Bad Saddle totally to blame??

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Amyree

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Hi all, grateful for your thoughts. Daughters new pony is fab, exceptionally well mannered and well behaved, does everything you ask it. When she jumped it previously it was brill and she was ecstatic. Took her to a clear round session tonight, very first jump it jumped then dropped his head and she fell off.Did it another 2 times, very dirty move really. Got the woman to come out and she said the saddle didnt look right. Got on and he bucked her off twice also got his bridle off then bronced round the arena. SO borrowed someone elses saddle that fitted much better and she schooled him (whilst holding his head up I must say) then jumped him and he went like a dream. So really?? Does a badly fitting saddle have that much impact so quickly?? Do I give him benefit of doubt, get a better saddle and let my little girl back on him? (Note - NEVER use that saddler again). Clearly the saddle doesnt fit and I have no issue with him telling me it was uncomfortable but just wondered whether you thought his reaction was a bit extreme and the wild broncing could be indicative of something else? Thanks.
 
I had a saddle fitter out to my mare, she "fitted" a saddle and & despite my reservations we popped a rider on. Didn't even get half way down the school and she bronced, she's very sensitive and will bronc or go up if she's not comfortable so yes it could be because of the saddle. Other horses will trundle on for ever in badly fitting saddles.
 
A badly fitted saddle can cause problems quickly. It depends on how sensitive ned is - and how badly it hurts. It also takes a long time for them to forget it hurt. But you say pony is new to you which does suggest that there is probably something else here as well. New ponies always test the boundaries. Might the previous rider have been a bit more directive in their riding? Also was this the first time at a show? Sometimes competition ponies get sour and they know full well the way to get out of work is to dump the rider or refuse 3 times. They then get to go out of the ring. Very difficult habit to break because it happens to work!
 
Yes, a badly fitting saddle can cause excruciating pain for the horse. What is surprising is the number of horses that stoically put up with the pain. So no, I don't think the pony's reaction is too extreme at all. How else can he tell you it hurts?
 
My first horse bolted with me in front of the saddle fitter in a saddle that clearly didn't fit him.

Roll on ten years, same saddler came out to a different yard, to fit a saddle to one of the liveries. I asked if she had any jumping saddles on her that I might try for my present horse, she plonked one on his back, I mounted, hadn't walked more than a couple of steps and he reared straight up really slowly, hung in the air for about three seconds and came down really slowly again. I leapt off! Never reared before, never reared since, had him nearly 12 years now.

Same horse. Won a £1800 saddle in a prize. Saddle was ‘made to measure’ but over time it became apparent it didn't fit. They came out and adjusted it. I ended up in A&E after a lesson, and two days off work, when horse fly bucked around the arena. They fixed it again - four times in all. After the last time I tried horse in it in one single session, head down threatening to buck, so put old saddle on, did exactly same circle horse had no reaction whatsoever, put won saddle back on, horse threatening to buck again. Horse never had it on his back again I can assure you. He didn't need to talk...

Some horses are incredibly reactive to pain and some aren't.
 
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Yes it can.

Also, I would have the pony's back checked as a saddle causing pain could have caused some muscle issues. I would always reccomend having Saddle and Back checked at around the same time, especially if the saddle has been adjusted due to a pain response or the saddle was the wrong fit for the horse.

I've always had the saddle done, then the back done then started ridden work again. I give the horse time off in between.
 
another way to look at it would be, if i put you shoes to short and tight and skinny jeans to small with a belt. would you run and jump and do yoga the same as in trainers and correctly fitting clothes. if you only have the one for 5 min you would see the impact.
if the saddle doesn't fit and causes pain then yes a quick response could be seen.
 
Yes absolutely it can cause that reaction in no time.

Just a quick note though that a saddle can appear to fit but the horse might just not like it so it might not actually be the saddle fitters fault.

Did the fitter see your daughter ride in all 3 paces and jump? How did the pony behave during the fitting session?
 
Yes - it can. I had one do her one and only bronc round the arena in a saddle that was too tight. Changed the saddle and she has never even bucked since. That was over 6 years ago.
 
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