Balance saddles - any good?

Hollycat

Hollycat

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I have never heard about these saddles before but someone I trust and who is experienced in saddle fitting thought one might help my horse. My horse has no problems under saddle though he has high withers, and very little muscle/size below his withers where the saddle sits (if you know what I mean) but quite a wide rib cage - so he is medium fitting over his withers but needs a wide fitting to accommodate his ribs! I pad out the top part near his withers and he is happy with this. These saddles apparently help his specific problem so might be just the thing for him (unless I get lots of horror stories here!) I intended buying a new saddle anyway so wondered whether anyone had one and what their experiences were?

Thanks

H
xxx

Thanks

H
xxx
 
Hi, i knew a lady who used a Balance saddle on her anglo arab. She competed in endurance at quite a high level, and always said how comfy the saddle was to sit in for hours on end!!!. This was going back about 8 years now, but the fact that the company are still manufacturing the saddles succesfully is a good thing, and i havent heard any horror stories. I had a table topped mare who had a made to measure Black Country saddle which fitted perfectly. I would recommend this company, and they state to be able to custom make a saddle for the most awkward shaped backs!!!
 
Hollycat, rather than buying a new saddle if your current one fits other than at the front try putting sheets of fibregee underneath the "hollows" rather than a padded numnah. This helps to give and take with the movement and over time you should be able to remove the fibregee sheet by sheet as your horse's back comes right.

Also spend five minutes each day on both sides of your horse massaging the hollows with both hands. Go in a clockwise direction, applying firm pressure to move the skin as well as the hair. You won't believe the difference in only a few weeks' time.
 
My friend had one - seemed ok, was an ok fit but not great, and comfy to ride in.

The problem with it was the weight - it weighed a ton! I have a quite fine TB and I would never put a saddle that weight on him..! I went for Saddle Company as they fitted well, were lightweight and are adjustable for my growing youngsters.
 
Thanks for all of the replies everyone. I already do as you suggested ISH_Mad and use prolite pads to pad under the bits where there is too much space. with just a thin saddle cloth underneath to keep everything clean. The saddle is a wintec so the tree can be adjusted if need be. The massage sounds a good idea. Can you give me the address of anywebsites that could maybe give me more info on how to do this correctly?

I want to change the saddle as I am not too comfy in it (I have a very big bum
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and its a little too short and deep seated for me so I am almost wedged in. It also seems that the cantle looks a bit twisted - a few instructors have remarked on this (without me pointing it out first) so its not just my imagination.

I didn't realise these saddles are very heavy. My boy is 17hh so I want something light enough to put on without killing myself! Maybe the best thing to do if i'm investing in a nice saddle is to get a number of suppliers out with suitable saddles to test then I can make a choice as to what fits me and the horse best. Sadle company and black country sadles sound pretty good so will be in touch with them too. Thanks again!
 
Hi Hollycat. Prolite's are good, but honestly, do give it a go with a few sheets of fibreegee from your local tack shop (about £1 a sheet). You'll be amazed. It has far more "give" than Prolite and so really does help the back. I didn't believe it myself until we used it on one of ours who had such hollows behind her shoulders when we got her nothing seemed to be comfortable for her. And this worked a treat. We were using a Prolite too, and do for several other horses but for her and the issues she had the recommendation for the fibregee turned out to be a great one.

With regards to the massages, I was shown this by our saddler who also advised about the fibregee. But if you can imaging placing both hands on the area with the dips, apply an even pressure and do small clockwise circles for about five minutes each side they will make a big difference. One lady at our yard did the masages for about 30 mins a day upon the saddler's advice, and when their new saddle arrived it had to go straight back off again as the pony's back had changed beyond recognition!

Humphries & Swain serge lined saddles are fab, and not very heavy if that helps. (I've got a big backside too)!!!
 
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