How do I find a wide saddle that fits my Haflinger?
A Bit About Saddles Fitting the Haflinger There is likely no more discussed subject concerning Haflingers than saddle fit. While the popularity of our gold ponies has exploded, the multi-million dollar saddle industry has had to respond with improved tack to fit the broad-backed Haflinger. The narrow trees of our ancestors’ saddles simply don’t fill the bill for this modern robust breed. In general, where horse tack is concerned, we get what we pay for. A no-name saddle off the Internet is likely going to be inadequate and possibly unsafe. What we consider a savings initially might end up costing us more in the long run. Saddle fit, of course, is very important. There are new methods of back mapping and saddle fit molds or gauges that can certainly help in getting a good fit. In early saddles, the panels were stuffed leather or fabric that sat on either side of the horses’ spine to protect it and give the rider a good place to sit. As saddles evolved, it became known that weight distri
