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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

What size saddle?

16 replies

ReallyBadParty · 05/04/2015 20:03

How do you know what size of saddle to buy?

We are getting an Irish draught x, 15.3-16hh. No tack with him. I want to get a nice saddle as we sold a lovely Bates close contact one with last horse, but have no idea what size.

I know I should get it fitted, but was keen to get a second hand one from somewhere so I can get a nice one.

Am a novice, how does it all work, please? Thanks

OP posts:
TeenagersDriveMeMad · 05/04/2015 20:18

Get a decent saddle fitter out who has second hand stock. Ideally look for a Society of Master Saddlers accredited one - they have to go through very rigorous training. Ask around locally and find out which saddle fitters people use and their opinions on them.

No one can advise about saddles without seeing the horse - he might be particularly short backed (so smaller seat size needed) or have high withers and a wide back (depending on the other half of the cross!). I know an IDx that wears a 16.5inch XW saddle, and another who wears an 18inch Medium; it's so variable.

Original poster
ReallyBadParty · 05/04/2015 20:23

Ok, thanks, I will ask round and find one. Hadn't realised it was so variable.

OP posts:
Bonkey · 06/04/2015 00:05

As the owner of two horses (one previous, one present) who have both suffered bad backs from badly fitting saddle (previous owners!) I cannot stress enough the importance of having a saddle fitted and checked properly with regular checks to make sure it still fits!

My current horses back was so bad I ended up with broken ribs in A&E and I hadn't even got my arse down in the saddle before he exploded from pain! I didn't realize! He is sorted now thanks to a amazing physio and a great saddle fitter!

A good saddle fitter will have a range of second hand ones and new in all price ranges!

My tb wears a 17 med - but my tbx used to wear a 17 narrow and I swear she was wider than him but apparently not. Both same height!

Original poster
ReallyBadParty · 06/04/2015 08:58

Bonkey, that's awful.

I am glad I asked. I will be really careful to get one that fits well!

Need horse and dd to be safe and comfortable.

OP posts:
Bonkey · 06/04/2015 11:58

I would also say that with a new horse get its back checked as well Wink

After it happening to me twice I would always get a new horses back done asap-just to be on the safe side Grin.

Good luck!
And don't look at your bank statement to often Wink

Babooooshka · 06/04/2015 20:09

This is a timely thread for me. I've bought a new horse today, a rather underweight cob. I'll need a new saddle for him and am considering a wintec 2000. Any thoughts on this please?

Pixel · 06/04/2015 20:18

Dhorse has a Wintec. He needs it because he changes shape so much throughout the year. I originally got it because he was only young and the saddler said if I got a leather one I'd be looking for another in six months at the rate he was growing. I was a bit miffed as I love leather saddles and vowed to get a new one as soon as I could, but do you know what? I love the Wintec so much that I've kept it and no longer want a leather one at all. It's so comfortable and easy to look after.

EnlightenedOwl · 06/04/2015 20:22

Saddle needs to fit rider as well as horse. Good saddler will bring a few for you to try. Impossible to buy one off the peg as it were without fitting first.

Original poster
ReallyBadParty · 06/04/2015 20:48

Oh, someone was talking about a synthetic saddle that was impressive for fitting well, wonder if that was a wintec...? Will check, they are finding out for me.

I am going to get a fitter out, maybe more than one if I can find them in the sticks,

On to bridles next, any recommendations there.? Smile It's all a bit of a mystery.

OP posts:
Bonkey · 06/04/2015 21:17

I have a wintec - I bloody love it , had one before as well!

Especially if you get the 'cair' in the back panels - luffly and comfy!

Pixel · 06/04/2015 22:45

I had extra girth straps put on mine. Only cost about £20 and the fit is so much better. The wide ones already have four girth straps though.

Madbugger · 18/04/2015 07:01

Another Wintec fan!! I have a GP version and the Isabel Werth dressage .

MeggyMooAndTinkerToo · 22/04/2015 19:36

I bought the Wintec Lite last year. They're bloody fabulous saddles.

LaLaLaaaa · 24/04/2015 07:21

Very much depends on horse, rider shape and size and riding style. Saddler can bring saddles within your budget to try and find best one for you and horse.

My horse was sold to me with a wintec. Took me 4 months to figure out it was giving him a sore back - it was like a rocking boat on him, but I had been assured it was fitted properly by saddler (I knew previous owner who was a friend so had no reason to doubt).

Got saddler out who showed me his muscle wastage in his back and where it was hurting him. I was so angry! It cost me £600 in Physio and a month off to get him pain free again.

He was a lusitano - they are wide in shoulders. So she recommended a Lavinia Mitchell vsd saddle with shim system to adjust as his muscle recovered back in. The first time I ride him with it he was a different horse! It was dreamy.

He goes beautifully in that saddle.

One day I went on holiday for a week. Someone decided my saddle was 'weird' so rode him in their wintec. I came back to a horse with a sore back, which again cost me money to fix. I was furious!

So makes of saddles can be suitable or not depending on horse breed/shape, which is why it's so important to get it fitted properly - and re-checked regularly as horses change shape with food and fitness.

Original poster
ReallyBadParty · 24/04/2015 17:14

Thanks, all. The saddle fitter is coming this weekend- great excitement!

She is bringing a selection of tack, used and new, and it sounds like an intensive process of fitting. She will also buy back any tack that doesn't do, for example, if he changes shape over time.

So fingers crossed...

OP posts:
LaLaLaaaa · 25/04/2015 09:01

Excellent! Good luck with it all Smile

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