Hi, new member here hoping to get some advice on saddle fitting. My mare is 6 years old; previously shown halter, but now beginning saddle training. Half Arab/half saddlebred, 15.1hh. I find myself with the task of fitting her with her first saddle. I am just trying to get advice what is worth a try and what is not; trying to narrow down how many saddles I actually trail. She will most likely be a personal pleasure horse (ridden English), but possibly a hunter, as she lacks the gaits for saddleseat. I personally like close contact saddles. I added some photos, I will try to get some more that better reflect her back conformation soon. I am considering m.toulouse, wintec, pessoa, tekna, hdr, and even a courbette magic; but I am just starting to look and I am open to any brand! I sincerely appreciate any and all advice! Thanks!
Her breeding isn't what judges want in hunter. If you wish to show you may be better to reconsider saddle seat and she has the confo for that. She'd make a smart looking fine harness horse.
Thanks for the advice! Her saddlebred side is almost all fine harness; her grandsire was very successful in harness. I have actually considered driving her, but I also want to be able to ride this mare, whether to show or just for fun.
with such little wither and a quite 'round' looking shoulder i would look into a saddle with a hoop tree. you may find this type of tree to fit her frame better than a typical tree which is more like an 'A' in shape. especially with her being part saddlebred (gaited or not?), you want those shoulders to not have any restriction in her gaits.
She is not gaited. Looks like all the saddles I have been looking at so far are a no go. Thanks for the replies; any recommendations for a hoop tree saddle?
I had an Arab with the same type of withers, and was pretty darn wide, I tried an Amerigo farouche, and it fit her perfectly. The only problem is that they are quite expensive. Hopefully the saddle you ordered fits her!
Browsed some Amerigo saddles: wow they look very nice! She does have a little wither, not completely mutton withered. I'm just trying to get a good fit, I don't want her first experience with a saddle to be uncomfortable or painful. I also suspect she will fill out a little, she has never been really worked; and has been a pasture ornament the last 2 years. I am still uncertain what discipline she will do; I would like to do saddleseat, but she is small and doesn't have any exceptional trot action. We will see how things go under saddle. Really excited about this mare's future tho! Thanks for all the replies.
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