If you have never tried a Fylde on him how do you know they will be suitable?
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Post by highlanderlass on Feb 22, 2014 21:33:53 GMT
For your information I have tried various makes of saddles on my Dartmoor and none of them fitted, they were fitted by a saddle fitter. He is getting a made to measure saddle done and I was just curious what model other Dartmoor owners use. I do not just 'plonk' any saddle on any of my ponies and hope for the best.
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Post by daisy81 on Feb 22, 2014 21:44:52 GMT
Dancer I dont mean to be rude but this is the second post I notice u "taking a pop" at the author about saddles.
Neither one said there just going to buy an ill fitted they just asked for a general style that suitable for there type of pony. As some saddles are designed with a certain breed Type conformation in mind. There are very few owners that would ride in a saddle that doesnt fit just for vanity so maybe your posts could be a little gentler in there tone.
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Post by dancer on Feb 22, 2014 22:03:22 GMT
Because this is the 2nd thread I've read tonight where people are asking which style of Fylde do you recommend?
Every pony is different & just because a style fit's one Dartmoor doesn't mean it will suit every Dartmoor & so I recommend that the OP buys one that fits.
Highlanderlass - as you are not just going to 'plonk' any old saddle on I assume your fitter has recommended a Fylde & so they will be able to advise which style you need.
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Post by highlanderlass on Feb 22, 2014 22:15:55 GMT
Actually the saddle fitter has recommended more than one type of Fylde saddle hence my comment. I want to get it right seen as I don't want to waste hundreds of pounds.
Not that it's any of your business seen as you have nothing constructive to say.
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Post by dancer on Feb 22, 2014 22:26:31 GMT
In that case maybe it would help if you listed the styles that your fitter recommends.
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mars
Junior Member
Posts: 150
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Post by mars on Feb 23, 2014 16:49:42 GMT
I use a Hayden on my Dartie x
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Post by horseaddiction on Feb 23, 2014 17:07:41 GMT
I have had my samantha saddle adjusted by the makers on 2 occasions and after buying their specialised padded numnah and then another girth as reccomended by Fylde it still was not right and was always unlevel.I returned once again - yes they were happy to put it on the machine again and re adjust.I told them that it was not sitting properly and was still rising up on the ponies back only to be told to stuff a few pieces of old carpet under the pads ! Saddle has now been sold and pony has had a bespoke saddle made which I'm delighted with. I know that the Fylde saddles are highly thought of , however I would never go down the route of using one again as I've had such poor fitting service although the saddles are beautifully made.
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Post by highlanderlass on Feb 23, 2014 18:08:22 GMT
Thanks for that. When we had the saddle fitter out we tried quite a number of saddles on our Dartmoor and the Fylde came out the best fit. I thought a Native Pony saddle would have been good but it just didn't sit right and he wouldn't even move. I have never dealt with Fylde but I will certainly be doing a bit more research before I get a made to measure as if it goes wrong I will be severely out of pocket. I thought Highlands were hard to fit but he's ten times worse. I thought about getting an Amanda Thorn pad made for him so we can get him going and don't have to rush the saddle decision.
Black Country was another that wasn't far from fitting, anyone had one of these saddles before? If so, what's the leather like? Are they a substantial saddle?
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Post by horseaddiction on Feb 23, 2014 18:14:44 GMT
ponycobandhorsesaddles.com
Superb fitter, knows the showing market as has designed saddles for Rob walker and Penny Hollins, however he is totally dedicated to getting the correct fit and shape for your pony and rider combination. Well worth a google !!!
