Saddle slipping

[enjoytheride]

My new saddle tends to move a bit on my wide round pony, I’ve had it checked by my fitter who suggested a girth with stiffer elastic and felt the saddle fit well.

What else can I used besides a different girth to keep my saddle in place?

I have another horse that I tried using a sheepskin half pad to narrow up a too wide saddle I liked otherwise, but it still moved with that, and my mare bucked when the saddle moved, the same fitter said it would never work so I sold that one. So I’m not sure if a sheepskin pad is the right choice as it’s not too wide, the pony is.

[Scribbler]

English saddles arent made to fit round ponies within withers.

Western saddles arent made to fit TB or WB types with high withers.

You could look at saddles with hoop trees or the are called cob or draft saddles.

[kwpn_01]

You have a few options available - you could definitely try to supplement with different half pads or something called a “non-slip pad” by Professional’s Choice. It’s essentially a sticky foam pad that goes under your saddle near the withers to prevent sliding.

There are English styled breastplates you could use if your saddle is slipping backwards. If it is slipping forwards, however, a pony crupper would do the trick. You can get them at virtually any tack store.

[spacehorse]

I really like the shaped Nunn Finer no slip pads, they fit really nicely under the tack as opposed to the square ones. I would also say a Professionals Choice girth may also help. But bottom line you may want to explore a hoop tree saddle so it sits ‘in’ instead of ‘on top of’ your barrel…sorry, pony. :winkgrin:

[enjoytheride]

A hoop tree is actually the wrong shape for him. He doesn’t look hard to fit but he’s all random parts under all the hair.

[sheltona01]

Without pictures, it is hard to give advice.

There are so many reason why it could be happening

[NC001]

I have/had this problem too. Which way is your saddle slipping- to the side or front to back? My problem was side to side.

Cheapest & easiest solution- cut up one of those pad you get to put under a carpet to make an area rug not slip. Place one between the horse and saddle pad and one between the saddle pad and saddle. If it works you can sew it into the saddle pad (they sell saddle pads with it for $100+) if you want.

Use a neoprene girth like professional choice.

Keep it all clean because once the pads or girth is dirty it will slip again.

[enjoytheride]

Side to side.

[NC001]

Give my suggestions a try- I had the same problem and this helped more than anything else I tried.

[sheltona01]

Side to side usually means it is too wide or the rail angles are not matching the angles of your horse’s back. Also if your tree points are the wrong length it can happen.

[beau159]

@enjoytheride

My saddle tends to move a bit on my wide round pony, I’ve had it checked by my fitter who suggested a girth with stiffer elastic and felt the saddle fit well and it’s hard keep saddles in place on barrel shaped horses.

What else can I used besides a different girth to keep my saddle in place?

Of course there are always exceptions but usually something is just not fitting right if the saddle is moving. Agree that side-to-side usually means the tree is too wide somewhere.

Would you mind posting pictures of the saddle on said pony? Be interesting to see.

[StormyDay]

I have a round pony, no wither. He has a hoop tree and It doesn’t slide, but any normal tree saddle does. Saying some horses just have saddles that slide is a cop out on the part of that saddle fitter, IMO. I have met many a horse that was totally round that had well fitting hoop tree saddles that didn’t slide.
Are you sure he doesn’t need a hoop tree? Many saddle fitters aren’t very knowledgeable in fitting for hoop trees.

[Posting_Trot]

Have you tried using an anatomic girth? It might be helpful. Also, what about using a wool pad; it’s like a sheepskin pad but without the skin. These tend to be a little less bulky than a sheepskin pad, but still provide the cushioning of the wool. (Le Mieux makes some as well as Griffin Nuumed).

[enjoytheride]

I did order a new anatomic girth. She felt the elastic was so soft on my plain fleece girth the saddle would never be properly girthed.

He does not need a hoop tree. Tried it, didn’t work.

[no.stirrups]

OP, there are many different kinds of hoop trees. Just because one (or a dozen) don’t work, that doesn’t mean that his best saddle shape isn’t a hoop. It just means you haven’t found the right hoop. You describe him as “wide and round” and that is exactly what hoops were made for.

[Greys4Days22]

I went through the exact same problem when I got a new saddle! Depending on which direction the saddle is sliding in you could get a breastplate or crupper. the neoprene girths (prof. choice) also work WONDERFULLY.

[Huntin_Pony]

My go-to is a string girth, preferably mohair or angora (because they give slightly and the nylon ones don’t). Anything with elastic will not work on my round ponies, ever.

[Posting_Trot]

That pony is unbelievably cute.

[Libby2563]

@Posting Trot

That pony is unbelievably cute.

^ This. @TheJenners, that pony needs her own thread please!!

[Hayburner]

Love my Thinline back on track pad. Are you sure your Girth is tight enough once you are in the saddle?