Improved saddle fit but worse behaviour under saddle?

[atropa]

As title really, suspect I already know the answer to this sadly.

Have a saddle on a trial basis from saddle fitter, was fitted and tried on at yard however this was done in our small covered sand school and I was unable to fully test is as I can't/won't canter/jump in there due to the size and footing.

Have now had a chance to test the saddle on my own and am pretty gutted as my horse has started bucking when asked to canter. To me this is a clear sign that she is unhappy with the saddle, however I have also noticed that she seems much freer and has a hugely improved length of stride in this saddle in comparison to her previous three. Is there ever an occasion where a horse will become a bit more exuberant and throw some bucks whilst getting used to a new saddle due to feeling better and more free in it, rather than feeling worse?

ETA as a disclaimer before someone jumps on me, I will of course be speaking to the saddle fitter I got the saddle from in the morning about this, I'm just looking for other peoples experiences also. Thanks

 

[webble]

How does it compare to the previous saddle? Could there be tightness caused by the previous one that this is making worse

 

[Melody Grey]

Do you have the saddle on trial long enough to get a physio out and then re-try? You could have some tension left behind from previous badly fitting saddles? Generally though, stride length and freedom sounds like an improvement.

 

[LEC]

Sometimes horses have a different opinion to saddle fitters. One aspect might have improved but the horse might not like another aspect.

 

[atropa]

Do you have the saddle on trial long enough to get a physio out and then re-try? You could have some tension left behind from previous badly fitting saddles? Generally though, stride length and freedom sounds like an improvement.

Sadly not, but thank you, I absolutely hadn't considered a previous tension or pain being exacerbated.

 

[atropa]

How does it compare to the previous saddle? Could there be tightness caused by the previous one that this is making worse

Thank you, I hadn't considered this. Its shorter length than previous saddle and specifically geared toward her shape of horse whilst also being hugely more secure and comfortable for me than her previous - hence why I'm a bit gutted

Sometimes horses have a different opinion to saddle fitters. One aspect might have improved but the horse might not like another aspect.

This is kinda what I was thinking. On paper it seems a good fit but it doesn't necessarily mean the horse likes it. Sadly I dislike riding in her previous saddle so much that I don't feel I can go back to it at this point.

 

[Flame_]

I've actually had this sort of issue with my horse.

He didn't like, and wouldn't operate, in a Reactor Panel (supposedly, and to look at them IMO are, the dog's bollox of saddles for back freedom), repeatedly adjusted and given up on. He ended up in something absolutely ancient which he worked happily in for 4 years. He developed a swelling on his back and muscular issues while demonstrating no unhappiness with it whatsoever. He's had two new saddles since, one which he accepted, less happily, but which put me in a chair seat and wasn't very secure and another which looks great on him and suits me perfectly, which he's back to bucking in in the canter transition (eta, mainly in the school, ok on hacks). What can you do with that really? He really seemed to like the rock hard one that screwed his back up.

 

[Ali27]

I had an Equipe fitted to my pony which fitted beautifully as the previous saddle a Farrington was fitted badly! However the first time I went x country, pony wouldn’t jump at all! Even took her to be scoped and ovaries checked but all clear! Turned out that Farrington saddle had made her so sore! A few months of regular physio and just light work sorted it out! I’ve had the Equipe 3 years now and still fits beautifully?

 

[atropa]

I've actually had this sort of issue with my horse.

He didn't like, and wouldn't operate, in a Reactor Panel (supposedly, and to look at them IMO are, the dog's bollox of saddles for back freedom), repeatedly adjusted and given up on. He ended up in something absolutely ancient which he worked happily in for 4 years. He developed a swelling on his back and muscular issues while demonstrating no unhappiness with it whatsoever. He's had two new saddles since, one which he accepted, less happily, but which put me in a chair seat and wasn't very secure and another which looks great on him and suits me perfectly, which he's back to bucking in in the canter transition (eta, mainly in the school, ok on hacks). What can you do with that really? He really seemed to like the rock hard one that screwed his back up.

That's so bizarre isn't it!

I had an Equipe fitted to my pony which fitted beautifully as the previous saddle a Farrington was fitted badly! However the first time I went x country, pony wouldn’t jump at all! Even took her to be scoped and ovaries checked but all clear! Turned out that Farrington saddle had made her so sore! A few months of regular physio and just light work sorted it out! I’ve had the Equipe 3 years now and still fits beautifully?

Thank you, a few people have mentioned previous saddle possibly making them sore, I guess I just always assumed she would be making her discomfort known in the previous saddle if that was the case but evidently not. So glad for you that you managed to get yours sorted. Unfortunately I only have this on trial for two weeks so think I would struggle to get my physio out or give it the benefit of the doubt (saddle costs more than my horse did so can't really go ahead with the sale if I'm not 100% convinced) but something I will definitely be considering in future

 

[Melody Grey]

Would the saddler be able to extend the trial period on the basis that you’re having problems but would like to persevere and need a physio involved? Probably wouldn’t need to be that long for a physio visit and a few days off - a fortnight max? If still no improvement then cause to send the saddle back and try something else?

 

[atropa]

Would the saddler be able to extend the trial period on the basis that you’re having problems but would like to persevere and need a physio involved? Probably wouldn’t need to be that long for a physio visit and a few days off - a fortnight max? If still no improvement then cause to send the saddle back and try something else?

Possibly, I can always ask tomorrow about it - you don't know if you don't try! Thank you for your input ?

 

[sbloom]

Go back to the fitter, tell them your concerns, ask for an extension to the trial. Look up the fitter and the brand on here, on Google, on Facebook, check reviews, while it's not too late. Freedom in the trot coupled with loss of balance in the canter is common in a new saddle, with the canter taking a few rides to "come back" and then improve, but bucking is more problematic in my experience. Previous soreness could indeed be an issue, there is a tiny chance the horse being allowed to move more freely is showing up a previously unrecognised problem.

Saddle fitter of 13 years.