Argh! Saddle issues

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mudmonkey17

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Does anybody else have massive saddle problems?

I have had my horse for over 3 years. He came with an Albion dressage saddle when I got him. Lovely saddle but at 18" was quite big for me as I am only 5'1". I persevered with it but then it started rubbing so got saddle fitter who part exchanged it for me for a vsd. Think it was a fylde saddlery.

Well am not convinced this saddle ever fit properly so after having it checked numerous times and being assured it fit well I changed saddle fitters.

New saddle fitter fit him a lovely new ideal saddle which I love. However about a year down the line and this doesn't fit :( have had it altered 3 times and currently using pad with shims to balance it.

Getting Physio out to make sure no physical problems to make him move saddle so much and then saddle fitter coming again.

They going to bring some different saddles to try but then am I going to be in same position in another year?

Horse is 19yr old in full work and is hard to keep at a constant weight. He puts weight on easily when off work.

Sorry for long post just needed a rant as so fed up of spending out money after more money to be back at square one again a few months later.
 
There seem to be a lot of saddle(r) issues about at the moment. If your horse is prone to changing shape then I think pads and shims are a great way forwards but ultimately the saddle should basically fit. It might just need a little extra support whether it be front where the wither area isn't filled out as much, down both sides of the spine and if your horse begins to have sway back through age.
ETA: i have a variety of prolites- one has pockets in the middle specifically aimed at sway back aka aged horses - it was fantastic for my old mare. i know sbloom uses a different shim system
 
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Certainly no expert and it will depend on what the exact "fitting problem" is but I have used a Le Mieux Pro Sorb half pad with mine. The reason being that as we have worked/re-trained them we have known the muscle shape would change - and not in a way that would be dealt with by necessarily changing gullet. They have removable pads in both the front and back (2 lots in each of the 4 pockets) so that you can adjust accordingly as your horse changes. Obviously, it does depend in the reason but this may be an option for you.
 
coss said:
There seem to be a lot of saddle(r) issues about at the moment. If your horse is prone to changing shape then I think pads and shims are a great way forwards but ultimately the saddle should basically fit. It might just need a little extra support whether it be front where the wither area isn't filled out as much, down both sides of the spine and if your horse begins to have sway back through age.
ETA: i have a variety of prolites- one has pockets in the middle specifically aimed at sway back aka aged horses - it was fantastic for my old mare. i know sbloom uses a different shim system
Click to expand...

This is what I was about to say, there is nothing wrong with using pads and shims to make a saddle fit better if it is a good overall fit. My 20yo changes shape regularly and I go from a prolite with thin pads in front, no pads, thick pad and prolite and half sheepskin. His back is checked regularly and he is fine.
 
I have had exactly the same problems as you, and the same saddles. The only thing that worked for me was a saddle with serge panels and semi flex tree. The difference has been unbelievable. Also same problem with saddle fitters. There's only one person i trust and thats kay humphries.
 
Thanks for those replies am glad am not alone. The saddle is not fitting despite shims and pads etc. struggle with many pads as any pad just disappears out of the back of the saddle. Have tried many different ones.
Have seen the ones with 3 pockets but don't have anything to attach it to saddle so wouldn't last long under saddle :( his back is not really dipped either. His top line improved greatly over the years.
 
sounds like the basic fit is wrong then - i like the look of the 3 pocket prolite but am trying to avoid getting yet another prolite ::) you can put a prolite between numnah and saddle, sometimes that helps to hold it in place but as you say, if its going to creep back its the saddle that's the issue.
 
Yeah always put the prolite between saddle and numnah but still disappears. All pads have done this since I have know him.
 
I only use Mattes correction pads for remedial fits, I can sculpt and layer the shims to fine tune the fit unlike the foam numnahs which are rather a blunt instrument (and I don't think foam offers the stability or concussion absorption of sheepskin and felt shims).

I think you need to find a fitter you truly trust and go from there. If someone can explain to you why the current set up isn't working then you have a better basis to go forwards.
 
Thanks for those. Will look into the mattes if I need correction pads. Do trust my saddle fitter and believe it because horse changes shape so often. It has been altered to fit a couple of times but looking at it now think he has just grown out of it :(
 
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