Saddle check

[doodle]

I’m not sure what to do. I had a saddle fitter to Robin at the start of his issues. Basically saddle was fine in terms of shape and size etc but she wanted to totally reflock in a neutral way. This didn’t happen as his issues became apparent and he hasn’t been ridden since.

Today I asked a fitter if they could look and they won’t until he is in work as just sitting it on his back might give a false impression. I am planning to walk inhand for a month before getting on. Having not been ridden for 5 months and having put on weight I think he will have changed shape.

Due to the ulcers and hocks he was reacting slightly to the saddle. How much was saddle fit and how much was ulcers I don’t know. I am fairly confident I can tell if it is horrendous but I’m not sure of the subtle signs.

If I get him to the point I can ride I will be disappointed if saddle having to go away to be fitted would stop that although I would do it. I guess also a month of in hand work might change his shape too. Of course I don’t want to get on a saddle that might be ok but not great and risk him being unhappy with it.

What should I do!

 

[Equi]

There’s not much point fitting it to him as he is right now, he will invariably put on weight and muscle from spring grass and a bit of walking about. When your ready to start working him you can sit on him a couple of times then get the saddle done

 

[be positive]

If they a) thought it required a total reflock b) need to take/ send it away to do so then to my mind it makes most sense to do the main work now, bring it back with a bit of wriggle room ie a fraction generous which can be compensated for a short while by a thicker pad then back to tweak after you have ridden for a week or two which they should be able to do on site.
It will potentially cost you an extra visit but should allow you to get on knowing it is well flocked, a week or two to settle new flocking is usually needed anyway so they may have to come back once or twice over the next few months as he builds up.

 

[doodle]

I should add it don’t want to use the saddler that suggested the reflock so would be starting from scratch again. That saddler also wanted him ridden to fit it again which is why we left it as I never got him ridden again.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Irrelevant.

 

[doodle]

Either way, I would seek a professional opinion as you do want him to have a food and comfortable reintroduction to under saddle work.

Did you read post? I have had a professional opinion! 2 in fact. The original saddle fitter who wants him ridden. And a second saddle fitter who also wants him ridden. No saddle is not adjustable. I think he has put in weight and got wider. Saddle fitter thought front was sitting a little too low when she looked and the flocking was quite soft. I am hoping with a wee bit of inhand work and diet he will loose some weight and narrow down a little.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Did you read post? I have had a professional opinion! 2 in fact. The original saddle fitter who wants him ridden. And a second saddle fitter who also wants him ridden. No saddle is not adjustable. I think he has put in weight and got wider. Saddle fitter thought front was sitting a little too low when she looked and the flocking was quite soft. I am hoping with a wee bit of inhand work and diet he will loose some weight and narrow down a little.

Ok, I apologize for my post. I thought that you weren't quite sure about the opinions and maybe wanted another one to look or help you find a solution.

Sounds like you have a good plan in place. Please disregard my post.

 

[doodle]

Sorry I didn’t mean to be snappy. Thanks

 

[Annagain]

Hmm, tricky one. I think it depends on how quickly your sadder can work. We used to go to mine. He had a full workshop and an arena onsite and would fit the saddle, sit you down with a coffee and cake while he did the work, watch you ride, tweak it if necessary and then send you on your way. It was a pain as it was a 90 minute journey but we were all sorted in one go. He's now sold his base and is semi retired (far fewer clients than before) so has gone mobile but can still do 90% of the work from his van on the day, even a full re-flock. There are only a few things he can't do there and then.

If you can find a fitter who does that, I'd wait until he's built back up a bit. If not, as BP says, get the fitter out now, establish whether it does actually need a full re-flock and get it done if it does, then book another visit for the tweaking once he's ready to go.

 

[Polos Mum]

I would ask the saddler to come multiple times (and pay them for their time) - while they can't make it perfect forever at the current level of fitness - they can make it comfortable now and then change it again in a few months / weeks even.

My newly broken had a 'fitting' before he was broken - we tried it on and she adjusted as much as she could see without a rider. Then I've ridden maybe 20 times and she was back and had it tweaked again - based on what he looks like now.
She'll be back in 2 months and then 2 months after that.
I don't expect her to be able to guess what he'll look like when he can actually trot in a circle !!

Not cheap - but it means he's comfortable throughout the breaking process.

I had another horse that the saddler sold me a saddle GUARANTEEING it would NOT fit in 6 months time when he was fit and muscled - she was right and he had to have a new saddle at that point.

Maybe find someone who can make adjustments on site so you don't have to go weeks without a saddle each time - given he will change so much

 

[doodle]

I am perfectly happy to pay for multiple visits but the issue is the saddler won’t come unless I can ride him. The first saddler did an initial tweak on the yard but wanted to have saddle for 10 days to totally reflock.

 

[Polos Mum]

I would call the saddler again, explain his history / situation and tell them you know that they can't do a full proper fit until he's in would but that you would like to pay them and do the best they can without him being ridden (as they would if he was unbroken) and then you will get them to come back in a couple of months time when he is in work. If you explain what he has been through and that you're happy to spend extra to make sure he is comfortable now as well as comfortable in 3 months they should come.

If they still say no then I would get a third saddler who is a touch more flexible in their approach.

 

[sbloom]

I can only say what I would do, if I knew the saddle and the fit I ask for photos a week before you plan to get on, I advise on shims, pads etc if it looks within the ball park. If I see something concerning I'll arrange to go out and adjust it statically/ Then I would expect to go out pretty much as soon as trotting circles for a 2x20 min fitting is established. I don't tend to advise on fits I don't know, as hands on matters. I would say you understand the fit can't be guaranteed, but if they have the time please would they come and look before you get on so you don't do more damage, and that you're prepared that they'll need to come back a month later.

 

[doodle]

I am more than happy for multiple visits.

The problem is the saddle fitter I had before who saw the saddle and horse I have lost trust in. That fitter wanted to see him ridden. Something that I can’t show right now. Probably a little sit and walk round would be ok but he is not ready for me to ride. I don’t actually know when I will ride again, it will very much be a see how he goes so very hard to book an appointment anyway. this was the initial problem as saddle was booked in to be reflocked but that was the start of the issues and he hasn’t been ridden since and tbh I didn’t see the point in paying money for a saddle for a horse that wouldn’t be ridden again. I probably should have had it done then but I think he has put weight in since then anyway.

So the other saddle fitter I tried who is coming to yard, said they couldn’t help at this time as they also wanted him ridden and felt just sitting the saddle on won’t tell enough. That is fair enough. They don’t know the saddle or the horse.

The other saddle fitter in the area will never reply to messages.

I don’t think shims and pads will be needed as I think he has got fatter and wider rather than narrower. The saddle wasn’t horrendous before and basically fitted so I think I will just ride as and when he is ready. I would love to have it fitted before getting on but fitters are not willing so I am stuck. I hope I know enough to know if it is terrible although if it is I don’t know how it can be adjusted if j can’t ride. Rock and hard place. Hopefully if I get to ride him I can potter for a couple of weeks and try and book someone then and if saddle needs to go away then he will just have to go backwards with his rehab.

 

[doodle]

And also to say, thanks to everyone for taking time to reply ?