Saddle Fit- (hopefully) with pictures

[HayleyandBob]

hiya i was wonderign if anybody could have alook at 3 saddles on my cob?
He has been in a wintec 2000 for nearly 6 years since he was broken and has never had a problem but in the last few weeks hes been really reluctant to move under saddle but will happily free school etc
We had a saddler but tbh all she did was put a wintec gullet gauge on and said its fine without even checking it on his back and said "hes got the wintec shape" just by looking at him

I have
1) His original wintec - probably 6 years old now with red gullet

2) my other horses wintec 2000, same size 17.5" and same width red- however it seems a completely different size and shape (makign me think somethign is wrong with the original ?

)

3) Albion k2 17.5" jumping saddle

If it help i will try to take some more pictures tomorow with girth attached and rider (could be tricky on my own :S)

 

[Evil_Cookie]

His wintec does look best on him from the pics, but its very hard to tell from just pics. What about getting his back checked? They will soon be able to tell you if he's tight in the saddle area, as any new saddle might agravate this if he has a problem. And then get a different saddle fitter out, ideally a registered saddle fitter.

 

[HayleyandBob]

Thanks im a bit scared to get a back person out as my horse is going into hospital tomorow due to a bad back

and i dont think i coudl cope with another broken horse

I seem to be cursed

Ill try another saddler first

p.s. the first fiter was registered

and still didnt do a good job

 

[teddyt]

None of them fit. Have replied in NL. Get a new saddle fitter! Registerered is not always best! Especially if they dont even look at the saddle on the horses back!

 

[HayleyandBob]

Thanks teddyt ! will ask for recommendations in my area..

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

To my mind, the Wintec is the worst and the other 2 don't look right either. The Wintec seems to be sitting proud of the horse's body at the back. Has he got any rub marks or hair loss there? If you put a clean, thin, dark numnah under the saddle and go for a short ride, when you look at the numnah it should be dusty/sweaty/covered in white hair where it has been in contact with the horse. It should be evenly distributed but the Wintec looks as if there'd be big clean patches (ie not touching horse) at the back. The other 2 don't fit squarely - they seem to be tipped to one side. Mind you, that might be due to your ned having a bad back, and more muscle development one side.

 

[HayleyandBob]

When i look at his white numnah after riding in the black wintec the dust marks were even at the shoulder/withers and at the cantle of the saddle but the middle seat part wasnt very dirty at all although it did look even :S
Thanks!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

It's difficult to say if any of the saddles fit as non of them are girthed up?
The Wintec 2000 appears to be leaning forward & I think is in the wrong position, it should be further forward.
The K2 is leaning back & I think is possibly the worst fit.
The black Wintec appears to be the better fit but as I say without them girthed up & physically being able to check them it's difficult.
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks im a bit scared to get a back person out as my horse is going into hospital tomorow due to a bad back and i dont think i coudl cope with another broken horse

[/ QUOTE ]
Isn't really a reason for not getting him looked at is it? Leaving a possible problem will only aggravate it & may let it get worse. The back person I use treats the back & he's back i n work within a couple of days, it doesn't mean he'll be off work for ages, but it may mean that he's more comfortable & will go better. This will only happen though if the saddle put on him after treatment fits correctly.

 

[Britestar]

Would suggest that he could do with a more VSD type cut. Often cobs with big shoulders do better with a straighter cut saddle.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

If both ends of the numnah were grubby but not the middle, then the saddle is bridging.

 

[spaniel]

Ouch. IMO none of them fit Im afraid. Incorrect width, balance and possibly a seat size too long as well.

I would most definitely get yourself a different saddler and dont fall for the cobs need Wintecs rubbish either. Each horse is different and needs to be treated as an individual.

Whereabouts are you....maybe someone could recommend a good saddle fitter for you?