Help with saddle fitting

desti · 08-01-2007, 06:55 PM

How can you tell if a saddle does not fit correctly?

I have an Abetta Cordura All-Around saddle that I do not believe fits my mare properly. The two edges of the tree seem to dig into her withers and the back of the saddle pops up. However, she has never complained, put her ears back, or anything to let me know she is uncomfortable when I ride her in the saddle. The saddle has a (I think) standard tree. Based on the breed and her big/high withers, should I get a new saddle?

(And is the tack swap thread still active? I have a few things to trade.)

Here's a picture of her. (Ps- she's a little skinny in this one, but has since then filled out.)

Mule Fool · 08-01-2007, 07:58 PM

Man, that is one set of withers! The saddle definitely should NOT touch the top of her withers. Did you mean it is doing that? Or does it dig in on the sides of her withers?

Carri · 08-01-2007, 08:06 PM

I had the same question- If the saddle is a regular tree, I am not sure you will get anything thinner. Things may get better as she gains some weight, and in the meantime I would pad her very thickly under the saddle.

version1955 · 08-01-2007, 08:19 PM

Hmm, doesn't sound like it fits at all. And even if she isn't complaining now, it could rub her raw, which complain or not, isn't a good idea obviously. Hopefully an "expert" will chime in on how to fit a saddle. I took a quick look for an earlier post and didn't see one that would "fit the bill"

Someone?

desti · 08-01-2007, 08:58 PM

Lol, I figured she had huge withers! The tree doesn't touch the top of her withers. Where the sides of the tree attach to the saddle is pressing into her withers very tightly. I bought a thicker saddle pad today hoping it would help some, but I know that I need to get a new saddle for her sake and the fact the saddle I have now is more for trail riding.. it isn't very attractive to show with.

cowgirlsrc80 · 08-01-2007, 09:04 PM

Here is a great website to check out.

http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/saddlefit.html

I recently had to fit my gelding for a new saddle and this site was great. They also have templates that you can download and cut out to help determine what tree and width size you need!

desti · 08-01-2007, 10:24 PM

Wow, thanks, I'll check it out!

Mule Fool · 08-02-2007, 07:55 AM

Any chance you can post a pic of her with the saddle on? Just remember if the saddle is too narrow adding a pad will in effect make her wider and compound the problem. If the saddle fitting website doesn't help maybe you could post a pic here. It doesn't sound like it's fitting properly and I think there maybe more than one thing going wrong.

David · 08-02-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mule Fool

Any chance you can post a pic of her with the saddle on? Just remember if the saddle is too narrow adding a pad will in effect make her wider and compound the problem. If the saddle fitting website doesn't help maybe you could post a pic here. It doesn't sound like it's fitting properly and I think there maybe more than one thing going wrong.

Definately need a picture with the saddle on. up close front view so we can see under the gullet and then a side and back view. It sounds to me like you might consider a cut back blanket. The way she looks you need a pretty narrow tree with a high gullet to clear the withers, I would be afraid that too wide a tree will allow the saddle to fall onto her withers. Also it wouldn't hurt to see the bottom of your saddle off the horse.

Horses built like your mare are the reason there are gaited trees. If you are looking for a nice saddle to show her in you might want to look into the beuna vista saddle. They look really good and they are built for the walking horse back. Also, we got my wife a nice "older" buena vista on ebay for 100 bucks.

desti · 08-02-2007, 06:49 PM

Update*

I have to work Saturday and Sunday, but I can definitely get pictures up either Monday or Tuesday.

desti · 08-06-2007, 10:33 AM

Uh oh. Bad news. My digital camera has completely and utterly quit working. I'm talking the camera is fully charged but wont even turn on.

... Where would you take a camera to be repaired?

Eagles Nest · 08-07-2007, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desti

Uh oh. Bad news. My digital camera has completely and utterly quit working. I'm talking the camera is fully charged but wont even turn on.

... Where would you take a camera to be repaired?

A camera store

Padding a horse up to make up for saddle fit is not a good idea, imo. In rare cases it can help if you have tried everything else, like sway back horses, etc. I find that most pads will put more pressure on the withers if that is where the problem lies.

