Best GP saddle for a wide horse?

Mary Poppins

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Oct 10, 2004
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I am living in dreamworld tonight and am thinking that it would be lovely to buy Ben a made to measure, brand new, GP saddle. In reality I can't afford it but I am thinking ahead to Christmas and my birthday and perhaps asking all my family to give me donations towards it.

He is very big and very wide (16.1hh shire x). Does anyone have any recommendations of a brand of saddle which might suit him? We do a bit of everything and I want the saddle to suit flatwork (prelim dressage), jumping upto 2ft 3", the odd xc mini fence and hacking.

I don't know what budget I have, I just want to see what's out there. Any ideas?
 
It really depends on the shape of his back, withers, shoulders etc so I'd be inclined to get a good saddle fitter out.

My very flat backed wide Sec D fits an Ideal H&C well, but the tree on that is too flat for my also wide ID who isn't so flat backed & has more wither. There's so much more to saddle fit than just width,it's a bit like saying all size 6 shoes will fit someone - painful experience soon teaches that they don't lol
 
Kent & Masters Cob GP Saddle. Comfiest saddle ever. Makes me cringe when I see a wintec these days - I had one before and by god it was awful...even for my well padded behind!!
 
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Mac is 17hh and possibly a shire x and I have a Collegiate Close Contact Convertible saddle with an extra wide gullet for him. It suits us both very well.
 
Another vote for Kent & Masters - I love mine and so does Dolly. Hers is the GPD and fits her treat. I know they have many more shapes and types and hear a lot of good reports about how well they fit the big broad backed cob types. :)
 
If I wanted to look into a treed I would start with a saddler who has knowledge of fitting broad and draft horses with upright shoulders. Fit isn't just about the wide back as we know it has to fit you as well. My cob has her cob movement, short legs, short coupled which equals bouncy ball.
I would look though look at Kent and Masters, what was Native saddles believe @sbloom now fits these. H@C.

But my treeless fits her and she likes it. She hates the underside panels of other saddles.
 
We have a H&C for our fell and she's very wide, flat no withers although ATM is in a treeless due to fighting the flab:) My cob is in a GFS and he's broad has a little wither but a well built lad, 9.5" bone. My dales youngster was in my trusty old anthill but now is in a older fyldes but saving up for a new one:). Our little pony is in a very old flat show saddle although Ive just been given a little maxam for her.
 
Thanks everyone. There is so much choice. I had heard good things about the Kent and Masters so it's nice to see that it comes recommended on here.

A friend of mine with a big ID has a WOW saddle which looks nice as well.

Need to start saving...
 
I have to laugh about the K&M, because Ziggy and Flipo have IDENTICAL saddles and on Ziggy the flaps come down almost to his tummy and on Flipo it perches like a cherry on an ice cream!
 
A Wow is what I've got my ID, and I'm also using it on my sec D at the moment. Lovely saddles, can be adjusted to fit most horses & stay in place despite a big shoulder movement. Expensive though.
 
K&M GP again. Fits my IDxTB like a glove. Bought second hand off ebay. I knew I wanted a leather one but also an adjustable one. Hardly used just for showing £400. I know that I got a bargain, I just watched and waited for what I wanted to come along
[emoji6] [emoji6]
 
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I'd say whatever fits your horse is ideal and perfect for you both. Both Gem and Betty have barnsbys (Bets is M2M, Gems is off the peg), D has a solution saddle.

Personally I don't see the point in M2M, most people I know who have bought M2M have had major problems with them a short time down the line. My solution is probably the best saddle I've ridden in for versatility as it'll fit anything and everything easily without a problem, and it's secure to jump and hack in. I've even done drops (out hacking!) up to about 65-70cm in it. I'm planning to event in it later this year ... On D!
 
I'd also say avoid M2M, if you can buy from a company that holds stock then you get to try a variety of saddles on the day and should have your brand new saddle there and then, plus you are legally entitled to a 7 day trial, not so on custom saddles. I do specialise in fitting wide horses so if I can ever help please shout.
 
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Yup I to would avoid the M2M route I spent over £2000 on such a saddle and it gave me nothing but hassle and headache along with a few physio bills and a horse that habitually has stayed girthy :angry:
 
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