Saddle No Longer Fits

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Llanidan Lester

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Hi, I've got a Paul Jones working hunter saddle that cost me over £700. I got it about 2 years ago for my rather chunky Section D. However since he has matured and been exercised daily he has dropped to pounds dramatically! He literally had no wither when the saddle was bought and now has quite a defined shoulder and a nice amount of wither showing.

However as you can tell, the saddle is just too big for him now. I don't know what to do, do anyone have advice?

I understand I could do with getting a new saddle however due to money it's just an impossible option. I was thinking of getting it re-stuffed but not sure if it would be beneficial and is also a money problem...
Does anyone know of any pads or something of that sort which works, and if so what is the best brand etc?

Thanks,
Steph
 
Bexx said:
Can you not sell yours and use the money to buy him a new one? Or a saddle fitter may be able to offer you a part ex or something
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The chances are he'll put on weight again when I go off to college and he doesn't have as much exercise as he's been getting. Aswell through winter when he's gorging on hay. It also wouldn't sell for the £700 as there are minor damages so a saddle of equal quality wouldn't be able to be bought.
 
I'd definitely get a saddle fitter to look at it on the horse. Although you might end up having to buy a new saddle, it would be much better than ending up with a grumpy horse with a bad back. You might get reasonable part exchange for a replacement. Good luck.
 
Hoopsa said:
I'd definitely get a saddle fitter to look at it on the horse. Although you might end up having to buy a new saddle, it would be much better than ending up with a grumpy horse with a bad back. You might get reasonable part exchange for a replacement. Good luck.
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I currently don't even have enough money to part with to have the saddler come down and look at the fit on my horse. I have another saddle at the moment which ended up to small for him when he was fatter and now is a good fit. However it's just a GP saddle and really could do with the hunter saddle for shows
 
Pad it out? I got an aerborn pad with removable shims for my horse. I have a gel-lite I got first but that was too big and annoying as slipped. The aerborn can be fixed underneath the saddle. If the saddle is only just a litte too big then this may be am option
 
So you can't afford to get the saddler out but you can afford to go to shows? I think your priorities need re jigging :)

You can sell your saddle and find a second hand one of a similar standard for a similar price. Saddle fit is so important, it could cost you more in the long run if you have to factor in vets and back people to sort out any issues that arise from poorly fitting saddles
 
Personally, and Im sorry to say this- I genuinely do not mean to offend; you should be using whatever money you're planning on spending buying a pad and entering shows, on instead getting a saddler out to look at the horse's back/saddle.

Just remember that a short while with a bad back will take a lot of time to correct, and why would you want to go down this route?

A saddler visit is usually about £40-50 (depending on where you live), you could ask around to borrow money, do some jobs like washing cars/cleaning houses or eBay a few things that you dont need anymore.

Please please please dont just buy a 'pad' and carry on riding.
 
Wheels said:
So you can't afford to get the saddler out but you can afford to go to shows? I think your priorities need re jigging :)

You can sell your saddle and find a second hand one of a similar standard for a similar price. Saddle fit is so important, it could cost you more in the long run if you have to factor in vets and back people to sort out any issues that arise from poorly fitting saddles
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We go to a single local show where we enter a class that is £7.50 every three weeks. I think thats affordable compared to paying £30 for a saddler to come down when I'm 16. He's not getting ridden in the saddle as it does not fit. Because it doesn't fit I've been riding bareback. I think I shall try what ladyt25 suggested before I have to pay out £100's on a new saddle when he will gain weight and have it fit again soon anyway.
 
Dusty85 said:
Personally, and Im sorry to say this- I genuinely do not mean to offend; you should be using whatever money you're planning on spending buying a pad and entering shows, on instead getting a saddler out to look at the horse's back/saddle.

Just remember that a short while with a bad back will take a lot of time to correct, and why would you want to go down this route?

A saddler visit is usually about £40-50 (depending on where you live), you could ask around to borrow money, do some jobs like washing cars/cleaning houses or eBay a few things that you dont need anymore.

