saddle fitting

jojo180

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3 June 2006
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im waiting on my saddle fitter to call me back on wednesday to arrange a time to check his saddle fit.
I have a wintec wide with cair for him fitted 3 years ago and checked yearly.
I started hacking him 2 months ago after having a 3 month break. he felt twitchy for whole week and thought saddle looked like it was to narrow and pinching maybe, as could fit 4 fingers+ while mounted,the pommel and cantle were level though, and felt tight/pinching down front sides so changed to a wider gullet and he felt as if he was more comfortable but now i feel im tipping forward as the cantle is higher than pommel slightly.
As i say im getting the saddle fitter out asap anyway as annual check too but he seems comfortable/fine when ridden unlike before. do you think this saddle can be adjusted at the back?
 
No, cair saddles cant be adjusted at the back. The front may fit better now but if the saddle is lifting at the back (common in wintecs because of tree shape) you will get a rocking horse motion and a point of increased pressure where the saddle rocks. Do not be tempted to go narrower at the front in order for the back end of the saddle to stay on the horses back, this will cause problems. Likewise a back riser pad should not be used. Because of the tree shape then if the back of the saddle is ok then as you have found, the front is often too narrow. Tell your saddle fitter everything you have found but unfortunately it sounds like that your current saddle may no longer fit
frown.gif
Changing the gullet is only part of the fit
 
thanks for your reply, it sounds as though i may need a new one then.i half hope i dont for money reasons but if i do ooooooo new saddle hehe.
I think its effected his way of going as he seems quite tense lately and fearful of traffic coming from behind as if he wants to bolt forward. i was putting this down to bringing back into work and new surroundings but if i rule the saddle out i can get down to business with him.
 
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