what kind of saddle for no withered pony

dodib · 08-04-2008, 11:29 AM

Ok I just bought my daughter an Exmoor pony. She is built somewhat like a haflinger--no withers. What type of saddle fits this type of horse/pony the best. She is using her 14" semi quarter on her and it doesn't fit terrible but I think a FQB would fit some better but just wondering if they "make" saddles for this type of horse.

Bandit · 08-04-2008, 11:35 AM

Big Horn makes a "haflinger saddle" that might work. Best thing to prevent slipping is to make sure it fits and to use a breast collar.

cindyf · 08-04-2008, 11:38 AM

My friend had to buy the Haffie saddle by big horn for her NO withered QH and it fit him great. And it was a very nice saddle!!!

Tippy · 08-04-2008, 11:49 AM

Definitley a wide saddle and I like the won pad. It's neoprene underneath and the prevents the saddle from slipping.

Lady_MCSE · 08-04-2008, 11:49 AM

Try treeless! For true mutton-withered horses, it's the only way to go. There are some high-end treeless out there like Ansur, Bob Marshall, etc. But there are also a lot of knockoffs these days. I haven't tried any of the knockoffs, but it might be worth investigating.

Slim Pikkens · 08-04-2008, 02:06 PM

You will probably have to try saddles with various trees and I'd go with round skirts. The corded or string cinch usually gives the best grip. One thing good about a mutton withered horse is it sure teaches the rider to keep the weight centered when most are inclined to put a little more weight in one stirrup.

Wolfie · 08-05-2008, 01:40 AM

I agree that a treeless is best.

Sunlei · 08-06-2008, 05:43 PM

I watched a expert saddle fitter discuss treeless saddles. He said males did ok with treeless but the female pelvis cannot sit properly centered in a treeless saddle. The females pelvis splits differently, than a males and they place much more weight on the back of the saddle. On the weakest part of the horses back.

The link to the saddle fitters discussions about saddle fitting is in one of my more recent posts. It is well worth watching he goes into great detail especially on horses and withers, and saddle fitting.

It's amazing how much the wrong saddle can effect the horse, even restricting its breathing or causing colic from a bad saddle pressure.

edited to add link to series http://www.hestakaup.com/content/view/59/97/

dymond · 08-06-2008, 07:10 PM

Hm, I believe the proof is in the "pudding"

My horse moves MUCH better in my treeless saddles and my seat has improved tremendously. I certainly do not sit to far back, and I do not hover "above" the horses back like I used to in a treed saddle.

Know a few other riders (women) with treeless saddles that have had the same experience. Even a high dressage rider and a endurance rider that also jumps.

Might not work for everyone or every horse or every situation, but I would never rule it out.

I'll never go back to a "treed" saddle.

Sunlei · 08-07-2008, 06:52 AM

Heres the series of vids. So worth watching and listening to a expert.

I am looking at some Icelandics at these horse-farms for the future if I ever get out of this 100 degree state I live in now. The icelandics evolved with a double coat,,they would hate the heat here.

http://www.hestakaup.com/content/view/59/97/

on the bottom of this vid page they show a special pad one can use and it shows the exact pressure pattern on the horses back. Another very interesting tool.

ToveroMom · 08-07-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dymond

Hm, I believe the proof is in the "pudding"

My horse moves MUCH better in my treeless saddles and my seat has improved tremendously. I certainly do not sit to far back, and I do not hover "above" the horses back like I used to in a treed saddle.

Know a few other riders (women) with treeless saddles that have had the same experience. Even a high dressage rider and a endurance rider that also jumps.

Might not work for everyone or every horse or every situation, but I would never rule it out.

I'll never go back to a "treed" saddle.

I agree I loved mine amd it suited he horse it was bought for-well.
Never had an issue with it and I do have a female pelvis.
I agree with this poster-and am always suspicious of any broad ranging statements about something either being good or BAD for all.

Sunlei · 08-07-2008, 12:41 PM

It's the fourth vid down where the expert talks about the treeless saddles. He never says its all or nothing. But he sure explains the difference between the way a female pelvis uses the twist in a saddle compared to a male.

Pretty cool, I never knew saddle fitting was this important. I love learning new things. When I get my icelandic, I will have a saddle fitted for the horse. The breed has such a different movement, they need their own saddle.

LuvMyMares · 08-12-2008, 12:13 AM

My palo/paint mare has no withers and i use a circle y "flex tree" and it works great!

