Another Saddle So Fed Up

[Resupgirl]

I am now on my third saddle and my mare is only 4. Problem is that she is fairly high withered with huge shoulders but has not filled out behind them. Have tried a wider saddle with prolite pad did not work. My latest saddle a Wintec Pro Dressage now is too low on her withers with the right gullet for her shoulders so may be able to get the saddle fitter to stuff it a bit to lift it.

She is 17hh Holsteiner and still filling out so am reluctant to buy a new saddle but there is such a shortage of good 2nd hand saddles in Essex at the moment surely she can't get much bigger she was only meant to make 16.1hh.

She's grown out my 505 trailer too so had to replace that I have a giant on my hands good job shes a gentle one!

 

[teddyt]

Unfortunately thats young horses for you! Annoying but vitally important to get a saddle that fits and that often means changing it several times in the first few years. A too wide saddle is just as bad as a too narrow one though, because the tree digs in higher up the points. Pads should be avoided if at all possible because they just move the pressure from one place to another.

Have you tried a throwgood high wither? they are only about £350 new and they have a changeable headplate. The panel is suited for hollows.

 

[Resupgirl]

A few people have mentioned this saddle sounds a good option and cheap if I am going to have to change it is it leather or syn? Will ask my saddler to bring some with him. thank you teddyt

 

[teddyt]

Its synthetic. they do a leather one called kent and masters for £650. and a leather one with prolite in the panels for £850 called fairfax.

The synthetic ones are fine though, they fit high withered types very well.
Good luck!

 

[HollyP]

Honestly i know people are blahblah about parelli but they make this genious saddle pad called a theraflex pad....its got an air system and there are shims you can put in (i made mine out of felt/foam things...instead of 60quid on the proper ones...!) but honestly its amazing and will relieve all pressure points...I forked out for it after my horses KS op and its one of the best investments iv made!

 

[Oliver12]

Get on eBay. There are a couple of Barrie Swain/Kay Humphries Mondial saddles on there. I was in a similar position to you. I bought a four year old Irish Draught and got through five expensive saddles in four years. Totally fed up I bought a Mondial saddle and it was the best thing I ever did. Because it is flexible it will allow for changing shape. I did have the front arch widened slightly as he has huge shoulders but apart from that it has been great.

 

[Hels_Bells]

My WB has very high withers and has changed shape quite a lot since I got him (though he's not a baby). I have a Thorowgood T4 saddle because they gullets are very easy to change (a new one costs about £15-20). It's a great saddle and they aren't too expensive as saddles go.