Saddle / back problem - what do I do next??

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Chumsmum

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Hi - hope you all had a good Christmas!

I've got a problem and would appreciate your thoughts.

Trying to cut a long story short, Chum has always been grumpy round the girth since I had him but has gradually got worse and I noticed he was uncomfortable downhill etc. I bought a new saddle for him in the summer - it took a while to find one to fit - needed something cut back from his shoulders to free them, high withers, short back. Finally got one - very pleased.

Okay for a while but still not 100% though fit appeared good. Got vet out to check him over - she recommended physio. Got physio out, she said he was tight over his back and said saddle flocking needed some adjustments but was generally pleased with him and he responded well to treatment.

Got saddle reflocked - wow, amazing, like a new pony, far more forward going, striding out downhill etc.
All well until last couple of weeks when he started to go back to how he was before.
My instructor, would hadn't seen him since reflocking said she could see that he had built up more muscle and he looks a lot better but saddle was tight again on his withers.
Would it make sense that he could have changed shape in only 6 weeks?
What would you do now? Instructor thought maybe try a riser for now in case he continues to build up but said that they can sometimes cause more problems?? Or get saddle fitter out again? Or get vet/physio out again?

If a riser is suggested can anyone recommend one?

I hope that this all makes sense
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Many thanks for any replies
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I would say if he has suddenly been able to use his back muscles again then yes he'll have changed shape and I'm suprised the saddler didnt arrange to come back out (as they'd guess this would happen).

I would use a front riser temporarily till he's muscled up all he can then have the saddler back out. It's not a physio problem.
 
Yes a horse can change beyond recognition in 6 weeks, especialy if there are mega problems that have been corrected. I would get the fitter back out, saddle might need more flocking or even a sadle with a different tree.

I woudl not mess about with risers, unless fitted to the horse and the saddle by someone who knows precicely what they are doing. They can totaly destroy the fit of a saddle if just plonked on, makes it a bit of a waste of money getting the saddle fitted in the first place!
 
I have recently had a new second hand saddle for my cob as my other one was causing him a lot of back pain. The saddler said that she would probably need to come back in 2 or 3 weeks to fiddle about with the flocking as the saddle would settle down and he would change shape so I imagine a lot could happen in 6 weeks. Can you not get the saddler to come out again?
 
Thanks for replies
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Sounds like majority say get fitter out again rather than try a riser as a temporary measure - tbh I think that fitter and physio thought the minor adjustments would be enough and both were pleased when I said how well he was going and neither said they needed to come out again. Obviously his saddle had been restricting him a lot for him to change shape so quickly
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I will speak to fitter and arrange for him to come out.
 
The lady who came out to me said that is would be OK to use my thick sheepskin numnah as a temporary measure between calling her to come out and her actually coming out if its any help.
 
I had my saddle fitted and two weeks later saddler was back out making adjustments, and then again 4 weeks after that, and will be due back out again later this month to check it all over....

It would be far easier and kinder to your horse to get the saddler out asap, than mess around with riser pads....
 
I should add that this was because she thought that the saddle might start getting too close to his withers as the flocking compacted - the numnah would lift it up again - I've no idea if this would be OK to do if its not fitting in other ways!
 
Thanks for reply - will call fitter tomorrow (unless they are off until new year).

Just out of interest, I know that you have to have the flocking adjusted to suit your horse but how many times would you expect the saddle to be checked initially for an average horse and how many times for say a horse that you are expecting to change shape?
 
Crikey, with one that you expect will change shape dramatically, I'd have it checked every 8 weeks, 12 weeks at the most until things level out in terms of shape and fitness....

I'd probably expect the flocking to have to be done no more than three times initially..... Luckily with my old saddle I only had to have it done twice!

Will be interesting to know the outcome of yours tho - keep us updated!
 
Definitely get the saddle checked again as it made such a difference. I'd also look into a Korrector pad (first thought equine) just for use whilst you are waiting for the saddler to come out. You could then have it as back up for anytime your horse is unhappy. I got one off ebay quite cheap and although I rarely use it now Ive kept it as a back up if I need it.
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No its fairly straightforward but Ive never managed to adjust it whilst in the saddle! But Im useless at anything that requires the minimum amout of dexterity! The hardest part is putting it together in the first place!
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Carefull about pumping yourself up LMAO
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I would give that a miss personally and just give the chap a ring whom you had out last time. He knows his stuff, I know it was part of a favour but would it be worth the phone call asking him if he is willing to come out and re-adjust?

Thanks for Friday and Saturday sorry I am such a wuss at time.

Ax
 
The only time a saddle really "fits" is the day it is fitted. A horse's musculature and weight can alter within days. Which is why I use treeless saddles (the truly treeless ones without any fixed parts at all, not the ones that pretend to be treeless).

I do agree with the other posters who have said don't try any temporary quick fixes, get your saddle fitter back asap.
 
Hello you
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It was S who suggested we may have used up favours hence looking for someone else
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I've got a couple of names, can you ask on your yard if they know anyone who comes down our way?

Glad you enjoyed yourself and shut up safty, you were fine!

Just found out they are hunting from the pub down the road on Saturday - I wonder if I can sort something out with saddle by then...
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How is my beautiful girly?
 
kk this will be costly but please get a good saddler back out- he will deffo have changed... my old horse was ruined because of bad saddle fitting (not trying to scare u) but i no its expensive, but its not worth leaving ur horse....
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hello you
smile.gif


It was S who suggested we may have used up favours hence looking for someone else
wink.gif
tongue.gif


I've got a couple of names, can you ask on your yard if they know anyone who comes down our way?

Glad you enjoyed yourself and shut up safty, you were fine!

Just found out they are hunting from the pub down the road on Saturday - I wonder if I can sort something out with saddle by then...
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How is my beautiful girly?

[/ QUOTE ]

Alright trouble
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Just been to an all you can eat Chinese ... yummy yummy
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.

Ah I see, yes let me know the names and Ill ask them at my yard if they are good .. they are off competing so it wont be until Friday .. is that ok?

Safty?!? I was a complete wuss ... you know I am slightly kicking myself I declined the offer of going in one of those fields for a blast. You are so philioshpical with your riding you are great, you shouldnt put yourself down so much. I wish I was more like that.

YAY go
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saddle or no saddle [oops did I say that?!] get a poly pad shaped thingy.

LMAO on the way back we stopped for chips so parked the trailer on the road and wondered in, madam whinnnied to us as we walked into the chippy then whinnied when we came out! I think she was after a salad kebab. Bless her. She was a bit tired today when I rode her I am guessing she had a super time
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Hbxx
 
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