Here is what i look for, not sure if it will help you:

1. put saddle on with no pad, (just lay it on horse, don't put girth on yet).
2. let it "find" it's own spot, ie where does it naturally want to rest.
3. stand back and look to see if there is a straight line from the pomel to the cantle. the line should be from the "seam" (where the cantel hits the padding and there's a little rolled leather) to the seam/same stitching/roll on the pommel.
4. is the deepest part of the seat sitting over the irons?
5. run your hand under the saddle (as un-invasively as you can, so as to keep the saddle in place) and see if you can feel any tight or pinching spots.
6. then put the girth on (again no pad) and see if the gullet is resting properly over the spine.
7.from the frot, does the gullet/pommel leave room for the withers?

Then, undo the girth and put the pad on and redo steps 5-7.

Keep in mind, pads are usually best when their only purpose is to keep the saddle clean and free of sweat.

HTH

JuJuBear · 08-07-2007, 04:24 PM

Check out this previous thread posted by Divinemisselle... it has GREAT info.

Saddle Fitting Tutorials

....we will often use a cut out pad for a high withered horse as well.
Good luck.

Slim Pikkens · 08-07-2007, 06:50 PM

Your saddle should not pop up at the back. By using a thicker pad on what seems to be a tight fit would be like putting on work socks when your shoes are already tight. The problem with trying to pad out a poor fit is you may achieve what you need in the withers area but then the rest of the saddle may float on the horse's back. Try to borrow a few saddles with different trees. A Ralide tree also fits differently from a rawhide covered tree as does a fiberglass covered wood tree.

David · 08-09-2007, 06:59 AM

Ok just to clarify, I'm not talking about padding out the back to fit the saddle. What I'm saying is that the horse has very well defined withers and it may be hard to find a saddle with a deep enough gullet. A cut back saddle pad is no different than english riders using a cutback saddle on high withered horses, it just helps to take the withers out of the equation. Also, in a high withered horse a cut back pad is sometimes the only way to relieve pressure on the withers even if your saddle fits perfectly without a pad, the minute you put it on and cinch it down with a pad on it can pull the pad down too tight across the withers and cause the horse discomfort.

I agree that the saddle should not pop up or float ( by float I mean the back of the saddle actually moves side to side with each step the horse takes, are we talking about the same thing slim?) If the saddle does either of these things you definately need a different saddle for that horse.

Slim Pikkens · 08-09-2007, 08:02 AM

Yes, by float, the saddle is too high to fit the countours of the horse's body.
The saddle is able to slip side to side, being about as safe as a bareback pad with stirrups. ps-a bareback pad with stirrups to my way of thinking, is rather dangerous as too often riders depend on the stirrups for balance rather than developing a good seat. A built up pad might assist but I think David should try a saddle with semi qh bars with a deep gullet and a good pad with a cut-out for the withers.

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08-01-2007, 06:55 PM
desti Newborn Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jonesborough, Tennessee Posts: 48	Help with saddle fitting How can you tell if a saddle does not fit correctly? I have an Abetta Cordura All-Around saddle that I do not believe fits my mare properly. The two edges of the tree seem to dig into her withers and the back of the saddle pops up. However, she has never complained, put her ears back, or anything to let me know she is uncomfortable when I ride her in the saddle. The saddle has a (I think) standard tree. Based on the breed and her big/high withers, should I get a new saddle? (And is the tack swap thread still active? I have a few things to trade.) Here's a picture of her. (Ps- she's a little skinny in this one, but has since then filled out.)

08-01-2007, 07:58 PM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	Man, that is one set of withers! The saddle definitely should NOT touch the top of her withers. Did you mean it is doing that? Or does it dig in on the sides of her withers?

08-01-2007, 08:06 PM
Carri Pasture Pet Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 13,647	I had the same question- If the saddle is a regular tree, I am not sure you will get anything thinner. Things may get better as she gains some weight, and in the meantime I would pad her very thickly under the saddle.

