Does anyone know what saddle this is?

Pretty much what teddyt has said. You aren't using that saddle are you? Sorry, but a Bates won't fit.

Again, as teddyt, don't be fobbed of with any saddle, Roo will not be the easiest to fit, but a good saddle fitter can find something.
 
Donklet: I'm afraid I must admit I do ride in it, I have nothing else to ride in.
frown.gif

I will get a new saddle asap and then get a back person out to check the saddle has done no damage.
 
She may well fit something like a GFS Event as it has a good cut back wither and comes in many gullets sizes and can even be altered very slightly if needed, don't be put off by her shape, a good fitter will find you what you need.

I have a small pony with very very similar back conformation, good wither, dipped back, short to the loins and last rib but round as a barrel and deep wide girth, originally he had a Shires synthetic saddle then when he muscled up he had a Saddle Co made to measure but my daughter and him outgrew that earlier this year so he now has a totally unbranded but perfectly fitted 2nd hand leather GP.
 
Dear god I've not seen a sadde that badly balanced in a long time! How the hell did you manage to ride in it? And poor horse!

You may not have too much problems with wither clearnace - she has big shoulders and once the saddle is sitting far enough back it's going to be away from her withers anyways. She's also wide and looks fairly well muscled (amazing considering the saddle she's been wearing!) so the saddle is going to be lifted from that. As long as there IS wither clearnace, both from above and from the sides is doesn't matter how much. Fitting for the '3 fingers clearance' is what resulted in the previous saddle!

She does have a fairly swayed back (and a 'dropped' back - the rib cage hangs low in shoulder cradle) and getting a saddle curved enough, with flat enough panels (she's fairly flat across the loins) will be hard.

She's also very short backed - once you've got the saddle sitting far enough back to clear the shoulders and withers it's going to be struggle to get one short enough! (welcome to my world - i have the exact same problem with my boy).

As much as I hate them, a wide set wintec (they get curved as the widen) would suit her back shape. however the sloping panels at the back would need to be altered (i think they now do shim inserts for that? Plus the new models might be flatter anyways)

You are going to need a good saddler. You will also need to go and educate yourself enough on saddle fit (esp balance, width and length) to be able to tell if the saddler is any good! There are many who arn't
frown.gif
 
I would maybe get one made to measure for her, but looking at the shape i would also be inclined to go for a straight cut saddle that is cut back at the wither. I used a lady near Ponte for my made to measures she is very reasonable and a lovely person too. PM If you want her number
 
I got a saddle made to measure for our mare after all sorts of problems. I was recommended a bates caprilli by one saddler but then another said they have a "banana shaped" tree which doesn't suit all horses.
Have you considered Made to measure, mine wasn't any more than an off the shelf saddle and I am really pleased with the quality and fit (so far!)
 
A saddle company saddle might be worth considering. They are made to measure and a fitter will come out and template your horse for you; a made to measure SC saddles costs the same as one off the peg.

As your horse has a dipped back but is quite wide then an Owen panel might be something to consider. This will "fill" the dip in the back and still allow you close contact with your horse. SC saddles have serge undersides and flocked with soft flocking instead of the standard white flock.

SC saddles have a cob version of a GP and as they are made to measure the dip in the back and the withers can be accomodated. SC saddles are adjustable (by a fitter) and are generally comfortable to ride in. I don't know what height you are but as your horse is short in the back then a square cantled saddle has more seat room if you need to go for a smaller seat size.

Just another make/option that might be worth considering. Good Luck
 
RG - cant remember if someone has said but ring your saddler and just explain a few of the points about her that teddyt etc have mentioned and you'll be suprised how easily they can probably pin-point a range of saddle's that'll fit. Ask them to bring a couple out to try.

They'll come with them and probably more, and then if one is slightly off they'll easily be able to flock it accordingly so that it does
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top