Hello everyone, I am sorry for this long post but am feeling confused about what I should do for me and my horse.
My mare, Tink is a 3.5 year old tan coloured fjord x quarterhorse.
She recently came home from almost 3 months of professional training for trail and western pleasure riding.
Before she went away, I bought a vintage Billy Cook saddle. We tried it on her a few times and it appeared to fit fine.
A couple weeks after coming home (and maybe 4 rides by me), I noticed the hair on her withers was white.
I was riding her in the above noted saddle and a reinsman tacky too saddle pad.
I immediately asked a couple people who have years of horse experience to check the saddle fit and they both think it fits her well.
I have since dumped the tacky too saddle pad as I think it might be contributing to the rubbing on her withers.
I am now wondering if it was the multiple riders and therefore possibly multiple saddles and pads that she had on during her training that caused this issue to start.
However, I am scared to continue harming her as I have read the white hairs are caused by too much pressure on that area.
So my questions:
How do I know if the rubbing/excess pressure is still there when the hair is already damaged/white?
Tack store not too far from me called Inenson's who has offered to check her saddle fit and possibly trade mine in for a new one if it's not right. Thinking strongly about doing that as I have heard good things about the owner's experience.
Which brings me to my next question, as I do not find my saddle comfortable for me.
Do I give up on what should be a very well made Billy Cook because I don't love it even if it fits her well?
I want to note that even though she is very calm and has an awesome ground tie, she seems to be showing some avoidance when I am trying to get the saddle or pad on her in the last month.
Vet checked her back and says he doesn't sense any pain but I am unsure why else she would literally try to move away when she sees the pad or saddle going over her back.
Sorry again for the long post. I don't want to mess her up now as she is so young!!
My mare, Tink is a 3.5 year old tan coloured fjord x quarterhorse.
She recently came home from almost 3 months of professional training for trail and western pleasure riding.
Before she went away, I bought a vintage Billy Cook saddle. We tried it on her a few times and it appeared to fit fine.
A couple weeks after coming home (and maybe 4 rides by me), I noticed the hair on her withers was white.
I was riding her in the above noted saddle and a reinsman tacky too saddle pad.
I immediately asked a couple people who have years of horse experience to check the saddle fit and they both think it fits her well.
I have since dumped the tacky too saddle pad as I think it might be contributing to the rubbing on her withers.
I am now wondering if it was the multiple riders and therefore possibly multiple saddles and pads that she had on during her training that caused this issue to start.
However, I am scared to continue harming her as I have read the white hairs are caused by too much pressure on that area.
So my questions:
How do I know if the rubbing/excess pressure is still there when the hair is already damaged/white?
Tack store not too far from me called Inenson's who has offered to check her saddle fit and possibly trade mine in for a new one if it's not right. Thinking strongly about doing that as I have heard good things about the owner's experience.
Which brings me to my next question, as I do not find my saddle comfortable for me.
Do I give up on what should be a very well made Billy Cook because I don't love it even if it fits her well?
I want to note that even though she is very calm and has an awesome ground tie, she seems to be showing some avoidance when I am trying to get the saddle or pad on her in the last month.
Vet checked her back and says he doesn't sense any pain but I am unsure why else she would literally try to move away when she sees the pad or saddle going over her back.
Sorry again for the long post. I don't want to mess her up now as she is so young!!