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Post by sbloom on Feb 25, 2014 12:36:48 GMT
I thought a Native Pony saddle would have been good but it just didn't sit right and he wouldn't even move. Would you mind me asking which company and which models? At Native Pony & Cob Saddles Ltd we have half panels and a new show panel both of which are working way better than the old regular panelled saddles on small tricky ponies like some Dartmoors. The other company has only the old NP designs from four years ago, unchanged. And different quality and fitters  Just make sure that, whichever you end up with, you don't end up with the back of the saddle sitting much too low, it's the main cause of the saddle shaped "holes" in ponies backs that you see so regularly in the show ring. Rocking/lifting at the back is the other cause, and thin, hard panels won't help. Also don't get too fixed on a 16" - not only do all models vary (the Hayden is almost an inch shorter in foot print than many of our models) but also even if the ribcage can technically take a certain length of saddle, going shorter in the seat can help with certain fitting issues (croup high ponies, saddles moving up the pony's neck etc). |
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Post by silvester on Feb 25, 2014 15:00:09 GMT
I'd highly recommend Steph Bloom (above). She recently fitted me a lovely new style Dale show saddle and was so knowledgeable and helpful. I'd never buy another saddle blind now
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Post by highlanderlass on Feb 25, 2014 15:39:03 GMT
It was a 15.5" Fen saddle from the Company you deal with. Because of where I live we are limited with saddle fitters and the one that came was recommended by a fitter of yours. Needless to say the saddle didn't fit but 'it would do' once I paid £100 to get it completely reflocked - it didn't as the pony wouldn't even move, hence why I am going down the made to measure route.
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Post by 09rebel99 on Feb 25, 2014 16:14:10 GMT
To my knowledge none of the fylde saddles are 'made to measure'
All the saddles are on a wide tree and Fylde adjusts them to fit the pony.
Fiona Cork has just launched a new range of saddles in conjunction with Albion (I think) she may be worth speaking to?
Alot of people have Haydons on their darties but it depends what dicipline you are doing also as they have no knee roll so may be not so good for jumping.
I had a saddle made to measure by our local saddler 18 years ago and it has been worth the money and more! Never had an issue with bad back ect. When spending that much money on a saddle you need to be 100% happy that it fits your pony and rider so just take your time :-)
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Post by highlanderlass on Feb 25, 2014 17:00:06 GMT
To my knowledge none of the fylde saddles are 'made to measure' All the saddles are on a wide tree and Fylde adjusts them to fit the pony. Fiona Cork has just launched a new range of saddles in conjunction with Albion (I think) she may be worth speaking to? Alot of people have Haydons on their darties but it depends what dicipline you are doing also as they have no knee roll so may be not so good for jumping. I had a saddle made to measure by our local saddler 18 years ago and it has been worth the money and more! Never had an issue with bad back ect. When spending that much money on a saddle you need to be 100% happy that it fits your pony and rider so just take your time :-) I had been in touch with Fiona Cork as that is who was going to do it initially. There was supposed to have been a prototype of the pony saddle ready at the end of January to see and try but there's nothing as yet. I have messaged her a couple of times but the last I heard from her was that she had a meeting with Albion but no word of the pony saddle. My pony has no saddle at the moment so I am getting pretty desperate as I need to get him back in work so need to order as soon as I can as he has had nothing done since October. He will mainly be doing showing, hacking and pony club activities, he is 7 this year so I tried to hang on until he matured. Our Riding Club instructor is up next month so I will get her to do the template until I decide where to go. I am trying to get as much info from different companies to help me decide but my geographical location doesn't help either. Sent from my GT-I9505 using proboards |
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Post by sbloom on Feb 25, 2014 18:46:17 GMT
It was a 15.5" Fen saddle from the Company you deal with. Because of where I live we are limited with saddle fitters and the one that came was recommended by a fitter of yours. Needless to say the saddle didn't fit but 'it would do' once I paid £100 to get it completely reflocked - it didn't as the pony wouldn't even move, hence why I am going down the made to measure route. Sent from my GT-I9505 using proboards Thanks . Always hard when only one saddle to hand and not dealing with one of our trained fitters - I'd bet that the new half or show panels, or even our Sienna WH which is a nice neat saddle, would have given an option that worked. Totally understand why you're going the route you are but if you'd like to try one of the new panels or another model Andrea at HQ is very good at working from photos and tracings and could let you kow if she thought any of the above options would work better than the Fen . |
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Post by ruddles on Feb 25, 2014 20:43:18 GMT
I had trouble finding saddles to fit my newly broken in flat backed darties. Tried a few makes including Fylde and none were right. I wasn't happy just sending off a template to Fylde as I felt that a saddle should be fitted properly and adjusted where necessary. I eventually contacted John Hartley at Black Country Saddlery and he came out and fitted the classic show saddles on my ponies. I am thrilled with the quality, fit and the (vintage oiled) leather is superb. Oh and proper old fashioned customer service too!
