Saddle to fit a friesian/cob with very little withers?

[vels mum]

Just had Vinnies mum out Peerielee, she took her old horses saddle out with her which is a Thorowgood Wide 17 inch. (aparently the old style made before the Isabella).

It was really high above his withers and just wanted to slide back.
We also tried a Wintec cair system in Medium which sat quite nicely on him, seemed to be lower in the wither area, but I feel I wouls still need to use a breastplate to keep it in place.

So can anyone tell me what saddle suits a friesian or cob type who is in a med/wide fit saddle with very little withers?

[Smurf]

Sorry it is a wintec pro dressage saddle- suiting high withered horses

[coloredred]

Is this a saddle for Vel? A well fitting saddle shouldn't really need a breastplate to hold it in place unless the horse/pony is a complete barrel. Wintecs probably won't suit him because of the tree shape unless you get hold of a wintec isabell werth like i have for Magic as it's a completely different tree to other wintecs and suits flatter backs. It's also adjustable which is good for when he grows.

Another good saddle for him would be the thorowgood cob models but you may find he'll fit the standard ones better when he grows a wither, these can also be adjustable if you get the 3D version ones with adjustable gullet.

Just wondering (i may have got the wrong end of the stick here) but how do you know Vel is a med/wide?

As he's so young i really recommend getting a good saddle fitter out as sometimes a saddle can look like it fits when it really doesn't.

[vels mum]

Hi Coloured thanks for your reply

Is this a saddle for Vel? A well fitting saddle shouldn't really need a breastplate to hold it in place unless the horse/pony is a complete barrel..
Yes the saddle is for Vel, he is definately not a barrel. I obviouslt dont want to add a breastplate and would like to find the perfect fitting saddle for him, I just mentioned the breastplate in reference to the fit of the Wintec we tried.

Wintecs probably won't suit him because of the tree shape unless you get hold of a wintec isabell werth like i have for Magic as it's a completely different tree to other wintecs and suits flatter backs. It's also adjustable which is good for when he grows...

What makes you say Wintecs wouldnt suit him? I thought some of the saddles were aimed at low withered horses, certainly the thorowgood saddles are aimed at high withered horses apart form the wide cob one.
The Isabell I though was by thorowgood? Does magic have quite a flat back and little withers? He is a cob right?

Another good saddle for him would be the thorowgood cob models but you may find he'll fit the standard ones better when he grows a wither, these can also be adjustable if you get the 3D version ones with adjustable gullet.

Just wondering (i may have got the wrong end of the stick here) but how do you know Vel is a med/wide? ...
I am guessing Vel is a med/wide as one saddle we tried on him was medium which sat quite nicely and one was wide which was just a little wide, but he is still growing so will prob be in a wide shorty.

As he's so young i really recommend getting a good saddle fitter out as sometimes a saddle can look like it fits when it really doesn't.

I live in Shetland and dont keep my horses on a yard so advise and the option to try other saddles isnt there. Also I am trying to find out if we have more than 1 saddle fitter up here. Ive contacted the saddle fitter I know but she hasnt got back to me, but I will certainly be making sure Vel is in a correct saddle before trying to ride him.

I was really impressed by the saddle you have for Magic, looked like a really nice fit on him, one of the saddle I tried on Vel today was a thorowgood and I was under the impression it was the same style as the Isabell but just the prev model, and I found the wither way too high.

[lilholley]

What about a saddle company saddle? They're adjustable and I think you can send tracings of your horses back to the company and they'll adjust it for you. (our saddler has the machine to do it, but I guess you won't have access to that option)
My Bella is fairly round with quite small withers and she has one

[vels mum]

What about a saddle company saddle? They're adjustable and I think you can send tracings of your horses back to the company and they'll adjust it for you. (our saddler has the machine to do it, but I guess you won't have access to that option)
My Bella is fairly round with quite small withers and she has one

Just looked them up, id imagine the saddles are quite pricey but ill defo keep them in mind

[lilholley]

They're not too bad - I bought mine ages ago and it was £275 - they've gone up to about £500 new now, but you can quite often pick them up on eBay for cheaper. And once you've bought it, it can be adjusted as he changes shape. I'm hoping to keep mine a long time - its already on its second pony!
x

[cocopops]

I find GFS saddles are pretty good, and fit lots of different horses, i have a 17' med on my sec d, who is a bit of a barrell, but it also fits a friends TB.
Lovely and comfy too!

[mermer]

Herbie was cobby without much withers, the wintec gp 500 with cair in wide fitted him well.

