Saddle for high withered, flat backed horse

[Sellmar]

I’m desperately looking for a suitable dressage saddle for my new horse. He has no top line and atrophy around the wither which makes him an extra challenge. He is a full warmblood but currently looks as a thoroughbred as he underweight. He has apparently been suffering from ulcers on/off for years. He is suffering from lumbar pain as well and feet needs attentions which is currently addressed but not able to properly work him until I have a saddle for him. I realise that I need a saddle fitter but just wondered if anyone had an idea of saddles that could not based on his confirmation? My current Erreplus saddle ends up too far back due to his set back shoulder. Any advice would be great. The photo attached shows what he looks like now and what he used to look like.

 

[Red-1]

Hi, he does not look impossible to fit or anything. You don't say what kind of saddle you are looking for?

For a dressage, the Equipe Emporio is a fairly flat profile. Also a Spalding dressage was good, and a bit better for a higher wither, that is the one I swapped to.

For jumping the Chelderic mono flap was also great. It is very flexible and the flaps float over the shoulder.

I no longer have the horse and am deciding whether to sell or not, they are both such gorgeous saddles, I am reluctant - despite now having a 15hh cob!

ETA - his girth groove is that forward, you may find you need a curved banana type girth or it will be dragged forwards whilst you ride.

 

[Marigold4]

My young horse was very difficult to fit: flat back and big wide wither. After endless failed attempts at finding a treed saddle that worked (with help of saddle fitter) I got a Solutions treeless saddle for him and this is perfect. To look at, you wouldn't know they were any different. They do a dressage version. I have had his back checked every 6 weeks since backing him and physio is also happy with the way he feels.

 

[Sellmar]

Hi, he does not look impossible to fit or anything. You don't say what kind of saddle you are looking for?

For a dressage, the Equipe Emporio is a fairly flat profile. Also a Spalding dressage was good, and a bit better for a higher wither, that is the one I swapped to.

For jumping the Chelderic mono flap was also great. It is very flexible and the flaps float over the shoulder.

I no longer have the horse and am deciding whether to sell or not, they are both such gorgeous saddles, I am reluctant - despite now having a 15hh cob!

ETA - his girth groove is that forward, you may find you need a curved banana type girth or it will be dragged forwards whilst you ride.

I have had an Equipe before and I don’t know if I want another equipe. I much prefer flocking to foam panels. I’m currently looking at a kieffer Innsbruck which looks good and saddle fitter that it may fit his shape. I also tried an older Bates Isabell today which fitted him reasonably well. Thanks for your suggestions though, I will look up the spalfing brand although not sure if they are sold in Australia ?

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Thorowgood hi-wither dressage saddle? We had one of these for our flat backed, shark fin wither SJer. He had horrendous atrophy when we first got him. With correct work he filled out in the wither area but always had a high wither obviously.

Saddleworld stock them nationally and Atkins out of Brisbane do also.

 

[Auslander]

Albion Revelation might be worth a look - that's what my old boy (similar profile) was in until recently. I only changed saddles as I wanted to minimise the extra weight he was carrying, now he's a bit ancient, so got him a new shape Wintec Isabelle instead (also worth a look if you aren't anti synthetic)

 

[sbloom]

I think he looks very different in each photo and would require, potentially a different solution, in each photo. In the lower photo he's uphill with a high shoulder and not actually that much wither, in the top photo he has a bit more wither, less muscle, and less uphill. In some ways the uphill photo is the harder one to fit, he may be better fitted well back off the shoulder which most SJers, if you are one, hate lol.

I would recommend working with a good fitter that stocks a good flocked bench made brand or three, if he has atrophy (top photo?) then I would fit a remedial saddle (wider, with pads) for now, he's going to change.

 

[Sellmar]

Albion Revelation might be worth a look - that's what my old boy (similar profile) was in until recently. I only changed saddles as I wanted to minimise the extra weight he was carrying, now he's a bit ancient, so got him a new shape Wintec Isabelle instead (also worth a look if you aren't anti synthetic)

I have tried an older Bates Isabell on him and it fitted quite well but I hated riding in it ?‍. I’m not a big of Bates to be honest but do like the Albion’s so will have a look at the Albion revelation but from memory that’s a very expensive saddle.

