Saddle fit - steep back, wide back bone

[Larkspur]

I have a 16.2 Irish Draught Mare. She seems to have a steeply sided back, with a wide backbone and I am finding it hard to find a saddle that fits. She is currently in a Jeffries Falcon Hawk Event, in a narrow fit. She was in a wider saddle that has made white marks on her back where, as the panels did not slope as steeply as her back too much weight ended up being taken on the top edges of the panels near her back bone (yes, I do feel guilty!). I have then changed to a narrower saddle so that the panels are steeper sloping with her back, but now she has developed lumps near her wither, on either side. I think this is because the gullet is too narrow for her back bone, as she has a wide draught back bone compared to a narrow TB backbone.

Does any one have an idea of a make of saddle that would suit this shape? Yes, I would like to get a saddle fitter, but can find no one reliable in the westcountry who will fit second hand saddles, and I do not want to buy a new one. I intend to be buying and selling horses (I enjoy breaking them in) so would rather be building up a collection of different sized saddles rather then buying one expensive new one! I am thinking of buying an Ideal saddle and trying that? I already have Falcon Hawk Events in both medium and wide, plus another medium saddle and two wide, but don’t mind building my collection, I buy them from ebay... still don't think I have spent as much as buying one new saddle yet.

Any thoughts appreciated! Thanks.

 

[be positive]

I find it hard to imagine any ID requiring a narrow fitting saddle, even the tbs in my yard have needed medium or wider to accommodate their topline, that said I have found Ideal saddles very useful for tricky to fit horses, 2 were transformed once in an I deal, they tend to be fairly wide through the length of the gullet so allow the spine good clearance. As you are in the west country you may be able to pick up a Nathaniel Underwood saddle, they also tend to be fairly wide and although m2m can be used on others, I have one that fits a cob despite not being a really wide fit.

 

[AdorableAlice]

I have a 16.2 Irish Draught Mare. She seems to have a steeply sided back, with a wide backbone and I am finding it hard to find a saddle that fits. She is currently in a Jeffries Falcon Hawk Event, in a narrow fit. She was in a wider saddle that has made white marks on her back where, as the panels did not slope as steeply as her back too much weight ended up being taken on the top edges of the panels near her back bone (yes, I do feel guilty!). I have then changed to a narrower saddle so that the panels are steeper sloping with her back, but now she has developed lumps near her wither, on either side. I think this is because the gullet is too narrow for her back bone, as she has a wide draught back bone compared to a narrow TB backbone.

Does any one have an idea of a make of saddle that would suit this shape? Yes, I would like to get a saddle fitter, but can find no one reliable in the westcountry who will fit second hand saddles, and I do not want to buy a new one. I intend to be buying and selling horses (I enjoy breaking them in) so would rather be building up a collection of different sized saddles rather then buying one expensive new one! I am thinking of buying an Ideal saddle and trying that? I already have Falcon Hawk Events in both medium and wide, plus another medium saddle and two wide, but don’t mind building my collection, I buy them from ebay... still don't think I have spent as much as buying one new saddle yet.

Any thoughts appreciated! Thanks.

I am struggling to imagine what you actually mean, can you post a picture ? ID's generally have plenty of width and depth. My big lad had such massive shoulders he had a half panel dressage saddle. The difference in the medium/extended paces was amazing when his saddle finally fitted him.