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Post by highlanderlass on Feb 25, 2014 20:50:40 GMT
Due to my geographical location and living on an island we are extremely restricted when it comes to saddle fitters, we are lucky if one comes over three times a year. I certainly wouldn't be keen to use them again due to what happened with my previous saddle, hence why I have to rely on templates. I am hoping by getting our instructor to do it and taking the photos we will manage to get him sorted.
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Post by perfect on Feb 25, 2014 21:57:21 GMT
Thanks for that. When we had the saddle fitter out we tried quite a number of saddles on our Dartmoor and the Fylde came out the best fit. I thought a Native Pony saddle would have been good but it just didn't sit right and he wouldn't even move. I have never dealt with Fylde but I will certainly be doing a bit more research before I get a made to measure as if it goes wrong I will be severely out of pocket. I thought Highlands were hard to fit but he's ten times worse. I thought about getting an Amanda Thorn pad made for him so we can get him going and don't have to rush the saddle decision. Black Country was another that wasn't far from fitting, anyone had one of these saddles before? If so, what's the leather like? Are they a substantial saddle? Sent from my GT-I9505 using proboards I HAD a Black country Classic made for my darty and have got to say I am so pleased with it, never moves, the child loves it. I had a fylde on him before and his back was in bad way, so after hving it sorted I had john to come out and im delighted to say the least. I have recommended this saddle to quite a few people who are also delighted, and gain he is out tomorrow fitting another that I have recommended. and another waiting to sell her haydens so she cn also get one made. |
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Post by bilnalf on May 13, 2014 9:28:25 GMT
I would also recommended steph bloom. She fitted my dartmoor with native pony saddle and its been brilliant!
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Post by highlanderlass on May 13, 2014 12:12:38 GMT
Native Pony saddles do not fit my Dartmoor pony well, he refuses to move and looks very uncomfortable. I think I have found the right combination for him but time will tell.
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Post by sbloom on May 16, 2014 10:43:07 GMT
I find that some horses and ponies need a very far from "textbook" fit - so even if the saddle was sent out mail order as the correct fit, the pony can prefer something different, many like the saddle too wide with some flocking in the right place to compensate. And of course if it's just trying to fit the odd second hand NP saddle then it's not the same thing at all as actually going through a proper fitting. I know we've chatted about this before, but it's very unfair on any brand to say that a pony refuses to move in that brand of saddle full stop. Also for ponies that didn't go well in our saddle before we have new trees and new panel options - half panels and super close contact showing panels. Both can help with tricky fits and in fact in a 14" seat, common for smaller Dartmoors, we now only stock half panels as they work so much better. Full panels are to order only in that size for that reason.
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Post by highlanderlass on May 16, 2014 20:54:45 GMT
I find that some horses and ponies need a very far from "textbook" fit - so even if the saddle was sent out mail order as the correct fit, the pony can prefer something different, many like the saddle too wide with some flocking in the right place to compensate. And of course if it's just trying to fit the odd second hand NP saddle then it's not the same thing at all as actually going through a proper fitting. I know we've chatted about this before, but it's very unfair on any brand to say that a pony refuses to move in that brand of saddle full stop. Also for ponies that didn't go well in our saddle before we have new trees and new panel options - half panels and super close contact showing panels. Both can help with tricky fits and in fact in a 14" seat, common for smaller Dartmoors, we now only stock half panels as they work so much better. Full panels are to order only in that size for that reason. The Native Pony Saddle that I had was fitted by a Master Saddle Fitter. My pony wouldn't move in it at all which meant he wasn't comfortable, I only stated what had happened when we tried the saddle. We tried various other brands and he was much happier but the fit still wasn't right. All I meant is that these are not the saddles for him, and I have hopefully found what's best for him. Native pony saddles are the only brand that fitted my Highland Ponies very well. If I was to buy another saddle for them I would definitely stick to what I know fits. In fact, I bought two saddles for one pony as I liked the fit so well and I wanted an every day saddle as well as a show saddle. Sent from my GT-I9505 using proboards |
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Post by sbloom on May 19, 2014 12:41:16 GMT
Yeah sorry if I seemed OTT, just wanted to clarifiy it. And I've seen a few SMS fitters who don't understand how we fit. Some love our saddles, some fitters just don't get what we do, however well qualifed |
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