argh saddles!

TarantuLove

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19 January 2009
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Im having a nightmare trying to find a saddle to fit. My boy has a typical thoroughbred back - long high wither but he's not particularly narrow (quite stocky for a TB!)

He is an older horse so some saddlers are telling me there is no point getting a saddle with an adjustable tree as he will not change shape that much, others are telling me to get the adjustable saddles (e.g thorowgood) but I have been told these saddles only adjust the width at the front, not for the entire saddle.

I have tried a saddle company but it pinched at my boy's wither despite being made for him, I think it might have been templated wrong.

Any suggestions?!
 
Try a K2 Albion. These saddles seem to fit pretty much everything that comes into our yard atm. My SJ K2 was bought for an ISH with a big shoulder and flat wither. It is now also on my TB x mare albeit with a pad while another saddle is being refitted for her and it came up trumps on my new boy who is ISH again but has high withers and is much narrower. Again with a sheepskin pad but fitted by my saddler - who thinks it will actually fit him properly in about 3 months time after working. We have also used the K2 on other horses who have been tricky and it keeps coming up trumps. I don't personally find it the most comfortable for me but it is proving its worth!
 
I have a similar problem with my TB. He is quite chunky for a TB but has a prominent wither. If his saddle fit is even slightly wrong he will deck me - and fair enough. Problem is, his workload is relatively inconsistant, therefore he changes shape alot!
I am currently considering a saddle solutions treeless saddle. These are gulleted and look like a traditional saddle, but are quite pricey.
I have a barnsby saddle at the moment which I like, but I am sick of forking out £70 quid left right and centre to get it refitted.
I have been riding bareback for 3 months to avoid getting it done!
People have recommended to me Kent & masters saddles which have interchangeable gullets. A friend has one for her TB which she really likes. Maybe worth looking in to, or a bates one as these are changable too.
Its a minefield to be honest - I dont know where to start to try and resolve it!
 
Hi,

My daughter has a WB that has been hard to get the right fit. He is high withered, narrowish at the front but has a broad flat back. We found a Thorowgood T4 hi withered dressage saddle that fitted him really well so went and the same in GP and he is so much happier. They can have gullets changed and have FISH inserts, haven't used them and your saddler can flock them. Eldest daughter has the Fairfax ( leather model ) and this too is a great saddle. Good luck :)
 
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