Saddle fitting query :-)

[browbrow]

Hello

I was watching my sharer ride Pony last night and noticed that the saddle was flapping a fair bit at the back - so the saddle fitter was called and they are coming out to look at it on friday -but I just thought I'd ask on here what is normally the reason why a saddle flaps around the back? Is it because its too big? She has lost alot of weight over that past few months and is in a wintec wide so the gullets are all adjustable and I can make is smaller myself but the flocking on the saddle is fine. I know my fitter is coming but but I just wanted to ask on here - and also - what are the implications of a saddle that is flapping - its jujst watching showjumping last night they all flap up and down like mad? What would it cause to the horse - im not very hot on saddle fitting so wont leave it to chance! Thanks so much

 

[KatB]

Normally due to being too wide infront if the tree fits the shape of the horse

 

[browbrow]

Thanks - i thought so - I had noticed that there wasnt as much clearance at the front as usual - I have two gullets smaller than the one she has one at the moment so I m sure thats all it needs

 

[JillA]

Could also be that you have the girth on the front billet, and that is pulling the front down too much.

 

[lilpinkdonkey4]

Maybe put a folded towl underneath at the front to lift it off the withers if the pony is ridden before the saddler gets out. the saddle shouldnt 'flap' at the back and the sj you were watching obv havnt had their saddles fitted recently!!! The Sjers ive met tend to have one saddle that rotates around the yard and they just pad up appropriately on different horses, doesnt always work though!

 

[Rats]

Agree with Bonita re the towel. Soft hand towel unevenly foldede so there is a 'feathered' edge at the rear of it under the saddle. And remember the spring grass is only starting, so some plumping may happen.
Watch out with changeable gullets - fit the one that actually matches the angle of the shoulder - try it on directly - a tad wide being better than a tad narrow - fitting a narrower gullet when it's the flocking that has compressed will pinch. Wintecs/Bates need the fork flocking refreshed just like any other saddle. You can also have the panel flocking tweaked to fit at the same time. But the hand towel is good at this time of year. Our 2 both have them at the mo!