Having a nightmare time finding a suitable saddle

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littlen

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I cant seem to get anything suitable for my boy in my price range!

I have an arab who is currently in a thorowgood saddle (griffin possible, I know its non-adjustable, it looks like a t4?)
He has had some major problems recently (bucking, rearing and bolting) and after getting physio out she noted that he has muscle wastage behind his shoulders through not working properly, I immediatley got my saddle fitter out who said that the TG had been fitted to the muscle wastage and fits fine but will not allow him to develop more muscle?
It has been suggested I get a different saddle but should It be slightly to wide to leave room?

He is a funny shape. Barrel shaped stomach, but muscle wastage and also high withers.

I dont have a huge budget and ideally dont want to spend over £300, but could stretch to £400 if really neccessary.
Saddler has suggested a thorowgood t6 at £425 including fitting. Its slightly over budget but I was looking at a second hand ones but how adjustable are they really. I mean if I went for the gp it might not fit and then I really have wasted my money?
Also I am worried it wont look smart enough and a friend said I would be better off with a second hand leather one.


He has also suggested trying a number of second hand saddles but am I really likley to find one that fits and is decent enough for £300?

I also have the additional problem of wanting to show next year, therefore I need something pretty smart that sits back from the shoulder.
Also most of the saddles he has is black, would this really matter at local level (maybe slightly higher if I get there!?) To what extent would this effect my placings?
 
Saddle fitting is a nightmare isn't it!

I would recommend you have a look at the Saddle Company saddles. I have 3 (for my sins!). They are built on an injection moulded plastic tree which can be widened and narrowed as many times as you need to accomodate a horses changing shape. My fitter (Bosworth on here) has a templating machine in the back of her pick up so she can alter the tree when she comes to fit the saddle.

I bought all 3 of mine on Ebay, all were in excellent condition, barely used in some cases, and I didn't pay more than £250!

They are also lightweight and serge undersides so nice for a horses back. You perhaps could ask your fitter to fit to a Pro-lite pad to allow for muscle regeneration, then take the pro-lite away once the muscle has come up.
 
Thanks Cluny.

Its awful as I wish I could buy him the best but I just cant afford it at the moment!

I have just looked at the website and they look great. None suitable on ebay at the moment though. I need something that is a 17 inch seat as he is not very long in the back and I am only little too!
I also dont really know what width I need. I think his TG is a wide but reading the TG website they say arabs typically fall into the cob catorgary saddle wise- yet the cob saddles dont seem to allow much room at the wither. I also think his wither wouldnt be as prominant if he had some muscle surrounding it!
My guess would be he is a wide or MW but I couldnt be sure, hence thinking adjustable is the way forward.

I just dont know where to start, both saddle fitters cant find me anything suitable in my price range, or if they can its a dressage or jumping saddle which I dont want at all. I want a GP, VDS or maybe a working hunter if I can get one to fit.

I feel rubbish ringing saddle fitters as I always feel like they are laughing when I say my budget is £300.

I could stretch to the T6 model but dont want to pay that much for a synthetic if I can get a nice leather one!
 
Hi not sure about the muscle wastage, but maybe check out GFS saddles? I used to ride a part arab and she had high withers but a barrel shaped belly, the GFS saddles fitted her nicely. I think My mare had the GFS haflinger.
 
sounds all to familiar, half 8 last night we got back after taking one of ours to have a saddle fitted, after about 20 weve had to order a new one at a nice price tag aswell.
The little fella we took is a haflinger, barrell shape, quite high withers but with big shoulders also pretty short..... conclusion a straight flap saddle (working hunter) that sits off his shoulders, not sure if this is maybe what you need to look for, weve went for an ideal Xwide 16 1/2" for a 14hh pony
 
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