saddle slipping back... any suggestions?!

[nrj]

Hi,

I have just bought a Solution Freestyle GP saddle for my TBx. He's 5 years old and still needs to develop muscle. His withers are high and slope quite a long way back.

The saddle keeps slipping backwards even when hacking and just walking/trotting... I have to get off 3-4 times to pull it forwards. Im worried to jump in it at the mo incase he literally jumps out of it (he has a big scopey jump)

I use the sheepskin elasticated girth recommended on the Solution website and I use a hunting breastplate. The saddle will still come backwards so that the breastplate is too tight on his chest..... hmmmm what to do??!! Any thought/suggestions especially if you use solution saddles will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[Welshie Squisher]

My first thought is your saddle doesn't fit properly. Was it fitted by a saddle fitter?
If so, go back to them, your saddle should not be moving so far back that you need to get off to adjust it.

 

[charmeroo]

Agree with above! It does not fit!!

If I were you I would have a saddle fitter see if it can be adjusted for your horse. If not, then I'm afraid you need to look for an alternative that does fit. Sorry.

 

[nrj]

The saddle does fit. I use the Solution dorsal pad, shoulder shims and back riser and it sits correctly on him. With Solution saddles its not a case of it not fitting, it can potentially fit any horse thats the whole point!

I was more interested in hearing of any breast plates or girths that others have found useful? Or if anyone does have a knowledge of solution saddles any ideas they may have?

 

[nrj]

The saddle does fit. I use the Solution dorsal pad, shoulder shims and back riser and it sits correctly on him. With Solution saddles its not a case of it not fitting, it can potentially fit any horse thats the whole point!

I was more interested in hearing of any breast plates or girths that others have found useful? Or if anyone does have a knowledge of solution saddles any ideas they may have?

Can The Solution saddle be used on any horse?

The Solution saddle is designed to be used with balance pads to ensure optimum fit and even contact without spinal pressure. It is this unique feature that means one Solution saddle can be fitted to any type of horse.

 

[starbar]

I have to be honest, I haven't heard of these saddles but I would be VERY wary of any saddle that claims to fit anything!!

If it is still slipping with everything you have got on it, everything points to it not fitting so tend to agree with the above.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

The saddle does fit. I use the Solution dorsal pad, shoulder shims and back riser and it sits correctly on him. With Solution saddles its not a case of it not fitting, it can potentially fit any horse thats the whole point! ?

If the saddle moves back as you ride then I'm afraid it doesn't fit. You mention that it can potentially fit any horse, that's also what Bates say about their saddles but I'm afraid they don't fit every horse. Trying to make a saddle fit by putting pads at the back & under the front etc isn't the way to fit a saddle, it may sit correctly after all the pads are in place but if it slides back then somethin g isn't right with the fit......sorry.

 

[Welshie Squisher]

I asked if your saddle was fitted by a saddle fitter.
Well was it?
I suspect not, as it clearly doesn't fit.

There is no wonder girth or pad that is going to solve your problem, a saddle that moves to this extent is a poor fit.
Movement is only the beginning of your problems.
An ill fitting saddle will cause your horse pain, and he will eventually react to this.

Your answer is a fully qualified saddle fitter, who may be able to set up your saddle correctly.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

well the saddle, complete with dorsal pad (??) shoulder shims, and a back riser sits correctly! have you tried popping a pillow under neath it and girthing up tightly???????????????????? sorry but your saddle does NOT fit your horse! get a saddler out to measure and fit your horse with a saddle that stays in the correct place, in all 4 gaits, and yes with a rider on as well.!

 

[nrj]

It doesnt sound like anybody here is familiar with Solution saddles.... never mind... I am after some constructive advice from someone that is familiar with these saddles.

 

[AFlapjack]

It doesnt sound like anybody here is familiar with Solution saddles.... never mind... I am after some constructive advice from someone that is familiar with these saddles.

Perhaps you could send an email to the company asking their advice?

 

[nrj]

Yes I have just done that I just thought perhaps someone might have some ideas on here. It is designed to be used with pads and I wondered whether someone might have some suggestions if they too have experience using this treeless saddle.... I think il just wait to hear back from the company!!

 

[jhoward]

The saddle does fit. I use the Solution dorsal pad, shoulder shims and back riser and it sits correctly on him. With Solution saddles its not a case of it not fitting, it can potentially fit any horse thats the whole point!

