Horse on trial but saddle doesn't fit

[Christmas Crumpet]

Have got horse on trial for a few weeks which is fab. So far so good. However, his saddle does not fit him at all - it is too narrow in front and is clearly pinching him. I am loathe to really do a lot with him knowing that he is suffering but am not going to find out if he's the one for me if I don't do anything about it.

I feel in between a rock and a hard place. I am going to try various other saddles but he could be a bit tricky to fit with a big shoulder that pushes everything back. The trial period should not be about doing this whatsoever. It should be about trying him to his full potential to see whether he's the ticket or not!!

Don't really know what to say except he's lovely and very kind and willing and I feel awful tacking him up knowing his saddle is pinching which is why I've almost been avoiding riding him. Not the best trial really.

 

[9tails]

I wouldn't knowingly ride any horse in a saddle too narrow. Too wide, yes, but with plenty of padding. What does the seller say about the saddle?

Or does anybody have a treeless you could borrow?

 

[s4sugar]

Trial a Libra treeless unless you can borrow a reasonable treeless locally.

 

[carthorse]

Try to borrow off a friend or buy a wintec on ebay with changable tree. You can always sell after

 

[Polos Mum]

I'd call round all your horsey friends (and get them to call their friends) to find something vaguely wide enough (or as above too wide but can pad) so you can try him properly.

Assuming you tried him before the trial he must be a kind sole to be ridden nicely while being pinched!

 

[claribella]

do you know anyone who has a treeless that you could borrow?

 

[AmyMay]

See if your friendly saddler can lend you a second hand saddle.