Hi everyone, I was wondering if I could get some opinions on how these two saddles fit my pony. The one is a wintec, I'm not 100 percent sure but I believe it is set to medium wide.
The other is a collegiate. (First four pics)
Neither show the saddle actually girthed up, do I need to in order to get a more accurate idea?
Any thoughts are appreciated. I've read about saddle fit online, but never having done it, I want to make sure I get it right!
You do need to girth the saddles. Also the saddles appear to be place too far forward so they don't clear the shoulder blade. However, the first saddle doesn't look too bad. The second saddle does not have enough of a channel to clear the pony's spine so don't use it.
the first saddle appears to sit more "around " the pony, rather than perched on top, as the second (wintec). however, do tap it back a half inch. and, while using one hand to apply as much weight downward in the middle fo the seat (simulating rider weight) , run your other hand along his back, right under where the saddle is ON the body. this is to check for bridging. it is almost impossible to see bridging, it can only be felt. if you feel heavy contact under the front, and the back, but it gets light to non-existant in the middle, then you have a bridging saddle.
you can try shifting saddl back a bit, to see if that helps, but bridging is a not go, unless you can shim out the gapping area with pads.
IMO they both need to go back which I think'll make the Collegiate fit too long. That also looks a bit narrow to me. Collegiate used to be made by Weatherbeeta (same as Wintec and Bates) unless they've been hived off since, so the gullet widths of both saddles need to match.
For me the Wintec looks XW (White gullet). If you pull down the velcroed section below the pommel you should be able to see the gullet plate colour. Blue is MW and red is W.
I don't agree with Prairie about the channel width. Unless the pony is very stocky build it ought to be fine - bear in mind the very end of the panel at the cantle end lifts off the horse's back so though that may be narrower it doesn't usually affect the fit to any great extent.
I don't agree with Prairie about the channel width. Unless the pony is very stocky build it ought to be fine - bear in mind the very end of the panel at the cantle end lifts off the horse's back so though that may be narrower it doesn't usually affect the fit to any great extent.
Look down the channel from the back and you see there is virtually no clearance for the spine exactly where the rider's weight would be. If the end of the panel at the cantle lifts off the horse's back, then the saddle is either too wide, bridging, or has the wrong angles.
Interesting replies. He has a very wide back. When either saddle is on him you can look down his wither through the channel of the saddle and see out the other side. I'm not sure if that makes sense...?
I slid the saddle back a bit and took a few more pics. But now I'm not sure if I'm too far back. My other horse the saddle fit was so easy, but not this time!
The saddle has a changeable gullet, do you think going wider would help? Do the angles appear to work other then that? I know changing the gullet isn't an auto fix.
Also, since is am trying to learn, what is the disadvantage of having the front up too high? When weight is on the saddle, it's going to bring it down a bit, so don't I want it up a bit?
In the second set of photos, the saddle looks to narrow to me. The placement is better in the second set of photos though, not too far forward like the first set of pics.
First saddle way narrow. Remember 'gullet' is but one measurement to consider. Width of channel & shape of entire saddle/horse is important. Can't tell whether saddles are side to side balanced or whether bridging or such from those pics. Think still needs placing back further too. Bars & any areas of pressure, inc hard stuffing should clear the back of the scapula by at least a couple of inches.
Horse looks similar to mine, real wide back and a forward girth groove.
Does he/she have a straight back or curvy?
The Thorowgood Broadback with the TSF girth fit my guy, but he has a fairly straight back.
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