Where can I find some quality dressage tack for a small pony ? Saddle question too

[mademoiselle]

I'm working a very nice pony and now that we are starting to play with higher level stuff, I would like to start using boots, a better bit and a dressage saddle on him.
The problem is that there is almost nothing that is small enough for a 12.3H little guy.

It seems that everything I find is geared towards the hunter ring ...

The biggest challenge is to find a quality type of bits (options are really limited ... basic loose rings, DR Bristol, a lot of D rings and that's it). No KK or nicely shaped bits.

On top of it, I cannot seem to find a dressage saddle small enough to fit him:no:
I'm small enough that I can fit in a 16.5, but most of the 'newer' dressage saddles have huge panels, very wide gussets and the flaps are so long that it goes all the way under his belly.
Any suggestions ?

I hope to take this guy to the FEI levels one day and so I would like to be able to ride him in something else that my close contact saddle.

His back is so short that my 16.5 close contact saddle goes from the base of his neck to his kidneys (can you say short backed :eek:)

[oharabear]

I was only able to find a bit that fit my pony that I liked at justforponies.com- they're fabulous. Got her a bridle from them, also.

However, I have a similar problem with sadddle-shopping. From what I've seen (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong) there just aren't really any dressage saddles that are specifically designed for ponies per se- I just use my friend's Wintec, but my pony isn't as terribly short-backed as yours is- but we come close! Sadly, the manufacturers can only make a 16.5" seat so short...

[GreyDes]

Hmmm... well my Arab is 14hh, so he's downright huge compared to your guy. But, I share your pain on finding decent tack for the smaller mounts!

Here's a few thoughts...

Saddle - Have you looked at Black Country? They will go semi-custom, and have a hoop tree that works well on a lot of broad, flat backs. Trumbull Mountain seems to get good reviews as a dealer. You might be able to contact them and see what your options are.

Bits - What size are you looking for? There is a KK Ultra in a 4.75". It's the UltraSoft snaffle, with the rubber cover over the french link. http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,6916.html

Their bridoon also comes in 4.5". http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,10.html

For the bridle, I ended up getting one shipped over from the UK. I really wanted the comfort poll, quality leather, and no flash. I had a very hard time finding something small enough for a little Arab head. I'm sure there are other options, but the Elevator is available in pony size. http://www.elevatorbridles.co.uk/

Good luck! We'll need photos!

[butlerfamilyzoo]

My smallest pony now is 13.3, but i share your pain! I used to do pony resales and had several 12-13 handers that would have made nice dressage mounts, but tack is very limited to come by.

My 13.3h girl is shorter backed as well. I tried a county 17" on her that was short enough for her back, but did not fit her elsewhere whatsoever. I ended up getting her a Startrekk Treeless in the Icelandic model, with a 17.5" seat. I found the panels with the flatter seat of the Icelandic saddle to be shorter overall than their dressage model. The flap length is also shorter. Even though its "Icelandic" it looks just like a dressage saddle, there is no difference really, it just doesnt have a deep seat.

http://www.saddlingsolutions.com/ST.html

They have an icelandic pictured in brown, but it comes in black. Its a VERY nice design, with wool flocked panels and SUPER spinal/wither clearance. It works perfect on the sausage back AND my MW shark fin girl. I wish i would have had it when i was doing resales.

The nicest pony size bridle available in the US is the Anky Jr bridle, that i've found anyway. However, i do not know the measurements on it if it is better suited to larger ponies or if it will work on a smaller refined 12h head, etc... JustForPonies carries it, i would email them and ask for sizing. They are SUPER to work with.

I actually lucked out and after a year of searching i was in a tack store near Atlanta and sitting on their clearance rack was a gorgeous pony size dressage bridle, very high quality, discounted to $65 because they couldnt get rid of it. I almost hugged the sales lady. However, i dont know what brand it is.

