Elbow rubs on two horses

[CastlelackSportHorses]

I recently bought an Arena Monoflap jump saddle on recommendation by my saddler.
Saddle is beautiful, secure and fits both a mares very well.
BUT
Both mares now have very sore elbow rubs from a girth I have used for years, and never rubbed before.
Saddler recommended a narrower girth to give more clearance?

But surely if my own girth never rubbed before then it can’t be that?

I have a stubben string girth I will try on the both of them once their wounds heal.
I have been searching for a saddle for them for soooo long I thought I have got it right this time, but then something else goes wrong.
Mares are different sizes, bay is MW and chestnut is W, so I actually bought a saddle each for them.
Now I am wondering if I have made a huge mistake.

 

[Widgeon]

I'm no expert at all, but just thinking through it from a logic POV - it must be that your girth is sitting in a slightly different position with this saddle, to where it sat with the previous saddles. That would explain why it rubs now, and it never used to. Girth straps on this saddle in a slightly different position, perhaps? I wouldn't automatically jump to worrying that the saddle itself is a bad fit, just that this particular saddle / girth combo doesn't seem to be working.

If you liked the saddle and were so happy with its fit that you bought two, I would start trying different girths (probably starting with the saddler's recommendation) until you find one that works with this saddle. I know how awful it feels when an expensive purchase isn't perfect straight off, but I definitely wouldn't panic yet that the saddle itself is a huge mistake. Very best of luck with it, I hope a narrower girth is the simple answer. I'm sure more expert people than me will be able to suggest other possible girthing solutions!

 

[CastlelackSportHorses]

I'm no expert at all, but just thinking through it from a logic POV - it must be that your girth is sitting in a slightly different position with this saddle, to where it sat with the previous saddles. That would explain why it rubs now, and it never used to. Girth straps on this saddle in a slightly different position, perhaps? I wouldn't automatically jump to worrying that the saddle itself is a bad fit, just that this particular saddle / girth combo doesn't seem to be working.

If you liked the saddle and were so happy with its fit that you bought two, I would start trying different girths (probably starting with the saddler's recommendation) until you find one that works with this saddle. I know how awful it feels when an expensive purchase isn't perfect straight off, but I definitely wouldn't panic yet that the saddle itself is a huge mistake. Very best of luck with it, I hope a narrower girth is the simple answer. I'm sure more expert people than me will be able to suggest other possible girthing solutions!

I agree! I will start trying different girths but very aware I may hurt my girls in the interim

 

[Red-1]

I am not familiar with that saddle, but many saddles have a selection of tabs that the girth straps can be sewn to. If your saddle does, I would call the saddler back and ask to have them adjusted so the girth fits further back, if the saddle does otherwise fit.

 

[ihatework]

They are pretty cheap saddles which would make me suspicious I’m afraid. Hopefully it’s just a girth strap positioning issue that can be solved by either readjusting the straps or changing the girth.

 

[CastlelackSportHorses]

I am not familiar with that saddle, but many saddles have a selection of tabs that the girth straps can be sewn to. If your saddle does, I would call the saddler back and ask to have them adjusted so the girth fits further back, if the saddle does otherwise fit.

It’s a monoflap unfortunately