Saddle fit questions.

I've been having a bit of paranoia lately as I have been riding my QP mare more often as the weather warms up.

She is terribly out of shape. I got her last month after being left out in a pasture with little contact and no riding for over a year. Basically neglected.

Anyway! That being said, she is out of shape. She has no topline and is in a okay weight but we are still trying to put more on her. She has no muscle at all either. My parents gave me a brand new western saddle for Christmas and I didn't really get to try it out til recently.

On my QP mare the back end sticks up when the cinch is tightened which I know is pretty bad and means that there is more pressure on the withers. It doesn't help that I have to use a breast collar on her or the saddle slips back... Lately I haven't been using one because she has a cut right where the breast collar lays and it started to rub it raw...

I rode her today in a better pad with more fluffy cushion and it seemed to be more comfy for her but still stuck up a bit in the back. She broke out into a sweat today and she was soaked everywheres, her whither was a tad dryer but still pretty sweaty so therefore it wasn't dry just not as sweaty as the rest of her body.

This saddle is semi qh bars and seems to fit fine everywheres else. I'm not sure if it could be complete lack of muscle on her part or if I should sell my new one...it was pretty expensive and has sentimental value so I'd rather not sell it but am open to opinions..

Can get pix if needed.

Thanks.
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Bumpp
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I think pictures would be helpful.

I'm not a huge believer in the whole "sweat pattern" thing as a "the saddle fits or it doesn't" diagnostic. I've seen plenty of horses that just sweat tons under the saddle, making the saddle fit look "good" sweat-wise when that same saddle obviously fits badly upon visual inspection.
I think it has it's place when the saddle appears to fit well, to help you cement the idea that the saddle does really fit well, or to make you question if the saddle fits as well as you think, but not as a first step in saddle fitting. :)

Anyway, to me it sounds like you might need a better fitting saddle. Good news, you can probably find a used replacement for rather cheaply without needing to sell this saddle since you said it has sentimental value.
I found a BigHorn synthetic western saddle (one of the most quality synthetic western saddles out there) online for $75, it just needed a little cleaning up that I could do which, once done, that saddle looks like a million bucks (for a synthetic).
Depending on your needs you can probably find a suitable saddle for your girl without breaking the bank/selling the other saddle. :)

Anyway, pictures would be beneficial.

Will get some later! I forgot to add that I tryed my friends synthetic on her yesterday. Same thing as my saddle basically. (semi bars, 16 in seat) and the tree literally sat flat on her back and I couldn't get my hand underneath it at all.
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Okay here are some pictures!

With pad-







Without pad-(she has barely any muscle!)










Her back awhile after our ride (her withers aren't that high....right?)




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Bumpingg
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From some of the pics the saddle appears to be on the shoulder blades. Dig your fingers in and find the edge and be sure the saddle sits two fingers behind that. Take a thick hand towel and fold it in half lengthwise. Set this on your pad so it will be under the front of the saddle. See if that doesn't provide a little extra lift. The front may be a little wide. I've taken a wider bath towel and folded it in pleats so the folds fall one behind the other, ending just before the middle of the back. See if this help. You might have to monkey around with it. I make the pleats about 4" wide. You don't want a fold sitting on top of another as it makes a ridge.

Thanks for the suggestion. Will try it out. Her back Is super akward for some reason. I put it where it is in the pix and it seems fine but if I put it anymore back I feel like I'm in an awkward position and am riding on her butt!
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I agree with Saddlebag. The saddle is way too far forward. In this pic. It looks about 3 inches too far forward.

Okay, will bring the saddle back some more.

I was riding with the saddle in the right place but it didn't feel right what so ever. I felt like I was riding on her butt and it was totally akward, that's why I put it up farther but it's clearly in the wrong place there. Hmm
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