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Yet another saddle fit question

1K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  chestnutponies 
#1 ·
So I tried out a new saddle today. When I first put it on my horse, the initial gullet area fit well where the hard part of the gullet is (for lack of a better description) After the first 7 inches or so, where the saddle becomes just flap, it flared out a bit. Once I girthed it up and sat in it, the daylight vanished. There was still plenty of pommel clearance after 20 minutes of riding, so I'm thinking it just stuck out because it's newer stiff leather? I'm not sure what to make of that. I always thought the pommel area should fit snug all the way down to the end of the flap. I know, pics would help. I'll take some tomorrow. I spent 2 hours sitting in about 20 saddles, and this was the only one that fit my freakishly long legs. I kinda really need it to fit my horse for both our sakes.
 
#2 ·
Just curious how tall are you? I'm 5'9'' with long legs, but my long flap Pessoa seems to fit me nicely (at least per 2 instructors). Can't comment on disappearing the light though. I never thought about it. I know you should see it from a ground. Hmmmm... I gonna look at my saddle tomorrow!
 
#3 ·
I'm 5'7", but my leg from knee to toe is very long. Chicken leg chick here. There were a few other saddles that fit my leg, but the overall balance point was not ideal for me. This particular saddle puts me right where I need to be. There's nothing more frustrating than fighting your own saddle for balance.
 
#4 ·
Okay, so I tried the saddle out again today. Here's the rub. The saddle fits well everywhere and balances me very well, but for reasons I cannot figure out, I can barely get 2 fingers under the pommel clearance area. I'm calling it a no go thinking if it settles even a little, it will be sitting on his withers.

That being said, if he fills out even a little at his shoulders, it would make this saddle a perfect fit. I hate the idea of "making a saddle fit" by using pads and such, but with the very few saddles that fit me well, I'm getting rather desperate. That Mattes half pad with shims is coming to mind. Thoughts?
 
#5 ·
Yes, sometimes it is necessary to shim a saddle. Not ideal, but we don't all have endless budgets. Do you have access to a saddle fitter? I bought a new saddle this year (after going through one h-e-double hockey sticks of a nightmare and spending more than $5000 on a supposed "custom" saddle). When I first got it, it fit perfect. But as I put more and more hours of riding into, I started getting a dry spot. My fitter was able to add more flocking to the waist and build it up in the spot he needed it.

So if you love this saddle and it fits him nearly perfect, I'd go ahead and try the shims. Or talk to a fitter and see if it could be flocked up more in the front. However, I have a friend whose custom saddle sat down on her mare's withers and getting just a regular Mattes pad was perfect. She just need a little lift off the withers and the Mattes pad was nice and thick and provided spine clearance, too.

I feel your pain. I'm so thankful I'm at the end of my saddle fitting journey.
 
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