Posted: 1st April 2019 | Back to news feed
Without doubt the native pony is by nature wider to fit and with less wither than the more blood type animal.
This type of conformation can lead to a host of saddle fitting issues which need to be discussed with your Society of Master Saddlers’ Qualified Saddle Fitter.
Whether choosing a new or second hand saddle you will need to consider the activities you are undertaking with your pony, his shape, development and age.
Issues you may need to look at are preventing the saddle sliding up the pony’s neck which will lead to the back of the saddle bouncing and the pony being unhappy. The second is that sometimes riders are quite tall for sturdy native ponies so getting a saddle that is large enough with big enough flaps without swamping the pony can be challenging.
The saddle must be comfortable and in the case of the younger rider make them feel secure to help build confidence, but it is equally important that the pony is also comfortable.
It is essential that the tree of the saddle is suitable for the pony, too narrow a seat on a broad backed pony may not sit securely into the back, so allowing the saddle to tip and rock, whilst the rider may feel perched above the pony.
It is imperative that the front width fitting, as well as the shape of the tree in general is correct for the pony. Too wide and the saddle will tip forward, causing considerable pressure and discomfort in the area behind the pony’s shoulders. The back of the saddle will lift and bounce, also causing discomfort. Too narrow a tree can tip the saddle back, causing pressure under the back of the saddle. Also, the saddle may well ‘run forward’ on to the neck. Part of the tree called the side rails (the bit that narrows under your leg before broadening out into the seat) must also be of a suitable angle and have a suitable width between them. Too close together and angled and the saddle will rock, too far apart and the saddle might come onto the spine.
If the saddle has a flocked panel, a good saddler can ‘fine tune’ the fit so that the saddle is in perfect balance. The flocking should be of a good quality wool and be quite soft, not hard or lumpy.
The best way of avoiding a saddle that rolls to one side, rides up the neck or bridges is to use, whenever possible, the services of a Society of Master Saddlers’ Qualified Saddle Fitter. They will know, by assessing the pony and rider, the style, shape and size that will do the trick. Some saddles now come with several positions of girth straps and this can help the saddle fitter to overcome any conformation difficulties that may cause these actions. However it is the ability to look at a pony and see what these difficulties are and to know what is available saddle wise that is the key to successful fitting.
For more information visit www.mastersaddlers.co.uk or telephone 01449 711642.
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