08-01-2007, 08:19 PM
version1955 Bombproof Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: northern MN Posts: 8,747	Hmm, doesn't sound like it fits at all. And even if she isn't complaining now, it could rub her raw, which complain or not, isn't a good idea obviously. Hopefully an "expert" will chime in on how to fit a saddle. I took a quick look for an earlier post and didn't see one that would "fit the bill" Someone? __________________ Ya know how a horse responds better when you're "speaking" horse and she's in the mood to listen? Its like that between God and you too.

08-01-2007, 08:58 PM
desti Newborn Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jonesborough, Tennessee Posts: 48	Yes.. Lol, I figured she had huge withers! The tree doesn't touch the top of her withers. Where the sides of the tree attach to the saddle is pressing into her withers very tightly. I bought a thicker saddle pad today hoping it would help some, but I know that I need to get a new saddle for her sake and the fact the saddle I have now is more for trail riding.. it isn't very attractive to show with.

08-01-2007, 09:04 PM
cowgirlsrc80 Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Vermontville,Mi Posts: 439	Here is a great website to check out. http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/saddlefit.html I recently had to fit my gelding for a new saddle and this site was great. They also have templates that you can download and cut out to help determine what tree and width size you need! __________________ Cowgirl:A better looking cowboy with brains! Sarah

08-01-2007, 10:24 PM
desti Newborn Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jonesborough, Tennessee Posts: 48	Wow, thanks, I'll check it out!

08-02-2007, 07:55 AM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	Any chance you can post a pic of her with the saddle on? Just remember if the saddle is too narrow adding a pad will in effect make her wider and compound the problem. If the saddle fitting website doesn't help maybe you could post a pic here. It doesn't sound like it's fitting properly and I think there maybe more than one thing going wrong.

08-02-2007, 06:49 PM
desti Newborn Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jonesborough, Tennessee Posts: 48	Update* I have to work Saturday and Sunday, but I can definitely get pictures up either Monday or Tuesday. Last edited by desti : 08-04-2007 at 12:09 PM.

08-06-2007, 10:33 AM
desti Newborn Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jonesborough, Tennessee Posts: 48	Uh oh. Bad news. My digital camera has completely and utterly quit working. I'm talking the camera is fully charged but wont even turn on. ... Where would you take a camera to be repaired?

08-07-2007, 04:24 PM
JuJuBear Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Antioch, Ca Posts: 666	Check out this previous thread posted by Divinemisselle... it has GREAT info. Saddle Fitting Tutorials ....we will often use a cut out pad for a high withered horse as well. Good luck. __________________ Facts are stupid things. -Ronald Reagan

08-07-2007, 06:50 PM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,047	Your saddle should not pop up at the back. By using a thicker pad on what seems to be a tight fit would be like putting on work socks when your shoes are already tight. The problem with trying to pad out a poor fit is you may achieve what you need in the withers area but then the rest of the saddle may float on the horse's back. Try to borrow a few saddles with different trees. A Ralide tree also fits differently from a rawhide covered tree as does a fiberglass covered wood tree.

08-09-2007, 06:59 AM
David Long Yearling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,271	Ok just to clarify, I'm not talking about padding out the back to fit the saddle. What I'm saying is that the horse has very well defined withers and it may be hard to find a saddle with a deep enough gullet. A cut back saddle pad is no different than english riders using a cutback saddle on high withered horses, it just helps to take the withers out of the equation. Also, in a high withered horse a cut back pad is sometimes the only way to relieve pressure on the withers even if your saddle fits perfectly without a pad, the minute you put it on and cinch it down with a pad on it can pull the pad down too tight across the withers and cause the horse discomfort. I agree that the saddle should not pop up or float ( by float I mean the back of the saddle actually moves side to side with each step the horse takes, are we talking about the same thing slim?) If the saddle does either of these things you definately need a different saddle for that horse. __________________ "If you see your stirrups slap together above the horn, you're probably bucked off". Dave Stamey.

08-09-2007, 08:02 AM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,047	Yes, by float, the saddle is too high to fit the countours of the horse's body. The saddle is able to slip side to side, being about as safe as a bareback pad with stirrups. ps-a bareback pad with stirrups to my way of thinking, is rather dangerous as too often riders depend on the stirrups for balance rather than developing a good seat. A built up pad might assist but I think David should try a saddle with semi qh bars with a deep gullet and a good pad with a cut-out for the withers.