Orchardbeck
Well-Known Member
I know we have some really knowledgeable saddle fitters on here (and some experienced owners, so feel free to chip in) who offer great advice. I have had to try to learn more about fitting my older arab x mare which has brought up more questions in my head.
Some of these questions relate to my current saddle situation, some are hypothetical but it would be great if you could shed some light on these for me. Some are very basic too, please forgive me!
It's frustrating as often I don't think to ask certain things until after my saddle fitter has been out, and then I feel as though I'm bombarding them with calls for advice (they actually know it's me on the phone without me telling them now....embarrassing!). So...here goes:
1 If a horse is croup high, how do you address this through fitting - would the pommel need to be lifted some how? Or do you fit a shorter panel to avoid too much of an incline? And then if the pommel is higher, would this not put extra pressure at the back?
2 How can you tell if a saddle is a) rocking and b) rolling? And what action do they actually refer to?
3 How can you tell if a saddle is a) too wide, or b) too narrow
4 What would rubbing (hairs) behind the panels indicate? And what would rubbing in the centre of the back indicate?
5 Is it at all possible for an older horse to improve their topline, so much so as to go up a gullet size?
6 If a saddle is shimmed at the back (to combat lifting), will this cause more of a pressure point at the front?
7 If a sheepskin (or similar) pad is used, as an interim measure, would these disguise issues in any of the fitting issues mentioned above? Would you ever recommend disguising issues under some circumstances?
8 Can the horses' action cause problems in saddle fit - I know that large shoulders can cause problems, but what else could?
9 What kind of measure would you take to fit a dream saddle (ie may not be possible) for a horse that is croup and wither high, with a wide ribcage...aka a typical older Arab shape!
If you have got to the end of this, I sincerely thank you, and I think your job is fascinating.
Some of these questions relate to my current saddle situation, some are hypothetical but it would be great if you could shed some light on these for me. Some are very basic too, please forgive me!
It's frustrating as often I don't think to ask certain things until after my saddle fitter has been out, and then I feel as though I'm bombarding them with calls for advice (they actually know it's me on the phone without me telling them now....embarrassing!). So...here goes:
1 If a horse is croup high, how do you address this through fitting - would the pommel need to be lifted some how? Or do you fit a shorter panel to avoid too much of an incline? And then if the pommel is higher, would this not put extra pressure at the back?
2 How can you tell if a saddle is a) rocking and b) rolling? And what action do they actually refer to?
3 How can you tell if a saddle is a) too wide, or b) too narrow
4 What would rubbing (hairs) behind the panels indicate? And what would rubbing in the centre of the back indicate?
5 Is it at all possible for an older horse to improve their topline, so much so as to go up a gullet size?
6 If a saddle is shimmed at the back (to combat lifting), will this cause more of a pressure point at the front?
7 If a sheepskin (or similar) pad is used, as an interim measure, would these disguise issues in any of the fitting issues mentioned above? Would you ever recommend disguising issues under some circumstances?
8 Can the horses' action cause problems in saddle fit - I know that large shoulders can cause problems, but what else could?
9 What kind of measure would you take to fit a dream saddle (ie may not be possible) for a horse that is croup and wither high, with a wide ribcage...aka a typical older Arab shape!
If you have got to the end of this, I sincerely thank you, and I think your job is fascinating.
