New saddle, position feels weird

[Hormonal Filly]

So had a new saddle fitted today, it fits my mare perfect. Just feels really weird from my prospective. Can’t explain it, like I’m being pushed forward. If it’s really not ideal hoping I can return it.

Never ridden in a hoop tree before, it’s extremely WIDE.

Is anyone on the forum knowledgable on saddles and minds me messaging a few photos? Not of the fit, just my position in it.

Thanks in advance

 

[Barton Bounty]

The whole point of getting a new saddle is for it to fit you both

Pm me and I will have a look

 

[millitiger]

Agree, you both need to be happy with the fit.

I made the mistake of buying a saddle years ago that my mare liked but I wasn't too sure on- I never got used to it, it always put me in a pants position and I just hated it more!

 

[ycbm]

Feel free to pm me but there no substitute for a pro on the ground. Your best bet on here would be to ask @sbloom , she's a genuine expert on rider saddle fit, it's her job.
.

 

[sbloom]

Yep, happy to look at pics though am on the road so bear with me!

 

[scats]

I sold my made to measure AH saddle because although it fitted Millie, it really was too wide and uncomfortable for me. I battled on for a while but I was in so much discomfort. Frustrating because I lost a huge amount of money on it.
I think more focus needs to go on the shape of the rider too, when fitting these things. Apparently I had mine built up a bit as I’m so narrow, but it still wasn’t enough.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Really wide saddles do feel so different from a narrow one I feel odd when I sit in a narrow one now, hopefully after a while you will get used to it and then eventually love it.

If i remember rightly your position wasn't right in the other saddle so it might be just a case of getting used to riding in a better position.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I sold my made to measure AH saddle because although it fitted Millie, it really was too wide and uncomfortable for me. I battled on for a while but I was in so much discomfort. Frustrating because I lost a huge amount of money on it.
I think more focus needs to go on the shape of the rider too, when fitting these things. Apparently I had mine built up a bit as I’m so narrow, but it still wasn’t enough.

Oh no. I’m wondering if this is the problem, the width. I’m 5’4 and very petite. It was like sitting on a dinner table yesterday, my legs actually ache today!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Is it a new saddle? It is very important that that the saddle fits the rider as well as the horse.

Hope you get this resolved PDQ, and money back if it comes to that.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Is it a new saddle? It is very important that that the saddle fits the rider as well as the horse.

Hope you get this resolved PDQ, and money back if it comes to that.

Yes, fitted yesterday. I rode in it and it didn’t feel comfortable for me but could feel my horse moved better in it so bought it. Stupid I know, especially because it was over £2k. Going to hack later with longer stirrups and see how I get on.

Does anyone know how it works returning a saddle (if it comes to that) do you get a month? They took my old one in part exchange.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Yes, fitted yesterday. I rode in it and it didn’t feel comfortable for me but could feel my horse moved better in it so bought it. Stupid I know, especially because it was over £2k. Going to hack later with longer stirrups and see how I get on.

Does anyone know how it works returning a saddle (if it comes to that) do you get a month? They took my old one in part exchange.

If your still not comfortable in it today after lengthening your stirrups definitely have her back out asap to have it rectified

 

[sbloom]

See PM

Made to measure there is no right to return but it depends on Ts and Cs, if it was off the peg it's 14 days to notify the return and another 14 days to actually return it, but many fitters don't offer a ridden trial so there will be wear and tear charges.

Trading standards, run by the CAB in most areas, are your starting point after seeing if the fitter will take it back if you decide you don't want it. Tell her not to get rid of your trade in, I always hang on to them for the trial period but it's unlikely you have one.

Height of rider is less relevant than pelvis shape, hip hang, the width of the horse's ribcage and where your knee hits on it. Height, weight etc are only dwelt on because of the lack of understanding of how to facilitate stability via the skeleton, the gold standard for fitting the rider imo.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Thanks @sbloom, much appreciated.

It’s a ‘off the shelf’ so hopefully I’ve got more rights in terms of returning.

 

[IrishMilo]

What make is it? My share horse has a JW GP and I can't for the life of me ride in it. It has absolutely no knee support despite me adding in knee blocks and I constantly feel as though I'm about to dive out the front door!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

What make is it? My share horse has a JW GP and I can't for the life of me ride in it. It has absolutely no knee support despite me adding in knee blocks and I constantly feel as though I'm about to dive out the front door!

