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Saddle fit advice needed!

2K views 13 replies 6 participants last post by  beau159 
#1 ·
Would appreciate everyone's opinion on whether or not this saddle correctly fits this horse.

Why I'm concerned:
He has white spots on his withers - he had these when I purchased him two years ago but they've grown significantly in size.
His topline - is not as filled out as I would expect it to be with his level of work, not that I'm an expert! Mind you, he IS easily bracey in his neck and back, with or without the saddle. We do a lot of lateral work which is why I'm thinking this could possibly be a saddle fit issue.
 

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#3 ·
It is a very nice looking saddle.

Maybe the angles are a bit too flat? And the white spots increasing due to the saddle sitting down too hard on the top of the area, as opposed to squeezing in on it.

Can you post pics with your regular saddle pad, then with a thicker and very dense pad?
 
#9 ·
Thanks for the pics.

I'm no expert, and constantly fool with fitting saddles and pads, so I must not have it right (or I wouldn't need to keep on fooling with it).

So for my un-expert opinion. The first combination does not fit the horse. The pad fits the saddle but does not help fitting it to the horse.

The second pad fits the horse. See the saddle is still a tad off of a great fit, but the pad does help a lot. Try riding that combination for a while.

Also put him out on a long line all saddled and tightened up and carefully watch the action of the saddle at all gaits. If there is much lifting at the back, then does it come down on the back with more force than it rises? ... It is bad news if it 'slaps' down.
 
#10 ·
Excuse my ignorance if I am "seeing" something that not exist but...
In your second set of pictures, the second picture your saddle looks "twisted" to me.
When you look at the shape of the underside of the pommel it is different right to left, left to right...
The clearances are different to my eye...
I also see a lop-lopsidedness in any picture looking tail forward...
The gullet center is not centered on the spine...
I then again see the same thing later in your pictures regardless of what saddle pad you have or none under the saddle...
There is something I think in the saddle shape itself...
I think you may have a twist in the tree.
I just keep seeing the "off".....

Possible?:shrug:
:runninghorse2:....

 
#13 ·
that saddle is a no go. a no go, in my opinion. I think that your horse has developed very differently shaped shoulders, or, that saddle tree is crooked.

I would get a bendable measuring device (cant' remember the name) and do wither tracings. you may then see if your horse is very asymmetrical or not. I suspect he is.

you may need to get him custom fitted
 
#14 ·
I agree that the bar angle is just a bit too wide, causing extra pressure on the "white spots" and causing the back of the saddle to come up. It's not a horrible fit, but if you've noticed the white spots getting bigger, then it is definately a cause for concern.

Personally, I don't like your black pad at all. In my opinion, if your saddle fits well, you only need a pad that is 1/2" to 3/4" inch thick at most. (If your shoes fit well, do you wear the thickest wool winter socks you can find??)
 
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