I have a horse with low withers

[glebebeanie]

I have a horse with low withers (not a lack of muscle it's her breed) and someone suggested too me that I got a saddle riser for the front of my saddle as she is rather uncomfortable to ride as she is so sloped and keeping a good position is almost impossible. I've had it for awhile now but after reading other posts I'm now concerned it is damaging my horse's back? My saddle was fitted for her and I didn't think the riser would effect the pressure put onto her back or am I wrong here? She isn't showing any signs of discomfort but I'm just a bit concerned. X

 

[sychnant]

If the saddle is fitted correctly it shouldn't be sloping and put you in the wrong position. If a front riser is needed then the saddle should be fitted to take account of that. So no, I wouldn't just bung one on without having it checked.

My mare had her saddle fitted with a front riser pad as she was a little light when I got her, resulting in hollows either side of the withers. Once she had a little more condition the saddler came back and adjusted the saddle to fit her new shape, without the riser.

So, I would say they have their place, but only if they have been fitted along with the saddle. And if it's her conformation rather than a short term issue like lack of condition I would prefer the saddle to be fitted properly without.

Hope that helps

 

[Sukistokes2]

Yes I agree, I use a poly pad n the front of my saddle. But it was fitted by the saddler.

 

[sbloom]

Low withers on their own only affect what shape of tree you need - flat from front to back usually, width will vary but always some variatino on wide!. However if you're saying that she is croup high then that is slightly different and the saddle may be tricky to balance without narrowing it too much to get the front up. If well fitted then it should be possible to get the saddle balanced through the right combination of panel shape and flocking, however if it is less than perfect then a front riser might be needed, but is not a long term solution. I would recommend only shimming a saddle like that (shimming being a general term covering things like riser pads) with help froma saddle fitter, if you have rebalanced it correctly then it will almost certainly only help, but do you feel knowledgeable enough to decide that? I think it better not to take the risk and have advice from a fitter.