all you saddle and back experts opinions please

[cellie]

Bought new mare in sept she had new saddle 2 dentist checks s and back treatment /check ups since we bought her.
She previously went like a giraffe but is starting to work in nice outline and doesnt evade the bit anymore.Im really pleased with her progress but the only thing that worries me (only a little) is that she hates having her saddle put on and sometimes taken off.
She doesnt buck anymore schooling so I think shes comfortable and all the tail has swishing stoppped .My dilemma is do I have her saddle checked again or is she just a grumpy mare with her saddle.Otherwise shes a absolute pleasure to handle.
Her saddle is bates and fit her really well I had it all checked with master saddle fitter about december time.She has put on weight and condition but cant imagine she would need wider gullett as she is very fine tb type.Just checking Im not missing anything really.

Wouldnt back lady have picked up on badly fitting saddle.?

 

[Cliqmo]

Yes back lady should have picked it up. It could be a pinching girth causing the reaction (it doesnt need to mark the skin to hurt her) or she could possibly have gastric ulcers which will be painful when ridden. It could, of course, just be habit

 

[cellie]

Thats what I was hoping.She had major mounting problems when I first bought her from her badly fitting saddle and it took a while to stop her running away as soon as I got on.Back lady said it will take a while longer for her topline to improve as she was upside down for so long.I felt sure she would have picked up on saddle .I have two new girths so will have a swap over.Dont think its ulcers shes a changed horse just one little thing that hasnt improved.

 

[Booboos]

I would be tempted to get the saddle checked again as 7 months is quite a while for a horse that is changing shape so it may need a bit of adjusting.

It might also be worth trying different kinds of girths, there might be another one she likes better?

 

[cellie]

I have another option .My tb had to be retired and I have lovely barnsby saddle as new so maybe Ill see if that fits her when I do saddle check.Ive spent that much money whats another £50 for peace of mind lol

 

[Donkeymad]

You say she has put on weight and condition, so I would definately recommend getting the saddle checked again. If it is by some chance OK, then it could be remembered pain.

 

[MrsMozart]

I'd definately get saddle checked. My first mare turned her bum when she saw the saddle - three Master Saddlers said it fitted. Got a new saddle. Mare happy.

With all the work your doing, the muscles will be building and her shape will have changed - think what it's like when you put on a particular dress, sometimes it will fit great and sometimes it won't. Same with horses and saddles

 

[ester]

yes if she is now working differently I would get her checked again, back person (tho I love them) shouldn't be relied upon to spot saddle issues and as you say £50 is nothing really in the great scheme of things. If it still occurs we can get thinking caps on!

 

[Evelynmary]

Three years on my horse still reacts to his saddle being put in place, not the girth being done up though. He's 15 now, lots of check ups from saddler and back lady during this time so think its remembered pain, a few marks (ie hair discolouration) under his saddle from before I got him, poor boy.

He was upside down in shape when I got him but now looks and works fantasic - right feed, good schooling and patience are coming to fruition, especially the patience as he was something of a stresshead! Trainer says we've got our 'second wind'.

Good luck.