Nothing wrong with your latigo angling forward. Happens all the time. Doesn't create an issue. Will not pull the saddle forward. Photo taken at the end of a trail ride and the saddle hasn't budged from the starting position:
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Expert opinion here:
www.rodnikkel.com
"This idea comes, I believe, from statements made and published by a DVM without any referenced backing, and it has been quoted so often it is now seen as “fact” in some circles. However, this is not a statement coming from saddle and tree makers, nor cowboys who ride for a living. They all understand from practical experience that within a very few strides, unless it is held out of place with a breast collar or crupper, a good fitting saddle will move into the place it is made to fit – right behind the shoulder blade – regardless of rigging position. It is like putting two teaspoons together. When the shapes are the same, they slide into place relative to each other with very minimal movement. Yes, the cinch will end up at the highest point of the horse’s underline, and if the latigos are angled, so what? If the shape of the bar matches the shape of the horse, the insignificant pull due to a slight angle on the latigo is not going to pull it out of place. Like the two spoons nestled together, it takes a fair amount to slide them apart again. It is only if the tree doesn’t fit well (a spoon sitting on a fork or knife) that the rigging can have an effect on where the saddle ends up. But by following this “rule” a lot of people Position their saddle in the wrong place. They look at the position of the cinch relative to the horse and end up putting it too far forward, sitting it right onto the shoulder blades. Then they hold it there with a breast collar so that the muscle is compressed between bone and bar, doing damage to their horse. This “rule” needs to be replaced by a different Principle - Saddle Position is determined by the tree, NOT the rigging."
www.rodnikkel.com
Saddle fit - Western compared to English Part 3
Finishing up the comparison of "saddle fit rules" between the two types of saddles - and explaining why a lot don't apply to Western saddles (and maybe not even English ones...)
www.rodnikkel.com
"This idea comes, I believe, from statements made and published by a DVM without any referenced backing, and it has been quoted so often it is now seen as “fact” in some circles. However, this is not a statement coming from saddle and tree makers, nor cowboys who ride for a living. They all understand from practical experience that within a very few strides, unless it is held out of place with a breast collar or crupper, a good fitting saddle will move into the place it is made to fit – right behind the shoulder blade – regardless of rigging position. It is like putting two teaspoons together. When the shapes are the same, they slide into place relative to each other with very minimal movement. Yes, the cinch will end up at the highest point of the horse’s underline, and if the latigos are angled, so what? If the shape of the bar matches the shape of the horse, the insignificant pull due to a slight angle on the latigo is not going to pull it out of place. Like the two spoons nestled together, it takes a fair amount to slide them apart again. It is only if the tree doesn’t fit well (a spoon sitting on a fork or knife) that the rigging can have an effect on where the saddle ends up. But by following this “rule” a lot of people Position their saddle in the wrong place. They look at the position of the cinch relative to the horse and end up putting it too far forward, sitting it right onto the shoulder blades. Then they hold it there with a breast collar so that the muscle is compressed between bone and bar, doing damage to their horse. This “rule” needs to be replaced by a different Principle - Saddle Position is determined by the tree, NOT the rigging."
False "saddle fit rules" regarding the shoulder blades
As you read books or the internet, you will find lists of “saddle fit rules”. Many of these “rules” are just simply wrong. Based on the anatomy and biomechanic information already covered, this post counters three of them.
www.rodnikkel.com
