Help with a Wintec!

[diamonddogs]

I just don't know whether I need a wider gullet or not! I went with a Wintec because Kel's owner had one, with a black gullet, and it was fine.

Can anyone who knows these saddles tell me whether the blooming thing is the right size or not? It seems very high at the front to me.

(Sorry about the poor quality - I managed to take one pic and the battery went so I had to use my phone. And I was on my own and had to chuck some hay on the ground to get her to stand still).

The gullet on its own:

 

[angiebaby]

It does look a little wide, I have the black gullet for our NF who looks a little rounder, best thing to do is sit on it and have a walk around see how much it goes down. Its not expensive to buy another gullet though

 

[piebaldsparkle]

TBH get a decent saddle fitter out. Then they can check that A) The saddle fits. B) the correct size gullet has been fitted and C) The flocking doesn't need adjusting.

 

[teddyt]

You need the horse standing square on a level surface, with the head up (but not high) and to the middle. Place the gullet where the point of the tree should sit, which is about 2 inches behind the shoulder. Go by feel and sight, not just sight. It is very common for people to have their saddles too far forward.
The gullet should be parallel to the horses body where it is placed. If it is too narrow the ens of the gullet will look like they want to go into the body, not rest parallel with it. If its too wide the ends of the gullet will look like they want to come away from the body.
It is hard to tell for sure from your pictures but because the horses head was down (pic 3) it looks like that gullet is too narrow, as with the head up the muscle will change. Again, in pic 1, the seat doesnt look level but running high at the front and lower at the back, indicating too narrow. Because wintecs sit up at the back on many horses do not be tempted to go for a narrower gullet in order to make the back of the saddle touch the horse.
If you really arent sure you should get someone to help you. A professional fitter will be able to tell you whether the saddle fits

 

[diamonddogs]

Thanks everyone! I know you shouldn't go on what other horses look like, but I was looking at some pics of a horse wearing a Wintec dressage saddle, and that one looked miles higher at the front than mine, and didn't look at all level - it was fitted by a saddler.

I'm going to have another go with both the saddle and the gullet with someone with me to hold her head and give a second opinion then it's off to the saddle fitter!

I forgot to mention the girth's not fully tightened - just enough to make it sit still. Dunno if that makes any difference?

My gut feeling is that it'd be better with the next size up, at least till she's back in full work again.

BTW, how many fingers' clearance between the gullet and the withers? Is it three or four? This one's four of my little ones.

 

[CBAnglo]

The gullet is too narrow and the saddle is too far forward - the saddle is possibly too long for your horse, which will push it forward as she seems a bit croup high as well.