Looking for recommendations!
To start off: I have an independent fitter coming next month. She is also a rep for a popular brand and will have demos, but I am doubtful that the demo configurations will be suitable for a pony with a fairly short back. I am also not in a position to order a custom build from this brand. I have a limited budget, would prefer to stay around $1k but could probably stretch it to $1500 for the right one. Fitter is only in my area once every couple months, so I’d like to have several used possibilities to try out while she’s here this time, if I can. I’ve been riding in a bareback pad for too long!
I have one saddle right now that is a possibility to be a decent fit with some tweaks, but I’m still shopping because it’s not really ideal for me (seat is a half inch small). Pony is A-shaped at the shoulder and then his back is ROUND after the withers, curvy front to back with a decent wither and is sometimes downhill. I need to do updated tracings, but IIRC his weight bearing area isn’t more than ~17" or so in length. Here’s a recent picture that gives an idea of the profile I’m trying to fit:
And a back photo from tracings I did in early Feb:
I have a few suggested brands/models to look for from another fitter, but am coming up empty finding them used - would anyone care to suggest any budget brands/models that have worked for them on horses with this general shape? Please help me