Saddle Fit Help - 3 day trail

So I bought a Colliegate (sp) today and it was on sale for $185....turn out had some tears so I took it back and picked up a more expensive saddle - out of my price range..but I'll never buy a saddle if I keep nick pickin about money.

So I picked up a 17'' Courbette I think it fits...he moved 100% with the saddle I just have to get used toa leather from a comfy synthetic.







Here is my current saddle lol

I liked the look of it until the second to the last pic. The pommel is level with the cantle which suggests it's either a little too far forward or pinching at the withers. The best way to know for sure is to put a white thin pad under it, go for a short ride, and check the dirt marks under the pad for even wear. The pad marks should resemble the shape of the saddle. If there's completely clean spots anywhere, the saddle is bridging, (not making even contact with his back) Also, when you're sitting in it, can you get 2 1/2 fingers under the pommel?

Yeah it stinks suppose to rain all week, and I only have a three day trial - I think a fits a whole lot better then my wintec he rode so much different in it, wasnt a giraffe head.
Yeah I can fit about 2 to 3 fingers under the pommel

My wintec bridged horribly on my horses back compared to this one this has at least a bit of a curve also he has NO topline so I'm thinking there is room to grow into it as well if that's possible with saddles lol

Yeah, that's one of those trick issues that nobody seems to be able to help with. All the saddle fitting info says to fit it all for the horse's current shape, but if you do that, you've eliminated room to grow, haven't you? I have the same issue only around the shoulders. My horse had dips beneath his wither area. I realized way too late that my perfectly fitting saddle was not allowing for the area to build up. The nice firm fit was actually hindering his development and not helping. Saddle fitting is absolute madness!

Thanks I really hope this saddle works out I got a $100 off it but still paid more then what I was looking for...but with my price range all I was finding was very very worn saddles.

Bump - anyone else? I wont be able to get pics because its POURING tonight and tomorrow, urgh...and its on trial for 2 more days.
I'm thinking of keeping it - he rode awesome in it yesterday and was naturally dropping his head - I just gotta get used to riding in slippery leather lol

It's probably fine. It's probably just a tad forward in the pic where it looks pommel high. Try the white baby pad underneath it to make sure you have even weight distribution. If it doesn't fit and you're stuck with it, you could probably resell it anyway. It's not like you paid a ton for it.

Im taking it back my BO said it just wasnt a good fit, the back panels barely touched his back when I wasnt sitting on it - so when I would sit they would put pressure but soon as I post they came up
Urgh search is on - I think ineed sometin with more flat panels

Get a new generation wintec. I have one and they are THE BEST

They also have flat panels.