Please please please dont just buy a 'pad' and carry on riding.
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Look, I'm not spending lot's of money on the shows. I spend £7.50 every three weeks. I do not use transport as it is a 5 minute hack down a lane to get there. He's not being ridden or being ridden bareback at the moment so I don't harm his back anymore. I do have another saddle that I will use until the problem is fixed. The think is he WILL put on weight and then the saddle will pinch.
 
ladyt25 said:
Pad it out? I got an aerborn pad with removable shims for my horse. I have a gel-lite I got first but that was too big and annoying as slipped. The aerborn can be fixed underneath the saddle. If the saddle is only just a litte too big then this may be am option
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Thankyou, I'll try one of these and see how we go
 
some pads like risers can be used well to adjust saddle fit, however, I still would not just use one without a saddler looking and advising me and they can never really be a long term option, nothing is as good as a correct fitting saddle
it is possible clever flocking could actually make it fit- my saddler was £48 call out, then £27 to flock on site. not much money, pads can cost that much!
 
pippixox said:
some pads like risers can be used well to adjust saddle fit, however, I still would not just use one without a saddler looking and advising me and they can never really be a long term option, nothing is as good as a correct fitting saddle
it is possible clever flocking could actually make it fit- my saddler was £48 call out, then £27 to flock on site. not much money, pads can cost that much!
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Flocking was something I was thinking of, either way I'm going to have to save up so he isn;t going to get ridden for a while. Thanks
 
If it's only a local show why can't you use the GP?


Fwiw it would also be better for him not to put lots of weight back on anyway
 
ester said:
If it's only a local show why can't you use the GP?


Fwiw it would also be better for him not to put lots of weight back on anyway
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I'd rather look the part, it is also quite old and shabby looking with lots of bumps and bruises on it. Another problem is that is is no where near as comfy for my horse and for me as the working hunter one when it fit correctly. Either way, I just wanted some advice on pads that I could get until he gains weight and the saddle fits him again
 
Out of interest, when you say it doesn't fit - in what way? Is it just too low now? If so, padding it out will probably be fine. Just check when/if you pad that, when you look at the saddle from the side it is level (ie not sloping backwards or forwards), if it's not you need to adjust the shims to ensure it is level.

Ultimately, if he's going to remain the shape he is you are probably best getting a new saddle but I'd be more concerned if the saddle was now too narrow as opposed to what you're saying (trust me, I have had/am having my share of saddle fitting issues with a ridiculously wide-backed youngster!). Padding it out adequately should not be detrimental to his back IF in the main the saddle fits his overall shape.
 
ladyt25 said:
Out of interest, when you say it doesn't fit - in what way? Is it just too low now? If so, padding it out will probably be fine. Just check when/if you pad that, when you look at the saddle from the side it is level (ie not sloping backwards or forwards), if it's not you need to adjust the shims to ensure it is level.

Ultimately, if he's going to remain the shape he is you are probably best getting a new saddle but I'd be more concerned if the saddle was now too narrow as opposed to what you're saying (trust me, I have had/am having my share of saddle fitting issues with a ridiculously wide-backed youngster!). Padding it out adequately should not be detrimental to his back IF in the main the saddle fits his overall shape.
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The saddle fits every where except at the front around his withers where the fat has dropped off. The saddle was actually fitted to him when we bought it so was perfect. It is just his withers at the moment as he has reached his all time lowest weight level. For now I'll do what you said and buy the pad, we're currently stuck in a field with hardly any grass but should be moving to one relatively soon so I can see his weight increasing again. Thankyou
 
I've only ever shown in a GP and all has been well ;) it's impossible for a forum to suggest pads etc without seeing the horse and I'd think that lots of pads won't look good for showing either :confused:. You might for example get away with a thick sheepskin and shim system but they aren't cheap either
 
i agree with evrything ester has said. Very few people ride in hunter saddles at local level the judges aren't that bothered about the saddle. if the saddle looks a bit old then spend some time giving it a good clean!!!!! None of it makes sense. Also you seem to think that it is perfectly ok for him to put weight on and seem to be also wishing him to just so the saddle fits
 
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Matt and Jack said:
i agree with evrything ester has said. Very few people ride in hunter saddles at local level the judges aren't that bothered about the saddle. if the saddle looks a bit old then spend some time giving it a good clean!!!!! None of it makes sense. Also you seem to think that it is perfectly ok for him to put weight on and seem to be also wishing him to just so the saddle fits
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Id prefer it if you didn't dictate my thoughts. It is inevitable that he will put on weight. He's a section D and a good do-er, he will also be getting less exercise when i go to college. I am NOT wishing for him the put on wight 'just so the saddle fits' don't be so ridiculous, I know this is not good for his health and wouldn't wish away, essentially, his life just to spare a few hundred pounds.
 
