Dallas hasn't been under saddle (with me) yet…heck, I haven't even made time to ride Fergus since he came home 2.5 months ago….but my brain is always working. I, of course, will have a saddle fitter out, but just wondering if I have any shot at the Western saddle (full QH bars) I bought to fit Fergus (17hh and 1500+ pounds) working on the 14.2 and 1,100 lb red pony). I can't remember the seat size..I want to say 17" maybe (my dressage saddle is 18" and feel like the western ones correlate 1" smaller?). My biggest concern is the length of the saddle versus the length of Dallas' back…though I will say he is a little bit long in the back as compared to those really compact, short-backed models.
I know all brands and styles fit a bit differently…saw that first hand when trying western saddles with Fergus…but just wondering how many of you with QHs need full QH bars (on your more pony-sized friends) versus semi-QH bars? And how big your seat sizes are/fit well on what height QH?
All Dallas' tack will be trial and error…not sure of bit size, saddle size, bridle size, etc…got it wrong a couple times on halters but was able to nail it on first try with fly masks, lol. Being at home, I don't have the luxury I had with Fergus…a trainer on site and tons of boarder friends to try to get an idea when we started him under saddle.