[coloredred]

Hi Coloured thanks for your reply


Yes the saddle is for Vel, he is definately not a barrel. I obviouslt dont want to add a breastplate and would like to find the perfect fitting saddle for him, I just mentioned the breastplate in reference to the fit of the Wintec we tried.



What makes you say Wintecs wouldnt suit him? I thought some of the saddles were aimed at low withered horses, certainly the thorowgood saddles are aimed at high withered horses apart form the wide cob one.
The Isabell I though was by thorowgood? Does magic have quite a flat back and little withers? He is a cob right?

The isabel saddle is definitely by wintec. Thorowgood do three trees, one for high withers, one for standard backs and one for flat backs. The only reason i say a wintec may not fit him is because the trees were designed for thoroughbreds and because of that have panels that slope down from the gullet rather than being level which means on a flatter back they can dig in at the edges. The old style wintec wide still has a similar tree to the normal wintecs. Magic does have a flat back and fairly low withers and a normal wintec didn't fit him at all. The new design wintecs have much flatter panels so would fit better.


I am guessing Vel is a med/wide as one saddle we tried on him was medium which sat quite nicely and one was wide which was just a little wide, but he is still growing so will prob be in a wide shorty.

Depending on the make of saddle he could be a med a med/wide or a wide, every saddle is different. There is a diagram you can download from the thorowgood website to print out to test what width a horse is in thorowgood saddles, would give you a rough idea of what size you'd need for others too.



I live in Shetland and dont keep my horses on a yard so advise and the option to try other saddles isnt there. Also I am trying to find out if we have more than 1 saddle fitter up here. Ive contacted the saddle fitter I know but she hasnt got back to me, but I will certainly be making sure Vel is in a correct saddle before trying to ride him.

I was really impressed by the saddle you have for Magic, looked like a really nice fit on him, one of the saddle I tried on Vel today was a thorowgood and I was under the impression it was the same style as the Isabell but just the prev model, and I found the wither way too high.


Odd that she hasn't got back to you, i'd keep pestering especially if she may be your only fitter. Magics wintec isabel can look quite high over his withers but the panels seem to sit where they are supposed to and since it has a deep seat it can make it look higher at the front, he certainly hasn't complained. One of these may suit Vel. Thorowgood do a dressage saddle in high wither, standard and cob but none are as deep seated as the isabel. The standard wintec 500 dressage will probably look quite high as it's designed for high withers. I had one for Magic about a year and a half ago, rode in the three times and he let me know it didn't suit him. I have a photo somewhere of it looking ridiculously high over his withers that i'll have to dig out for you :)

[coloredred]

Ok found it, this is a wintec 500, didn't fit at all.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h7/colouredred/DSC02003.jpg

This is his wintec isabell (lifted at the back slightly as one gullet size too big at the time)
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h7/colouredred/DSC00780-1.jpg

[mermer]

That first one doesn't look anything like Herbie's saddle! That's a dressage one isn't it? I think the gp def has a lower pommel. That is something I've heard about Wintecs, that they lift at the back but it was alright on Herbs.

[Mobell]

I had problems with my ISP she is 14.2 hardly any wither and has wide shoulders and a forward girth line. She also rides like a horse not a pony. I had a Wintec Dressage with adjustable Cair which I thought was okay but my saddle fitter said no not enough adjustment in this saddle. We eventually after weeks of searching found a Kent & Masters Cob in 17" with wide gullet that fitted. Has an adjustable gullet and has a three point girthing system with added balancing d-ring. This saddle has a straighter flap and the panel underneath is straighter and set slightly further back than a lot of saddles so it does not interfere with shoulder movement. We tried the thorowgood GP and the Cob but they were not right in the placement of the panel in relation to the shoulder. I had a Farringtons event saddle and it was a good fit for Sun but we couldn't get a bigger one as they don't come up very often. I hope you get sorted it took me ages to find the right one with the help of my fitter.

[vels mum]

I am bidding on a wintec gullet measure which should tell me what width I should need, I feel this may be a long and expensive journey to finding him the right saddle!
Will the saddler tell me which make of saddle to get or will I have to buy and try and she will tell me if its any use or not?

[Squid]

The isabell is made by Wintec. Wintec's don't suit the more rounder /native horse's as the tree in the saddle is more banana shaped which suits TB's and the like. I have the Thorowgood cob model for Chubbles and it fitted perfectly in the Summer, and now he's lost weight it slips back and is too low on the wither! I'm on the hunt for a nice show saddle now though... or a working hunter one.

