Concerned about saddle fit

J

Jingleballs

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I got my horse a Saddle Company saddle in February.

Since then it has been narrowed a few times and had the flocking adjusted as it settles about 5 times now.

The fitter was out at the weekend and I explained that I was having to use a sheepskin half pad as the saddle kept slipping foward.

Saddler adjusted the saddle, watch me riding for 15 minutes before making some further adjustments.

I then road for another 15 minutes (w/t/c) and the saddle did slip forward but stupidly my girth was very loose so I just assumed that was the cause.

On sunday, I rode in it again and it slid forward over his shoulder just as it had been doing prior to the adjustments - this was with a tightened girth although I was doing lots of work without stirrups so was moving about more than usual.

I rode again tonight, this time with the half pad and it seems fine but I really don't want to need this in order for the saddle to fit.

I would be extremely grateful for any thoughts on the fit!

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With the half pad

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i know its an expensive option but try getting a differnt saddle fitter out. if the saddles fitting well but still tipping maybe they can advice you on what to put under it or how to help.
 
Obviously diff to tell without actually being there- the front clearance does seem awfully high (and narrow,) but I would presume this is lower with you on it...how does the horse go in it?

Ideally, you should not need extra padding in order for your saddle to fit well, a thin saddle cloth should do....mine fit like glove( before it got knicked goddam it) , that said - OH saddle slips like a bugger on his mare, and she is round with a small wither also....
 
Hi, Im no expert either but I too think it looks perched, ie too narrow, it also looks a bit long.
I used to have a mare who was a similar build and depth and we had awful trouble getting a saddle to fit with the desperate saddler moving the girth straps to try and keep the saddle from slipping onto her shoulders and then telling me it was tough and that every saddle would do it! In the end I tried probably 50 2nd hand saddles from local shops and got one I thought fit, then got it checked by another saddler who said it was fine.
Its a nightmare getting a saddle, good luck I hope you get it sorted.
 
We had the same problem with a loan cob she was in a wintec extra wide which had been bought by previous owner.It looked the same as your saddle and perched rather high on the withers.It caused bruising on her back because it was to narrow and slipped and she was very bad tempered until we bought her a new saddle .She is now in a extra wide ideal saddle .I would get another saddle fitter out we were pleased we did.
 
I'd say 2nd opinion needed after that amount of readjustment and still not fitting.

We had Jackie out from Central last week -I was hugely impressed and would recommend her without question. She normally doesn't come out unless fitting a new leather saddle but would be well worth a trip to Avonbridge if you can hitch a lift.

Failing that she will be coming back to Tannoch in a couple of weeks so it might be worth asking if she'd drop into you on her way past?!?!
 
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I'd say 2nd opinion needed after that amount of readjustment and still not fitting.

We had Jackie out from Central last week -I was hugely impressed and would recommend her without question. She normally doesn't come out unless fitting a new leather saddle but would be well worth a trip to Avonbridge if you can hitch a lift.

Failing that she will be coming back to Tannoch in a couple of weeks so it might be worth asking if she'd drop into you on her way past?!?!

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See I've heard mixed reviews about Jackie (and all other fitters TBH including my own). I was told that she wasn't a trained fitter and that it was her husband that was trained but didn't do fittings anymore.

Unfortunately she won't come to our yard as we now have a tack shop there and are therefore her competition.

Do you have any experience of Stirlingshire or The Grange (again I've heard mixed reviews from them too
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The saddle is far too narrow and is perched on top of the horse.

You need a new saddle, this is just not the right saddle for this horse. What a dreadful saddle fitter, def dont use again!!
 
Ok my best shot; looks quite narrow to me down the gullet. Looks perched at the front and isnt sitting down enough at the back. Does the saddle rock when you gently press the cantle and then the pommel?

Might be worth pm'ing CBAnglo I think she is a SC fitter and might be able to help?! Hope you dont mind me recommending you CBAnglo
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Are they a master saddler.

If not I would go onto the mastersaddler.co.uk and find your nearest one and call them out for a 2nd opnion.

Then you can garentee they are suitably qualified
 
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. Does the saddle rock when you gently press the cantle and then the pommel?


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Actually no it doesn't really move much - it was moving slightly but since it was adjusted at the weekend it doesn't rock as much.

I'll contact CBAnglo!

Thanks
 
Thats ok KBII!

I agree - saddle far too narrow in front and using a sheepskin only makes it narrower and more perched on the horse's back. The sheepskin grips though, which is why it doesnt slide as much.

The panels arent the right shape - now. Adding flocking (in what looks like the middle) has made it look banana shaped which is not good for a cob and has affected the balance of the saddle.

You need to be careful with serge panels as extra flocking does actually stretch the serge - and it does not spring back so you can stretch the panels into the wrong shape and the only remedy is to put on new panels (which is about 1/3 of the cost of the saddle). I have seen this a couple of times (with the same fitter - I know who you are talking about BB).

Also, 5 times in 7 months is excessive. Even my Anglo only needed adjustments every 6 weeks for about a year but he was going from a NM to a XW as he was in extremely poor condition.
 
what I've heard about the Grange is that there is only one saddle fitter there and she doesn't come out. It's the girl that actually makes the saddles?

After all the problems we have had with Saddle fitters, we go using our own judgement. Also had the vet and RI look at ours
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Finding a saddle that fits is a nightmare, I know how you feel. Ive got a SC saddle too and my horse goes really well in it, however my fitter is coming out every 2/3 weeks at the mo and she spends 2 hours trying to get it right. Problem I have with mine is that horse needs it wider but then it sits too low on her withers. My fitter is saying it needs to go back to the workshop and be re-stuffed again but ive only had it 4 months
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Ive had problems with Albion saddles and Ideal as well. It really is expensive and a pain!!
 
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what I've heard about the Grange is that there is only one saddle fitter there and she doesn't come out. It's the girl that actually makes the saddles?

After all the problems we have had with Saddle fitters, we go using our own judgement. Also had the vet and RI look at ours
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Who did you use to fit the new saddles you got?
 
Thanks for your thoughts everyone.

My saddle fitter is coming back out to me next weekend to have another look at the saddle and see if we can sort it.
 
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Thanks for your thoughts everyone.

My saddle fitter is coming back out to me next weekend to have another look at the saddle and see if we can sort it.

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Please dont use the same fitter- if she passed this as ok then she knows nothing
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Agree with Bossanova, i am by no means an expert, but even with all the adjustments in the world, it just isnt the right saddle for your horse.
 
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Thanks for your thoughts everyone.

My saddle fitter is coming back out to me next weekend to have another look at the saddle and see if we can sort it.

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Please dont use the same fitter- if she passed this as ok then she knows nothing
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there are no other SC fitters that come to where we live, which is why i got rid of mine as it just didn't fit and was causing damage.
 
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