None of these saddles fit Rowan, but...

I think that the first saddle is the best fit, but it needs to be slid back an inch , more or less. otherwise, it seems ok to me.
I do not think a wide tree would be good for him.

I can't tell if Moonshine's would fit, because it is sitting too far forward with the tree points on top of the shoulder. This also makes it not level, so it is uphill toward Rowan's head. I can't tell if it will be wide enough if it is placed back behind the shoulder, or if it will be level then.
When you say the panels are close together, is there enough space between the panels at the back to make room for the spine?

On the western saddle, the bar angles appear too steep, and it looks like there is too much rock for his back.

With the hunt saddle, I can't tell about the fit. It looks like it is probably back far enough, but still sits uphill toward the neck? The angle also makes it look almost too long? Rear view and some more angles would be helpful also.

OK thanks guys. I'll put Moonshine's saddle on him again, properly this time with the girth done up (assuming I have one to fit him), and have him standing the correct way. I'll take better pictures and then we'll see.

@Dreamcatcher Arabians he's a little more filled out already than he was in that picture. I'm going to have to cut back his feed soon I think.

Cutting feed cuts protein that he may need to build muscle in all those places that need muscle. Until he's heading toward building unhealthy fat layers and not just smoothing out I wouldn't be cutting food out.

ACinATX said:

OK thanks guys. I'll put Moonshine's saddle on him again, properly this time with the girth done up (assuming I have one to fit him), and have him standing the correct way. I'll take better pictures and then we'll see.

@Dreamcatcher Arabians he's a little more filled out already than he was in that picture. I'm going to have to cut back his feed soon I think.

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You're too quick and too willing to cut his groceries. He NEEDS them to repair all that was damaged when he was starved. He also needs to build muscle and gain condition, not just put on fat. He needs food to do that. You can't see all that was damaged, the organs and things on the inside. Let him get a little pudgy over the winter. He will use it up staying warm, repairing damage and gaining muscle when you start to work him for real. Once he's starting to be ridden, he will need those muscles and he cannot build them without the proper building blocks. Don't be so willing to send him back into starvation by cutting his feed. His body will see it as a need to conserve energy and he'll start dropping weight and get lethargic. Get him back to full health first, then start working and building muscle and condition, then see how he uses his fuel and then figure out how much he needs to stay in top condition.

I agree. He'll probably be a thrifty type that would tend to be insulin resistant. But still, he's young and he would likely have to spend some months in an overweight range to even begin having issues. I think it's wise to put that thought in the file for the future, but for now even being a 5+ would not be harmful for him at all. He needs some months in good condition to get all the healing and repair work done.

What about a treeless fur saddle? That's what Florian's currently being taught in since he's very difficult to fit for, and it's nice to have something that's a little sturdier than a bareback pad while I get him something ordered that's appropriate for him. They fit a wide range of horses so you'll probably be able to use it on both Rowan and Pony.

ACinATX said:

The first saddle is Moonshine's dressage saddle. It's a 16.5 I think, and a regular width. It is an older saddle with that somewhat narrower channel older saddles have.

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This one might be okay but as others have said, you have it placed too far forward. It's going to impede shoulder movement.
Have a helper lead Rowan at a walk. You walk beside him and run your hand down the front/tree of the saddle. Feel when his shoulders moves. Then you'll feel when it's going to "hit" the saddle tree so you'll know how far back the saddle needs to be.
Ideally, you want perfectly even pressure all along the way.

ACinATX said:

The Western saddle, I don't know what size it is, but it seems wide.

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Yes, it is. See how it is "dumping" all the weight forward?
So if you ride him in this saddle, that's where your weight is going to go too. It will make the pressure point up front because the weight isn't evenly distributed.
Sometimes, not always, you can "make do" with a shim in this situation. Of course, ideally is to just get a saddle that fits in the first place but sometimes a shim can be used if all other aspects work.

ACinATX said:

Pony's saddle. It was an XW when it was purchased and then was widened even more by a saddle fitter. I think it's a 16 inch.

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This saddle is too narrow for Rowan, talking about the angle of the tree compared to Rowan's angles.
It doesn't fit.

As Rowan fills out in his gaining weight period his back is going to change and keep changing as hes filling out untill he reaches his full weight, so no saddle is going to sit on him right at this time.