Pony Saddles & Accessories

Which saddle is suitable for my pony?

A pony's back is shorter in its entirety than the back of a big horse. Accordingly, there is less space available for the saddle and rider, and there is an upper limit to the size of the rider and seat. As a rule, a seat area of 16.5 inches or smaller is used for pony saddles. But be careful: the seat surface does not always correspond to the contact surface of the saddle panels. The shape of the panels can vary from saddle design to saddle design and from one manufacturer to the next. When buying a saddle for your pony, pay attention to the actual contact surface and length of the saddle. The saddle should not press on the pony's loins. Saddles for short backs are recommended for this.
Many ponies are wide set and have rather flat withers. You should also take this into account when choosing a saddle, because otherwise the saddle can slip, lose its centre of gravity or cause pressure at certain points. The saddle tree must not constrict the back or press the too steep gullet plate into the shoulder. Therefore, get advice from a saddler or a knowledgeable expert. They will then advise you to choose a saddle with a wide saddle tree and a rather round gullet plate. V-shaped saddle panels provide sufficient stability for the saddle.

Otherwise, the same rules of a suitable saddle apply for ponies as for big horses:

• 3 to 4 fingers should fit between the withers and the lower edge of the pommel.
• 2 to 3 fingers should fit under the saddle at the side of the withers.
• A good spinal canal is 4 fingers wide and at least 2 fingers high.
• The gullet plates are parallel to the shoulder.
• The saddle panels lie evenly on the back.
• The centre of gravity of the saddle is in line with the horse's centre of gravity, both with and without the rider's weight.
• The saddle lies between the shoulder blade and the last rib.