Saddle fit

[Ceriann]

I do have saddler booked but due to new horse arriving whilst she’s on hols I have a wait. In the meantime I’ve been trying some options. I have a changeable gullet K&M gpd and have tried her in the extra w gullet (she’s not big but has a decent shoulder abc low (but not flat) wither). It’s not a terrible fit, panels in good contact, seat in centre and balanced but wither clearance is 4 fingers (two fingers at the side). I think if I go up a gullet it will be too wide. Is it just the wrong saddle?! I had really hoped it would work at least for a little while - buying her has cleaned me out!!!

 

[Sossigpoker]

To me it looks too narrow in general , would be good to see the view underneath/between the panels too.
It's also a bit too far forward on the horse and you will want an anatomical girth as the girth groove is quite forward- that will further pull the saddle forward otherwise.
These Saddles have plastic trees that give quite a bit once you get on so the wither clearance alone wouldn't concern me if the saddle was otherwise fitting.

 

[Ceriann]

To me it looks too narrow in general , would be good to see the view underneath/between the panels too.
It's also a bit too far forward on the horse and you will want an anatomical girth as the girth groove is quite forward- that will further pull the saddle forward otherwise.
These Saddles have plastic trees that give quite a bit once you get on so the wither clearance alone wouldn't concern me if the saddle was otherwise fitting.

Thank you! I realised too far forward when I stepped back and looked at photo - I will get some other photos tomorrow - assume you mean from the back? There is quite a lot of clearance back and front. I just can’t my head around how wide she is!

Nothing I have fits as despite same height as my other mare they are so different! So saddle first and I’ll get the girth - thank you for the advice.

I did have a sit on it and it did drop a bit.

 

[MereChristmas]

I wouldn’t fit a saddle myself.
My saddler fitted a Kent and Masters jump saddle for my Connie.
It is the old version with the short gullet.
Not the S series.
The pony is older so varies between medium wide and wide.
Worth a look?

 

[Sossigpoker]

Thank you! I realised too far forward when I stepped back and looked at photo - I will get some other photos tomorrow - assume you mean from the back? There is quite a lot of clearance back and front. I just can’t my head around how wide she is!

Nothing I have fits as despite same height as my other mare they are so different! So saddle first and I’ll get the girth - thank you for the advice.

I did have a sit on it and it did drop a bit.

Yes from the back would help.
The anatomical girth will definitely stop it slipping forwards so regardless of the saddle you get , that would be a good investment to make.

 

[webble]

I'm another who thinks too far forward and too narrow can you just do ground work and maybe pootle bareback until saddle fitter comes

 

[Barton Bounty]

I think pop the wider gullet in and see,

 

[Ceriann]

I wouldn’t fit a saddle myself.
My saddler fitted a Kent and Masters jump saddle for my Connie.
It is the old version with the short gullet.
Not the S series.
The pony is older so varies between medium wide and wide.
Worth a look?

I’m just trying to see if the one I have might work. Mine is the R series gullet so contemplating possibility she might need the one with the S series gullet as it’s round not square. Saddler is booked but hoping to give them a steer if I need something else.

 

[Ceriann]

Yes from the back would help.
The anatomical girth will definitely stop it slipping forwards so regardless of the saddle you get , that would be a good investment to make.

Thanks and will do. I tried the nice leather one I have and too long. She’s wide but not round.

 

[Ceriann]

I'm another who thinks too far forward and too narrow can you just do ground work and maybe pootle bareback until saddle fitter comes

I’m not really thinking of cracking on just trying to work out my options. Will what I have work, do I need something new etc. Saddler needs some idea too. Ground work being done - I had a sit in this just to see what it was like.

 

[MereChristmas]

I’m just trying to see if the one I have might work. Mine is the R series gullet so contemplating possibility she might need the one with the S series gullet as it’s round not square. Saddler is booked but hoping to give them a steer if I need something else.

Mine has a square cantle with the short gullet and is a bit more forward cut.
It is the Original Jump on this page, no longer made. I got mine second hand.

I think the S series has a long gullet.

Kent & Masters Previous Models

Kent & Masters

www.kentandmasters.co.uk

 

[holeymoley]

It looks like you maybe need a flatter tree and/or a different head plate. You get V shaped ones, then U shaped ones and also hoop ones for super wide horses. It looks like you’d be better with a U shape.

All just a guess, from years of looking at saddles. I could be completely wrong!

 

[sbloom]

This saddle is the wrong shape from what I can see, the tree is wrong. A wider headplate will likely allow the back to lift.

There are lots of specialist options around for wider, flatter backs, often discussed on here .

Forgive me but as a fitter myself I don't understand other fitters asking their customer to go and look into saddles themselves. The only thing and owner should contribute is what discipline they need the saddle for, all the information needed on horse and rider, and budget. Not much more needed for the saddle fitter to get to work.

Oh and an argonmic girth isn't always appropriate and won't always fix saddles running forwards. A saddle with a point strap fitted appropriately (and yes, back behind the shoulder) may not need an anatomical girth and it might, outside chance, even cause other issues.

 

[Ceriann]

This saddle is the wrong shape from what I can see, the tree is wrong. A wider headplate will likely allow the back to lift.

There are lots of specialist options around for wider, flatter backs, often discussed on here .

Forgive me but as a fitter myself I don't understand other fitters asking their customer to go and look into saddles themselves. The only thing and owner should contribute is what discipline they need the saddle for, all the information needed on horse and rider, and budget. Not much more needed for the saddle fitter to get to work.

Oh and an argonmic girth isn't always appropriate and won't always fix saddles running forwards. A saddle with a point strap fitted appropriately (and yes, back behind the shoulder) may not need an anatomical girth and it might, outside chance, even cause other issues.

Thanks and that’s where I think we will end up and what I was asking in my first post really (just not very well) I.e is it just the wrong shape. Saddler hasn’t asked it’s me trying to give them as much info as possible so they can bring some options out that work. Interfering owner basically! Thank you for the advice - all gratefully received. My current horse was so easy to fit (by my saddler) and I know what I’m looking at with her (standard wither) so the different shape is just something to get used to.

 

[sbloom]

I would honestly say that, if you trust them and the know about you and your horse already, let them bring what they think will suit. The best thing owners can do is ask lots of questions, see if the answers make sense, that if everything isn't enhanced or improved by the new saddle why not, that you have full terms and conditions, and that you know SOME basics of saddle fit, though be very aware saddle fitting approaches vary from fitter to fitter and MUST vary by brand/construction. I fit two completely different brands and have two completely different approaches to fitting them, though my new brand has informed my old there is very little overlap.