Saddle suggestions for Friesian cross?

[Romily_Bernard]

I know. I know. I’m sorry. Starting another saddle thread and SO hoping some of y’all with Friesians and Friesian crosses will chime in. Wonder Pony has outgrown her Custom Saddlery Monte Carlo monoflap and her Custom Saddlery Advantage R (only mention this so you would know what we’re starting from).

I am seeing pinching right behind her shoulders and my chiropractor thinks she would also benefit from a wider channel/gullet.

Would LOVE to go to an all purpose because with baby, pony, work, and life, maintaining multiple saddles is tough. I have zero idea where to begin. Could anyone point me in some potential directions?

I guess in summary I need something that fits Friesian type shoulders, average withers, widening/strengthening back, and a short rider.

Thank you in advance!!

[Megaladon]

I’ve used Karl Niedersuss, Prestige, County (probably my favorite). They also make a Fryso saddle, never tried it. Maybe something to look into? Good luck on your search!

[Romily_Bernard]

@Megaladon

I’ve used Karl Niedersuss, Prestige, County (probably my favorite). They also make a Fryso saddle, never tried it. Maybe something to look into? Good luck on your search!

Thank you!! Any particular style you preferred on the County? The Perfection? The Fusion? The Something Else?

[NotAtTheBarn]

I got my Friesian cross a Vincitore by N2 that has worked great for her.

[MysticOakRanch]

A wider channel means she is quite wide through the back. The gullet can be adjusted wider - did you start by looking into that? None of mine are THAT wide

[Romily_Bernard]

@MysticOakRanch

A wider channel means she is quite wide through the back. The gullet can be adjusted wider - did you start by looking into that? None of mine are THAT wide

Was hoping you would chime in! I always appreciate your insight on our fluffy land walruses

Am only repeating what I’ve been told via chiro: need a MUCH wider gullet. I actually don’t find Wonder Pony all that wide. Sure, in comparison to my OTTBs, but no where near as wide as some of the WBs I’ve ridden. I’m only 5’3" and have bad hips and she doesn’t bother me at all.

I DO know both saddles are pinching behind the shoulders. She’s developing beautifully everywhere except for there. Do you think I need a cut back saddle of some sort? Like a hoop tree?

Have put a call into my fitter who swears the pinch isn’t a pinch and I am hallucinating. Maybe we can come to a compromise.

[MysticOakRanch]

@Romily Bernard

Was hoping you would chime in! I always appreciate your insight on our fluffy land walruses

Am only repeating what I’ve been told via chiro: need a MUCH wider gullet. I actually don’t find Wonder Pony all that wide. Sure, in comparison to my OTTBs, but no where near as wide as some of the WBs I’ve ridden. I’m only 5’3" and have bad hips and she doesn’t bother me at all.

I DO know both saddles are pinching behind the shoulders. She’s developing beautifully everywhere except for there. Do you think I need a cut back saddle of some sort? Like a hoop tree?

Have put a call into my fitter who swears the pinch isn’t a pinch and I am hallucinating. Maybe we can come to a compromise.

A cut back saddle is different from a hoop tree. A cut back simply means the front of the saddle is “indented” so there is less on the horse’s high shoulders/where the neck ties in to the back. A hoop tree is a rounded tree for very wide horses.

I’m curious, how wide is your channel? I haven’t found the Custom saddles to be narrow in that area, so I’m curious if your horse isn’t that wide, why she needs a wider channel? Or is the tree shape wrong for her back, which is a whole 'nother issue. Pinching behind the shoulders may be fixable with an adjustment to the saddle - they can be widened through that gullet area. IF the saddle fits everywhere else, that may help the issue. Also make sure the saddle isn’t sitting too far forward on her back.

Do you know anyone in the area that has a Port Lewis pad that you can borrow? That will show you areas where the saddle puts too much pressure. They can be a handy tool.

[lecoeurtriste]

My mini-tank FriesianX uses a Custom Stefan Advantage (MW). She also fit well in an Amerigo Vega Special dressage saddle (+1.5cm).

[no.stirrups]

Most Friesians do need a broader channel than average, such as in a Jeffries Liberty or XP, Harry Dabbs IB or Hunter, Frank Baines Pirouette or Eclipse, or anything Black Country on a Freedom Tree. Several of the brands mentioned above are really not a shape I would consider for a typical Friesian.

