saddle fit question

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Ragwort drama

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I would like your opinions on the following

If your horse wasn't right and your physio suggested getting the saddled looked at. the saddler fitter than tells you the saddle doesn't fit! would you continue to ride, knowing the poor thing is clearly so uncomfortable? whilst you try and find a replacement?
 
No seen to many horses with damaged backs caused by years of using a badly fitting saddle, I am quite surprised at how many people have no idea how a healthy back should look.
 
Pinkvboots said:
No seen to many horses with damaged backs caused by years of using a badly fitting saddle, I am quite surprised at how many people have no idea how a healthy back should look.
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It amazes me too. A major bit of kit, but so many "make do". I know saddles and saddle fitters are expensive, but if you can't afford the bills don't do the sport.
 
yes, bareback or on a nice squishy pad with a surcingle, unless the back was too sore and needed a rest. I'd probably rest a week or two to be safe anyway and perhaps lunge. I would not put the saddle anywhere near the horse.
 
i wouldnt use that saddle at all.... i would lunge, long rein or similar.... if back is not affected at all and the horse is not sore.... i would maybe use a roller and go from there if its a horse that needs regular work and you had access to a horse walker i would definitely use this but only if the horse was not sore..... if the horse was sore i would turn out regular and keep them comfy to ..... maybe some painkillers depends on how bad it was..... i would defiantly get a physio in regularly until the horse was not sore anymore and a good saddle fitter also and would continue with the physio in the foreseeable future until at least the horse was in normal work and happy again then go back to normal....... i have seen first hand the damage that ill fitting tack can do ...... sometimes i have seen it where the horse will just put up with it and not bother but then when its really bad will show discomfort when working etc.... this can be worse since the horse has in a way left it ages which means the damage could be more severe....
I always check my saddle fit at least 3 times a year.... definitely after winter, during the middle of spring/summer and again during winter as horses change condition all the time and muscle adapts a bit like an athlete would change so i hae always found it cheaper to do it this way..... hope all gets better soon and you are back to normal
 
thanks all, exactly the opinion or everyone on who is on the same yard as, other than the person in question!! who is actually in the process of training to become an equine physio!!!!! The horse has clearly not been right for some time too, the saddle isn't the only problem, but he's so sweet he will just keep going, even through the pain!! :'(
 
Ragwort drama said:
thanks all, exactly the opinion or everyone on who is on the same yard as, other than the person in question!! who is actually in the process of training to become an equine physio!!!!! The horse has clearly not been right for some time too, the saddle isn't the only problem, but he's so sweet he will just keep going, even through the pain!! :'(
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Well you know which physio not to use!
 
Interestingly enough I know of a local physio that uses a saddle far too long for her horse! I wonder if they cover saddle fit during the course?
 
Pearlsasinger said:
Well you know which physio not to use!
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hahah true enough

AFB said:
Interestingly enough I know of a local physio that uses a saddle far too long for her horse! I wonder if they cover saddle fit during the course?
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I'm shocked the people selling themselves as professionals would behave in this way!! certainly makes me wonder who I should use on my pony going forward
 
Playing devils advocate, and given that presumably her training involves the soft tissue of the equine back, have you asked her why? And have you checked the saddle fit for yourself? There may be factors you haven't spotted, or know nothing about, either found on physical examination or in the horse's history and it is easy to make judgements without the full facts.
 
JillA said:
Playing devils advocate, and given that presumably her training involves the soft tissue of the equine back, have you asked her why? And have you checked the saddle fit for yourself? There may be factors you haven't spotted, or know nothing about, either found on physical examination or in the horse's history and it is easy to make judgements without the full facts.
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Agree with this. There are times when physio or saddler have said saddle needs changing but if use this pad / that shim / set it up like this, it is fine to ride in, in the short term. It very much depends what the saddle fit issue is. There are issues that you'd not want to sit in the saddle again, and issue that can use saddle until sort replacement.

With respect to fitting beyond the last rib, there is most than one train of thought on this, and some highly respected and successful physios / trainers / saddle fitters may fit past the last rib.
 
Depends whether the saddle fitter is any good or just wanting you to buy a saddle off them - which happens far too often!
 
JillA said:
If it isn't too bad, if I had a good sheepskin half pad and if the horse HAD to be kept in ridden work - maybe
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Please don't do this unless you know it will improve the actual fitting issue, using it to give more protection is a lovely idea but can cause more issues than it solves. A saddle must be fitted to suit the thickness of pad you plan to use, changing pad thickness changes the fit, sometimes drastically.
 
Totally disagree - when my (excellent) saddle fitter couldn't get for her twice yearly check/adjust, she recommended that rather than letting the horse lose fitness. You sometimes have to be pragmatic, although it is only a first aid measure and not for permanent use
 
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If she was fairly sure that the saddle had dropped in front then it's a reasonable recommendation to make, and I make it often, but honestly, it can tip saddles back which can cause muscle damage, and fast, along with other possible issues. It's not about pragmatism, it's about not making a bad issue worse. I recommend thicker pads and sheepskin for temporary use quite often, it indeed CAN be very pragmatic, but not if it makes the issue worse.
 
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