I think I made one back in Oct?? Including the police getting called when I arrived to pick her up :lol: Not on me!
Ah, thanks! I missed that one but I just found it. Love all the pics!
I tried a TON of hoop trees and regular trees on my pony before finding that Frank Baines hoop tree was the right shape for him. So I agree with the folks who say you may not have found the right hoop tree yet. Realistically, all but the narrowest horses would be better in a more hoop shaped tree than the typical v shaped one, but that’s a whole other topic entirely. There are options to try to help stabilize the saddle you have.
The BEST girth I have used on my rolly pollie pony is an old school, non elastic, Balding girth. The super flexible sides and super firm central plate keep everything super stable on him. The next best is the Kavalkade “Dekor”.
You are going to want either triple elastic on both ends, and replace the girth annually as it gets stretched out, or go for no elastic at all. You also will want a very firm area over the sternum, and flexible sides. This will allow the pressure to be spread across the flattest and strongest area, and conform to the curves along the rest of the girth groove. Most fleece girths are too soft/floppy to stay stable on the roundies.
A breastgirth, like what polo players use, can help a tiny bit with sideways tip, but only if it is 100% leather and adjusted correctly. My pony is too deep where his neck meets his chest, so I cannot use a breastgirth on him.
I also find that saddle pads with a flannel/fleece/felt/coolmax type backing are gripper than those that have the same material on the top and bottom. Ogilvy, Lettia, some BR pads, etc. I actually find them to grip without ruffling the hair like nonslip pads often do. I’m not a fan of anything neoprene because it traps heat and can pinch and rub like the Dickens. My pony HATES neoprene girths and pads.
the last suggestion I have would be a mohair string girth. Mohair has some natural stretch, but not the same as an elastic girth. It also conforms to every curve of the horse to “grip”. Just be sure to stretch the front legs forward to make sure nothing is pinched when you tighten the girth. Do not use nylon or poly cord girths because they are quite abrasive and are more likely to snap with friction (overlapped strings, under the flap, where your leg runs, etc). Mohair doesn’t wear with friction like that, and it is extremely soft and breathable.
