Recommendations for a saddle for a wide, flat backed horse WITH withers

Bertolie

Bertolie

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As above....

My cob is wide, flat backed but has withers and is proving extremely difficult to find a saddle to fit.

I have a saddle fitter coming out soon to check the fit of the Wintec Wide I currently ride in, but she doesn't sell saddles only fits them. I would like to borrow some saddles to try on him whilst she is there but dont know which ones would be best suited.

Also, any opinions on the Shires Optimus leather saddles? As they have a cut away head I'm wondering if they would be a better fit?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
My Sec D is wide with withers and I have a saddle company saddle . I've had it adjusted when she lost weight too and really like it
 
Hi Bertolie, have been in exactly the same situation for several months now and tried several saddles. Am no saddle fitter but got some great advice on here. Wintecs didnt suit my horse, tree shape too curvy however didnt try the cob one - found a recommended saddle fitter who did agree he was difficult to fit and at first try didnt have anything that would suit. Have been waiting for Ideal to make up one that had an event tree, wide seat and VSD panels from her recommendations, she is due to come back today after totally reflocking it from factory as it slipped so in that respect wasnt right but she think it did fit him well. I also tried and liked the Barnsbys but they were a bit dearer but felt really comfy and didnt budget when he did his usual leaping side ways spooks! Will let you know how the Ideal goes! :)
 
janei said:
Hi Bertolie, have been in exactly the same situation for several months now and tried several saddles. Am no saddle fitter but got some great advice on here. Wintecs didnt suit my horse, tree shape too curvy however didnt try the cob one - found a recommended saddle fitter who did agree he was difficult to fit and at first try didnt have anything that would suit. Have been waiting for Ideal to make up one that had an event tree, wide seat and VSD panels from her recommendations, she is due to come back today after totally reflocking it from factory as it slipped so in that respect wasnt right but she think it did fit him well. I also tried and liked the Barnsbys but they were a bit dearer but felt really comfy and didnt budget when he did his usual leaping side ways spooks! Will let you know how the Ideal goes! :)
Click to expand...

Ideal are making ours up to our specifications, v exciting but nervous in case it is no good!!!
 
Skyebald said:
My Sec D is wide with withers and I have a saddle company saddle . I've had it adjusted when she lost weight too and really like it
Click to expand...

This sounds promising as someone on my yard is selling a Saddle Company saddle and I am going to borrow to try when the fitter comes out :). Unfortunately my saddle fitter does not sell saddles so I need to find one thats fits him and then look to purchase one secondhand as I dont have a very large budget at the moment.
 
I would not fit a hoop tree to anything with withers and even some horses without. I went to a yard the other day where a NF was wearing a hoop tree and the saddle just kind of swam on the horse, rocking slightly and pivoting slightly from side to side, it kind of fitted where it touched.

To "qualify" for a hoop tree the horse should be mutton withered, VERY wide (usually at least a very generous XW) and should have a very wide, well sprung ribcage all the way through, flat on top. Too many natives like NFs and Connies have too narrow a ribcage at the front to take a hoop tree, and anything with withers will have a lack of panel contact around the wither.

If you'd like really specific advice, I do fit natives and cobs as a speciality but only fit for one brand so can't talk models on here, feel free to pm me :)

And do search on here for the Shires Optimus saddle - only two days ago someone was complaining about the headplate collapsing on the horse. Not to be recommended AT ALL.
 
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