Saddle position help

J

Jingleballs

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 May 2008
Messages
3,353
Visit site
What are peoples thoughts on the position of this saddle.

Too far forward or in the correct position?

You probably can't see from the piccies but the saddle is sitting just behind the shoulder.

DSCF2817.jpg


DSCF2820.jpg
 
in the 1st pic it looks a tiny bit too far back but in the 2nd it looks ok so maybe it was how he was standing?? as im guessing you took these at the same time.
 
[ QUOTE ]
in the 1st pic it looks a tiny bit too far back but in the 2nd it looks ok so maybe it was how he was standing?? as im guessing you took these at the same time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah I took them at the same time. His saddle had been slipping forward over his shoulder and I had it adjusted recently but when I was slipping I had gotten into the habit of placing it slightly further back as this seemed to stop it - I still do this sometimes and it seems to slide slightly forward into the correct position - I just wanted to make sure it wasn't too far forward.

I also need to keep remembering that its the tree that has to be 2-4 finger widths behind the shoulder and not the saddle.
 
I've no idea how true it is but the saddle fitter told me that its difficult to put them too far back but very easy to put them too far forward. He said that you should feel for the back of the shoulder and make sure the saddle is behind it as putting it too far forward restricts movement and leads to muscle wastage.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've no idea how true it is but the saddle fitter told me that its difficult to put them too far back but very easy to put them too far forward. He said that you should feel for the back of the shoulder and make sure the saddle is behind it as putting it too far forward restricts movement and leads to muscle wastage.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's quite true, so long as your saddle is a suitable size for teh horse it is unlikely you'll be able to fit it so far back it passes the last rib. I would rather my saddle was a tad far back than a tad far forward as it stops the horse being able to use the shoulder properly.

I would say your saddle is alittle far forward based on his girth position, his girth grove will prbably be about 1 inch back from where the girth is
smile.gif
but with the half pad it's really hard to say how far forwad/back it is.
 
First one looks perfect. Good shoulder clearance and not too close to his loins.

Second one's too far forwards, plus the balance has changed and the saddles tipped up at the front.

I would guess the second pictures where the saddle wants to sit though? He has a fairly forwards girth groove and the girth will drag the saddle forwards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top