Saddle Fitting Question - What would you do?

[kbsaff]

I rode my 5 yr old welsh Sec D last night for the first time in a month. I have been having a lack of motivation crisis with him as every session at the moment has been a battle so I thought it best to leave him alone for a bit and just build on ground work.
Anyway, that's beside the point.
As he's been out of work, he's inevitably put on some weight. I've now noticed that his saddle seems to look a tad narrow and sits on his back rather than "moulding" around him.
The saddle was new to him (although second hand) six months ago.
My question is what would you do?
Would you call the saddler and get the saddle adjusted or, would you lunge/ hack to get his weight down and then call the saddler?
I don't want to get the saddle adjusted whilst he is a bit "portly" and then it not fit when he slims down and is back in work. But at the same time, I need a saddle to exercise him to get his weight down. And of course I don't want to damage his back or make him uncomfortable. It seems to be a bit of a catch 22.
Any advice would be great

 

[Scribbles]

Ask the saddler for a PX with a view to doing a deal in another couple of months - is what I did.

 

[Rowreach]

[ QUOTE ]
My question is what would you do?
Any advice would be great

[/ QUOTE ]

It wouldn't be a problem for me because I ride all my horses in treeless saddles, so I can fit them to any horse, any shape or size

 

[Michelle73]

I have the Bates interchangable gullet saddle for the very same reason, horsey one shape in spring and a different shape by the summer!

 

[OrangeEmpire]

at age 5 your welsh cob is likely to be still broadening across his shoulders - mine went from a medium gullet (aged 4.5) to a wide gullet now aged 6. I'd seriously look at getting a wider saddle (with your saddler's help!) because at least you can pad it if he gets slimmer again.

 

[Donkeymad]

I would call your saddle fitter out now. It won't take long to hurt your horse with this sadle. you would be best off getting a saddle with plenty of adjustment, such as a Thorowgood. He will change a fair bit over the next two years, and most horses change during the year too.

 

[gailt]

One of ours is a little portly, we had the saddle fitter out who widened his saddle (saddle company) but when it fitted over his withers it sat off his back, so they made it narrower on his wither so it fitted his back, ours too is a new saddle but the saddle fitter said it wont do any harm as its a working hunter type so doesnt restrict shoulders but its better to fit on his back properly than too loose over his wither and flop around...grrr the trials of horses..