Saddle Advice for a Welsh Section D Mare??

[lucymay]

I have a 5yr old Welsh Section D mare standing about 14hh who I am struggling to find a saddle/tree that suits her and was wondering what saddles everyone else uses on D mares for the show ring??

My mare needs a saddle tree that isn't flat and not too curvy so one that has a bit of shape to it but not too much, have tried Black country classic which is too flat and the show hunter which is too curvy. The problem is that my mare has a curve while stood and walking but when she trots she lifts her core muscles and her back is then more flat, so a curved tree isn't right for her while trotting as it sticks up at the back and bounces and the flat tree suits her while trotting but not standing and walking and the other problem is she has a forward girth groove which allows all the saddle to move forwards.

Has anyone else had this problem and which saddle have you found best suited??

[sarahp]

I don't have an answer but find this an interesting problem. My only observation is that when trotting she is obviously using herself and working through her back correctly - I've seen our dressage trainer teaching them to lift backs as part of lessons. Maybe you should ask her to use her back like this and come onto the bit at other paces, including halt? I'd be very interested to hear a saddle fitter's answer.

[joules]

Try Fiona Cork, she specialises in M & M saddles, she is on face book, I am sure she will be able to help you.

[catkin]

Fylde Marjories or Samanthas work well in these situations.
Also try using a gel pad under the saddle to stop it slipping forward.

[roxy93]

I use a Samantha for my welsh mare, I did try a Marjorie fitted awful as not the ride type of saddle for us, did take us a while to find a saddle that was correct but the samantha just sits so well on her.

[sbloom]

Welsh Ds come in a variety of shapes but they all lift their backs a lot in work so need the bottom of the tree to be flat, even if there is pommel height for a wither. Our "standard" tree, currently offered in our Traditional WH, is this sort of tree and very commonly fitted to Welsh Ds, it comes in a GPJ model as well. We have another similar tree but it's less flat on the bottom and wider in the pommel and tends to only work on the stallions. A point strap, and possibly an upswept rear panel to shorten the footprint and allow the croup less direct action on the saddle (plus it allows for a larger seat size) both help stop saddles running forwards as does the flat tree and panel (plus the right flocking and saddle balance of course!).

[lucymay]

Well I now have a AH saddles Traditional WH saddle and it doesn't move, so I can now crack on with my mare! :-)