wesrtern trail sadde for horse/weak topline

Hello, I have a young 4yr qh with a weak topline, me/high withers and a short back. I think this because of the dips behind his withers and white hairs that have developed over the last 3 or 4 months.

I do have a saddlefitter coming to my barn next week and have been struggling with this saddle issue for long enough. In the meantime I would like to know brands and models of saddles and pads that work for you that have the same problems with saddle fit that I do. I am guessing a good saddle pad like a SMX or similiar that have extra cushioning in the pocket behind the withhers will help. The saddle that caused the problem was a semi qh bars and so I have been riding using a bareback pad for the last couple months. When I ride with others, I use a full qh bars with a built up pad.

Just want to know if I am on the rght track and thanks again for any help!

The white hairs indicate a saddle that is too tight not too loose so extra padding will make the problem worse unless the white hairs are on top of his withers.

Pictures will help but if you have a saddle fitter coming out then he/she will be able to see first hand and make some good recommendations. If SQH bars are hitting the top of his withers, then a build-up pad may help correct the problem. Going to a more narrow saddle may be OK for his withers but you need to consider the rest of his back as well and a saddle that is perfect in the gullet may be too steep an angle for his back.

What has always worked for me is an "A" fork saddle. It has a high gullet that makes fitting much easier. If I have a horse with narrow withers but a strong back, I fit for the back and use a pad for the withers - either build-up or one with pocket for shims to correct bridging.

Thank you for your reply!

I should clarify the saddle that caused the white hairs, I never use anymore and it was semi qh bars. When I do ride with a saddle it has been a borrowed full qh bars with a built up pad. You pretty much answered my question that the full qh bars with a real nice pad that fills in the hollows behind his withers just might work. Wonder too about a flex or gaited saddle for the withers.

Can't wait for the saddle fitter!!!

I perfer Wade trees over any type of tree there is. Wades will flair in front giving the horse more scapula room.
I have a flex tree for my horses and they love it. I like it also as I do alot of trail riding for my one and starting reining for my other.

I have never gotten a saddle fitter to look at my saddles, and don't plan on it. I believe that a saddle shouldn't be "fit" to the horse like a custom saddle, but should be a tad bit bigger so any "weakness" in the topline or back or whatever can be built up using half pads, shims or whatever else you needed.

How "weak" is your horse's topline? Could you show pictures? If the topline is very weak to the point where there is no topline I personally think you should not be riding in general until the horse gets muscle on his back

An A-fork tree (high looking wade) is best for horses with high withers. You might look in to saddles of that type, or even gaited saddles. Crestridge Saddlery has a nice line and they help with saddle fitting.

For pads, I would HIGHLY recommend Skito saddle pads. You can add shims to any of their pads, or they have a Correction pad that you use over another thin pad or saddle blanket. The foam and shims do a great job of filling in for lack of muscle and helping with saddle fit. My DH's gelding has similar issues and his Skito pad has really helped. They are versitile too as you can swap out shims as the horse builds muscle, or remove them entirely if you end up with a saddle that finally fits well.

If your horse has a short back, you might consider a saddle made for arabians as they have shorter backs than other horses. Maybe one with a round skirt.