Which would you choose? Saddle too small or saddle too large?

[2bayboys]

After a visit from the fitter, the saddle for my overgrown pony had to be sent off to have the tree widened as the OGP is definitely getting thicker as he matures into his 5-year-old year. In the saddle’s absence, I have two options:

A wide tree Ideal that fits him well in the wither/shoulder area but is too small in the seat for me and too straight in the flap for me to comfortably do much more than flatwork.

A medium tree County which is OK in the wither/shoulder area but too big in the seat for me and also a bit longer than is preferred for his short pony back.

I’m able to ride in the County keeping close to the pommel while in the Ideal I feel like my butt is over the cantle. Both of these options are short term, just until his saddle comes back. Which option is likely to be less damaging and less offensive to the horse?

[Jo]

Too long in the back would strike out the County for me. How long is your saddle out of commission?

[2bayboys]

His saddle should be out of commission no more than a couple weeks.

[outerbanks77]

Too small can be more problematic because then your weight is concentrated at the back. For the longer saddle, it really depends on how and where the panels sweep up and away from the back. Discussed in this excellent webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJNZ6Cg9XvA

[sheltona01]

I would recommend not riding and focusing on other things with your horse. Ground work, long lining, just chilling together etc.

Having an ill fitting saddle will do more harm than good in a few weeks.

[Postandrails]

I’d rig up a bareback pad and spend a couple of weeks working on something that fits in with and improves your bareback skills.

[exvet]

I agree with doing mostly ground work and not using a saddle that doesn’t fit the pony at all. If you feel you must ride then I would do it for conditioning purposes only and avoid exercises that ask for a lot of collection and use the one that is slightly too long but there are still risks of injury. I would do whatever possible to expedite obtaining the saddle that fits you both. I have a very short backed welsh cob and ended up having pony panels put on a 17 inch seat saddle to prevent back and other injury to my gelding. We both love it. Despite the financial pain, I did this due to past lessons learned. I have a retired [we showed successfully through PSG] welsh cob gelding who at 13 hands also has a very short back. He’s retired (19) because of kissing spines and arthritis which I believe can be blamed on me using saddles over the years that didn’t fit him perfectly and making do.

[Tarlo_Farm]

Forget the saddle or pad for those few weeks and ride bareback. It will be good for you both.

[Weezer]

I rode in a saddle that was too small for me for awhile and it tilted me up and forward. This really affected my balance. I would never ride in a too small saddle again because it put me in a dangerous seat. I vote for too big or no saddle at all.

[Janet]

@exvet

I agree with doing mostly ground work and not using a saddle that doesn’t fit the pony at all

She said the first one fits the pony “well” but is too small for the rider.

[hoopoe]

being too small for the rider can do as much damage to the horse as an ill fitting saddle. It places the riders weight in the wrong place and potentially causes confusion in the training / riding. For such a short period of time I would get a bareback pad and focus on stirrup less work, including, perhaps, a lunge lesson. Gentle hacking out, even around the property is nice. Or give the young horse a vacation. How is the trailer loading skills, perhaps some refresher work. Three weeks off for a young horse can be a good thing.

[js]

I wouldn’t ride either, sell both and look for something that fits you both.

[exvet]

Well your are correct and I will re-state my opinion. I wouldn’t use a saddle that does NOT fit the pony/horse and I also would be hesitant to use a saddle that doesn’t allow the rider to pilot a horse/pony with ease. In other words if the issue of saddle fit for the rider hinders the quality of the training/riding I wouldn’t push the issue at the risk of training or teaching something that can’t be undone later.Short-term, yes, most can get away with riding in a saddle that doesn’t fit them but it’s not always the smartest endeavor especially if it puts the rider at a disadvantage.

[2bayboys]

Heavens no, I won’t sell any of my saddles as the moment I do a horse walks in the barn that needs the exact saddle that just walked out.

And I do have a saddle that fits both of us, or I will, when this pony’s saddle returns from the fitter where it is being adjusted for him. He bulked up in the last six months as expected.

But no worries, I was able to borrow a lovely saddle to get us through the next week or so. Alas I might like the loaner saddle a little too much [peering at bank account hopefully] even though I’m generally not a fan of saddles that aren’t wool flocked.

[frugalannie]

Late to the party but I had a similar situation. The one saddle that fit my horse and me had to be repaired. I ended up borrowing a bareback pad from a barn mate and riding in that til saddle came back. It worked!