I am consideting the Circle Y Flex 2 Alpine trail saddle. I would like to pony my yearling while riding my mustang/mules. Another “lite” saddle that I’m considering recommends reinforcing if you plan to pony. I have contacted Circle Y with my question, but no response.
Thanks in advance for info.
Are you asking about the suitability of this saddle because you dally your lead around the horn? I’ve done a fair amount of ponying my own horses but I wouldn’t choose to wrap a lead around a horn.
I have experienced having my treeless saddle slip a bit to the side if my girth is too loose and I have let a strong fresh horse pull too much.
What is it that you are concerned about?
chicamuxen
If you’re dallying the lead rope around the horn, ponying in anything but a saddle made for roping and/or ranch work is asking for trouble. The horn can get ripped right off anything less than that.
Agree with gaited - not sure why the saddle makes a difference when ponying, unless you are going to dally, in which case you would want a roping saddle. If you are buying from horsesaddleshop they are great with questions, might be easier to get an answer from them rather Circle Y.
I pony all the time in a saddle with no horn. I want a horse leading well before ponying, and it really hasn’t been an issue. I wouldn’t dally one, even if I had an appropriate saddle for that.
I have ponied a lot of horses using both english and western saddles. It is better to have a horse that leads well and the horse you pony off of should respond to your aids to stop, turn and back quickly.
It is dangerous to wrap the lead rope around the horn for a number of reasons. If you need to have the rope around the horn to pony, use a roping saddle and a horse who is trained to rope or you could have major problems on both ends.
I would say yes to the question because like others here I always hold the lead rope in my hand when ponying English or western, and when leading a pack horse (whether one or several in line). I would only dally on a saddle with a real tree, and only if roping cattle.
