Dressage saddle ideas- high wither but wide

[Mavis007]

I am having a nightmare trying to get saddles to fit my horse He is a 17.1hh KWPN gelding, 8yrs old fit and well muscled. We do both BS and BD. He is much higher in front with a high wither, but is a wide saddle fitting. I am presently doing flatwork in a Thoroughgood T6 high wither 18" dressage saddle. However, even with this, I have to use a rear riser pad and it is still a bit high in front He has a very big movement and I then end up getting behind him, and as we are aiming to start some medium tests in the next few months I need to be as secure as possible to try and survive a whole test in sitting trot I am 5'8" but with long legs especially hip to knee. My other problem with the T6 is it keeps slipping to the left. However, my jumping saddle (completely different make but similar problems) slips to the right - so surely it can't be me or him???? I might be able to scrape together £1000 to £1500 early next year but 2k+ is NOT a possibility. I know I may have to go down the made to measure route but am worried I will not be able to do this for my budget. I would be very very grateful for any ideas

 

[LEC]

Is he definitely a wide? I have a MW you can try? Fits all mine who are high withered but I do normally wear it with a sheepskin half pad.

 

[be positive]

A horse in my yard had an Ideal made to measure,it does not have an Ideal name in it as it was supplied by our local saddle fitter ,total cost was I think £1000.Super saddle at a bargain price.

 

[doctordoolittle]

worth finding a saddler near you with some second hand so you can try on different makes to get an idea of what makes' shape suits him best.

Some suit flat backs, other have more shape to the tree etc

there are a few makes that have cut back heads which are ideal for high withers, I know kieffer do them

 

[mtj]

Not sure how helpful this is cost wise. My horse is the same shape and he has a made to measure saddle with extra deep gussets. So effectively he has a rear riser built into his saddle.

I chose the Albion platinum as it is adjustable width wise. This saddle is an Albion slk shapewise, and I'm pretty certain that Ideal make a copy.

My budget suggestion would be a made to measure (extra deep gussets) ideal.

 

[Cheiro1]

The ideal Tonishia is designed for horses who are fairly well withered but have a lot of muscle around the wither, like the spanish horses, so could be worth a try?

 

[TheoryX1]

Daughter's mare is a 15.1hh KWPN/TB with high withers and a barrel belly. You wouldnt believe she is a medium/wide. The best one we found was a Bates Innova. She also has very slim shoulders and huge powerful back end so last saddle slipped forward and to the side. This stopped it totally. Brilliant saddle, if somewhat pricey.

 

[imr]

Had lots of trouble getting saddle for my 5yo, got a semi bespoke black country in the end and its fab, wide tree and extra gusset so the back isn't too low. Would be in your budget and because they will make what you want (like ideal) you should get something that fits.