Saddle Fit for the Round, Shapeless Pony

[GoForAGallop]

Posting here because I am open to a CC, a dressage saddle, or potentially even a good quality AP saddle.

I have a tiny, good-natured 13.2 mule pony who is (thankfully) not a princess about his saddle fit, but I am not comfortable with the way either of his saddles are fitting him right now.

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13901517_10157261971620215_7116919195462635061_n.jpg?oh=10f6d8dd2063a3b4b6e2ac760761541b&oe=585C36E2 Full side view

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10355761_10155837499860215_253114750901592118_n.jpg?oh=2c7dd984e0eaf8c6502aea50b57d9aff&oe=582531CA Tape to mark two fingers behind shoulder + last rib This measurement is only 16".

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13882252_10157261971525215_560792298221777723_n.jpg?oh=4338f57c5382dd32e6c2afa52c27906a&oe=5858E424 Rear shot, note his sad lack of any shoulder or wither definition!

He is very flat, very round, very witherless. The tricky part is that he is NOT wide. I seem to have lost the picture where I measured his tracing width, but I can take another.

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13895214_10157261971015215_8927860882466766055_n.jpg?oh=6532968c36af8ef11991554363f8a131&oe=58580CFA His current CC saddle, a wide tree 16" County Symmetry, wool flocked. That is paired with an anatomic/set back girth, which you can still see gets sucked right into his little armpits, thanks to his round belly. I jump him about 2’ in this saddle, and it does start to creep up onto his shoulders by the end of a session.

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13907143_10157261967940215_576192502651187394_n.jpg?oh=218b6b910e0597fea9c1ac7a14b96813&oe=58151A2E His current dressage saddle, a medium tree 16" Thornhill ProTrainer Junior, foam flocked. I usually use this with a slightly longer anatomic girth, but will still find it creeping towards his neck.

I use a cheap no-slip pad with both, between his back and the regular saddle pad. I have not used a crupper, because I feel like it is not a good fix, but may be the only option.

I https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11667467_10155837539260215_3005578109295399666_n.jpg?oh=1479a63777ac918bcaaf5ac62da356fd&oe=582EF6A9 tried a Thorowgood on him at one point which I could not get to fit correctly in the front, and the giant back panels tipped it forward. The Hastilow USA folks agreed that even the compact/wide-back model would not work for him due to the panels. Their suggestion was the T4 Pony Club model.

I’m not ruling trying one of those out, but wanted to see if anyone has any other suggestions. Budget is around $1000 at this point. I would really, really love to move up to a 16.5 or 17" if I could get one to fit on his back. I look very big bummed in the tiny saddles. :lol:

[GoForAGallop]

Dang, nobody else with a round-but-not-wide pony? Or anyone who has seen the T4 Pony Club in person?

[Inclined]

First of all, he’s ADORABLE!!! I’ve heard that the Thornhill trees are friendlier to this shape (more U-shaped), but I’ve never tried one. Just like the Morgan thread in Off Course, he definitely looks like a candidate for a hoop tree. Duett and Black Country were mentioned there, Duett being the less expensive option. As to the sliding forward, I was going to suggest a non-slip pad or a crupper, but you have already thought of those. Somebody else here may have another solution. If no one here has the Thorowgood pony club saddle, check on ebay for one, especially on the UK site, and look for photos of the front of the pommel, and underneath at the panels/pommel area. If it looks like it’s built on an A-shaped tree, it’s probably not going to give him an optimal fit, even if it’s wide. My gelding’s shape is similar to your mule’s, except that my boy does have a little wither. I tried every type of A-shaped tree (even extra wide), but they never really fit correctly. A hoop tree made all the difference. I wish more saddle companies would offer hoop options, as not all riding horses are built like thoroughbreds from the 1960’s.

[besttwtbever]

I can’t offer much on saddle recommendations but I can tell you that I rode mules as a kid and the only thing that kept the saddles from sliding up the neck was a crupper.

[GoForAGallop]

I’ve tried the Thornhill Vienna on him (their sorta hoop shaped one) and it didn’t fit as nicely as I’d like. Added complication is that I have tiny legs so the flap was huge, but for the right saddle I would either deal/get the flap cut down.

Duetts I personally can’t stand the quality of, don’t know if their new ones are any different.

I’m definitely not opposed to a Black Country, but was hoping not to spend that much. If I have to, I have to!

I have seen the front of the Thorowgood Pony Club and honestly have my doubts about it, but it WAS recommended by a knowledgable Thorowgood dealer who saw his pics, which is why I haven’t booted it off of the list yet.

[GoForAGallop]

[QUOTE=besttwtbever;8779798]
I can’t offer much on saddle recommendations but I can tell you that I rode mules as a kid and the only thing that kept the saddles from sliding up the neck was a crupper.[/QUOTE]

I’m not opposed to it, I just feel guilty because the saddle sliding forward is an indication that it doesn’t fit correctly. He’s such a good hearted fellow that I would hate to hold the saddle in place with a crupper and cause him discomfort. But maybe a saddle that truly fits does not exist. :lol:

[jaybird660]

There are several reasons a saddle can slide forward; too narrow, too angular, asymmetry, downhill, scoop after wither and so on. We have fit mules before with hoop tree and K panel type saddles. They tend to be round midback and narrower front. Ponies are often very round. Ours, although 12+ hands, wears an xxw hoop tree with a crupper. Yours actually has a bit more definition in front.

I’d be looking for something, and this is based on photos only, with a deeper front or full front gussets and quite broad mid back with a broad pommel arch.

[no.stirrups]

In addition to the hoop tree, he might benefit from a short panel. Harry Dabbs is another brand that has a hoop tree, and their upswept panels may give you room to get into a larger seat size.

[Eventcrazy]

Have a welsh cob with no withers either. Solved by Pessoa jump saddle and prestige dressage saddle. I never ride without no slip pad! Another cob I rode had similar problem of jump saddle slipping forward solved by using front two billets instead of first and third. Hope that helps…

[cayuse]

I will second trying a Pessoa. I had a pony mare just about the same size and build as your guy and she was comfy in that. She also fit well into Wintecs if you don’t mind them.

[AKB]

The saddles all look slightly narrow on him. Would an extra wide County Symmetry 16 1/2 work on him?

[stoicfish]

[QUOTE=besttwtbever;8779798]
I can’t offer much on saddle recommendations but I can tell you that I rode mules as a kid and the only thing that kept the saddles from sliding up the neck was a crupper.[/QUOTE]
Mules are very hard to fit for a saddle because of their natural shape. You might want to rename the thread with mule in the title, so other owners can share their experiences.