Saddle rubbing behind shoulder???

[jump jet]

My saddle is rubbing the hairs behind my horses shoulder and creating a ‘crinkled’ hair look. I have struggled to get any saddle to fit him and this is the best one but it clearly isn’t right. Any ideas what is causing the strange marks??

 

[Red-1]

I would say that most likely it is too tight there.

 

[Pinkvboots]

It could be putting pressure there it's a common area for saddle problems, I wouldn't use it if the muscle starts wasting away saddle fit becomes even harder, what width is his saddle? What type of horse is he?

 

[Wheels]

Have you got pics of the saddle on him and girthed up?

What pads are you using?

 

[scats]

What saddlecloth or numnah are you using?
Is this a new saddle or one that was previously ok and now causing problems?

 

[Goldenstar]

You need to get that sorted pronto .
It may just be not sitting level and tipping forwards or he’s filled out and its now too narrow.

 

[Equi]

If you are using any sort of gel saddle pad stop immediately. I would have the saddle fitter out pronto and not use that saddle again until they have been, this could turn into a serious issue.

 

[sbloom]

I would say that most likely it is too tight there.

It could be putting pressure there it's a common area for saddle problems, I wouldn't use it if the muscle starts wasting away saddle fit becomes even harder, what width is his saddle? What type of horse is he?

Hair movement is movement, not usually pressure alone, and often caused by a lack of content, so almost the opposite. It is either propping up on the shoulder and likely bridging there, or is too wide and so dropping at the front every stride. If it is too wide then it may be placing too much pressure at the front of the saddle, and you may feel that the top edge of the panel is super tight when it's girthed firmly, but it's the movement that causes hair ruffling. You need a good fitter.

 

[jump jet]

It could be putting pressure there it's a common area for saddle problems, I wouldn't use it if the muscle starts wasting away saddle fit becomes even harder, what width is his saddle? What type of horse is he?

It’s a medium but in the wider side. He’s a warm blood but has a really flat back so needs a saddle with a flatter tree but also something that isn’t blocking his shoulder as this is also an issue for him

 

[jump jet]

What saddlecloth or numnah are you using?
Is this a new saddle or one that was previously ok and now causing problems?

I’ve tried just a thin saddlecloth and also a thicker poly pad but the effects are still the same.

 

[jump jet]

Hair movement is movement, not usually pressure alone, and often caused by a lack of content, so almost the opposite. It is either propping up on the shoulder and likely bridging there, or is too wide and so dropping at the front every stride. If it is too wide then it may be placing too much pressure at the front of the saddle, and you may feel that the top edge of the panel is super tight when it's girthed firmly, but it's the movement that causes hair ruffling. You need a good fitter.

Every saddle we have tried moves on him as he is so loose and doesn’t have much shape to fit too. It’s never caused an issue like this though. 100% getting my saddler back to look at it

 

[sbloom]

It sounds like you may need a flatter tree, stability is so important in saddle fitting. A lack of shape shouldn't mean sacrificing stability .

 

[jump jet]

I cant find anything flatter than the Barnsby which is the one causing the issues 🤔 Do you know of anything with a flatter tree?

 

[sbloom]

I looked again at the photos, I think you could do with building more muscle before you try another saddle. Your horse has a decent wither so there will likely be flatter trees available, but flatter trees are often wider. I would do an intensive programme of something like www.straightnesstraining.com first and then look again.

For more saddle fitting advice it's really hard to say, I could advise on flatter trees but would get done for advertising so won't as you can understand. Has any rehab work been discussed, using pads and shims to improve stability and build muscle etc? How do you feel about your fitter, could you go to them and talk this through? The longer I do this job the more I advise in hand work first in these cases, it really is the best way if you can.

There is a chance the photos aren't showing the true situation and/or I am otherwise not seeing the true picture, they can only show so much.

 

[jump jet]

He is naturally a very narrow horse and he is wider on top than around his girth if that makes sense? He has filled out more behind his shoulder since these pictures were taken and he doesn’t have much muscle wastage there either. The main issue I have is I have moved away to work and my yard is too far for my fitter to travel too. She has been fantastic with him in the past. I can’t seem to find anybody local to south Cumbria either 🤔

 

[Equi]

Sounds like my horse. He has a large wither, huge shoulders, flat back. I ride in a kieffer thats adjusted to him for width but also allows for his wither and flat back, so could be an option.