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08-04-2008, 11:29 AM
dodib Started Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ravenna, MI Posts: 2,594	what kind of saddle for no withered pony Ok I just bought my daughter an Exmoor pony. She is built somewhat like a haflinger--no withers. What type of saddle fits this type of horse/pony the best. She is using her 14" semi quarter on her and it doesn't fit terrible but I think a FQB would fit some better but just wondering if they "make" saddles for this type of horse. __________________ Dorthy www.freewebs.com/brownranch/

08-04-2008, 11:35 AM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,790	Big Horn makes a "haflinger saddle" that might work. Best thing to prevent slipping is to make sure it fits and to use a breast collar. __________________

08-04-2008, 11:38 AM
cindyf Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: southern mn Posts: 618	My friend had to buy the Haffie saddle by big horn for her NO withered QH and it fit him great. And it was a very nice saddle!!!

08-04-2008, 11:49 AM
Tippy Long Yearling Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,061	Definitley a wide saddle and I like the won pad. It's neoprene underneath and the prevents the saddle from slipping. __________________

08-04-2008, 11:49 AM
Lady_MCSE Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Shytown, IL Posts: 3,504	Try treeless! For true mutton-withered horses, it's the only way to go. There are some high-end treeless out there like Ansur, Bob Marshall, etc. But there are also a lot of knockoffs these days. I haven't tried any of the knockoffs, but it might be worth investigating. __________________ Yes I can spell the way Webster tells me to. But why? I might spell correctly Tuesday thru Wensday tho.

08-04-2008, 02:06 PM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,948	You will probably have to try saddles with various trees and I'd go with round skirts. The corded or string cinch usually gives the best grip. One thing good about a mutton withered horse is it sure teaches the rider to keep the weight centered when most are inclined to put a little more weight in one stirrup.

08-05-2008, 01:40 AM
Wolfie Coming two Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: US Posts: 1,547	I agree that a treeless is best.

08-06-2008, 05:43 PM
Sunlei Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 950	I watched a expert saddle fitter discuss treeless saddles. He said males did ok with treeless but the female pelvis cannot sit properly centered in a treeless saddle. The females pelvis splits differently, than a males and they place much more weight on the back of the saddle. On the weakest part of the horses back. The link to the saddle fitters discussions about saddle fitting is in one of my more recent posts. It is well worth watching he goes into great detail especially on horses and withers, and saddle fitting. It's amazing how much the wrong saddle can effect the horse, even restricting its breathing or causing colic from a bad saddle pressure. edited to add link to series http://www.hestakaup.com/content/view/59/97/ Last edited by Sunlei : 08-07-2008 at 06:53 AM.

08-06-2008, 07:10 PM
dymond Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 170	Hm, I believe the proof is in the "pudding" My horse moves MUCH better in my treeless saddles and my seat has improved tremendously. I certainly do not sit to far back, and I do not hover "above" the horses back like I used to in a treed saddle. Know a few other riders (women) with treeless saddles that have had the same experience. Even a high dressage rider and a endurance rider that also jumps. Might not work for everyone or every horse or every situation, but I would never rule it out. I'll never go back to a "treed" saddle. __________________ Lu "you are forever responsible for what you have tamed..."

08-07-2008, 06:52 AM
Sunlei Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 950	Heres the series of vids. So worth watching and listening to a expert. I am looking at some Icelandics at these horse-farms for the future if I ever get out of this 100 degree state I live in now. The icelandics evolved with a double coat,,they would hate the heat here. http://www.hestakaup.com/content/view/59/97/ on the bottom of this vid page they show a special pad one can use and it shows the exact pressure pattern on the horses back. Another very interesting tool. Last edited by Sunlei : 08-07-2008 at 07:19 AM.

08-07-2008, 12:41 PM
Sunlei Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 950	It's the fourth vid down where the expert talks about the treeless saddles. He never says its all or nothing. But he sure explains the difference between the way a female pelvis uses the twist in a saddle compared to a male. Pretty cool, I never knew saddle fitting was this important. I love learning new things. When I get my icelandic, I will have a saddle fitted for the horse. The breed has such a different movement, they need their own saddle. Last edited by Sunlei : 08-07-2008 at 12:43 PM.

08-12-2008, 12:13 AM
LuvMyMares Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 160	My palo/paint mare has no withers and i use a circle y "flex tree" and it works great! __________________ I Luv my 3 mare's-Cheyanne-Palomino Paint, Butter's-Sorrel Arabian & Katie Lou-Black AQHA