I feel like a bad horse mam

[Ish2020]

I was having problems with my back so I got the phiso out to have a look and her . My saddle is to narrow and is not a great fit so I need a new saddle. I was going to wait a few weeks to get a saddle fitter out. But I got comments from someone in the yard the other day saying if I cannot afford a saddle that I should not have a horse. Is it bad that I am leaving it for a few weeks.

 

[IrishMilo]

If it doesn't fit then you shouldn't ride in it.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I feel as though you should always have a slight cushion of savings for vet bills and the like.

There are some that are very firm in their beliefs that you shouldn't own a horse if you cannot afford a saddle and any other "extras" that may creep up. I cannot say that they are wrong.

A saddle is a piece of equipment that you use A LOT. An ill fitting saddle can really have some negative effects on a horse both physically and mentally. You don't have to go out and spend 3k on a saddle, but you do need to be able to provide the horse with a well fit saddle if you plan on riding.

In times when I've had to wait on a saddle or fitter I've just long-lined, lunged, hand-walked, and done misc ground work. Could also hop on bareback every once in awhile.

 

[be positive]

As long as you are not riding in the old one waiting a few weeks, you may have to wait that long for an appointment anyway, can be helpful, you can do groundwork to help build her up, do the stretches the physio will have shown you and allow any sore spots to fully recover before trying new saddles, if she is very sore she may take several weeks and another physio session to be really comfortable so in many ways it may be best in the long run.
Not everyone can access the cost of a new saddle with no warning, having plenty of cash is not a sign of a good owner it is far more important that you can pay the day to day expenses and have a plan for any vet fees that may be essential with no way to prepare.

 

[Roxylola]

Wait by all means, but you shouldn't ride in it. Theres nothing you can do to change the fact that you've been riding in it in ignorance of the issue but it would be very selfish to continue riding when you know it's not right

 

[Polos Mum]

TBH you'll be lucky to get a quality reputable saddler out in a couple of weeks anyway even if you called them now. There is still a big post lockdown backlog (certainly for the good ones in our area). THEN they won't have anything perfect so you'll be ages finding something suitable. I would get booking even if you don't want the expense for a few weeks.

As above - wait as long as you want - but it would be v. unfair to rider in something you know is causing pain.

Bareback, groundwork, borrow something that's better fitting - lots of options.

 

[Tarragon]

I keep an old Treeless saddle (Barefoot Cherokee) for these sorts of occasions. It is my backup saddle, and i know that it cannot not fit!

 

[doodle]

As others have said. No harm in delaying but don’t ride until you have new saddle.

 

[TotalMadgeness]

Another 'don't ride' I'm afraid! You don't want bad backs, muscle wastage or any other physical/mental issues caused by ill fitting saddles. But you can do loads of in hand work - long lining, polework, trec, in hand hacking, bareback dressage etc. so its not all bad.