What is the Ideal Highland & Cob saddle?

The Ideal Highland and Cob Saddles: Features, Suitability, and Alternatives

Ideal Saddles is a worldwide renowned UK saddle manufacturer that offers a range of high-quality saddles designed specifically for different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines. In this blog post, we will be focusing on the Ideal H&C saddles, their features, suitability, and alternatives to them.

If after this blog you have any Ideal or cob saddle related questions please do get in touch with our super friendly, helpful team on 01733 301488 or email info@thesaddlebank.com

Ideal Highland and Cob Saddles

The Ideal H&C saddles are designed for horses with wide and often low withers, typical of the Highland and Cob breeds. These saddles feature a deep seat, a wide tree, and a low cantle to provide comfort and support for both the horse and rider.

Features of the Ideal Highland and Cob Saddles

The Ideal H&C saddles have several features that make them ideal for their intended purpose:

1. Deep Seat: The saddles have a deep seat that provides ample support and comfort for the rider, especially when riding over long distances.
2. Wide Tree: The tree is designed to be wide and flat, allowing for a comfortable fit around the horse’s withers and spine.
3. Low Cantle: The low cantle provides a more forward position for the rider, which helps to prevent the rider’s weight from being pushed backward onto the the back of the panels causing a pressure point.
4. Extra Wide Head: This means the saddle fits of the wider withers often found in Highland and Cob types, this ensure improved weight distribution and increased comfort for you horse.

Click here to see our full range of Ideal GP Saddles. However if you aren't sure if these are the saddles for you keep reading to find out alternatives.

If you would like some recommendations on saddles that might suit you and your equine companion click here to fill in our Saddle Recommendations form.

Alternatives to the Ideal Highland and Cob Saddles

If you are looking for alternatives to the Ideal Highland and Cob saddles, here are three options to consider:

1. Chunky Monkey Saddle: This saddle features a deep seat and a wide tree, similar to the Ideal Highland and Cob saddles. They come on a hoop tree as standard, click here to find out all about Hoop Trees.
2. Andrea Hicks Saddle: AH Saddles are not only designed to fit Highland and Cob types but also flatter, wider breeds including draughts and warmbloods, with widths available form MW upto 5XW on a wide range of different models.
3. Albion K2 CC Saddle: The CC (Cob and Connemara) Jump saddle is part of the super popular K2 Jump saddles, it is built on a hoop tree with slimline panels to ensure comfort and support whilst jumping for you and your horse.
4. Monarch Cob GP saddle: If you prefer an adjustable gullet saddle the Monarch cob GP is a fantastic saddle for wider, broader horses. From 16.5 inch up to 18 inch and taking gullets up to 4XW it is ideal for those super wide, short backed types. 
5. Arena Cob GP saddle: Arena is another great alternative offering the option to adjust the gullet bar. Arena Cob GP saddles come in 1XW-4XW with and can also have the Easy Change Risers inserted directly into the panel of the saddle to customise the fit to your horse. 

Still looking for you next Cob saddle? Whether that is for jumping, GP or dressage click here to see our current selection of saddles available new, used and ex demo.

Conclusion

The Ideal Highland and Cob saddles are a popular choice for riders of Highland and Cob breeds, offering a comfortable and supportive saddle for both horse and rider. If you are looking for alternatives, the Chunky Monkey Saddles, Andrea Hicks Saddles, and Albion K2 CC Saddles are worth considering.

If you are based in the UK why not take full advantage of our 5 day UK trial and see which saddle works for you? You are welcome to trial both saddles at the same time so you can see which enables you and your horse to enhance your performance. Click here to see our full range of Cob saddles and watch our handy video on how to trial a saddle below!