Saddle help!! Please?:( (Saddle fitters i need you!)

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CosmicKid

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Hi there all! Basically i would like some options on best saddles! But if you would hear out my "needs" first as to say what you would think is best!

So hello all! I have been thrown in the deep end! I bought my lovely welsh X Anglo a year ago now, I bought him for the main part of feeling sorry for him due to the fact he was clearly in pain! So turned out it was all back problems! Previous owner rode him in a saddle far too long and narrow for his shape concluding in damaging his spine!! So we spent a lot of time fixing his back and putting weight on him! January this year he got the all go sign from vets! Great! Fantastic! Let's get a saddle fitter out! So we did just that and got the local (still a good 50 miles travel) saddler! That was fine she seemed to have a fantastic reputation, measured him etc and did a fantastic job!! Fitted us with a Monarch saddle with changeable gullet as I warned her he will really bulk out! So she assured us "oh yes they make gullets that will fit him when he does" so all hopeful! But! My Colt had a accident meaning my big guys education had to be put on pause (plus weather was still awful) so left him for another couple of months as wouldn't do him harm, would give him time to get his weight up etc! This week I thought hey! Everything's sorted, he's moderately fit on the lunge, lets dust the cobwebs off the saddle and get him going! No. Brought the saddle down, AND guess what? FAR too tight! I know what you're all thinking "oh just change the gullet you have already covered that it's changeable" yes it is! But he was fitted with a XW (salmon pink) and guess what? Monarch saddles don't go that far!! So after saddle fitter won't message us back we've found a old friend who's a retired fitter agree to kind of help us! But as he is retired he said I'd need to find possible saddles to try on (yes I am 16 I can't afford a new one but I make my own money and see no problem in second hand!!) so before searching forums and websites for a saddle I'd like to hear suggested brands?
My horse is a high withered short backed chunk! So must be able to accommodate his high withers yet still be XXW+!!! Must be a changeable gullet due to him being a shape shifter and HAS to be comfortable for him! Scrap me I want my horse to have full comftorbility!! Synthetic or leather doesn't matter, as long as it's a kind saddle and can go past xxw and high withers as stated! And suitable for Jumping and XC! Also a saddle that won't cost me more (second hand wise) than £350 as I am only 16 and have 2 horses to pay for myself! So if you have a brand in mind leave it bellow! All advice is welcome!!!

So needs:
XXW+
Comftorbility on horse
Jumpable
Not cost me £68364728264


Thank you!!:)
 
I'm not a saddle fitter, but I have a tricky to fit horse with back problems!

Thorowgood T4 (synthetic) or T8 (leather and synthetic) come in high wither version and I think gullet bars go up to xxw. But adjustable saddles never seemed to suit our horse.

Eventually we trialling some saddles and found a leather (ideal) that suited her much better. Despite changing weight and shape in the time we've had it, and having it regularly checked, it hasn't needed altering. The only difference at the moment is that we've had to remove the sheepskin half pad we like to use under it.

Our old saddle fitter loved the thorowgoods because he could make many small adjustments to make them fit, but despite this the saddle always slipped slightly and horse never was that happy in it.

There are places you can trial saddles from and they should be able to advise what might fit. I found Patrick wilkinson saddles very helpful. Saddles direct also seem to have a good range.
 
Don't know if it would be suitable for your horse but I've got a tekna for my short backed cob. Reasonable price, adjustable and looks good too. It's lightweight and as my horse is young it's good for a first saddle while he's still growing. Had it fitted by a good saddler and it can be adjusted when needed.
Might be worth looking at.
 
Can you post a good level side on pic OP?

Also re buying second hand I found it helped to have a template of my horse's back and sent it to sellers so they could take pics of it with their saddle to give me a rough idea.
 
Get in touch with Balance International. Their saddles are all very wide, and all fitted with prolite pads that give an area that can deform to allow the back to expand during work. It means you can adjust the saddle fit very easily yourself. I have the same saddle on a chunky Welsh cross and a rangy old TB using different padding and they both love it (it was their choice to wear the same saddle, I'm not just being tight!).
 
Link works, what a handsome chap, he almost looks more welsh than I anticipated, I see what you mean about the wither and the shortness!

Drop sbloom on here a pm and direct her to this thread as she is a fitter and may have some suggestions :)
 
I think trying to fit him as a high withered horse will give you issues, XXW and high withered just don't go together in most cases, his ribcage could well be XXW but if you have a saddle that wide it will sit too low in front. I'd try going for a super short seat size (a more forward flap if you're long in the leg), a flat tree, and a very short panel, and move it back off his wither.
 
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