Saddle Movement

[Libbyn1982]

(Posted in Stable Yard as well by mistake!!!!)

Hi Guys, just after a bit of help.

T's saddle is 9 months old. Have noticed that as he has lost condition over winter it now sits a bit low at the front and have noticed this week slight rubbing to the rear of the saddle. Watching him move there is, what seems to me, to be a lot of movement at the rear of the sadle side to side as he move his hips.

Any suggestions? Have been told a riser may help?? This has only been since condition has been lost. No soreness at the moment and he is moving well.

I have advised my saddle fitter as well.

 

[ThePony]

a front riser might help, your saddle fitter will be able to let you know the best solution when he sees your horse - all the rest of us can do is guess!

 

[sbloom]

Unless you know how to assess as saddle for front to back balance, as that is all that a riser really changes, I'd not recommend trying one. A front riser may cause all your weight to be piled on to that unstable cantle, might not make it any more stable, and cause more problems. An iunstable saddle is usually too curvy - a flocking adjustment may be all that is needed, or a width adjustment at the front. Usually I have to flatten the fit one way or another is a saddle is doing that.

As a temporary measure, if you have them and aren't already using them, you could try using the balance straps on both sides, but only if that doesn't pull the saddle forwards.

 

[Libbyn1982]

Thanks for the response. I read my other post too. I dont think it's too wide, it's not too low on withers. Had dropped a bit but I thought this may be to do with him loosing condition and the flocking flattening as its been 9 months. The movement is more side to side as his hips rotate up and forwards. I would think it is a balance thing, weight sitting too far forward at the moment. Saddle man come back to me and due on Thursday. Hope it can be solved and i'm not looking at another new one... :-(

 

[scheherazade]

Also posted this on other thread but reposted here as hopefully it will get more traffic?
Read this with interest as my saddle was bought new 7 months ago and is now starting to move (lift) at the back, the horse has not lost condition and the saddle still has loads of clearance at the front. I have called the saddle fitter but trying to find a date he can come out to check it. Could this just be an issue with the flocking "bedding down" (in which case would a front riser be suitable in this case?) or just a thicker half pad until he can come out and check / adjust it?

Many thanks

 

[sbloom]

Really hard to say - I always try and get my clients to monitor the clearance at the front then you know exactly when it starts to change. If the clearance is unchanged, then the horse may be a little flatter in the back as his muscle has developed and it will need the flock "flattening", with more added at the very front and back. If you can keep the balance the same, the pressure distribution down the points the same, and stop the saddle moving/lifting, then do try whatever temporary fix will do all those things!

 

[Marydoll]

The only person to help you out is your saddler, if its moving like that, it doesnt fit anymore. Faffing about with various pads might just transfer pressure to other areas or make the fit worse
With that much movement behind, id get it rechecked, you might just need the flocking adjusted, a good saddler will do it on your yard

 

[sbloom]

And a busy saddle fitter might need to take it away . As long as the fitter sees the horse ridden before and after reflocking, I don't think it is any reflection on their ability whether they flock onsite or not. I drop the rear panel to do a really thorough job, so when I'm busy I can't allow enough time for that for every saddle check, so I take them home, and bring them back out again.

 

[Marydoll]

And a busy saddle fitter might need to take it away . As long as the fitter sees the horse ridden before and after reflocking, I don't think it is any reflection on their ability whether they flock onsite or not. I drop the rear panel to do a really thorough job, so when I'm busy I can't allow enough time for that for every saddle check, so I take them home, and bring them back out again.

Oops lol, point taken, basically get it checked with the saddler didnt mean onsite flocking was better, just better for op if theyve only got 1 saddle

 

[Libbyn1982]

Also posted this on other thread but reposted here as hopefully it will get more traffic?
Read this with interest as my saddle was bought new 7 months ago and is now starting to move (lift) at the back, the horse has not lost condition and the saddle still has loads of clearance at the front. I have called the saddle fitter but trying to find a date he can come out to check it. Could this just be an issue with the flocking "bedding down" (in which case would a front riser be suitable in this case?) or just a thicker half pad until he can come out and check / adjust it?

Many thanks

Saddle man came out, watched me ride, got on himself to feel toby's movement as I have scoliosis and am lop sided!! Saddle seemed stiller with saddle man on - maybe sharer sits with weight too far forward? She is a very slim little lady - not very heavy i'm sure!!

Had a good prod around. Is coming to add more flocking to raise front slightly - may remove as and when T's condition returns with spring grass. Will see if this does the trick. Also not going to use very expensive and snuggly sheepskin numnah anymore as I did notice it when I changed from thinner dressage pad.

scheherazade - See what your saddle man says but if it's similar to mine hopefully flockin adjustment will work. Got warned about messing with risers on my own as can upset the balance. How does it sit without a rider on it? I'd be tempted to say leave it as is until saddle man can come.