[jaybird660]

I have fit a lot of Friesians. Most use a hoop tree but sometimes they also need a full front gusset. Black Country, Cob Thorowgood, Adam Ellis Cob, Duett and more all have saddle models that offer broad, more upside down U shaped saddles that are broad laterally. Some can also be made with wider gullet channels as needed.

[MysticOakRanch]

This is a Friesian cross - OP says she is not all that wide. I have several Friesian crosses, and none need a hoop tree. Most have been in medium to medium wide trees. Just wanted to add that piece of info.

I have had 2 purebred Friesians and both were very wide, although I’ve had several friends with Friesians that were not at all wide, ranging from medium to classic medium wide. My two were the widest of the bunch (bummer for me, since I’m the narrowest of the riders). And back shape varies considerably - mine had straight backs, not at all curved, although I’ve seen several that had more of a curved back. The common theme all of them had was a higher set neck, and a fairly laid back shoulder. They are like Warmbloods or any other horse - there is a lot of variation. The more modern types tend to be less wide - the breeding trend is toward a lighter type. The crosses vary even more - most are 1/2 Friesian, so you get the influence of whatever they are crossed with. Just as old style Warmbloods lightened up (in body width as well as bone) with the influence of Tbred and Arab, you see that with the Friesian crosses too, which are often crossed with lighter breeds.

I would talk to a knowledgeable saddle fitter that can see your horse in person - or do some tracings and send them to a knowledgeable saddle fitter?

[Romily_Bernard]

Thank you SO MUCH for all the responses. I have the name of a few fitters in my area (Atlanta GA), but I can’t get a consensus on quality. It seems like everyone has a favorite fitter and no one likes anyone else’s.

I am so paranoid I want to deal in absolutes. I want multiple people to tell me “Go to XYZ fitter and you will be fine.” Obviously, this is horses so that’s not going to happen

Mystic Oak is right. She’s a very modern type. Has pretty light bone, high set neck, straight back, and laid back shoulder.

Current saddle’s gullet is a little over three inches wide, which seems great to me (granted I am not a professional). When she lifts her back, we still have have plenty of clearance, but it pinches behind the shoulders. Would that mean I need a wider tree? Less flocking?

[SzIICo]

Try Trumble Mountain saddlery. Black country saddles for mine best! And Jay is amazing at finding you something perfect

[no.stirrups]

@Romily Bernard

it pinches behind the shoulders. Would that mean I need a wider tree? Less flocking?

Maybe, or depending on where exactly it’s pinching it may mean you need a narrower tree or one more open at the head. If there were simple answers to questions like these then there wouldn’t be so many complaints about the horrors and frustrations of saddle shopping.

[Puddin_Pie]

I have been thrilled with my Childrec saddle on my Friesian. It fits us both very well and has made a huge difference in my position and his way of going.

[jaybird660]

@Romily Bernard

Thank you SO MUCH for all the responses. I have the name of a few fitters in my area (Atlanta GA), but I can’t get a consensus on quality. It seems like everyone has a favorite fitter and no one likes anyone else’s.

I am so paranoid I want to deal in absolutes. I want multiple people to tell me “Go to XYZ fitter and you will be fine.” Obviously, this is horses so that’s not going to happen

Mystic Oak is right. She’s a very modern type. Has pretty light bone, high set neck, straight back, and laid back shoulder.

Current saddle’s gullet is a little over three inches wide, which seems great to me (granted I am not a professional). When she lifts her back, we still have have plenty of clearance, but it pinches behind the shoulders. Would that mean I need a wider tree? Less flocking?

It is quite possible she needs a wider tree or a hoop tree with full front gussets. The area you are talking about can get pinched in a traditional A shaped saddle. A horse doesn’t need to be super wide for a hoop tree. It is the shape of the horse in the trapezius area and mid back that often makes me suggest the hoop or hoop cusp choices. Even some horses with withers but have broad backs or large back muscle are happier in that type of tree. Of course, without actual “data”, it’s hard to be sure.

[Romily_Bernard]

A very belated thank you again to everyone who chimed in!!