First ride in new Saddle - Horse went differently..is it a prob?

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Muddy Mare

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Well thanks to all the advice given on this forum I have got the loan, on approval, of an Albion GP Saddle, and what a difference. My goodness isnt it comfy and safe and everything I wanted?

However horse was very sluggish uphill, and then wanted to trot downhill, which is the opposite of usual. It might be the change of pressure in the saddle? I have had her for years, so know how she goes, and she is sensitive to seat position. If, for instance you try to tighten the girth she wants to move forward, and you just lean forward to trot. But we cant have this for ever - what does everyone think?!
 
dont worry about it, your horse just isnt used to a different saddle. but if you keep using it like you would normally then your horse will get used to a different shaped saddle.
 
Lunge her. First without a saddle, then with the old saddle (assuming that one fitted and you only replaced it for your own comfort), then with the new saddle. All in one session. No rider or gadgets. Watch for changes in her attitude, the way she moves and holds her body, facial expression. This should tell you (via noticing any subtle differences) if she's happy in the new saddle. She should move etc the same as if she wasn't wearing a saddle.

A different saddle will alter your position slightly, I have several and sit very differently (but still correctly) in some compared to others. So if your horse is very responsive to rider position and distribution of your weight it could be confusing for her. Especially if you've taught her things like going into trot by leaning forward, rather than from a leg aid. If this saddle is making you sit or move slightly differently, you may need to reschool the horse a bit to respond to your new position and aids.
 
but also if there are sore or rubbed away patches anywhere on that area, try a thicker saddle pad or if that doesnt work get a saddle fitter to give you advise, dont ride again if your horse is in pain, just look at her/ his ears if they are back and if he/ she moves in pain use a cream and give riding a break for a few days. hope this helps.
 
did you have a saddler fit in or did you buy it and put it on? different saddles all fit differently so what you are describing sounds pain related. if your horses back etc are fine and there is a sudden change in her way of going then best bet is her saddle doesnt fit her. Get a saddle fitter out and get it fitted properly otherwise it will make your horse very sore.
 
Horses_Hearts said:
but also if there are sore or rubbed away patches anywhere on that area, try a thicker saddle pad or if that doesnt work get a saddle fitter to give you advise, dont ride again if your horse is in pain, just look at her/ his ears if they are back and if he/ she moves in pain use a cream and give riding a break for a few days. hope this helps.
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Sorry - but that is really bad advice. If the saddle is causing rubs/sores, you stop using it, an get the saddler out - don't faff around with pads/creams etc. Not that this appears to be the problem here. OP, it sounds like the saddle may need looking at if you've noticed a difference in her way of going. I'd be getting the saddler back out for peace of mind.
 
Pads can indeed make the problem worse - for instance if a saddle is tipping back, which in my experience people are not good at spotting, a thicker pad will make it worse.
 
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