Chunky Monkey Saddles - Are they right for you and your horse?
Who are Chunky Monkey Saddles?
Chunky Monkey Saddles are a popular choice among horse riders due to their unique design and comfort. These saddles are designed with a wider gullet, hoop tree as standard, and shorter slimmer panels, making them ideal for horses with broader backs and/or a big shoulders.
The Chunky Monkey Saddle Company is a UK-based manufacturer that produces high-quality saddles using traditional methods and materials. Each saddle is handcrafted by skilled artisans who take great care to ensure that every detail is perfect. The company also offers custom-made saddles to fit the specific needs of individual horses and riders.
Chunky Monkey Saddles are suitable for a wide range of horses, but they work particularly well on those with broad backs such as cobs, natives and big shouldered 'curvy' horses and ponies.
Chunky Monkey saddles are made not only to fit you and your horse physically but you are also able to add a bit of personality into your new saddle with a vast range of trims, patterns and colours to choose from.
Being made on a hoop tree as standard makes Chunky Monkey saddles a firm favourite with cob and native horse owners. The hoop tree'd saddles are a great otpion for horses and ponies with a flat back and wider wither and spine profile. They are deisgned with the gullet arch being broad and low therefore complimenting the natural shape of our curvier equines.
The hoop tree paired with slimmer panels are a winning combination when it comes to saddles for broader backs. Owners often find that saddles on 'standard' panels look perched on their horse and can often lead to them slipping or rolling which as well as not being fun to ride in can also course soreness in the horses back with the movement of the saddle. Slim panels allow for the saddle to sit closer to the horse's back instead of perching on it almost giving the impression of wrapping around a wider frame.
The next thing Chunky Monkey also take into consideration is girthing, horses with a larger barrel can often end up with their saddle slipping forwards so you'll see on Chunky Monkey Jump and GP saddles the first girth strap is what is called a point strap, but using this as the first girth strap can help to prevent the saddle from slipping forwards towards the narrowest part of the horses barrel. Another common issue seen with saddles on natives and cob types is the saddle slipping, even with the slim panels there might still be a small amount of slippage due to the horse or ponies shape. To help resolve this Chunk Monkey have the fourth strap at the back towards the cantle, this is called a balance strap and aids to 'anchor' the saddle a bit more and prevent it from rolling.
Chunky Monkey Saddle Models
Here we are going to look at the the models of Chunky Monkey Saddles
Freedom Jump
The eye catching appearance of the of the Freedom jump isn't it's only stand out feature!
The freedom jump has been designed with horses and ponies in mind who would struggle to take a 'standard' jump saddle due the forwardness of the panel blocking their shoulder.
This issue is addressed on the Freedom jump with the front panel of the saddle being a straighter cut for the horse but with a the flap being forward cut to support the rider. So the rider can still right with at a shorter stirrup length to allow their leg into a jumping position without the tree point and panel restricting their horse.
Galaxy Dressage
Available in both dual flap and monoflap the Galaxy Dressage is a deep seated dressage saddle featuring a large surface knee block for rider support. Made on a hoop tree with a cut back freedom panel it also features a slightly more forward cut flap for rider comfort and support.
VSD
The Chunk Monkey VSD can often be confused as being a Working Hunter saddle however it regularly used in the show ring, working hunter classes as well as dressage and hacking out. The VSD features a large knee block as well as a supportive thigh block. As standard it is made on a hoop tree and features 4 girth straps including a point and balance strap.
Click here to see our current range of Chunk Monkey Saddles
If you're interested in purchasing a Chunky Monkey Saddle, The Saddle Bank is an excellent place to start. This online marketplace specialises in buying and selling high-quality saddles, including Chunky Monkey Saddles. They offer a wide selection of new and used saddles at competitive prices, making it easy for you to find the perfect saddle for your needs.
Click here to view our current Chunky Monkey Stock
