Saddle issues?

[verient]

Or just riding issues!! Don't know.

I just don't feel comfortable riding my horse. I feel that my lower legs are all over the place and too far back and I just feel really perched on the saddle and not close to my horse at all! Also my jumping position is very insecure. I collapse on landing and am tipped forewards alot. Not sure if the saddle is almost hitting my bum as I land?? Could upload video if anyone wants to see.

He currently has a 16.5" GFS xch saddle which is adjustable - he currently has an extra wide gullet. I love the saddle! Beautiful leather and looks very smart. It was fitted by a master saddler. I am really struggling in it though as I feel like it tips me forewards and my bum doesn't actually fit in it. I am a size 12 on bottom and feel I need a 17" saddle but a saddler told me I couldn't get 17" on him as he is short backed. I went with what the lady said because she knows what she is talking about - but I don't see how .5 inch can make such a huge difference?

Here are some photos.

you can see how much room i have behind my bum here

Here are some photos of me other horses to compare.

these two are quite old..

What does everyone think??

 

[Javabb94]

I would say the saddle is hindering your position.

It looks a little small for you also

I have just changed saddles recently because in my last saddle my hips were pushed forward so my knees were pushed forward and lower leg swinging back

My legs also swung around a lot

I have just changed to a ideal impala pro which is a monoflap and even though its more forward cut my legs are totally still when riding even with my stirrups on flatwork length
Im a lot more balanced
I also have riding lessons on other horses and I had always noticed my leg position on the other horses was better and I felt balanced
In java's old saddle I wasn't balanced at all

How long have you had it ?

I noticed a change in his way of going as an unbalanced rider makes it difficult for the horse to work properly

Did the master saddler see you ride in it?

When mine was fitted ( 3 weeks ago)
The saddles that fitted when placed on his back I rode in
I rode in 6 and she could immediately see if any saddle was hindering movement
In some she said my leg position wasn't right so I tried another
I could immediately tell if java liked it as in some he wouldn't strike of on right leads etc so she took them off and eventually picked the one I bought which java moved brilliantly in.
It's amazing that a saddle that can seem to fit when placed on horses back can cause so many problems when ridden!

Hope this helps!

 

[verient]

I would say the saddle is hindering your position.

It looks a little small for you also

I have just changed saddles recently because in my last saddle my hips were pushed forward so my knees were pushed forward and lower leg swinging back

My legs also swung around a lot

I have just changed to a ideal impala pro which is a monoflap and even though its more forward cut my legs are totally still when riding even with my stirrups on flatwork length
Im a lot more balanced
I also have riding lessons on other horses and I had always noticed my leg position on the other horses was better and I felt balanced
In java's old saddle I wasn't balanced at all

How long have you had it ?

I noticed a change in his way of going as an unbalanced rider makes it difficult for the horse to work properly

Did the master saddler see you ride in it?

When mine was fitted ( 3 weeks ago)
The saddles that fitted when placed on his back I rode in
I rode in 6 and she could immediately see if any saddle was hindering movement
In some she said my leg position wasn't right so I tried another
I could immediately tell if java liked it as in some he wouldn't strike of on right leads etc so she took them off and eventually picked the one I bought which java moved brilliantly in.
It's amazing that a saddle that can seem to fit when placed on horses back can cause so many problems when ridden!

Hope this helps!

Thanks for your reply.

What happened was I got one master saddler out who told me I needed a 16.5" extra wide saddle but she didn't have one and I didn't have much to spend so I went out and found one myself. It didn't look right on him so I got another saddler out who told me it would be fine just needed flocking adjustments - which is what she did. She didn't see me ride in it. My problem is the price really. I would only have the money I'd get from selling mine (probably around £400) plus another £200 on top. I have had it probably 3 months.

 

[Javabb94]

I think as its too small its pushing your bum near the pommel and forcing your Lower leg back unbalancing you

In the other photos you have your look a lot more balanced and your lower leg is better

Is their a saddler that you could get who will fit second hand saddles and part ex yours??
Also that could see you ride in your current saddle?

 

[verient]

I think as its too small its pushing your bum near the pommel and forcing your Lower leg back unbalancing you

In the other photos you have your look a lot more balanced and your lower leg is better

Is their a saddler that you could get who will fit second hand saddles and part ex yours??
Also that could see you ride in your current saddle?

I don't really know anyone in the area who would! I'm in Somerset. I've used Julia Garrett and Evenco Gold x

 

[be positive]

In the photo without a rider on, the saddle looks as if it is not sitting on him at the back and may not be wide enough. If you can lunge him, watch and see if the back of the saddle is lifting off of him when he is trotting /cantering.If it is this is what you are feeling ,the saddle therefore does not fit him as it should not lift .
He should be able to take a 17inch which would suit you better.Maybe try a different fitter.
Saddle fitting is so difficult it seems that everyone has different opinions But both horse and rider need to be comfy imo.

 

[Tammytoo]

Looking at the pictures the saddle not only looks too small for you, but it also looks as though it is tipping you forward and it also seems to be sitting a bit far forward over his shoulders so he possibly needs a wider fit. I am a size 10 and my saddler said 17" was the right size for me.

I had a very difficult to fit "square" short backed horse and the only saddle within a reasonable budget I could get to fit was a Saddle Company saddle. They have special trees that can be endlessly widened and narrowed to fit any horse and are very light and comfortable. Mine was widened to the equivalent of XXW, but I was assured by the fitter that it wasn't the widest she had fitted! Although mine was a genuine 17" it had the appearance of being smaller.

You can get them 2nd hand on ebay and I think they are about £600 new. There are fitters all over the country, check out the website.

 

[Javabb94]

I agree that it seems to have lifted off his back

I would get someone to video him trotting up in hand and then do the same with the saddle and see If it bounces or see if his movement is in any way different

Also agree it seems to sit on his shoulder

 

[Britestar]

The saddle ceratinly seems to tip your forwards. This can actually be suggestive that the saddle is too wide when you are on him. At a size 12 you probabably would be comfier in a 17" saddle.

How big is your horse?

The saddler should really have see you ride in the saddle. Sometime they look fine at rest but change totally once girthed up and ridden in. Ask her to come back.

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

Agree with the comments about the saddle lifting, it looks like its rocking on his back and this will be why you feel so unstable. I think you might need a new saddle.

 

[soulfull]

Most importantly the saddle is too far forward! To put it in the correct place, follow the shoulder blade down and fit saddle 2/3 fingers width behind it.

Problem is the saddle may then tip forward even more.

Saddle is too small for you and looking at horse he should carry a 17 inch I suggest you try a different fitter. Borrow a 17 or even a 17.5 and show us photos too

 

[eggs]

It does look as though your horse could take a 17" saddle.

As far as saddle size o for the rider the important measure is hip knee. I am a size 10 and 5'8" and am better in an 18" saddle as my thigh is long.

Could you borrow a Wintec Cob saddle in 17"?