There are ways to stop him putting on weight with reduced exercise though :). My welshie was lame for much of last year but didn't pile on the pounds - which he certainly can do as I have the photos from when he was bought 8 years ago.
 
If horse is healthy weight now then don't let it put on any back on, my semi retired oldy is kept a good weight with careful management, lack of riding does not mean they have to get fat.
On the saddle issue, chat to a saddler, my saddler sent my black country saddle back to manufacturer to have the tree narrowed when my sect D lost weight & it fits brilliantly again.
 
Llanidan Lester said:
I currently don't even have enough money to part with to have the saddler come down and look at the fit on my horse. I have another saddle at the moment which ended up to small for him when he was fatter and now is a good fit. However it's just a GP saddle and really could do with the hunter saddle for shows
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Then you will just have to either stop showing or manage with the GP. Showing is known to be a very expensive hobby.
 
Like many have said, pads are not a cheap option either, nor will they look great in the show ring. If you were to invest in a sheepskin with shims then you'd get away with it in local level showing classes BUT I know from personal experience they're about £80......most saddlers will be cheaper than that to check the fit and maybe even reflock (mine charges £30 callout and very little for extra flocking work so it may be the cheaper option, both in the long term and the short term. That being said, if his weight is likely to fluctuate regularly I'd suggest asking a saddler's opinion on pads :-)
 
It is far less detrimental for a saddle to be too wide than too narrow, and yes, pads can make a wide saddle a better fit. If the OP doesn't have the money to be swapping saddles around like a three card trick (which is what a lot of people seem to do the instant their horse loses or gains a few pounds), it is worth a try to see what solutions can be found. It isn't actually all THAT difficult to ascertain if a saddle fits or not; there is plenty of good information available on the subject.
 
you should be able to ride him the same as you are now when at college. when i was doing 4 a levels at college i had 2-3 to ride and event and keep fit plus my trainers advanced dressage horse. all were ridden most days.
 
Cortez, yes I agree and I do do this with my lad no multiple saddle shopping for me! I was just not convinced that suggesting sticking a couple of polypads/prolite/alternative similar options was going to help the OP given that the reason she wants to use this saddle is for showing, over the use of the GP that fits better.
 
The majority of you are all ridiculous bar a few individuals that gave me a response like the thread asked for. Thank you to those who did and to the rest please stop posting pointless comments that don't benefit either of us. I am not riding in the current saddle, actually not riding at all as he is being lunged and then having a 2 week break whilst my family go on holiday - don't go on about how I should be spending money on a saddler instead of going on holiday, it was booked before the saddle fitting problem and is a treat, cheap holiday. I will not buy a new saddle unless I absolutely must, until then I shall try the saddle pads or have a saddler re-flock or re-shape the tree before I go disposing of my current one. The GP saddle is not a perfect fit however it does fit better than the hunter saddle at the moment. I can't be bothered listening to anymore of you going on about his weight, this website it to gain help and advise and instead I am getting patronised - I doubt all your horses are perfect weight with perfectly fitting saddles so yes thank you to those who gave me help and to the rest of you stop wasting your time posting comments regardless of whether you are trying to help or fear for my horses well being.
 
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scribble said:
you should be able to ride him the same as you are now when at college. when i was doing 4 a levels at college i had 2-3 to ride and event and keep fit plus my trainers advanced dressage horse. all were ridden most days.
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It isn't going to be possible actually. I'm going to have college 9 till 5 and won't be able to get down to ride my horse till about 7, which in winter months means darkness. No I'm not on a yard with and indoor school or a lighted arena so no I won't be possible actually :) Already thought all this through, wish you'd all stop with the happy commenting without thinking it through.
 
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