Pictures Saddle fit advice 😊

[ImmyS]

So I recently managed to pick up a beautiful GP/Jump Nick Dolman saddle for a really good price due to sellers circumstances. Saddler is coming out on the 8th January to have a look at my other saddle but I thought if the basic fit is good enough then I’ll get her to have a look at this one so I’ve got something for flatwork and something for the fun stuff! I’m not much cop on saddle fitting so if the basic fit is crap then I’ll resell it.

Any opinions greatly appreciated 😊. Just to note please no comments on horses weight, I know he is fat and it is being worked on! Also I know photos aren’t the best as no one to help me, slightly uneven ground and he was being a bit uncooperative.

So photos ungirthed -

Photos girthed -

Girthed with saddle pad -

Thank you!

 

[Leo Walker]

With these you take a template and send it back to Nick who alters the tree to fit. The only issue you have to worry about it length whch looks to be fine, especially with the upswept panels. They are basically the same as Barry Swain/Kay Humphreys saddles although he claims they arent!

You are going to need a different girth whatever saddle you use as he has a forward girth groove combined with a big belly. I had god success with a neophrene C shaped one

 

[buddylove]

Looks to be sitting a little high at the front. I would guess it is too narrow?

 

[ImmyS]

With these you take a template and send it back to Nick who alters the tree to fit. The only issue you have to worry about it length whch looks to be fine, especially with the upswept panels. They are basically the same as Barry Swain/Kay Humphreys saddles although he claims they arent!

You are going to need a different girth whatever saddle you use as he has a forward girth groove combined with a big belly. I had god success with a neophrene C shaped one

Thank you, the saddler I have coming specialises in these types as other saddle I have is a Barrie swaine. And yes agree on girth. only one I had to hand today’s

 

[holeymoley]

It looks to be the wrong tree shape for him. Sorry but I don’t think it fits at all. Interested to hear others thoughts.

 

[cobgoblin]

It looks a bit too narrow to me, the lowest point of the seat is too far back.

 

[ImmyS]

It’s hard to find saddle that fits us both, he’s short backed and I’m 5ft 9 🤔😬

 

[Leo Walker]

I'll be very surprised if that cant be altered to fit! It doesnt fit now, but the fitter will literally strip it down, alter the whole tree and rebuild it. its definitely not too long.

 

[ImmyS]

I'll be very surprised if that cant be altered to fit! It doesnt fit now, but the fitter will literally strip it down, alter the whole tree and rebuild it. its definitely not too long.

Can I ask in what way the tree is the wrong shape please? Trying to learn 😁

 

[be positive]

It’s hard to find saddle that fits us both, he’s short backed and I’m 5ft 9 🤔😬

Have you sat in it, popped your stirrups up to jumping length, to me it looks as if it will be hard to get into a good secure jumping position with the deep seat, high cantle if your legs are long, I would not spend much money getting it altered to fit the horse unless you are very sure it will also suit you.

 

[ImmyS]

Have you sat in it, popped your stirrups up to jumping length, to me it looks as if it will be hard to get into a good secure jumping position with the deep seat, high cantle if your legs are long, I would not spend much money getting it altered to fit the horse unless you are very sure it will also suit you.

I haven’t as he’s currently not in work. He’s 4 and Currently on winter holiday. I’m in the predicament of needing a saddle that fits, but not wanting to get on him unless I have a saddle that fits. Current plan is to hopefully fit a saddle as well as possible from the ground, me ride for a few weeks then get saddler back out to recheck fit.

 

[sbloom]

It looks to be the wrong tree shape for him. Sorry but I don’t think it fits at all. Interested to hear others thoughts.

It looks too curvy to me, high pommel and cantle and distinct curve in between, he does at least one flatter tree which I think would be better. If you widen this (I only skimmed through, not looked at width) then it will likely behave like a rocking horse...I might be wrong as there are many styles of saddle fitting (hence the danger in these posts, even if you get knowledgeable replies) but to me it's much too curvy and is for a higher withered horse. Croup high horses seldom have much wither so are better with a flat tree and this type of "upswept" panel if necessary.

 

[ImmyS]

It looks too curvy to me, high pommel and cantle and distinct curve in between, he does at least one flatter tree which I think would be better. If you widen this (I only skimmed through, not looked at width) then it will likely behave like a rocking horse...I might be wrong as there are many styles of saddle fitting (hence the danger in these posts, even if you get knowledgeable replies) but to me it's much too curvy and is for a higher withered horse. Croup high horses seldom have much wither so are better with a flat tree and this type of "upswept" panel if necessary.

Thank you for your reply, he has a deceptively high and broad wither for his build, certainly not high withered but not low withered either, he is croup high when on level ground it’s tricky!

 

[Frumpoon]

I doñt think it looks too bad as it is

 

[sbloom]

I think he could develop and be flatter in his back, he doesn't have a proper wither, he just slopes up in front of the saddle where his shoulders are, and this should barely be taken into account when saddle fitting (the tree points should end 3 fingers behind the back edge of the shoulder blade, a little further back than you have that saddle). He needs a flat tree to be able to lift his back under.

 

[Mari]

Looks like it’s built on a curved tree & he looks like he needs a flatter tree. I’ve learned a lot when buying saddles! Most manufacturers stamp a serial / reference number somewhere on the saddle. If you contact them with this number they can usually tell you when it was made, what tree it was built on, what size tree & more information. I’ve saved myself a lot of hassle by doing this - usually before buying but when I’d bought the ‘wrong’ saddle at least I was able to advertise it very accurately to re-sell.