Patterdale
Well-Known Member
Hola
Finally managed to get a saddle fitter to my pony. I knew the one he had on wasn’t great, got it 8 weeks ago and his performance has gradually declined until a couple of weeks ago he started stopping at small fences so I’d stopped riding him a few days ago.
Before the fitting the saddler remarked that he had a fluidy lump on his back near his withers, I could hardly feel it though. She assessed his saddle and confirmed that it didn’t fit but said it wasn’t dreadful.
We went on with the fitting, trying lots of different saddles without a numnah. Some I rode in for a few minutes, some I got straight off. Eventually found one that fit, she adjusted it slightly and it was really good on him.
I rode for a bit longer in it, had a jump in it, and put the jumps up a bit as I wanted to give it a good trial.
Then after jumping for a while, he was suddenly reluctant to go forward and presented as lame behind. I got off, there was a massive stone in his foot, so I pulled it out but he still wasn’t happy when I got back on.
We were all satisfied that the saddle fit (saddler was lovely) so I bought it and we left.
I drove straight to the vets which was nearby as I’ve had enough lameness to not mess about. Top vet was luckily there who thoroughly assessed him on the lunge and declared him sound as a bell. However - the small lump on his back was now huge, very easy to feel, tense and very tender. Vet wasn’t concerned and said give him two weeks off and it should go.
What would you think!? Is it just the long saddle fitting that’s aggravated an issue caused by the old saddle? We all really thought the new (secondhand) saddle fit him v nicely. The saddler wasn’t pushy at all for me to buy, but she showed me how and why it was a good fit and thoroughly assessed it ridden. I don’t blame her in any way.
I’m now panicking though that I’ve bought a saddle that’s lamed him!??
Finally managed to get a saddle fitter to my pony. I knew the one he had on wasn’t great, got it 8 weeks ago and his performance has gradually declined until a couple of weeks ago he started stopping at small fences so I’d stopped riding him a few days ago.
Before the fitting the saddler remarked that he had a fluidy lump on his back near his withers, I could hardly feel it though. She assessed his saddle and confirmed that it didn’t fit but said it wasn’t dreadful.
We went on with the fitting, trying lots of different saddles without a numnah. Some I rode in for a few minutes, some I got straight off. Eventually found one that fit, she adjusted it slightly and it was really good on him.
I rode for a bit longer in it, had a jump in it, and put the jumps up a bit as I wanted to give it a good trial.
Then after jumping for a while, he was suddenly reluctant to go forward and presented as lame behind. I got off, there was a massive stone in his foot, so I pulled it out but he still wasn’t happy when I got back on.
We were all satisfied that the saddle fit (saddler was lovely) so I bought it and we left.
I drove straight to the vets which was nearby as I’ve had enough lameness to not mess about. Top vet was luckily there who thoroughly assessed him on the lunge and declared him sound as a bell. However - the small lump on his back was now huge, very easy to feel, tense and very tender. Vet wasn’t concerned and said give him two weeks off and it should go.
What would you think!? Is it just the long saddle fitting that’s aggravated an issue caused by the old saddle? We all really thought the new (secondhand) saddle fit him v nicely. The saddler wasn’t pushy at all for me to buy, but she showed me how and why it was a good fit and thoroughly assessed it ridden. I don’t blame her in any way.
I’m now panicking though that I’ve bought a saddle that’s lamed him!??