The Horse Forum banner
Cancel

Saddle fitting

918 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  starbuster, 
KindRose
Is this saddle fit right? Or will it cause pain?
Horse Working animal Organism Horse tack Horse supplies
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
tinyliny
that's a Cair panel saddle? so the panels are full of air?
From what I can see, I think it's fine. It is a tad close to his wither bone, but i could be wrong about that. perhaps sit in it and feel right in the front to make sure it clears the wither bone well.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
H
I think its to far back by a few inches...just a few.
Don't care what the panels are made from....

I would like to offer a tidbit of comfort for you to do when saddling....your horse will appreciate it.
Take your saddle pad and pull it into the gullet of the saddle so when you girth-up so you not strangle the wither and top of the shoulder in movement...
Your saddle pad is edge bound and that will apply pressure and cut into the wither area rich with nerves...
This picture below is a bit of "over-kill" but the idea is now understood what I refer to..
Wood Textile Comfort Grey Flooring



It is hard to evaluate saddle fit when a saddle pad is used and not pictures taken to show fit are given. Get rid of the pad...
You need to stand opposite to the horse. Then pictures from near the shoulder taken so we can see down the underside of the saddle, down the gullet from both sides...
Then picture from the back looking forward from the tail so the gullet channel again is seen.
More views need taken and shown for a good evaluation to be done, a fair comment good or bad given.
Make sure the horse is standing square not resting a hoof and is straight so tail to ears is as straight a line as possible.

I'm honestly not sure this saddle is what you need, and yes, the wither is very close to being slammed when the rider gets astride to me is not a good fit...and you have a slight cut-back head....does not bode well for the saddle currently as it is seen.
I have a sneaking suspicion when a riders weight gets astride the saddle is going to collapse down on the wither...
I sure hope I'm wrong, but.................

With all that said, your saddle fit is compromised because the horse is thin.....yes, he is underweight.
His shoulder points are seen, his wither is very prominent which means where he should have fat pads either side of his saddle he does not, and where his shoulder blends to his neck is angular and bony tells me he needs weight and once he gains that needed weight the saddle you work to fit today...will not fit him.
Beware your journey is just starting on getting a saddle this horse will excel in having as his...
🐴..... jmo...
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
S
I agree that the pommel seems pretty low to the withers, and when you sit in the saddle, it will be even closer. Also, it seems cantle high and the panels appear to be slightly raised off of the horse's back, making me think this saddle might have too much rock if used as is. I'm not sure if adding a wither riser would help or not, and agree with horselovinguy that it would be good to see from more angles and without the pad. Lifting the pad into the pommel is also a great practice for riding!
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
gottatrot
Agree with pulling the pad up into the channel and showing more angles without the pad.

It's not too far back. The brads at the front of the saddle need to be behind the shoulder blade when the horse moves. You can pick up the horse's leg to feel how far the shoulder rotates back.
Reply
Save
Like
tinyliny
gottatrot said:
Agree with pulling the pad up into the channel and showing more angles without the pad.

It's not too far back. The brads at the front of the saddle need to be behind the shoulder blade when the horse moves. You can pick up the horse's leg to feel how far the shoulder rotates back.
Click to expand...

I agree with this post. I do not think the saddle is too far back. I can not tell if there is too much 'rock' to it. You can try it out yourself; try rocking the saddle, back to front. A little rock is ok, a lot is not. When the horse is carrying weight, he may engage the muscles more and fill up into that slight empty space in the back. sit on the saddle and take another photo
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
S
2
ETA to my original post: For what it's worth, I've used the Roma Pro-Tek Wither Pads for when I want some lift in the pommel, which might be an option for this saddle (though it's impossible to tell for sure without seeing it from other angles, or better yet in person). I have the pad in the top photo, as well as the top one in the bottom photo (that is not the rear riser). They are inexpensive and low profile, so give just the right amount of lift without sacrificing much feel. The Ultra ThinLine with front shims in another, albeit much more expensive, option.

Automotive lighting Plastic Transparent material Fashion accessory Drinkware

Shoe Leg Sandal Comfort Human leg
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
unclearthur
I'm afraid the balance looks way off, very pommel-low as others have said. This is fairly typical Wintec fit on a horse with any shape behind the shoulder, either because the gullet plate is too wide, or the panel needs adjusting, or a combination. My gut feeling is it leans to the right as well,
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
KindRose
horselovinguy said:
I think its to far back by a few inches...just a few.
Don't care what the panels are made from....

I would like to offer a tidbit of comfort for you to do when saddling....your horse will appreciate it.
Take your saddle pad and pull it into the gullet of the saddle so when you girth-up so you not strangle the wither and top of the shoulder in movement...
Your saddle pad is edge bound and that will apply pressure and cut into the wither area rich with nerves...
This picture below is a bit of "over-kill" but the idea is now understood what I refer to..
View attachment 1131125


It is hard to evaluate saddle fit when a saddle pad is used and not pictures taken to show fit are given. Get rid of the pad...
You need to stand opposite to the horse. Then pictures from near the shoulder taken so we can see down the underside of the saddle, down the gullet from both sides...
Then picture from the back looking forward from the tail so the gullet channel again is seen.
More views need taken and shown for a good evaluation to be done, a fair comment good or bad given.
Make sure the horse is standing square not resting a hoof and is straight so tail to ears is as straight a line as possible.

I'm honestly not sure this saddle is what you need, and yes, the wither is very close to being slammed when the rider gets astride to me is not a good fit...and you have a slight cut-back head....does not bode well for the saddle currently as it is seen.
I have a sneaking suspicion when a riders weight gets astride the saddle is going to collapse down on the wither...
I sure hope I'm wrong, but.................

With all that said, your saddle fit is compromised because the horse is thin.....yes, he is underweight.
His shoulder points are seen, his wither is very prominent which means where he should have fat pads either side of his saddle he does not, and where his shoulder blends to his neck is angular and bony tells me he needs weight and once he gains that needed weight the saddle you work to fit today...will not fit him.
Beware your journey is just starting on getting a saddle this horse will excel in having as his...
🐴..... jmo...
Click to expand...
Thank you! He is still a little thin I’m trying to get him to gain more weight, but yes I will try to get more pictures from different angles with no saddle pad. And I will try the wither saddle pad thing aswell.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Sstewart4
Beautiful horse very pretty colour, I'd say the pommel looks way to low maybe a saddle specifically for higher withered horses would be better, and I think we definitely need more pictures but It's so dang hard to see from just a couple pictures or even a video how it actually fits. Maybe get a saddle fitter to come and look or if its adjustable, get it fit to your horse.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
KindRose
He has since gained wait and I finally got some pictures of him! Hopefully these are good. Ugh! It won’t let me send pictures!
Reply
Save
Like
KindRose
4
Neck Comfort Fawn Tree Liver

Attachments

See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
S
Unfortunately, from what I can tell from the photos, this looks like it's probably too wide. It looks like there's not nearly enough either clearance and looks cantle high. Does this saddle have an interchangeable gullet system?
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
The Horse Forum
A forum community dedicated to horse owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, grooming, reviews, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Horse Talk Training, Performance, discussion, problem queries Horse Health Horse Tack, blankets and Equipment Queries General Off Topic Questions & Discussion
Top