Help! Saddle Fitting

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Jade2007

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I've just bought a Wintec Close Contact Jumping Saddle. We measured him as a medium-wide but when we tried the saddle today it was a bit tight on his shoulders. I tried having a little ride and he felt ok, but after a few canters he started to shorten his stride and felt more tense so I got off.

What me and my mum were wondering is if the saddle is supposed to sit on the shoulders, as we've always thought that it shouldn't but surely with the saddle being more forward cut there's nothing you can do about it? Also, would it be worth trying him in a wide gullet, or does it sound like the saddle wont fit either way?

Luckily I have a gp saddle which has been checked by a saddle fitter and fits perfectly, the reason why we've bought a new saddle is because the seat is made for a small bottom and where it's not cut forward like a jumping saddle my knees hang over the saddle flaps when I'm jumping. Obviously, I would rather stay as I am rather than riding him in a saddle that doesn't fit, but it would be nice if both of us could be comfortable!

Thanks for reading
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saddle should sit behind the shoulder.

problem with wintecs is that you can alter the gullet at the front but not at the back & it can cause them to rock on the horses back.

i would get the fit checked before you ride in it again
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Put the saddle higher than normal, and then slide it back (without the girth done up, or any numnah) You will feel it bed in and stop at a certain point. This is where it naturaly sits on the horse. I have noticed lots of people in the last few years who put the saddle on too far forwards so that it interferes with the action of the shoulder. This way, you avoid this problem, and you know the saddle is in the correct place.

Girth up.

Then look to see that the front isn't higher than the back. If the fron't is higher the saddle either simply does not suit the horse, or it is too narrow.

Then mount up and check the forks to ensure they are not digging in. Also check the cantle to ensure that it clears the withers. The old rule was that there should be 4 fingers gap, however in practice this depends upon the pony. However, at no point, and no matter what the neck position should the cantle come in to contact with the withers. You should be able to see day light all along the gullet when the rider is on board.

If in any doubt, get your saddle fitter back out. There is more to fitting a saddle than simply hitting on one in the correct width. Could be that your horses conformation means that a forward cut saddle simply won't do.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Put the saddle higher than normal, and then slide it back (without the girth done up, or any numnah) You will feel it bed in and stop at a certain point. This is where it naturaly sits on the horse. I have noticed lots of people in the last few years who put the saddle on too far forwards so that it interferes with the action of the shoulder. This way, you avoid this problem, and you know the saddle is in the correct place.

Girth up.

Then look to see that the front isn't higher than the back. If the fron't is higher the saddle either simply does not suit the horse, or it is too narrow.

Then mount up and check the forks to ensure they are not digging in. Also check the cantle to ensure that it clears the withers. The old rule was that there should be 4 fingers gap, however in practice this depends upon the pony. However, at no point, and no matter what the neck position should the cantle come in to contact with the withers. You should be able to see day light all along the gullet when the rider is on board.

If in any doubt, get your saddle fitter back out. There is more to fitting a saddle than simply hitting on one in the correct width. Could be that your horses conformation means that a forward cut saddle simply won't do.

[/ QUOTE ]
Should cantle be pommel?
 
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