Do my cobs withers look low? fitting a saddle myself :(

[PurplePickle]

looking at him 17.5" would be too long, the saddle he came with is the wrong shape and style as where the girth rests is making it too far forward so its sat right over his shoulder where he needs to bring it back when moving.

For ponies like that its almost as difficult as fitting a saddle to a high withered TB

sorry if ive repeated things im off out so not read the other comments.

 

[chameleon]

Thank you for sharing that video, I found it very educational!

Your welcome!

I tried to learn as much as I could after a saddler completely screwed up my youngster. I put my faith in him and his knowledge as I was young and had no knowledge of what was involved. I think there are 9 videos in total and cover everything from where a saddle should sit in relation to the horses withers,ribs & shoulder; how muscle coverage affects the fit and even how the placing of the girth straps can effect the fit and how the saddle sits. Luckily I have now found a good saddle fitter but keep what I have learnt from him and the videos in mind so I can identify any issues before they might turn into a problem.

 

[CobSunshine]

So i took all the measurements and plenty of pics and visited local saddler. Based on extra wide girth, low withers and current saddle actually measuring 18.5 length! She has given me a thorowgood griffin cob saddle extra wide 17 " length.

Compared to the new t4 its supposed to mould a lot better to horse thus giving greater contact where needed to spread the pressure.

It certainly fits a lot better as my extra long girth is too big with it and I've had to use a medium girth!

Here's some pics

 

[Kenzo]

Thorowgood saddles are always on the larger side, no matter what measurement you think you will need, it's not always the tree size but the design around it, therefore some 17'' saddles will be slightly bigger than other 17'' saddles, you can't go by measuring a saddle from the usual place where you measure them, you have to take into consideration the pannels underneith which is one of the reasons you should have a saddle fitter if you are not knowledgagle enought to fit your own as simply taking measurements purely for the gullet and along the topline over the wither area does not mean a saddle has been fitted well enough, yes it gives a general idea and will work well for some horses but TG saddles will not always suit every pony/horses shape.

Looking from that photo (baring in mind a photo doesn't give a clear indication), I personally think the saddle it still too big for your pony and could possibly bridge, but that's just my view from a photo, could be wrong but I think a 16.5 would be better, still looks like it's too close the shoulder and over the wither, saddles should be placed slightly behind the wither area to allow correct movement.

 

[Kallibear]

It certainly fits a lot better as my extra long girth is too big with it and I've had to use a medium girth!

Very worrying that you see the length of girth used as in indication of fit!

It's definitly a million times better than his previous saddle but still doesn't look great. Looks like it bridges and is still too far forwards, sitting on his shoulder. And possibly a little narrow. The girth position also suggests it's going to scoot forwards once tightened.


You need to get a good saddler out to fit the saddle for you as you clearly don't have enough experience to do it yourself and will hurt your horse by trying

Kenzo: interesting that you think thorowgoods come up long in the panel: I've always found the opposite, certainly in the cob saddles. I have a very short backed horse and found the wintecs and saddle companys far longer in the panel, and the thorowgood equivilent to the Ideal H&C saddle.

 

[only_me]

just passing through

Saddle looks a little narrow for your horse op, and possibly fitted to far forward as well. Saddle looks balanced though, although girth is being pulled forward which is an indication of not fitting great on shoulders

Nice horse btw

 

[jhoward]

just passing through

Saddle looks a little narrow for your horse op, and possibly fitted to far forward as well. Saddle looks balanced though, although girth is being pulled forward which is an indication of not fitting great on shoulders

Nice horse btw

agree saddle is far to narrow hence sitting up on the pommle area,

the pommel should sit central to the seat , this is known as a saddle sitting level the problem with the saddle you currently have on is when you sit on it it will tip you back so most of the riders weight is on the back of the saddle

not to mention the damage/pain it could cause the pony.