Saddle Problems

[lozza_cook]

My horse has more muscle on his right shoulder than his left. You would think that after a couple of months the saddle would start to go to left but it doesn't it goes to right. Saddler says muscle pulls the saddle that way. When i get it reflocked it is lovely and square and even again.

Any ideas on anything to help stop it falling to right so quickly - usually about 3 months. Was maybe thinking of buying a polypad to ride in? Anyone else had this problem?

Only other option i see if getting it reflocked every 3 months.

Any exercises to build up left shoulder/trapezius muscle? Am I right in thinking I should work him more on left rein?

 

[Britestar]

Get a physio to asses your horse. They'll then be able to give you exercises to help level your horse out long term. Not a good idea to keep reflocking as you're not dealing with the under lying problem

 

[lozza_cook]

Thanks - going to get the physio out next week so i'll see what she says.

 

[Tiffany]

You could also try a H girth which will keep saddle in place but you need to check with physio first to see if it's just the way your horse is or, whether work would level muscle up

 

[MaverickMD]

We had the same problem with our horse. Whilst we were waiting to have a saddle made to measure, hubby took to riding him bareback - just with a saddle pad "tied" on with a tail bandage !!!! May seem a bit extreeme - but I was amazed that 3 months later - the horses shoulders had evened up considerably as he wasnt having to struggle against the saddle always sitting slightly off to one side and therefore the rider inadvertantly was sitting off - so for both the rider and the horse, it made the pair of them sit straight and work straight - new saddle now fits like a dream and his shoulders have remained "even" ..... he just did loads of hacking and bits of schooling and even trotting poles to make the horse use both his shoulders evenly.

Good luck !

MaverickMD