I was looking at getting the elevator from England too... Just happened to find this a few days before i told myself i was giving in and chunking over the change for the elevator.

Dover's Amigo bridle line has an "event" bridle available in black and pony. I wondered what the sizing was like on that one. Has a flash. The biggest issue i seem to have is not fitting the heads, but finding reins that arent a MAJOR danger hazard. The pony size web reins that came with my bridles have a loop long enough to practically jump rope with. I really think they are more cob size. I need to take them somewhere and have them shortened.

You can get rubber and laced black reins in pony without issue that may be true pony, i just hate them. I would LOVE to find some leather with handstop reins in pony, but may end up buying cob size from EQtack and get them shortened.

Keiffer makes some of their bridles in pony, but you will most likely have to order from overseas. I've heard their sizing runs small on the pony ones.

Now, when you find a saddle pad that will fit your adult sized saddle but doesnt swim on your pony, please let us all know! Seemsright makes lots of sizes and one of these days i'm going to try them. For now, my pads just swallow the girls.

http://www.seamsright.com/

Bits are difficult too, but i havent found i've never needed anything "special" as the girls go great in a 4 3/4" french link.

Good luck!

[KarenC]

I was recently dressage saddle shopping - my mare is much bigger than yours at 14.2, but I'm petite and was looking at 16.5 inch seats and trying to find something with a short flap to accomodate my little stubby legs. I tried a Stubben Juventus - their youth dressage saddle - which didn't work for me but was definitely more scaled down all around than just a 16.5 standard "adult" saddle and would be more likely to fit a pony. Definitely more of a close contact type of dressage saddle. Prestige also makes a youth model I was going to try that I heard good things about but I found something else that worked for me before I demo'd it. I think Passier also makes a youth model but I'm not sure what seat sizes it comes in.

[pintopiaffe]

What about the Passier Young Champ? That was my first thought. It's a *real* dressage saddle in smaller size. Prestige also has a youth version--the whole thing is downscaled, not just the seat.

Hm, lower ranges, HDR has a young rider version of the Rivella, and Thornhill's Shannon.

Stubben also has YR versions of some of their saddles (the Rex comes to mind) but I don't know if they do of dressage.

An Ansur or Fhoenix might work. I know both Daydream Believer and I had much success with the Fhoenix on small, shortbacked stallions--but not quite *that* small :p

I've seen nice pony bridles in a catalogue, and now I'm not sure which one... I'll think on that for ya. ;)

Neue Schule has a line of Sportpony bits. you'd have to google, sorry.

[jumpytoo]

I have a 15.5" dressage saddle that we used on a small and a medium pony when my daughter was smaller..it's made nicely but ironically had no name on the buttons. I ahve often wondered who made it.

[wilhemina]

I have a 16" Verhan Odessy for sale. It's a child sized saddlethat might fit a pony. Feel free to pm me for details, pix etc. Thanks

[unbridledoaks]

I have rode ponies all the way down to 11:3 hands in Dressage. I have found most of my tack in the UK that is very nice and good quality. You spend a little more but the tack lasts. Take a look at their web sites, and see if they have what you like.

[tempichange]

I found my bridle at Dover and I found my saddle with Duett, although I'm a fan of BC as well. Found snaffle at Dressage Extensions (HS, lucky buy too) and her double is by corbette, with bits from the UK.

Girth is a Karl Nederseuss. Smallest one on the market.

[Nanerpus]

I have a 13.2 pony and am finding it tough as well. She's in a small loose ring snaffle and happy enough, and for her bridle I did some mixing and matching with Cob sizes, etc.

As for her saddle, I'm in the midst of finally breaking down and getting something made for her from Custom Saddlery. I'm toying between a Wolfgang Expression and something along those lines, as the tree shape is suitable for her conformation. I need something cut back that won't interfere with her elbows, and also something that won't slide forward.

Just for Ponies is an awesome site. I bought her girth, boots, etc. on that site. Bought her noseband on dressage extensions.