[CityLights]

My old horse was a barrel, XXW and no wither at all the only thing we found to fit her was a saddle made by the loacl saddlery but it was on an ideal tree, i think it was their VSD

I wouldnt be too worried about the wither though he should grow one its often just a baby thing, my saddler gave me a wither pad to use with shims i can take in and out to give Kizzie a fake wither as she will grow one from time to time and i can take out or add padding as necessary

[CityLights]

Just looked them up, id imagine the saddles are quite pricey but ill defo keep them in mind

Im selling mine lol, and its brand new
They are a good make mine was £700 i think, they are part synthetic as well whcih is good and makes them very light which i like, they are very comfortable as well

[vels mum]

£700 is a bit steep for his first saddle lol
Im currently looking at the wintec 500 dressage, it looks like its not to high at the front and plenty room for his HUGE shoulder!
Opinions welcome, I know you are all telling me the wintec have a banana shape tree but the 2 I tried on him the other day didnt look like that at all they were just too high at the withers.

[My Crazy Clan]

Once you find a saddle that fits, if its too pricey then you could find the same one on ebay etc or advertise for one, saves a few pennies.

[vels mum]

Once you find a saddle that fits, if its too pricey then you could find the same one on ebay etc or advertise for one, saves a few pennies.

Yes im keeping an eye on ebay, I very much hope I can get the saddle I want second hand!

(when I find out what the saddle I want is! :lol: )

[Squid]

I'm selling my Wintec 500 dressage! :p

[vels mum]

I'm selling my Wintec 500 dressage! :p

Why you selling? Your horse has low withers and flat back right? Was it not a good fit on him?

[Squid]

No it fitted him okay, if anything sat a little too hight at the wither. I just bought a leather saddle instead :)

[vels mum]

Ok so im now thinking Thorowgood T4 Dressage Cob may be good for him? What you think guys, I would put a link but we arent allowed :(

I think ill need a 17.5 inch seat.

[coloredred]

Definitely go with the thorowgood over the wintec for him, it will be a much better fit.

[CityLights]

Ok so im now thinking Thorowgood T4 Dressage Cob may be good for him? What you think guys, I would put a link but we arent allowed :(

I think ill need a 17.5 inch seat.

horrible to sit on, cannot stand them they are really bulky so you cant get your leg on and around and also seem to tip you forwards,

Oddly though i have a kents and masters which is the leather version and that is fine i think the pannels are slightly different shapes

[vels mum]

horrible to sit on, cannot stand them they are really bulky so you cant get your leg on and around and also seem to tip you forwards,

Oddly though i have a kents and masters which is the leather version and that is fine i think the pannels are slightly different shapes

Do you think the suede effect makes them like that, ive heard the T6's are much nicer to sit on and to look at

[CityLights]

No idea, the horse i used to ride in it though was very very slight so might of been the shape of him he was a very skinny build, although i think i tried one on Dennis too and it was not nice to ride him in either and he really wasnt skinny!

I think you should buy my saddle co saddle, lol,

[vels mum]

No idea, the horse i used to ride in it though was very very slight so might of been the shape of him he was a very skinny build, although i think i tried one on Dennis too and it was not nice to ride him in either and he really wasnt skinny!

I think you should buy my saddle co saddle, lol,

What size of seat is it and how much you wanting for it PM me if you like ;)

[Squid]

Also, make sure his back's long enough to take a 17.5" saddle. Don't Friesians have short backs? Chubbles can only take up to a 17" saddle.

[vels mum]

Vel is quite long in the back but am going to measure it, errrr can anyone tell me how to take the measurement?

He takes a 6'6 rug

[coloredred]

You'd really have to have a saddle on his back to tell if it passes the last rib or not. Also some makes can have longer panels than others even though both have a 17.5 inch seat.

[kiagirl]

I had a saddler out today for Lib, she is a barrel like haffy, I had a wintec wide for her fitted with the middle purple gullet. The fitter said straight away it was too wide for her and has now put a white gullet in and it fits so much better. I was so surprised that I needed one a lot smaller, I had been looking at saddles on ebay and wanted to bid on the one you have seen lol but it would be about three sizes too wide and I am sure Vel is smaller than Lib. My saddler said that I have the best saddle on the market for a low/no withered pony who is chunky. I was sursprised as I thought she might try to get me to try another make. Is there a saddlers that you could go to? She took a template of Libbys back which she will keep on file, could you do something similar with a coathanger or something and take it to a shop and try a few?

