ponyparty
Well-Known Member
The saddle that came with my horse was poorly fitting (despite being reflocked by a saddler not long before!). It had made his back really sore, which I still feel guilty about not spotting sooner. He was telling me in every way he could, and because I thought the saddle couldn't POSSIBLY not fit him, I ignored him. I honestly will never forgive myself, and will never listen to other people above my horse again!
Anyway, his back is now completely better. I've sold that saddle, as the tree was completely the wrong shape and no amount of reflocking would have fixed that. I've been working him in-hand only since January.
There is a saddle fitter coming out to the yard at the end of this month, she'll have a few saddles with her and will even recommend brands that she doesn't stock. Due to his shape (high withered, but deceptively wide), and the fact that he'll no doubt change shape once he starts being ridden again, another livery suggested a Thorowgood with interchangeable gullet. She let me try hers on him last night, with a view to trying it on him when the saddle fitter comes out (she doesn't stock them) and getting her to check the fit.
The second he saw the saddle coming, he hollowed and put his ears back - this is before it got anywhere near him. He was expecting it to be painful, bless him
So - how can I get him past this remembered pain? Is it just a matter of putting a saddle on him, treating him/scratching him, then taking it off, and building up from there? Any tips?
Anyway, his back is now completely better. I've sold that saddle, as the tree was completely the wrong shape and no amount of reflocking would have fixed that. I've been working him in-hand only since January.
There is a saddle fitter coming out to the yard at the end of this month, she'll have a few saddles with her and will even recommend brands that she doesn't stock. Due to his shape (high withered, but deceptively wide), and the fact that he'll no doubt change shape once he starts being ridden again, another livery suggested a Thorowgood with interchangeable gullet. She let me try hers on him last night, with a view to trying it on him when the saddle fitter comes out (she doesn't stock them) and getting her to check the fit.
The second he saw the saddle coming, he hollowed and put his ears back - this is before it got anywhere near him. He was expecting it to be painful, bless him
So - how can I get him past this remembered pain? Is it just a matter of putting a saddle on him, treating him/scratching him, then taking it off, and building up from there? Any tips?