It’s an Albion K2, it has lots of knee support (well looks it) but when I’m riding feels like I have no support, almost like riding in a bareback pad that’s pushing me forward out the front door.

 

[IrishMilo]

It’s an Albion K2, it has lots of knee support (well looks it) but when I’m riding feels like I have no support, almost like riding in a bareback pad that’s pushing me forward out the front door.

Ah, how funny. I was telling someone the other day that I'm dying to get an Albion K2 because of how supported I feel in them and how comfy they are. Just goes to show how different everyone's preferences are!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Ah, how funny. I was telling someone the other day that I'm dying to get an Albion K2 because of how supported I feel in them and how comfy they are. Just goes to show how different everyone's preferences are!

Yes, bit gutting as used all my bonus on it.. to not enjoy riding in it (not yet anyway)

All my friends that have them love them, and I like riding my friends horse in hers but her horse is medium. My mare is 3xw!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Yes, bit gutting as used all my bonus on it.. to not enjoy riding in it (not yet anyway)

All my friends that have them love them, and I like riding my friends horse in her but her horse is medium. My mare is 3xw!

Have you tried the stirrups down yet

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Have you tried the stirrups down yet

This evening! I did start with stirrups 3 holes down and can’t say I felt much different. Trying to have an open mind and not shut it off quite yet!

 

[Barton Bounty]

This evening! I did start with stirrups 3 holes down and can’t say I felt much different. Trying to have an open mind and not shut it off quite yet!

If not don’t hesitate to get it back to her

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Try riding without stirrups and really stretch down.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

So tried longer stirrups and no stirrups, I think I’ve come to the conclusion it’s the girth straps under my leg causing the problem. As soon as I wrap my legs around her, it really digs into my legs and hurts.

I couldn’t ‘sit’ her canter today properly because of it, or wrap my legs around it she’s spooking. I do have a 2” shorter girth which would drop the bulge a bit but it won’t totally irradiate the problem.

Can see in the photo.

 

[sbloom]

So tried longer stirrups and no stirrups, I think I’ve come to the conclusion it’s the girth straps under my leg causing the problem. As soon as I wrap my legs around her, it really digs into my legs and hurts.

I don't think buckles on their own are causing the problem.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I don't think buckles on their own are causing the problem.

Probably right SB. It’s just I really notice it digging into my calf so can’t grip properly and don’t think it’s helping, felt better with longer stirrups bar that. I just feel insecure, she spooked and span (muntjac did run out right in front of us) and I nearly came off. Usually I sit spooks quite nicely.

 

[sbloom]

If the seat is the wrong shape, and the photos show you sitting in the wrong place so it's almost certainly the wrong shape, then all bets are off. Buckles are rarely an issue, though do make sure you have the shortest possible girth and that you don't pull the guards right down, they should just feather over the top edge of the buckles to avoid creating a big bulge.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I agree with sbloom and i said that too last night, its tipping you forward. Get her back out , get a saddle that fits you both not just the horse

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I agree with sbloom and i said that too last night, its tipping you forward. Get her back out , get a saddle that fits you both not just the horse

They don’t have any other saddle options, apparently. I was told yesterday pretty much it is what it is and I’ll get use to it. This is a huge saddlery with hundreds of saddles..

I’m going to go with AH (Andrea Hicks) I think after speaking to her today she has a few possible options.

 

[Barton Bounty]

They don’t have any other saddle options, apparently. I was told yesterday pretty much it is what it is and I’ll get use to it. This is a huge saddlery with hundreds of saddles..

I’m going to go with AH (Andrea Hicks) I think after speaking to her today she has a few possible options.

Just plain ask for a refund, you are entitled to it, you have been sold an item that is not fit for purpose

 

[mini-eventer]

I love k2s tried a 2nd hand one on my boy and thought meh not so sure. However it was 2nd hand and did need reflocking. Once it had been flocked it felt like the k2s I know and love.

I guess it wasn't quite balanced and I question whether yours looks quite right?

 

[sbloom]

This K2 has a completely different tree in it to probably all of those that you've all ridden in. Tree shape changes everything for the rider as well as the horse.