[vels mum]

Ive been offered a Wintec wide cob saddle in a GP it has 3 gullets - wide, x wide and xx wide. Its hardly been used and has 3 girth straps, she is asking for £230 but think I could get her down to £200.
She will also take it back within 7 days if its no use.
Worth a try?
That Kensigton dressage one on ebay is sitting at £225 atm, im gonna bid to £250 then give up. I know it would be far too wide for him now but I think it may be ok when he is bigger, im a bit crazy I know!!!!
If you type it in on ebay you should be able to see it, opinions plz x

[vels mum]

I had a saddler out today for Lib, she is a barrel like haffy, I had a wintec wide for her fitted with the middle purple gullet. The fitter said straight away it was too wide for her and has now put a white gullet in and it fits so much better. I was so surprised that I needed one a lot smaller, I had been looking at saddles on ebay and wanted to bid on the one you have seen lol but it would be about three sizes too wide and I am sure Vel is smaller than Lib. My saddler said that I have the best saddle on the market for a low/no withered pony who is chunky. I was sursprised as I thought she might try to get me to try another make. Is there a saddlers that you could go to? She took a template of Libbys back which she will keep on file, could you do something similar with a coathanger or something and take it to a shop and try a few?

Vel is around 16h do you think Libby would be wider than him???
is the white gullet medium or wide?
Any pics? x

[CityLights]

that saddle looks quite tidy, if im looking at the right on, 17 1/2 VSD?
the only thing that bothers me is the leather on the seat is wrinkled and that just bothers me a little as it shouldnt get like that the only saddle i have seen like that usually have had alot of work done on them or have had their tree damaged,

[vels mum]

Would you also say it may need restuffed around the seat, like it needs fluffing up a bit :lol:
Yea its the VSD dressage.
This is the wintec Ive been offered for £230
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/helphorses/securedownload.jpg

[vels mum]

S&W I see the wrinkling you mean, perhaps it needs some stuffing added? Would that solve it?

[CityLights]

I dont think you would change that on the seat by stuffing it, not a make i have ever had so i dont know if thats just how they wear sometimes they can

have you had a look on saddles direct?
They can be a little pricey compared to ebay but they do have the odd nice make cheaper saddle

[coloredred]

The white gullet for wintecs is an extra wide, the wintec wide saddles start at extra wide, i don't think you can put anything smaller than that in them as they aren't designed for it but i'm not 100% sure on that so someone correct me if i'm wrong. I'm not sure how good the price is, wintec GP's can go very cheap but there are less of the wintec wide saddles around.

Also the wintec wide should have 4 girth straps, not 3.

[vels mum]

Ooops your right it does have 4 girth staps
I was told this wintec has 3 changable gullets wide xwide and xxwide
I think kiagirl said the purple is xwide and the white is wide

[coloredred]

I have the white one in my wintec and it's definitely extra wide. It's too wide for Magic who needs the red one which is the wide one.

[kiagirl]

Its really difficult to compare them as Vel and Lib are such diff shapes.I paid £250 for my wintec wide second hand, it was in good condition and had only been used a handful of times. It came fitted with the red gullet which is wide, and the three purple gullets. The white is the X wide and the purple are xxw, xxxw and xxxxw. Can't find any pics of the saddle. Sorry.

[Zeitgeist Mom]

I've decided to back Kita first, and then buy her a saddle. I had a long chat to the saddle fitter today, and we have decided I should back her first, then she will bring a selection of second hand saddles to try once I can ride her.

[vels mum]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/helphorses/Bi5uNr2kKGrHqYOKigEsmVcgY7BLRPKMcuw.jpg

Ive just bought this. Kensington VSD 17.5" looks nice and low at front, however I dont think ill be able to back him in it, have bought it for when he becomes a wide boy!!

Am thinking to buy the wintec cob to try for backing him, if it doesnt fit then the lady will take it back ;)

[Smurf]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/helphorses/Bi5uNr2kKGrHqYOKigEsmVcgY7BLRPKMcuw.jpg

Ive just bought this. Kensington VSD 17.5" looks nice and low at front, however I dont think ill be able to back him in it, have bought it for when he becomes a wide boy!!

Am thinking to buy the wintec cob to try for backing him, if it doesnt fit then the lady will take it back ;)

You bought it, He will hopefully grow into it :)

[vels mum]

You bought it, He will hopefully grow into it :)

I feel like ive been caught with my hand in the sweetie jar............I know I shouldnt have but those voices told me to! :lol: :lol:

[Smurf]

I feel like ive been caught with my hand in the sweetie jar............I know I shouldnt have but those voices told me to! :lol: :lol:

I dont have the voices in my head, i have my hubby saying "dont do it Lee!" Lol :D:p

[vels mum]

I just buy things when he is out the room :lol:
Although he did overhear me giving my card details out for Dollies new rug today, she trashed the lovely pink cottage craft one! :mad:
(Although it was rubbing her chest so im secretly glad!)