Help and tips fitting saddle to croup high horse

Sussexbythesea

Sussexbythesea

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Help and suggestions needed for a potentially difficult to fit horse.

I have a rising 8yr old that has taken a long time to get going due to his challenging behaviour. He is pretty croup high and has sadly not grown out of this.

Towards the end of last summer I managed to start riding him and initially my saddler fitted my other horses saddle (a GP Lavinia Mitchell) with an added wither pad. This worked for awhile and he was going well but then he told me something wasn’t comfortable so I had it rechecked. Wither pad was taken out by the saddler as she felt he had developed more top line making him wider but now I feel it presses forward onto his shoulders as he becomes quite stuffy. However he has since the summer lost some wither and due to winter weather, doubt over the saddle and other pressures I’ve been concentrating back on the groundwork. I’m really hoping to get cracking this year but need a saddle that’s suitable and adjustable. My saddler does her own brand now so I think although she’s been brilliant is maybe not so invested now in other makes.

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Is he quite short in the back too? Maybe the length of you saddle reduced by half an inch might help? These Ghost treeless saddle look amazing. That’s what I’d buy if I had a new horse. My friends new Connie is in an adjustable ideal and already there have been problems with him!
 
So I gave saddlers this challenge! Its not the most flattering angle and in trot she'll actually engage her core & flatten a bit which is also a challenge.

I had both Solutions & AM on trial and had to reject as they went up her neck.

I have 15.5" WOW panels with a 16" WOW seat. We've got the girth position set to forward so the girth straps fall into that forward girth groove rather than everything being pulled forward. The air in the panels gives her enough flexibility to adjust between "dippy backed ex broodmare" & "I can engage my core if I'm trotting".

It's also very secure to ride in which given she can have her Thelwell moments stops me vanishing down her neck or off the side of her round barrel 😁


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pistolpete said:
There’s a wow for sale on the Icelandic FB group. No idea if it would fit. They’re a bit marmite. Great if they work.
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I wouldn't randomly buy a WOW without a saddler saying what parts you need. The pony above you would assume needs a curved tree but actually that didn't work and she's in a flat tree. She's also in panels designed for something with no withers.
 
SEL said:
So I gave saddlers this challenge! Its not the most flattering angle and in trot she'll actually engage her core & flatten a bit which is also a challenge.

I had both Solutions & AM on trial and had to reject as they went up her neck.

I have 15.5" WOW panels with a 16" WOW seat. We've got the girth position set to forward so the girth straps fall into that forward girth groove rather than everything being pulled forward. The air in the panels gives her enough flexibility to adjust between "dippy backed ex broodmare" & "I can engage my core if I'm trotting".

It's also very secure to ride in which given she can have her Thelwell moments stops me vanishing down her neck or off the side of her round barrel 😁


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Wow she really is bum high but ever so cute 🥰

I’ve tried WOW saddles before on a previous horse and I didn’t really get on with them but maybe needs must so will reconsider. I don’t want to spend thousands either because money is tight and I’ve never had much luck with buying new or super expensive in any case. I’ve been using a Fairfax ergonomic girth for the forward girth groove.

I intend to use a saddler but I want to go in with some more knowledge and questions on possible options.
 
pistolpete said:
Is he quite short in the back too? Maybe the length of you saddle reduced by half an inch might help? These Ghost treeless saddle look amazing. That’s what I’d buy if I had a new horse. My friends new Connie is in an adjustable ideal and already there have been problems with him!
Click to expand...
I have a Ghost for a short-ish backed, slightly bum high cob (not so much as yours though OP!) and it ended up being the solution to years of saddle niggles. I'm very pleased with it. And thankfully it will almost certainly be adjustable to fit my youngster, because my older horse is looking like he may need to retire. (Typical horses isn't it)

I have a more Western style Ghost but they do also do saddles that look very conventionally "English". I just liked the more Western look and comfy fenders.
 
Happy to answer any questions about Ghost 🙂

I would always emphasis groundwork over riding where a young horse becomes croup high to start with, and postural groundwork, as the priority.

Curvy trees tend to be for higher Withers and slightly narrower backs hence you may have more success with a flatter tree and appropriate panel,.and as short a saddle.as possible. The further forwards the saddle ends the lower that point is so the saddle is easier to balance.

I see SO many low-in-front saddles on croup high horses and ponies, I don't think people realise it's an issue.
 
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