Saddle fit with riser pad opinion

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Patches

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Saddle was moving slightly across Patches back so I used a back riser. Wondered if any of you good people could tell me if it looks ok. Saddle fitter is in Bridgnorth and can't come to the area for a couple of weeks.

Excuse her pigginess, she was looking for scraps of hay in the "soaked hay" barrow.

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You can't see the line to her back so well with a saddle cloth on, so I took it out and re-girthed saddle to get some better pictures.

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The gap looks huge at the front
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But it is only three fingers and sits slightly lower once I'm on board.
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There is absolutely no movement at all now at the back of the saddle and Patches seems perfectly happy with it.
 
Looks like it is sitting slightly high at the rear to me (but maybe the angle of the photo, and fact Patches has her head down). It doesn't look too bad though and if it doesn't feel like it is tipping you forward when you are sat on it, I'm sure it is fine.
 
It doesn't sit off her back when her head is where it should be and I thought it looked like it was sat level on her from the seat.

It was rolling sideways across her back at the cantle as well as bouncing when trotting. It's not moving at all now when trotting and I don't feel the need to constantly be straightening the saddle whilst riding.

Here's one with her tacked up from more of a distance.
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She's very hard to fit a saddle to being slightly croup high and so short backed. Her shoulders are massive, so I have to set the saddle back away from them. In setting it back I worry that it's too long, although it doesn't extend past the last rib. It seemed the best fit we could get for her and me at the time.

As I say, she's due a saddle fitting in a couple of weeks, but the Saddle Co fitters are quite a way from us so we have to wait until they're in our area.
 
Ahh was the angle as looks much better in that pic. I know the problem, having a short backed, massive shouldered cob myself!!!! I had to go for VSD as couldn't find a GP to fit my mare.
 
Mine is a straight cut cob saddle. The saddle flaps are so blinking narrow I've taken the knee blocks out as they hurt the inside of my knees. I'd love a more forward cut saddle, but Patches just can't have one.

I've had some issues with this saddle feeling like it's sat tilted on her for a good while now. I almost feel as though I'm sat twisted with one hip in front of the other. With the riser on, that feeling has disappeared for me....not that I can explain why that would be to myself.

Cobs....you'd never think I'd have trouble fitting a saddle for an adult on a cob of her size would you?
 
These cobby types can be hard to fit, can't they! You might be better off with a straighter cut saddle, depending on how much (or how big) jumping you want to do. Although you would then be into a 'show' saddle market and they tend to be quite expensive.

It looks much better in the second picture
 
I don't think it comes over in the pictures, but the saddle is extremely straight cut. It's a Saddle Company Cob saddle and is so straight cut I've had to take the knee blocks out because they dig in my knees. Can't have a more forward cut one and I struggle to lengthen my thigh as my hips lock (I'm falling apart). The flaps of the saddle are so narrow as a result.
 
I am slowly coming round to the idea that cobs (especially coloureds) are the divas of the horse world!!! Saddles are a nightmare to fit, bridles aren't much better (normally need full size for chunky head, but then too long so end up having to punch extra holes or get bits shortened!!). Rugs aren't easy either as none of the cheaper makes are big enough on the chest/shoulders. In the field if they are not burning in the sun, they are getting mud fever and only have to look at grass to pile on the pounds!!!! Should have gone for a low maintenance TB!!!
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