Saddle fitting nightmare!

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SteadyNeddy1070

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I'm having real problems finding a suitable saddle for my growing and chunky 6 year old WB/ISH.

He has high wither that slopes into a flatish long back, big shoulders, and a forward girth groove.

On saddle fitter number 3 already. They seem to losse interest after first visit and they realise he is tricky to fit and they can't get you to spend £1.5-£2k on a new saddle that he doesn't go well in as it doesn't fit him!!!!

We have tried adjustable, fixed tree 2nd hand and now even looking at a brand new WOW (bank balance is quivering at the thought!!!).

The dressage saddles seem to fit his back profile well but he is getting terrible girth rubs when I try these dressage saddles with a dressage girth (even with a sheepskin sleeve) only for a few days/weeks. So saddles must be being pushed forward.

I'd been riding him in Thorowgood Cob GP (now too small on his shoulders and bridging) with a Thorowgood airform cob girth (nothing special and no sheepskin sleeve) - never had a girth gall or rub in his life. And before you say - he is completely clean around his girth area and so is the tack I'm using :)

Any suggestions? Havent been able to ride him properly for about a month now and starting to get very disheartened. Especially as it is start of the season and we have lost so much time and I want to get out and about on him.
 
Try contacting the native pony and cob saddles. Steph Bloom one of their fitters is on here and will be able to put you in contact with one of their fitters. They have saddles for all types and fitted my tricky wide and extremely flat backed connie x id.

http://www.nativeponysaddles.com/
 
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Wagtail said:
Have you tried a forward shaped girth?

Like this one? http://www.blackcountrysaddles.com/bridlework/anatomic_dressage-short_girth
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Interesting. Our saddler suggested to my daughter last visit that our Bill (3/4 ID) might benefit from one of these. I didnt know what they looked like.

OP, I feel your pain. My baby cob is changing so fast, partly growing and partly loosing flubber that his made to measure saddle is awaiting its second adjustment in 4 months and we are back to long reining again.
 
some horses are more prone to girth rubs that others, is he chestnut?

Mine has a perfectly fitting saddle but a very forwards girth groove that is prone to rubs particularly during moulting periods. He-like yours- actually gets on best with the airoform type girth (aerborn one with elastic both ends) than anything more expensive or leather!

Saddle wise it sounds like you need a good fitter/saddler who is able to make their own adjustments/know what might fit.
 
My friends WB has had one saddle from being a youngster and it was a made to measure Jaguar, they are expensive but they can be altered and the girth rubs were cured with the shaped dressage girth that was cut back at the elbow area.
My horse has the same saddle but a flatter tree, bought it when he was a 4 yr old and he is now 14 (many flocks and alterations along the way) , he was also difficult to fit, as in very short coupled and the banana shaped tree allowed the extra room I needed without going past his last rib.
 
I wish I could offer you advice but I can't, I feel your pain as my daughter wants to sell her first pony because we can't get a saddle to fit. A first pony should be a lovely experience but when you can't canter because the saddles go up the neck and the pony does emergency stops the minute it goes onto her shoulders it becomes an upsetting time for a 7 year old child. The local saddle fitter just sucks in and says "ooh she will be difficult to fit" followed by "well it's not perfect but you won't really do any harm riding in this one"
I do hope you sort it out (and please tell us when you do) x
 
ester said:
some horses are more prone to girth rubs that others, is he chestnut?

Mine has a perfectly fitting saddle but a very forwards girth groove that is prone to rubs particularly during moulting periods. He-like yours- actually gets on best with the airoform type girth (aerborn one with elastic both ends) than anything more expensive or leather!

Saddle wise it sounds like you need a good fitter/saddler who is able to make their own adjustments/know what might fit.
Click to expand...

Hi there he's a coloured. He is molting at moment and the 3rd (!) saddle fitter said she is seeing lots of unusual rubs this year.

I've had him 18 months and no issues till now. Looking at WOW saddle as adjustable. I've got an s-shaped neoprene and gel girth to try this weekend. Keep everything crossed for us.

Been using surgical spirt to toughen up the area. Have managed to get a GP girth back on him Ok and no rubs this week so fingers crossed.

Thx all for your moral support and helpful comments.

x
 
My high withered horse (slighty narrow horse) is in a med / wide ideal saddle with a merino half pad to give him clearance over the wither without having to pack it up hard to achieve it.
 
Would be worth trying a Wow, with the front girth strap in the forward position, that will help to keep saddle and girth in their right places, less chance of rubbing then. Louise at Shere Saddles would prob be your nearest fitter she sometimes has 2nd hand ones
 
sodapop said:
I wish I could offer you advice but I can't, I feel your pain as my daughter wants to sell her first pony because we can't get a saddle to fit. A first pony should be a lovely experience but when you can't canter because the saddles go up the neck and the pony does emergency stops the minute it goes onto her shoulders it becomes an upsetting time for a 7 year old child.
Click to expand...

Something I see a lot. Awkward ponies tend to need flat trees and often a short seat, sometimes shorter than the pony can take, but not always. A half panel can be useful and in some cases you may need a deeper rear panel - anything that sits down at the back is likely to move forwards. Someone who specialises in ponies may help you avoid selling him, local saddle fitters don't always have access to the brands that work in these instances.

High withers into a flat back can be difficult, but could you post photos of the saddle? I might be able to assess if or even why it's moving forwards? Not always possible from photos but sometimes it is.
 
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