Haflingers?...."
.
Hello, Sue -
.
I did a search for the Simco Haflinger Saddle - and found a photo and stats
of it here - _www.haflinger.net/saddle.html_
(http://www.haflinger.net/saddle.html) Says it's a 6 3/4" wide gullet ... and a skirts are 24 1/2"
... and the seat comes in 15 1/2" or 16" (no larger.) If you click here,
at the bottom of the description, it shows the saddle on several Haffies -
_www.haflinger.net/specialhafl.html_
(http://www.haflinger.net/specialhafl.html)
.
You've probably seen this site already ;-) I posted it for the folks
who might be following this thread, and like to see ;-)
.
I don't have a Simco Haffie Saddle ... but based of the stats on that site
...
.
This would not work for my girl EllieMae ;-) She is rather short in
height (13.2 hands), a VERY short backed (length), wide in withers & back
(side to side) - she is old style drafty built. She also has a tad dip in
her back, which just adds to the saddle fit woes. You can see what I'm
talking about in the third photo ;-)
_www.rockymountaintrails.net/TrailBuddies_ (http://www.rockymountaintrails.net/TrailBuddies) She is my
mountain trail "pony" - we fit great together well, we're both short n' stout
(grin!) I am a hair under 5' myself ;-)
.
Ellie ended up taking a Cashel Swayback Shaped Pad (
_www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=9e8d0467-fe6f-44f8-93b8-fa18b9af46ca_
(http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=9e8d0467-fe6f-44f8-93b8-fa18b9af46ca) ) I
ordered from ValleyVet - as they had the lowest price on the internet which
I could find ($95.95, free freight.) I use a white felt pad liner (mine
is only 1/4" thick, otherwise looks just like this -
_www.statelinetack.com/item/synthetic-blanket-liner/SLT901242/_
(http://www.statelinetack.com/item/synthetic-blanket-liner/SLT901242/) ) which I got on eBay for $10.00.
.
*Both* the Pad and the Liner had to be cut down in size - as both were far
bigger than the saddle we use. I simply measured while she was saddled up
- making sure to leave plenty of over lap from the close contact saddle to
the pad & liner ... used sturdy house scissors to get the custom fit done
;-) The important reason I use the 1/4" thick felt pad liner - is
only because I do not like having the Cashel's synthetic material directly on
her back - because of over heating, etc (as I mentioned, we ride rugged
mountains - and summer time it can get hot under that saddle!) ;-) I
know the manufacturer advertises you can use it directly on the horse's back
- but I feel it traps far too much heat. The thin liner is for Ellie's
comfort and safety.
.
Although Down Under Saddle Supply will recommend their pads - the only one
that would help with Ellie's dip was very pricey - and it really would not
help with a slightly sway back all that much. My opinion differs from the
store's, of course - but other than the pad - their saddle has proven
perfect fit for us! ;-)
.
With her VERY short wide back length - finding a tree that was not too
long from withers to loin was a BIG problem. She was saddle fitting checked -
and "the word" was she needed under 24" length. Well, very very few treed
saddles are that short in length - and I was VERY uncomfortable with going
treeless (safety reasons - keeping in mind I ride very rugged mountain
terrain on a ROUND rolly-polly "pony" - no amount of breast collar & crupper
can help us on a treeless ;-) I'm not knocking those who can safely use a
treeless - it's just not a option for Ellie & I, for safety reasons. ;-)
.
I finally found the perfect saddle (for us) - in fit and reasonable cost
(now sold at $565.) It is a type of Australian Stock Saddle - but a very
specific type. My former Aussie was a standard general type - and it was far
too long for Ellie's short back. Which is why I was saddle shopping for
my new girl's new saddle ;-) Another good point, the seat size also
came in my, aahhhhhh, "ample" seat size of 19" (Aussie saddles measure 2"
bigger than a Western measurement - so 19" Aussie is equal to a 17" Western -
yep, like my girl Ellie, I am short in height and broad o' butt! LOL!)
.
The Kimberley Lite Rider (with horn - I won't have a hornless saddle) is
from Downunder Saddle Supply (Denver, CO store - national saddle shop for
Australian saddles.) photo of it here, 16th saddle down -
_www.downunderweb.com/store/Saddles_Aussie_Kimberley.html_
(http://www.downunderweb.com/store/Saddles_Aussie_Kimberley.html) The KLR is their
"economy" version - with their Down Under Longreach Endurance (with horn) being
$925 - same everything, except higher grade of leather,
_www.downunderweb.com/store/Saddles_Aussie_DownUnder.html_
(http://www.downunderweb.com/store/Saddles_Aussie_DownUnder.html) The KLR is still VERY sturdy leather -
just not the "cadillac" in cut.
.
I hauled Ellie to DownUnder Saddle Supply - it was about a 3 hr round trip
for us. They could not believe that my tracings were done correctly -
LOL! (At her withers, 10" further back, and 10" further back from there - not
just one tracing at the withers.) But yes, she really is shaped like
that! :-)
.
Her withers needed an 8" chamber (called gullet in Western saddles) -
that's the beginning for a draft horse width! So for this short n' broad
Haffie - the Simco Haffie Saddle would be pinching her withers quit a bit.
Ellie's back being so short that any saddle length over 22" length would cut
into her hip - means the Simco's 24 1/2" would be too long for Ellie (cutting
into her hip.)
.
So, although I don't have a Simco - based on the stats I looked up for it
... if you have a very short and wide Haffie (like under 14 hands) ... be
careful of the gullet width and tree length! ;-) Just 'cuz it says
"Haffie" doesn't mean it will fit all Haffies! ;-) And the Simco also
comes only in 2 seat sizes, neither ample enough to fit me ... so that was
another thing to watch out for. Important to fit you, as much as the horse!
;-)
.
Best wishes for your saddle hunt,
Sher & Ellie in CO
(http://www.downunderweb.com/store/Saddles_Aussie_Kimberley.html)
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