How does this look pics

[niko]

Another saddle from saddler to try! might just opt for none at this rate how does it look? its a 17" does it look too long, come over her ribs too much or ok? Help always appreciated! Excuse horsey 4wks in field being a 5yr old while mum recovers!

 

[stencilface]

Might be a bit long, although I find it hard to tell from pics!!

Looks like its sitting off the back a bit though, how much does it wobble at the back if you press on the pommel? It shouldn't really move. And if you put a girth on it and try and lift it up from the back, again, it shouldn't lift that much if it fits.

 

[Kenzo]

Looks like a nice saddle but from the angle you cant really tell for definate (when you ask if its too long) my first impression was that it looks a little small but then again how big is your pony...horse (?) and how big are you? sometimes saddles have a little more depth on them where as that looks a little shortish...could be wrong though, also you really need to girth it up, have a look then sit on and inspect it further providing you know exactly what you are looking for.

The best advice anyone can give you is to have a fitter come out and go through exactly what type of saddle you require and try some in the correct size so you have a choice, many makes even though the tree may be the same size, do look different in size (in other areas) if you get what I mean and you can find one that best suits your horse and also your leg etc

Good luck in sorting something out anyway

 

[niko]

Thanks for your advice, she is 15.2/3ish and im 5'4 and having a terrible time trying to find something that suits, saddlers dont have many round here! When girthed up doesnt seem to move much at all at the back and actually fits a whole lot better than the albion i put on and took off! I've ruled out many of the 'top' brands and now getting desperate! Is new saddle so doesnt look like it has 'moulded' and also not sure if i could get 'into' it deep enough for flatwork?

 

[Kenzo]

hmm its not task I envy, I'm 5'6 and my horse is 15.3 but he only takes a 17'' because he's short coupled but does have slighly long sloping withers, the lady that fitted saddle looked at him and thought he'd be an easy horse to fit, but once she took a template and various other technical things she actually said he's a bit of an awkward shape..

as he's long slopeing withers and big shoulders but only got a small back...maybe my horse is just an odd cretin!

 

[Ravenwood]

It does seem to perch up very high at the front which leads to it sloping backwards rather than being level. Did you manage to try an Ideal?

 

[niko]

I havent no, no saddlers seem to have any in stock to try! I may travel the few hours to berney bros and see if they can make one! Im exhausted trying to find a saddle its now making me flustered!

 

[Kenzo]

Yes I kind of see your point also, if you look at the front of the saddle in the second picture, the part that lays on the shoulder, well further up before it stops and becomes the pommel it carry on, so its not actually in contact with the sides, hence why its seems perched at the front and will put more pressure on a smaller area, also go check is...running a crop through the centre to make sure there is clearance all the way through, also laying a crop across the cantle to the pommel to see if it is is horizontal...totally straight.

Also turn the saddle upside down and have a good look at the panels, and the shape of your horses back from the spine outwards, some saddles cover a bigger area than others so its important that they cover evenly and hold the pressure of the rider evenly too, some panels are flatter, some slimmer but have more flocking in.

Also the cut of the saddle is important too, depending the placement of your horses shoulder.

Also some saddles are more banana shaped..(the tree has more of a bend) so you also have to look at how dippy or straight the spine and shape of his back is.

Have a good look at your horses back, shape, muscles etc directly from behind, you may need to stand on a bucket, is there any obvious difference in each side....you need that room to develop/correct but you dont also want to nip or make the other side worse.

Sorry I hope this is not confusing you any more, but its best to explore every detail to ensure you get the best fit.

 

[niko]

You should be a saddle fitter! Yes i do see your point, she's changed shape so much i just want her to be comfortable for what she will be doing i think i'll just take a day and drive the few hours and get it done properly (even if i gotta do overtime!) thanks again for all your help