One for saddle fitting experts

Fairytale

Fairytale

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Just had the saddle fitter out to check my Boys' saddles - a routine thing.

One of them she said, and I quote, "The saddle fit is fine, but because of his confirmation it just slips forward a bit" and proceeded to sell me a very expensive curvy shaped girth and a very expensive non-slip numnah - a total of around £160.........:eek:

My query is; surely, if the saddle slips forward, then it doesn't fit?!
:confused:

And then, assuming that these very expensive items might not work, any suggestions what will? A crupper is out of the ?, he just wouldn't have it :D and a new saddle is also not an option either! :)

F
 
Can't answer that I'm afraid, but would be interested to know who the saddle fitter is as had very similar expirience - pm me if you like.
 
I would be inclined to think that saddle may fit - but not as well as it should!

Experience with our 'not as straight forward conformationaly as you would like' mares has shown me that a saddle that basically fits may not be a good enough fit for the horse. One of our mares has a confo that makes a saddle v prone to slipping forwards - means it needs a tweak. The saddle does fit, but either a slight easing of the points, tinkering with the flock etc is generally required as her muscle develops.

I personally would never use a non-slip pad, I want the saddle to fit well rather than being held in position. I know that this mare in particular has caused issues with some saddlers being unable to fit her, our saddler now is v good and stocks alot of brands so he is actually able to fit one to her - and then maintain the fit for her with regular checks.

I must admit I would be after another saddler, the saddle should suit the confo not be welded in position!!
 
Could be that your saddle fitter is right, sometimes due to horses shape (specially if they have a large gut, high back end and no shoulders) the saddle can fit well but once popped into canter (obviously depends on the the horses paces) can push the saddle forward, could be the your saddler had nothing else in that would fit better, in which case they should of said this so you can look else where rather than being sold things to help prevent your saddle slipping, or yes it could be that your saddle just simply does no fit.

Has the horse changed shape a lot?, has the saddle always slipped forwards, if not then it could be that your saddler has sold you these items to help in the meantime until your saddle fits better (if it's a case of your horse loosing a few pounds) as some horses store fat in different places which can drastically alter the fit of your saddle, so it would be unfair or the saddle to say the saddle will never fit and that you need to buy a new one if it's just a case of baring with that one until your horse is back to normal where your usual saddle fits well etc.

ps....I'm not expert, I'm just saying :)
 
Certainly the choice of girth can make a difference to saddle-fit on some types of conformation. If the girth does not lie vertical then the whole saddle can be pulled forward onto the shoulders when the horse is moving. For example, I've got a wide backed pony that we can only use a split-end girth on, and the billets had to be repositioned a little on her saddle.

Why don't you ask your saddle-fitter their reasons?
 
mum's mare is bum high, narrow shoulders, arab belly and a forwards girth groove (the curvy girth helps with this bit). Saddle definitely fits but is better, especially when she stops at jumps with the girth and a gel-eze type anti slip pad.
 
Interesting replies, thanks folks.

Horse in question has always been difficult to fit and this particular saddle was made to measure about 5 years ago. He has changed shape due to being out of work for a year or two but generally speaking he has big shoulders, is slightly croup high and has a forward girth position (hence the curvy girth as the old one was pulling the saddle forward even more) and he can have a fat gut but we are working on that bit :) is mega sensitive and quirky and always lets me know, in the nicest possible way of course, that he is not happy about something.

The problem only really manifests itself on any degree of downward slope - luckily we don't have many hills!

I'm not overly keen on the non slip numnah idea, mainly because I just know he isn't going to like it! Why did I buy it? Dunno, got talked into it I suppose :)
 
If you aren't happy with the conclusion, then call up your fitter and get some more information. I'm sure they had a reason for suggesting what they did (wether you are happy with the solution or not) so I'd have a chat with them.
 
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