[HorseHeart]

Ok, Ive never had this problem so Im not quite sure what to think. I have a down hill gelding.
I just bought a new saddle, This is the 3rd time I rode my gelding in it and he was sweaty enough to see that the saddle left two dry spots right behind his withers. My heart sank. The thing I do know is that this saddle is bridging on him putting preassure on his withers and loins. I know because I used a very thin brand new white saddle pad and it was clean except the shoulders and the cantle area.
I ordered a Ride and Lite Orthopedic Pad to help build up the bars to even out the contact of the saddle. I havent received it yet....should be here tomorrow.
The saddle is a FQHB Showman saddle. 16in

Now my question is since the saddle is bridging can this be the reason for the dry spots?
If not, is there anyway to help eliminate them without buying a new saddle? Only because now I cant return the saddle, the saddle fitters in Massachusetts are primarily english and there are no western tack shops to take him to. UgH!!! Please tell me there is a way!!

 

[Countrygal892000]

Its sounds like your saddle just needs to be broken in... if you have a barrel or something wide, lay your saddle on it oil it... leave it for a couple days and re oil... try to loosen it up.. and buying a new pad was a smart move as well... Just wear it in... it will eventually loosen up.. but new leather is pretty bad... so oil... I hope this helped you out!!
Shay

 

[HorseHeart]

Thank you country gal. I really hope that is the case. **fingers crossed** Also, I cant really oil the saddle, it is really really light and Im afraid to stain it. I had to use water on the back of the fenders to help set the stirrups. Worked pretty dang good!!

Also I should clarify, I know bridging will leave dry spots along the top of his back where the bars arent resting. I know that already is going on. It's not overly bridging but more then what I would like. What Im concerned with are the round fist size semi-dry spots behind his withers.

 

[SouthernTrails]

Bridging is normally referred to as the back of the saddle hitting the spine.

The dry spots in the wither area is normally caused be the wrong Bars in a Saddle.

You say you have FQH Bars, what breed of Horse do you have, height and weight of the Horse?

 

[HorseHeart]

He is a Reg QH. 985 lbs 15.2. Very wide shoulders and stands a little down hill. There is a pic of him under "my horses" of a side view. He doesnt really have a wither. His withers are squished between his massive shoulders. I tried a Semi bar on him and it pinched his shoulders so bad that I got off almost right away. If I do need semi bars, would it be the gullet I would need to change and go with a bigger and wider gullet. The one I have now is 7in.

Also I pm'd you...............did you get it?

Also to my knowledge I was always under the impression that bridging was when the bars werent properly touching the horses back creating a "bridge".

Thanks!

 

[HorseHeart]

Still looking for input on this one. THanks!!

 

[Countrygal892000]

You need to be careful what type of saddle pad you are using.. make sure you have one that can breath... If a horse is sweating and cannot breath through the pad then it can gauld them, which does leave dry spots... Try to get off and loosen the saddle and let some air under it... or get a saddle pad that lets him breath...

 

[SouthernTrails]

He is a Reg QH. 985 lbs 15.2. Very wide shoulders and stands a little down hill. There is a pic of him under "my horses" of a side view. He doesnt really have a wither. His withers are squished between his massive shoulders. I tried a Semi bar on him and it pinched his shoulders so bad that I got off almost right away. If I do need semi bars, would it be the gullet I would need to change and go with a bigger and wider gullet. The one I have now is 7in.

Also I pm'd you...............did you get it?

Also to my knowledge I was always under the impression that bridging was when the bars weren't properly touching the horses back creating a "bridge".

Thanks!

Yes,

That bridging is another type, but not as serious a problem.

Did you get the templates?

Semi-QH bars are narrow and have a steep angle, which would most always pinch a wider Horse, cause bridging and rocking.

The QH and Full-QH Bars are wider and also flatter for lower withered Horses.

I looked at Radar, I think he needs a FQH Bar, do you possibly think that Showman Saddle is not really FQH Bars?

.

 

[luvs2ride1979]

An English saddle fitter will be able to help you. Fitting is about the same, except a western can go longer closer or over the loins.

Not all Full QH bars are created equal. The saddle you have could be narrower or steeper than other brands/saddles. Can you take pictures of him with his saddle on, no pad, lightly cinched up? Take one from the side and a 3/4 front view, so we can see the WHOLE shoulder and how the front of the skirts lay against it.

Bridging can cause dry spots, especially on a downhill horse. A skito pad with shims or a Skito Correction pad can help level out the saddle and alleviate the pressure, but only if the saddle fits correctly at the shoulder. You can use the correction pad under your show blanket, between it and a thin liner, or right on the horse's back, if this is a show saddle. Otherwise, you use the correction pad over a thin felt pad (1/2" or thinner) or over a woven blanket (doubled or single thickness).