Not sure i'm happy with the fit of my saddle, help?

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123o123

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Well I have a pretty much new Close contact Barnsby Milton on trial with the felt/latex panels, although the saddle sits well on her back, I'm just not sure about the panels, I know they are supposed to mould to the horse but im just unsure. Can I have peoples opinions?

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The saddle itself is fine in terms of fit as had it fitted today but im just unsure of the panels as they are quite far off her body.
 
The saddle isn't really fine if the panels are off the horse - the panels are attached to the tree so if there is a lack of panel contact it could be panel shape or tree shape. Foam panels are known to bounce back, a benefit of fitting them is that they can work on multiple horses because they don't mould to the back, so I would be concerned. If it is as much off the horse's back as it looks at the back (and yes, no pad and better pics would help) indiciates the tree may be too wide, or too curvy, or the panels are too curvy. Maybe only by a hair but....does it lift at the back in rising trot? If it does you have an issue.
 
Don't like the look of that at all! I wouldn't buy a saddle that needed to 'break in' that much as you are taking a big chance with it. It may never sit right and they are very expensive. I would be asking to see different makes on my horses back to see the difference. Sorry to be negative but have had the unpleasant experience of 'correctly' fitted saddles by master saddler that have been dreadful and its ended up a very expensive mistake. :)
 
Doesn't look right to me, sorry.

ETA Is it just too big of a saddle for that horse, as in, too deep? They aren't brilliant pictures so can't say for sure, but going off that, I'd say you could find something that suits that horse better.
 
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sykokat said:
Don't like the look of that at all! I wouldn't buy a saddle that needed to 'break in' that much as you are taking a big chance with it. It may never sit right and they are very expensive. I would be asking to see different makes on my horses back to see the difference. Sorry to be negative but have had the unpleasant experience of 'correctly' fitted saddles by master saddler that have been dreadful and its ended up a very expensive mistake. :)
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Ive had this problem too. If your unhappy, get the saddle fitter back and explain your worries, ask to see some different models and sizes as to me that saddle looks very perched and generally quite big.
 
sbloom said:
The saddle isn't really fine if the panels are off the horse - the panels are attached to the tree so if there is a lack of panel contact it could be panel shape or tree shape. Foam panels are known to bounce back, a benefit of fitting them is that they can work on multiple horses because they don't mould to the back, so I would be concerned. If it is as much off the horse's back as it looks at the back (and yes, no pad and better pics would help) indiciates the tree may be too wide, or too curvy, or the panels are too curvy. Maybe only by a hair but....does it lift at the back in rising trot? If it does you have an issue.
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This is what I was thinking it fits perfectly over the back no lift no sliding and perfect amount of clearance beautiful and comfortable to ride in so I think the saddler was right about the fit over the back but the panels worry me , it is barnsbys 5 tree and the pony is not at all cobby so I think this is why we are having the problem if only she was a bit wider. It's just such a perfect saddle if the panels weren't where they are :(
 
sykokat said:
Don't like the look of that at all! I wouldn't buy a saddle that needed to 'break in' that much as you are taking a big chance with it. It may never sit right and they are very expensive. I would be asking to see different makes on my horses back to see the difference. Sorry to be negative but have had the unpleasant experience of 'correctly' fitted saddles by master saddler that have been dreadful and its ended up a very expensive mistake. :)
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This is what I'm worried about as yes the saddle fits over the back but not to her body and I don't feel I have too much knowledge on saddle fitting so don't want to end up keeping something that clearly dosnt fit even if it is lovely.
 
Can you post pictures that are without a pad, girthed firmly, and the right way up, just to help us :cool:. If it doesn't liift at the back it may simply be that it is a very upswept panel design but that MIGHT in itself be a problem as it means there is a reduced panel are in contact with the back.

Shots from the front as you have done are useful, clearly showing the point angle against the horse's side, then from the side showing the whole horse standing on level ground. One from the rear only shows whether the panel profile (from side to side) works for the horse's back, the one from the side shows panel contact better but include one from the rear as well.
 
sbloom said:
Can you post pictures that are without a pad, girthed firmly, and the right way up, just to help us :cool:. If it doesn't liift at the back it may simply be that it is a very upswept panel design but that MIGHT in itself be a problem as it means there is a reduced panel are in contact with the back.

