Saddle for TB? arghhh....

Evil_Cookie

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Hello, Hope your having a gd evening...

I'm looking for a new saddle for my tb mare... have been through this many times before... and finally found a saddle to fit... but geuss what... ungratefull little mare has decided to change shape, so the whole process has to start again. The current saddle isn't a very bad fit, but I have to fight it in order to sit correctly and it just doesn't seem to sit quite right on her. She goes much more softly bareback at the moment, so something can't be quite right.

Have been struggling with saddles for the past three years, and in june got this one, a t6 wide thorowgood gp, perfect, or maybe not...

Surely somebody must have another impossible to fit TB... what have you tried?

She's quite wide, and has huge shoulders.... so nothing too forward cut... 17.5"

I'm intrested in the saddle company saddles, as they are soft, she's very sensitive...

Any ideas greatly appreciated

EC
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my TB went well in a barnsby, and you can always get a TB fit if she has big withers.

Funny, as people always assume that TB's are narrow, but they're bred to have power in their shoulders not their bums like warmbloods!
 
She's not got any wider or narrower, it just seems to tip... the back is too high and yet you wouldn't want to make the front any higher off the withers... I could have it reflocked but, we're thinking of selling her in a few months and for the cost, and time it doesn't seem ideal.

It's true ParkRanger, I haven't known many small narrow tb's, my mare has a big front, a big bum and fine legs... sounds odd but she doesn't look out of proportion... she's beautiful, but then maybe I am biased...

Her withers aren't too high either... What do barnsbys typically fetch second hand?
 
Saddle company all the way. They are serge underneath which is just about the softest thing you can put on a horses back. They are often recommended after back problems, and that's how I found out about them. The best thing is, they are fully adjustable. Brand new they are around £500 and the quality is fantastic.
 
My TB was a nightmare to be fitted aswell. He has very high withers and has altered shape over the past year, with much needed weight and muscle gain!

He has a jeffries, not sure what type but could find out? It was £1000 and was proffesionaly fitted. When he changed shape a bit, all we needed to do was have it adjusted proffesionaly, and now it is perfect.
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Have you thought about a WOW? I have a TB who's always changing shape and have found it to be very good as the panels, flair and headplate widths are totally adjustable. You should have a look at the semiflex saddles too they are very good but rather expensive....
 
I have two funny shaped high withered exracers, my gelding Darcy had 9 saddles in the first 18 months of owning him as he changed shape so much and was so hard to fit. We tried Wintecs hoping the adjustable gullet would help but sadly it just couldnt be adjusted to a perfect fit and made him lame as it squeezed his shoulders.

Then I found The Saddle Company.... and all was well with the world...
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I have had 3 Saddle Co saddles, I made the mistake of trying to fit my bum into a 17" inch seat the first time and then bought a VSD the second time before realising I needed something more forward cut and settling on an Event saddle which is perfect for pony and me... All 3 Saddle Cos I had fitted him perfectly with very little hassle (one fitted out the box, one was adjusted by a fitter onsite and the other was new so was fitted to a template and came the right width) and he is happier in them than in any of the fancy Wintecs or expensive leather saddles he has had previously, plus I love riding in them and feel comfortable and secure.

I bought my other exracer one too as she is a year younger than Darcy and changing shape and I didnt want to have the saddle drama with her too, its the bog std Verona GP and I do everything in it, xc, sj, dressage...

3 of my friends have bought them for their horses after seeing how well they fitted mine and how nice they are too ride in...

All my 2nd hand ones were under £250 and the new one was an ebay bargain at £375...

I would definately recommend them.
 
I took Scarlet's advice and I have a saddle company for my TB and recommend them too. They are fab!

I think re saddle fits that most people assume that because most TBs have high withers that they are a narrow fit. Really I think you would be hard pushed to find any horse that is a true narrow. Narrow saddles to fit withers would usually mean that there would be pressure along the spinal column and pinching at the withers/shoulders.
 
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