Soft tree saddle for a Pony

[Flyingfox]

Hebog our young pony has been borrowing Sunnys saddle for a while now, but it isnt good saddle - its an old worn out Thorogood Maxam and although it fits him and (Sunny too) OK, it doesn't help the riders position much to say the least!

I am going to have to buy him a little saddle soon which is OK to use for jumping too - as he is destined to be an all rounder, and I don't think Heathers new range of cheaper saddles is ready yet - not even sure if it is imminent - (but if it is I will wait for one of those) but has anyone got suggestions of makes of nice little soft pony saddles to start a nice little soft 13:2hh Welsh Section B pony on the right track being ridden?

[Lucia]

Do you want treed or treeless? Sorry bit confused by the soft tree thing as only Heathers has those.
 

Treeless wise, Freeform Junior is a fantastic saddle but they stopped making them. They do come up on Ebay occasionally but they aren't very conventional to look at (mine is green!!).

Tree'd wise how about a little saddle co pony saddle?

[VR]

Hey Jacquie

Heather's Fhoenix saddles did also used to be available in a 16", if that's small enough? Whilst they discontinued these at Nursey's over a year ago, I managed to get one of the latest models on eBay for my little 'un. I specifically wanted a dressage one, which took me ages to find but there were several GP versions on there at the time. There are none listed at the moment but they do come up more often than you'd expect, again particularily the GP's.

Re - the not helping the rider's position thing - the Maxam saddles have velcro'd on knee blocks don't they? If so then just use a pair of the big knee blocks from one of your Vogues with it instead which this will help hold the stirrup leather (and Flo's leg with it) back in the right place 

[whisper's mum]

I had a lovely 16" Fhoenix for Whisper but sold it when she retired ... I wish I hadn't now, it would be perfect on Drummer.  Another advantage to the Fhoenix is that a small adult rider can use them. I was fine in mine but struggle to fit into smaller than 16" in a treed and most 16" treed are too big for Drummer.  However, a 16" Fhoenix with adult flaps may be too long in the flaps for a child. Good luck in your search.   

[Flyingfox]

thanks for all suggestions. 

I think, that as Heathers new cheaper range is apparently coming out in September (I just found that out from FB!) we will make do with the old Maxam until then. I reckon Hebog is so short coupled - and small with it, that he may need a 15 inch saddle anyway.

[DollysMum]

Soooooooooooo lush!!!

http://www.goldfinch-equestrian.co.uk/treeless.html

NEW Freeform Classic Pony - Suede - £300.00
NEW Design Sample Freeform Pony, Black & Pink suede, wool lining, standard girthing, 20" base with shorter flaps, 15" seat, deluxe kneerolls.

Or the Saddle Company saddles are mega

[cirocco]

  Hey ive been looking at these for a while, but can you imagine the reaction of folk, if I turned up to do a dressage test in that!

They did have some lovely saddles, I bought my endurance type from Goldfinch years ago, and thats the one i'm using now, its so comfortable. AND safe!.. Sadly they are not dealing with that company that has gone to the dream team.

Just be a bit careful, there are some on E bay that look the same, they are from India, and are really dodgy quality.

[fiona1]

I managed to get hold of a 16" fhoenix dressage for Crow, finding them is hard, but they are out there    You could try asking Heather if she knows of any, it was Fiona (with the icelanics) that put me in touch with the person who was selling it.

[Torsornin]

you might look into sensations - they have  a jr version and a budget version

[Flyingfox]

I dont think I want to get one that has no panels underneath at all as we will be jumping Hebog soon and Hebbie has such a lovely soft unspoiled back I would hate to hurt him, so we are putting a nice soft foamy pad under the treed Maxam synthetic saddle (which is Sunny Boys really) and using that one until Heathers are available to fit his short backed little self! the Maxam fits him reasonably OK, but its not a great saddle for helping Flos position. 

Heathers saddles will sort that out though!