How many times?

[malibu211211]

Has your horse changed shape and needed a different saddle?

I was watching Monty on the lunge the other day and noticed his saddle was bouncing about

Had a look at it once I had finished and it seems to be getting too tight

Going to have to get saddler out to him and was thinking of getting one made to measure but not sure

He is now 7 and I hope he won't change shape much more

Your thoughts please

 

[fairhill]

My mare has needed 6 saddles over the past 3 years! They've mostly been second hand ones, and all been part-exed so its not as bad as it sounds

She's 7 now and I've just splashed out for a new dressage saddle so she's on a strict diet to make sure she doesn't change shape anymore

 

[bellaboo]

I think he is gonna change shape abit more yet bud!!

I would get a saddle you are both happy and comfortable in for now as with the schooling he is doing i wouldn't be surprise if in 6-8 months time you could be looking again

 

[Kenzo]

Its very common for them to change shape when there young, yes...most people know this and of course expect this.

But I think this an excellent post, to highlight the fact, like you say, they do change very much and very quickly even at the age of 7.

In fact if more people observed their horses backs at this age very closely and had the saddles checked, they would be less horses about with back problems in the near future, even if the work load has not changed, they still change shape a lot at 7.

 

[Donkeymad]

Many horses change shape during the year anyhow, regardless of their age. This can be enough to cause harm with the saddle.