What Saddle

[cadmus]

Now...this might sound really thick but I have no idea about saddles.

Every horse I have ever bought has come with decent tack apart from Cody and I called Foxes out to come and measure him and I just bought the saddle off him, I have no idea what size or shape it is, I just know its brown and comfy....I know, Im useless.

Anyway, we need to buy a 2nd hand saddle for Jack and I have no idea what to get.

He is about 14.2hh and doesnt have much wither, hes a cobxtrotter so I reckon hel be a medium fit.

Where do I go from here?

Shall I just get a changeable gullet saddle, if so, what type and size?

I might need it for another one after too.

[bingbong]

idealy get a saddler to fit it, changable gullets are good for youngsters that change shape alot or youd be best maybe getting a loan of someones saddle and seeing if it fits and then trying to get one the same size

i must say i have stubben saddles and one size seams to fit them all a size 28 is a med and honest its used on all of them!!! ha ha
and once youv sat in one you wont want to go back ha ha mine was only £250 second hand too

[cadmus]

Well thats the thing...at the moment, I dont want to spend a lot of money on one,so dont really want someone coming out to measure as Jack witll change shape, he is only 3 so he will need a changable gullet. But theres a few more horses on that I want it to fit and they are between 14.3- 15.3hh.

I asked a friend if I could borrow one, but she said she only had one for sale....I only meant to try!!

Im not sure what to look for at all. How many inches do I get, think mine is a 16.5 or 17" but that would be too big for a pony wouldnt it....but isnt that more for the rider? Seat wise?

[bingbong]

yeh riders ass size
depends on his build but id say 16.5/17 is perfectly fine.
there is alot of other things to watch out for too though, like if its been stuffed correctly and there is no bumps in the padding, and that both pannels are of equal size
and thats its not pinching his shoulders etc
is there noone at the yard that has a bit more knowlege or a friend that woulc help fit it?

[cadmus]

Yeah, I can ask someone, I kinda know how to check it once its on, it was just what to look for.

Thanks bingbong!!

[bingbong]

oh right sorry hunni i kinda made you look stupid whoopsies

do you mean like what brand name sorta thing?
defo stubben saddles are ace and last soooo long we have one that is 20 year old!!
they have great blocks on them for naughty youngsters to keep you in the saddle a bit better

[chestnuttymare]

I think, with the age of your horsey, i wouldn't want to risk fitting a saddle myself. I would get a fitter out. A reputable one will not try to screw loads of money out of you. They will understand that it is a youngster and will change shape etc. They usually have 2nd hand saddles quite reasonably priced. I had the fitter out today and they see things that I really wouldn't. They won't charge you call out prob if they sell you a saddle.
It's not being thick btw, they are trained to do it.
Stubbens are fab, but normally you will pay a lot of money for one. (250, you lucky thing lol)

[bobby]

I've got a stubben aswell and it has been used on 4 horses at our yard. Definately seems to fit anything.

Gen, Hey Farm at Huddersfield have a huge barn full of saddles, if you take the horse there they will fit one for you, they have all types, colours,sizes and prices and they are qualified saddlers.

[cadmus]

Ok thanks everyone.

Maybe that can be my first trip in the horse box with a horse in it!