 

[Sellmar]

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I think he looks very different in each photo and would require, potentially a different solution, in each photo. In the lower photo he's uphill with a high shoulder and not actually that much wither, in the top photo he has a bit more wither, less muscle, and less uphill. In some ways the uphill photo is the harder one to fit, he may be better fitted well back off the shoulder which most SJers, if you are one, hate lol.

I would recommend working with a good fitter that stocks a good flocked bench made brand or three, if he has atrophy (top photo?) then I would fit a remedial saddle (wider, with pads) for now, he's going to change.

Indeed, he has changed heaps and I believe his wither will not look as “high” when he fills out around the wither pockets. I have been advised by a saddle fitter that a kieffer Innsbruck might suit but really need a saddle fitting to determine this. I’m not sure what you means by being fitted back off the shoulder?

 

[exracehorse]

My Albion SLK seems to fit every horse on the yard. From the 17.2 warmblood to the short backed trotter with big shoulders

 

[ponios]

Try an Albion Fabrento, it also has Adjusta Tree so your saddler can adjust as he changes shape

 

[sbloom]

Liter

I

Indeed, he has changed heaps and I believe his wither will not look as “high” when he fills out around the wither pockets. I have been advised by a saddle fitter that a kieffer Innsbruck might suit but really need a saddle fitting to determine this. I’m not sure what you means by being fitted back off the shoulder?

Further back, all saddles should have their tree points 2" behind the back of the shoulder blade (which means you don't worry about the flap shape), but you can fit further back than that if there is room for the seat size you need. And I'll also say that because 17.5 is so often stocked I see riders that are in too big saddles quite often...

 

[Sellmar]

O

Liter


Further back, all saddles should have their tree points 2" behind the back of the shoulder blade (which means you don't worry about the flap shape), but you can fit further back than that if there is room for the seat size you need. And I'll also say that because 17.5 is so often stocked I see riders that are in too big saddles quite often...

Ok, I see what you mean and yes I’m aware of correct saddle placement. I’m generally riding in a 17’ although found that certain saddles due to their shape of larger blocks limits the seat area (Equipe) and has to go up a size.

 

[Sellmar]

Try an Albion Fabrento, it also has Adjusta Tree so your saddler can adjust as he changes shape

I tried the Fabrento and liked the saddle but not the knee blocks which didn’t work for my legs

 

[Sellmar]

Try an Albion Fabrento, it also has Adjusta Tree so your saddler can adjust as he changes shape

Albion Revelation might be worth a look - that's what my old boy (similar profile) was in until recently. I only changed saddles as I wanted to minimise the extra weight he was carrying, now he's a bit ancient, so got him a new shape Wintec Isabelle instead (also worth a look if you aren't anti synthetic)

I love the look of the revelation but way off my budget sadly ?
.

 

[Sellmar]

My Albion SLK seems to fit every horse on the yard. From the 17.2 warmblood to the short backed trotter with big shoulders

I tried the Albion SLK on my other horse. Lovely saddle but I didn’t feel quite right in it.

 

[Sellmar]

I think he looks very different in each photo and would require, potentially a different solution, in each photo. In the lower photo he's uphill with a high shoulder and not actually that much wither, in the top photo he has a bit more wither, less muscle, and less uphill. In some ways the uphill photo is the harder one to fit, he may be better fitted well back off the shoulder which most SJers, if you are one, hate lol.

I would recommend working with a good fitter that stocks a good flocked bench made brand or three, if he has atrophy (top photo?) then I would fit a remedial saddle (wider, with pads) for now, he's going to change.

Yes, I know what you are saying. It’s a massive difference between the photos! It almost look like two different horses unless you check the markings closely. He is still quite affected by the ulcers and now on a combined treatment of Carafate and ulcershield. He gets quite agitated even just putting a saddle on his back as more so when tightening the girth.

 

[Sellmar]

Thorowgood hi-wither dressage saddle? We had one of these for our flat backed, shark fin wither SJer. He had horrendous atrophy when we first got him. With correct work he filled out in the wither area but always had a high wither obviously.

Saddleworld stock them nationally and Atkins out of Brisbane do also.

My young horse was very difficult to fit: flat back and big wide wither. After endless failed attempts at finding a treed saddle that worked (with help of saddle fitter) I got a Solutions treeless saddle for him and this is perfect. To look at, you wouldn't know they were any different. They do a dressage version. I have had his back checked every 6 weeks since backing him and physio is also happy with the way he feels.

Not sure those saddles are available in Australia?