Shots from the front as you have done are useful, clearly showing the point angle against the horse's side, then from the side showing the whole horse standing on level ground. One from the rear only shows whether the panel profile (from side to side) works for the horse's back, the one from the side shows panel contact better but include one from the rear as well.
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Sorry yes I will try again below my ability to use photobucket/photo managers is very limited and just had to work out how to turn them :) I very much agree with the forward sweptness of it as it just looks a bit too odd and very over her shoulders.
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Here are another few which i hope are helpful as useless at photography.

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This makes it look a lot more bulky than i thought, the next one scared me a bit as it didnt seem so bad when taking them.
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I think ive come to the conclusion that its going back any reccomendations anyone has?
 
Good decision. Try to get Martin wilkinson. He's in herts but travels all over. You may have to wait a while for him but trust me, he's brilliant and well worth the wait! He has a website so check him out. :)
 
Was also going to say it seems to be placed too far forward. Re size, is the horse quite short-backed? It might make the saddle look large for the horse. If you need a saddle this length a slightly straighter cut one might be better. Definitely one for a good saddler to assess you and the horse properly.
 
I think it might be a hair wide, but otherwise at the front the panels will stick out slightly on a foam saddle, they wrap around on girthing, girthed photos are the more useful. Panel fit at the front is all to do with firstly clearance and providing enough, then with shape from top to bottom; I prefer panels that follow the tree shape and this seems to, but otherwise it is ONLY tree shape that is important. The tree is rigid, panels are not and will conform when below the tree points.

I have slightly more concern at the back as there is a distinct shadow under the rear panel showing that at least the outer edge is not making contact with the back. This means the saddle is meant for a wider flatter rear back than your horse has. The saddle is too far forwards and may be better when in the right place, it might not be too long - there is also a chance that the girth is pulling it forwards slightly. Try sliding it back until it reall settles with the points behind thje scapula and see if it will stay there on girthing or riding. It is sitting slightly cantle low which I hope would correct itself when the saddle is moved back.

You really need to talk to the fitter about your concerns and give them a chance to show you either why it does work, or to perhaps take it back and/or find something you are happier with.
 
sbloom said:
I think it might be a hair wide, but otherwise at the front the panels will stick out slightly on a foam saddle, they wrap around on girthing, girthed photos are the more useful. Panel fit at the front is all to do with firstly clearance and providing enough, then with shape from top to bottom; I prefer panels that follow the tree shape and this seems to, but otherwise it is ONLY tree shape that is important. The tree is rigid, panels are not and will conform when below the tree points.

I have slightly more concern at the back as there is a distinct shadow under the rear panel showing that at least the outer edge is not making contact with the back. This means the saddle is meant for a wider flatter rear back than your horse has. The saddle is too far forwards and may be better when in the right place, it might not be too long - there is also a chance that the girth is pulling it forwards slightly. Try sliding it back until it reall settles with the points behind thje scapula and see if it will stay there on girthing or riding. It is sitting slightly cantle low which I hope would correct itself when the saddle is moved back.

You really need to talk to the fitter about your concerns and give them a chance to show you either why it does work, or to perhaps take it back and/or find something you are happier with.
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I totally 100% agree with this, although the pony is quite long in the back at 13.2hh just about fits into a 5'6'' rug and dosnt have a massive bum but it does look too big, although smaller then old saddle which looked about right although the panels over the back extend further.
I think I've decided I'm not happy with the saddle and not prepared to pay a massive amount for a saddle which dosnt fit. I did have it further back to start with but it just looked wrong and there was more lift at the back of the saddle and the girth when ridden would come forward and bring it back to this position hence i left it like so. This is were i wish i understood the play of different trees.
Also while riding in this saddle i did notice that the right hand panels also come further forward than the left hence I felt like it was twisting over her back and got off but remained reasonably straight.
In terms of saddles for a pony of her stature, what would you be mostly looking for and also what brands would suit her better as have tried a MW barnsbys VSS also and that was far to off her withers.

Sykokat- I emailed him yesterday and yet to have a reply also struggling to see any 16.5inch saddles on his website as want to go smaller than current saddle as i am slightly swamped by a 17" and flooded by a 17.5 inch

Planete- Agree it looks massive and although id like a CC jump saddle we have been happy in a pretty straight GP saddle till now and jump double clears up to 3'6'' in that so can probably survive a similar saddle again as its horses comfort over mine.
 
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