Gah saddles

Santa_Claus

Santa_Claus

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Over the winter Fleur lost weight quite dramatically for a time but is back looking rather splendid but sadly seems to have changed shape. Knew my jumping saddle (my lovely lovely albion
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) was a bit iffy so have been solely using my dressage Isabell that had seemed, although not perfect, more than passable, but today she just wasn't right and resisting, ran hand under panels and yes bit tight but wasn't 100% was cause as she is a moody mare so took it off and rode her bareback and immediately different horse.

So I am going to have to face facts, will change the gullet on the dressage to get that back to 'useable' and when I sell lorry I will have to go out and get her something better, and knowing my luck jumping saddle won't be reflockable either
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god I love that saddle
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oh well if i get asking price for lorry I should be able to afford 2 second hand albions or similar, yes money I 'should' use to pay off credit card but oh well needs must
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I have had a lady out to my horses backs today, and the new horse, which I bought its own fitting saddle from the owners, is apparently not fitting well where the tree points sit on her shoulders. It looks a little wide at the withers, hence them using a 1/2 sheepskin numnah under it, but then it is pinching where the 2 points point downwards if you know what I mean. So I have 2 choices, get the saddle fitter out and get it altered, if this is possible, or get a new saddle. Bl()()dy saddles, just as things are starting to click with us too. I suppose I could always part-ex my albion as well as new lemetex, but the lemetex is really comfy compared to my Ideal on my other horse.
 
What a pain in the backside! I got so fed up with scenarios like these happening over and over again that I now only have adjustable saddles like the saddle co saddles and the wow because they can be adjusted to any horse or adjusted on the same horse when they change shape.
 
I'm having saddle issues too, I've never known a horse change shape as much as Flash does, he's varied between a narrow fit to extra wide in the last year, and unfortunately is seeming like just changing the gullet isn't making it quite right, don't know what to do with the pony
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I used to be exactly the same - my youngster outgrew 3 saddles in the space of a year (well, 1 didnt really fit him to begin with). Then I fitted him with a SC saddle and now I just adjust that to fit.

A SC saddle was also good for my rescue who was 100kgs underweight when I got him and now is up to full weight - that one has been adjusted too many times to count.

Good luck with the Albion - you never know, you might be able to get it to fit. In any event, you could perhaps sell it to pay for something else?
 
Changing the gullet only changes the front of the saddle. the actual tree will not be changed and therefore if the tree doesnt fit to begin with, adjusting the gullet will do nothing.

If your horse genuinely changes shape throughout the year, whether because they are yougsters, seasonal changes or workload, you are much better off getting and adjustable saddle such as a Saddle Company, Kieffer or Wow.
 
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Changing the gullet only changes the front of the saddle. the actual tree will not be changed and therefore if the tree doesnt fit to begin with, adjusting the gullet will do nothing.

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Don't worry well aware of that
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When i said panels I meant the front panels and flaps so it is the width that is an issue. Across her back the panels are fine either way long term I will not be keeping her in these saddles as don't believe the albion will be adjustable. They are not shockingly tight (can still happily run hand down with girth done up) but she is so sensitive to well everything that it is enough for her!

I won't go down WOW route as personally I do not like the saddles at all, have ridden in them and just did not get on with them. SC saddles are in back of mind as have heard very good things about them, BUT her shape does suit albions (as master saddler has told me and is clear to my eye) but she has built up muscle and topline so that current MW is not quite right
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I won't buy a new Albion though as they are known to stretch so would always go 2nd hand. Just wiosh hadn't sold my dressage albion lux about 3 years ago as that should fit her a treat now, but at time (before I rode her) Dan outgrew it and needed to sell to get him new saddle
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At end of day though will have to get what fits, hopefully that will be albions as well I love them but it may well be something completely different...
 
I take it she is a TB type then? SC do fit TB types but if you and your horse like Albions then maybe you could trade in for a new one?

If your horse has stopped changing shape then you should be ok with a saddle that cant be adjusted (provided she is kept in the same work etc) and then make sure the slocking is regularly seen to. But if she is still growing like my youngster (I expect at least another inch this year) then it might be cheaper in the long run to go down the adjustable route. Saying that, I really like riding in my SC saddle and my instructor thinks it is just like her Kieffer. They retail about the same (I have the buffalo leather version!), the only difference being I can adjust my SC saddles onsite and the Kieffer has to be sent back to the factory. I was sick and tired waiting for saddles to come back and when you have 4 it does take time to adjust all of them!
 
I sympathise with you. I too had a
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saddle realisation on Monday. My Wintec 2000 can't be adjusted in the way it needs to be so now I'm on the lookout for an Albion, which seems to suit his very straight sides and massive shoulder. But as he's still only 4 and the Albion isn't adjustable, I have a feeling I'll be in another saddle before the year is out
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She is a dutch WB but a very small 'delicate' framed leggy one, put it this way she looks more TB than a 7/8ths TB on the yard
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She is 8 this year now so makes sense for a last growth spurt to be honest, Dan didn't settle either until he was 8. At end of day will have to speak to saddler as knowing my luck now she has filled out she may be too wide and flat in the ribcage to take an albion
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Will get saddler to bring his van full to us I think he said he could fit 50 in there last time he was up so should be able to find something!!
 
That sounds like one looooong saddle-fitting session (and you an guarantee it'll be saddle number 49 that fits). Good luck finding one that fits and that you like.

Must admit I only discovered my liking for Albions a few weeks ago and I secretly hoped Ronnie would end up in one eventually. But as he's fitting one now, I'm a bit gutted as I think he'll probably not fit it for very long
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Why do they have to change shape! (OK, yes I know I do too, but still!).
 
Agreed - if she is flat now the Albion will be no good (not that I like them very much at all personally). I wouldnt have thought there would be much change after 8 - my CB is still growing but he has just turned 6 so I expect lots of further changes.

Am sure you will find something to fit if your saddler is bringing 50! If you ever need advice on a SC saddle let me know!
 
well having a play today with collection of saddles available to try we have had some success. Housemate's Isabell which has a wide plate (compared to my MW) actually became too tight across all the panels so potentially isabell is total write off, BUT i will check my isabell with a wide plate in as mine isn't cair and had the flocking adjusted for in first place anyway across the panels.

What was a pleasant surprise though was that housemate's wide GP Albion was actually a very nice basic fit
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so there is hope yet
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So I have a wide plate and three different styles of wintec (GP, Isabell and VSD!) to play with tomorrow to get something 'passable' until lorry is sold.

On down note though the fact the wide albion to my laymen eye seems a very nice fit on her it means my MW albion is going to be surplus to needs as it is too narrow for dan as well.
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