saddle fit query

mikeysmummy

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Hi guys sorry another saddle post but just wanted your opinions on this.I have a 6yr old x racer who had v. bad infected rainscald when we got her, this is fuuly cleared but does seem to have left her with v. sensitive skin.I was riding her in saddle that seemed ok at first but then started to rub and pinch and was found to be too narrow and badly flocked, so then tried various others and all were too low on withers when saddle was sat on, in the end got a thorowgood T6 high wither which has been great.After 3/4 months of use horse has filled in with muscle either side of wither and saddle is not touching all way along her back when just placed on with no pad/girth it is kind of bridging and also seems to be sitting up quite high in front. With a small amount of pressure on top of saddle it does sit better along back, is this a common prob with synthetic saddles as they are lighter and are there any pads to improve the fit? I am loath to start to try and find another saddle after all our previous trials and horse will probably change shape again during winter. The saddle is a medium fit, do I need to change gullet to wider fitting even though there seems to be plenty of room for her spine? Any suggestions gratefully recieved!!! I am dreading mentioning the "s" word to my husband again!!:eek:
 
Its hard without seeing pics (we love pics :) ) but you can get those le mieux prosorb numnahs where you can change the padding inside of them. You can just add/remove panels as you wish so it would make the saddle fit better. That is an option....or get a saddler, always the best option!
 
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You need the saddler out again (sorry!), it *may* be possible to alter this saddle to fit or its probably more likely that you need a different saddle now she's changed shape. Putting muscle on is a good thing - keep repeating that to yourself as you grit your teeth and shell out again! Bear in mind that you might need to change saddles a few more times given her background before she settles on her adult shape too. This isn't to do with synthetic v leather its just to do with what suits her shape now.
 
Oh dear I thought you were going to say that! Its a real pain as this is only saddle that has not rubbed/pinched/caused soft swellings on her back any ideas re; other saddles? Hardly dare say this but what about treeless? have heard good and bad things about them. I am getting back lady out to check mare so I will ask her too. Not had too muc h luck with saddle fitters first two both said original saddle was ok when it was a bad fit, and after reading other posts on this forum I am not exactly filled with confidence! :(
 
I don't think much of treeless - I've known more horses with back problems from them than without.

I'd agree with getting the fitter out and I'd be willing to bet you need to widen it. But only someone looking at it on your horse can determine a good fit. Sorry.

I would suggest too if you find a fitter you like to ask him/her to show you what to look for when fitting. My fitter took a lot of time to teach me the basics and it's really helped a lot. While I would definitely call a fitter out if I was having issues or buying a new saddle, I now know enough to recognize some of the simpler aspects of fitting. Very useful.
 
I'm gonig to agree with getting a saddler out. Your saddle might just need adjusting and that will be a whole lot cheaper than you guessing wrong and giving your horse a sore back.
 
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