For everyone struggling with questionable saddle fit

All made sense until about 4mins in - the big chestnut in his newly fitted saddle, which was flapping about 6 inches up and down at the back in trot?? Horse did appear to be going better a little better, but not sure how long that would last!
 
Some good stuff, some stuff that is wholly about how Schleese fits its own saddles, which does not necessarily tally with how other saddles are made and fitted (for example a 4 finger gullet is actually too wide for some horses). Keeping the saddle in the right place and having overall the right tree shape and width will keep the shoulder free, backward facing points and shoulder relief panels are not needed in my opinion, the problem is usually elsewhere. Not to say a saddle with those features won't fit, but a basic good fit, with the points behind the furthest extent of the scapula is usually how to fix it.

I also agree with Jo1987 about the "after" saddle fit on the chestnut being questionable - the immediate pressure points have been alleviated but I'd be worried about that level of movement, plus the fact that the saddle seems pommel low.

All good stuff for discussion though!
 
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Not sure if this is still open thread but looking for a good saddle fitter Herts area. the Schleese looks thorough. I am struggling with believing any fitters any more. Have had several all saying different things. My horse has started having behavioral probs. Having bone scan as vet cant find any lameness. Only seems to show when ridden.
 
I was on board with everything said, until the new saddle fitted didn't seem to fit that well and I realised it was an advert for their own saddles...
 
yelselmichaels - I'm not sure what part of Herts you are in, but I've heard glowing reports about Matt Crippen from reliable people!
 
FrankieCob said:
I was on board with everything said, until the new saddle fitted didn't seem to fit that well and I realised it was an advert for their own saddles...[/QUO

Well does seem like a very thorough fitting service but doesn't seem to be in UK anyway.
Had Mathew Crippen then had Martin Wilkinson who said neither saddles fitted, then had TC feeds and to be quite honest none took patterns or wither imprints. Studied myself for a while and can at least tell if it fits but can't adjust or really know if its ok.
Ended up buying new one from MW and adjusted my Ideal dressage saddle but still not confident its ok. Seems the only real way to go is they flogg you another saddle.
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The fitter I was referring to is the one Schleese use but is fully independent, she can reflock on site and adjust trees - if they are adjustable. If they are rigid there isn't a lot she can do, but reflocking can change the balance of a saddle. At the very least she can tell you what needs to be different, and she will see you ride in it, before and after. She is on Facebook - Ingeborg Taffijn, based in Belgium but establishing a client base in the UK which she visits from time to time. You could contact her via FB or I do have an email addy for her if you message me
 
Sometimes the problem is actually elsewhere. if a horse has a "mechanical" problem it can move the saddle so I also look carefully at its movement and straightness, a moving saddle can be an indication of a subtle lameness or muscle imbalance. not all horses are symmetrical and most saddles are. If they are not symmetrical it can cause problems with the horse so a bit vice versa and can twist the rider too! Not all riders can feel the imbalance either so it is a bit of a minefield.
 
yelselmichaels said:
FrankieCob said:
I was on board with everything said, until the new saddle fitted didn't seem to fit that well and I realised it was an advert for their own saddles...[/QUO

Well does seem like a very thorough fitting service but doesn't seem to be in UK anyway.
Had Mathew Crippen then had Martin Wilkinson who said neither saddles fitted, then had TC feeds and to be quite honest none took patterns or wither imprints. Studied myself for a while and can at least tell if it fits but can't adjust or really know if its ok.
Ended up buying new one from MW and adjusted my Ideal dressage saddle but still not confident its ok. Seems the only real way to go is they flogg you another saddle.
Click to expand...

Im confused, if you don't have one that fits,and is beyond adjusting to fit what else are they to suggest?
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Mine are adjustable but I just don't have confidence in saddlers that I have had. One said one was fine and just needed flocking then started to rub so had another saddler check and said over flocked so adjusted then still rubbing so went to another one who said doesn't fit at all need a new saddle. I just think it's very confusing and would just like to find a good saddler that I could trust.
 
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