Saddle fit opinion (with pictures)

P

Patches

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 February 2005
Messages
10,028
Visit site
You may remember a while ago that I posted a picture of Patches wearing a rear riser pad under her saddle.

Her saddle hasn't moved at all whilst using this but I've a few comments from people that the saddle looked too high.

It was only a temporary measure, until the saddle fitters could come out to the saddle and adjust it. They came out just before Christmas and told me I didn't need to use it, the saddle sat level on her back without it and they were more than happy with the fit. Said it didn't need any flocking etc at all. It's the third time I've had it checked in two years and it's never been altered at all.

So, I took off the riser pad and went back to just a normal numnah. I've ridden four times since then and now she has a sore spot on her back. The saddle again feels like it's moving on her and she was rather uppity (think sidestepping, flicking tail and attempting to kick) when I rubbed around the tiny bald spot that appeared after riding today).


What do I do? They say the saddle fits without, but it never rubbed her when she had the pad under it.

This is the saddle without the riser. It doesn't sit against her back does it? I can see that there would be movement when trotting etc.
Image029-1.jpg


This is the saddle with the pad under it.
13102007430.jpg


This is just a picture of her taken today, just because I felt like posting it. :g:
Image060-1.jpg
 
my big horse had the same problem i ride him with a riser under his saddle.i showjump so it helps shock absorb. not sure what you do with him but for showing my boy has a sheepskin half pad with a raised back think its by mattes. derby house also do a good one call rise a flex i think and its in the sale!!!
 
It anything I'd say it was a bit wide and sitting lower at the wither, hence why it's rising up behind.

I think she's changed shape enormously since I had the saddle two years ago, yet at every fitting they have said it's fine.

It's specific brand of saddle that means I can't just go to any saddle fitter to get it checked and altered.
 
It bounces up and down slightly without the riser and also rolls ever so slightly side to side without it too. I always feel like it's tipping to the side behind, but with the riser pad the saddle stays put. Not even a minute amount of "bounce" at the trot with it on.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think the second pic looks much better, I would ring and complain, nice saddle though looks comfy
laugh.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

It is very comfortable. I hack for hours in it and never have a sore botty or use a seat saver.
 
Oh of course it is. I would ring them up and tell them clearly that you are not happy with the fit. Like you say she has changed shape, there's not many horses that won't have changed in 2 years so it should have needed changing anyway at some point.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'd keep using the riser TBH- if it works then don't change it!

[/ QUOTE ]

But you shouldn't need to use one with a properly fitting saddle, should you?!

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. I never had to use one with it until about October time when I started noticing the movement when schooling. The riser was just temporary with me having to wait until the specialised fitters could get to me to check it. I fully expected it to be altered.

I'd used the saddle for nearly two years at that point, often without anything under it at all because it is serge lined. Only normally put a numnah under it when she's shedding, as the serge gets full of white hairs.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'd keep using the riser TBH- if it works then don't change it!

[/ QUOTE ]

But you shouldn't need to use one with a properly fitting saddle, should you?!

[/ QUOTE ]

On some horses it can be the only way to get a proper fit. Not saying that P is one of those horses though. I'd rather use it and keep her from getting sore than not.
 
Its hard to tell from the first photo because of the angle, I would say that it looks *very* slightly high at the back with the riser... the seat isnt *QUITE* level, id def give the saddler a ring though if it is better with the back riser.
If you can though id see if you can get a prolite back riser as its slightly thinner, and a bit more forgiving /moulds better than the wintec/foamy ones.

What claire said is right though, it could well be the gullet as if it is too narrow it will shift forward therefore rise at the back...

Did you have your 1st check after buying the saddle? have they NEVER reflocked it since youve had it?
 
If it is bouncing up and down - it does not fit!!!
Any chance of a photo (with and without riser) from directly behind?
 
It's been checked three times after the initial fitting. It's never been altered at all. Surely in two years there would be some settling of the flocking?
crazy.gif
 
Id get a 2nd opinion or keep using the rear riser.
When my horse was 4yrs old I used my old saddle off my old mare as I thought he'd change shape so I didnt want to buy a new one for him. I got a well respected Master Saddler/fitter to check it and they said it was fine. On one of his many visits to the vets
crazy.gif
he was checked by a saddler who was visiting there and he shocked me saying it was too long, (it was 17.5 on a 16.2hh)that he was short in the back (where last rib was) and that I would do damage to his back. I got it changed and fingers crossed he's still got it now, hes 9 this year. It has needed tweaking once but is checked regularly.

Its so annoying when you know its not right but keep getting told it is. I hope you get it sorted.
 
I would say your saddle is too wide - ie lift at the back but has dropped at the front which is why it is lifting at the back and slipping. The rear riser will stop the lifting but will still mean the saddle is too wide at the front. You would actually be better off getting a prolite relief pad - not a rear riser as that will lift the whole saddle and mimic a wider back without causing the saddle to tip As it is a Saddle Company saddle it is so easy to alter. I would expect to have to refit a Saddle Company Saddle within 3 months of fitting it and if it is bouncing and slipping it needs refitting.

Are you still using your cord girth you have on in the first picture or have you changed to an elastic ended girth?
 
[ QUOTE ]
If it is bouncing up and down - it does not fit!!!
Any chance of a photo (with and without riser) from directly behind?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not today as I don't have anything like that.

If you look at this picture, this is how it fitted her the day after I bought it.
saddle.jpg
 
I don't use the cord girth because she's dropped two sizes since then and I haven't managed to get hold of one the size I want. (Every time I look they are out of stock).

The girth I use is an aerborn humane girth, no elastic. I have an endurance girth sleeve under it because she can be a bit girthy and I think the sheepskin is nicer for her, given that I am often in the saddle in excess of 3 hours at a time.
 
Well that confirms the possible too wide option - the humane girths can cause the horse to become girthy - and you can now get the jumbo cord girths on www.DIVOZA.com and they are ridiculously cheap on there. Any way sorry that is nothing to do with your saddle slipping or lifting, it is down to saddle fit. When you sit on the saddle - without the riser how low is the front - ie can you get 3 fingers ( one on top of the other) under the front of the saddle? If you can only get on/two fingers under it with you on then it is too wide. It could also be that it needs reflocking as the flock has moved around and filled the waist from. That would promote a rocking movement.
 
Would that also makes it roll side to side? Without the pad, it often feels like it moves across her back laterally, not just up and down.

I can see daylight all the way under the gullet when I'm on her, but I don't think you could get three of my fingers under it at the front. I was, however, told the cob saddles do have a closer fit.

Off to check your link now.
grin.gif
 
It def looks to wide.
My saddles had started lifted and tipping me forwards so got saddle fitter out (saddle were both checked 6 months ago and were tweaked then, after 3 months of having them) turns out Bea had lost some weight and the saddles were too wide, he altered them and they feel fab again.
If i was in your situation i would def get the saddle fitters back and say you want something doing!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top