Saddle paranoia?

[Sol]

It seems like every 2 weeks I'm fretting that these bloody saddles don't fit! Starting to wonder if I should give up and just go bareback!? Probably not the best idea with Dante

His dressage saddle seems to be lifting even more at the back now, it was a touch when it was refitted about 4 weeks ago? (possibly a tad longer) and he always has deeper sweat marks along the frong edge of his dressage saddle especially. This says to me that it's too tight again..... but can he have changed shape that much, that fast? The saddle fitter did say that his topline had improved since his last fitting anyway.

 

[ThePony]

Is he a youngster, perhaps he is just having a growth spurt, mixed with more work could be really messing up the saddel fit! When you say you had it refitted a few weeks ago, did that include altering or adding to the flocking? If so, then it might just be settling, maybe he needs more tinkering? Are you level on him when riding? No tricky leaning forwards habits?!

After having a bit of a nightmare with saddles on oh mare it does make you really paraniod!

Perhaps just give your saddle fitter a ring? He will know your horse and what you are up to with him and I'm sure will be able to either put your mind at rest or suggest something that might help.

 

[Sol]

He's 6 now, but seems slow to develop anyway so I think he'll be at least 7 before he stops changing so much! Also sort of changed his work with much more concentration on working him longer and lower, as he's settled enough recently to allow me to do this as he IS getting stronger which suggest his topline should have improved?
Last time the gullet was changed but that was all (Bates saddles) I think possibly as he's needing wider gullets, the tree shape isn't fitting so well?

He's competing prelim/novice dressage and doing more lateral work now.
I do occasionally lean forward, but that's something else I seem to do more in his dressage saddle than any other saddle? But I can see it coming off his back as he moves around the stable Definitely not good?!

I think I really am going to have to get the fitter out, which might mean giving up jumping for a few years Not sure where I'm likely to find new saddle money and parents aren't too keen to help!

Thank you

 

[Kallibear]

Why not look at a decent treeless saddle, at least until he's finished growing. The more expensive ones are very traditional looking, good quality, suit most horses (though not all) and feel like normal saddles to ride in. You could get yourself a Heather Moffet saddle off ebay for £500 or so, and resell it for nearly that in two years time.

 

[ElvisandTilly]

I had similar problems with my forever changing shape, asymmetric and awkward shaped horse to get saddles to fit for any longer than a few weeks.

Got a Heather Moffett treeless dressage saddle and its the best thing I did. In fact I won't be getting rid of it! If he puts weight on or muscles up it doesn't matter. The panels can be changed or shimmed. It took a while to get everything balanced right but now sorted its fantastic for both of us.I trialled him for treeless to start with in a barefoot london to make sure he accepted treeless and once I knew he was ok with it I upgraded to the HM saddle.

 

[Sol]

I have considered treeless before, but always been put off by the 50/50 split in people who love and hate them! Obviously I would need to try one, as would the horse..... do they have to be fitted still?

 

[Kallibear]

Most people who hate them have only tried the cheaper styles - they are an aquired taste.

You can get trials for most decent brands of treeless. And yes, they need fitted as they need the correct panels and pads - they're highly flexible and adjustable but they have to suit the horse.

Do go an investigate the higher quality brands. They are expensive new and will set you back the same as a decent branded leather saddle but you could buy second hand. Two worth looking at that come to mind are the Heather Moffet saddles and the Solution saddles.