Passier Grand Gilbert for pony?

[Pocket_Pony]

I have a Welsh Cob x pony and have found a used GG that I have out on trial.

I’ve ridden her in a Frank Baines Capriole until now because it is what I have and it mostly fits her… the problem is it is a tad too long for her and her bodyworkers both think something shorter and/or with upswept panels would be better. The GG meets those criteria and has nice even contact along her back.

I’ve been saddle shopping off and on for her for a couple years now and it is the best I’ve been able to find. Surprisingly it is a 17" and fits me nicely and doesn’t make me feel locked in.

Anyone ride in this saddle for a pony/hony or cob type? She’s not as beefy as some full cobs I’ve seen and she has nice withers.

[exvet]

Well I had a Passier GG for the stinker for many years until his shape dictated we go a different direction. It was a 16.5 inch seat wide tree and fit him well through third level. The stinker is true to type

[Libby2563]

FWIW, I tried mine on my long-backed 13.2 Welsh cob/TB and it was not a good fit for her at all. It rocked pretty significantly. It’s okay though because with my stirrups at dressage length I almost can’t touch her tiny barrel with my calves anyway! :lol:

[Huntin_Pony]

Yes, I have a 16.5" short flap GG bought for a 16:1 hand TB-type horse that I’ve used for 20+ years now on Connemara ponies. The main challenge is getting a dressage girth that’s short enough.

The saddle, like many old Passers, fits a variety of back shapes comfortably according to the ponies and their chiropractor!

Best of luck to you.

[exvet]

Forgot to mention PP that I used the same saddle on her sire for a couple of years but despite he also not being as wide as many it no longer worked for him once he was going beyond 1st level/6 years old. It never fit her dam. I had to go to a Cardanel for her dam. A very similar saddle to the Cardanel (made by the same manufacturer at least early on) is the Trilogy. Personally I love the GG. It is one of my favorite saddles to ride in and it may work for PFP if she’s not too curvy front to back.

[Pocket_Pony]

I was hoping you’d chime in, exvet…

She’s not too curvy, no, though she’s not totally flat, either. Most saddles seem to bridge because of their length and the gusset. I’ve been able to use my FB because it otherwise fits her shape well, it is just a bit too long, I worry. And I have a hip issue that makes the FB twist just a wee bit too wide for me and it is hard to use that leg effectively. The Passier’s twist wasx comfortable for me.

The optical illusion of the upswept panels looks different to my eye, though I think she appreciated them and having the extra space in her back to lift and not be “blocked” by gussets (though my FB isn’t heavily gusseted). I didn’t get the “double bounce” at the posting trot that I’ve felt with saddles that rock.

I’ve shipped so many saddles back and forth and had the Custom fitter out and tried just about everything, it seemed. (I didn’t like the Customs for myself…stirrup bar placement didn’t work for me.)

While I know instantly if I don’t like something or if it won’t work for the horse, it is the middle ground if “I think I like this but I’ve been looking so long am I just throwing in the towel for good enough?”

I’ve read the trees can be widened if needed…how do you find a person who can do that?

[exvet]

I use a saddle guy and his wife in New York to adjust my saddles. Not an inexpensive process but I’ve been most satisfied with their work. Thankfully Junior fits his sire’s saddle perfectly or should I say vice versa LOL, at least so far.