I was more interested in hearing of any breast plates or girths that others have found useful? Or if anyone does have a knowledge of solution saddles any ideas they may have?

if the saddles is moving/slipping it doesnt fit. end of.

think of it this way.

you are a size 6 in shoes, you buy a size 6. but they give you blisters, you buy inserts to make them fit. do they fit you? are they comphy? the answer is no.

 

[Welshie Squisher]

That's rather cheeky to presume no one is familiar with solution saddles.

Go and do a search on google, you will find amongst those very happy with their saddles, plenty who aren't.

This is the problem with treeless adjustable saddles, a presumption is made that a professional fitter is not needed and a treeless will fit any horse.

Well I'm sorry but they don't and those that are a difficult fit only do so with the assistance of a professional fitter who can fully asses your horse and you in the saddle.

I hope for your sake that you find a solution as I know how expensive they are.

Have you considered that you have set the saddle up wrong? That even though it looks balanced on, once you are on board it is no longer balanced?
Your horses shoulders are large and forcing it back?
Does it move when you lunge? This should tell you something and common sense should also tell you that there is something not right for such movement to take place.

 

[nrj]

dft

 

[starbar]

dft

Seriously!!? You have a saddle that despite being supposedly anchored in place, slips... a lot. Ergo, it doesn't fit properly. You either have it padded up wrong or it just doesn't fit. If it did it wouldn't move. Rocket science it aint!!

Hope you get it sorted!

 

[Welshie Squisher]

We understand perfectly, you have a saddle that is such a crap fit you have to get off in walk to adjust it, repeatedly in fact!

It's from saddle solutions, a treeless adjustable saddle and they claim that one saddle can fit several horses - NOT ALL Horses!

You won't consider that your saddle doesn't fit because you are such a know it all that you didn't require the services of a professional saddle fitter.
You also couldn't possibly have set the saddle up wrong - please see above regarding being a know it all
Because you say your saddle fits we are to accept this and it's normal for saddles to have such movement, we are therefore all idiots for thinking otherwise.

Have I missed anything out?

Sorry but you asked for it

 

[Welshie Squisher]

Changed ur last reply I see njr - that be when none of us understood and you couldn't be bothered with this thread anymore...... Well I already stated we understand perfectly

 

[nrj]

I presumed because the comments werent very constructive or helpful.

Yes this is what I am thinking... he has changed shape over the winter so the pads may need adjusting. In terms of his shoulders, because the saddle is flexible the shoulders wouldnt push it back. His whithers are high and slope back quite far, I have had this problem with treed saddles before but I have never had it with the treeless saddles until now. I have worked at an eventing yard all summer that only uses these saddles so have been taught to fit them to all shapes and sizes, and equally ridden/competed in all types of solution saddles. Im just looking for a different perspective so I can maybe try other options with my own horse... Higher withered horses do tend to be more difficult to fit. I thought someone on here might have had more experience fitting them then myself.

 

[nrj]

oh never mind. This isnt very nice Il go elsewhere for advice

 

[nrj]

We understand perfectly, you have a saddle that is such a crap fit you have to get off in walk to adjust it, repeatedly in fact!

It's from saddle solutions, a treeless adjustable saddle and they claim that one saddle can fit several horses - NOT ALL Horses!

You won't consider that your saddle doesn't fit because you are such a know it all that you didn't require the services of a professional saddle fitter.
You also couldn't possibly have set the saddle up wrong - please see above regarding being a know it all
Because you say your saddle fits we are to accept this and it's normal for saddles to have such movement, we are therefore all idiots for thinking otherwise.

Have I missed anything out?

Sorry but you asked for it

I have had a professional saddle fitter out to see him and she recommended the use of this saddle as it had previously fitted him very well and he had gone really well in it, nothing with a tree she put on him fitted him. He has also been seen by an approved solution advisor who fitted it to him. Recently he has changed shape and i just wanted some advice because i do not know it all.... otherwise I wouldnt be asking.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

if it fitted him before then why has he changed weight so dramatically? and it would be good to know which eventers are actually competing in these saddles? i would go back to your professional saddle fitter who recommended this saddle, as it is now moving beyond beleif! and obvs does not fit your horse now. one saddle will not fit all. not even with pads/pillows galore.

 

[Welshie Squisher]

Again - saddle fitter!
You have now given further information and stated your horse has changed shape, well if he's changed shape his saddle won't fit correctly, hence the movement!

Now get your bloody nickers out of a twist, you've just proven yourself what everyone is stating and that is your saddle DOES NOT FIT

No one is being nasty, talking to you is like pulling teeth, 3 pages of the same and you finally tell us he's changed shape, finally state the saddle was fitted by a saddle fitter despite being asked at the beginning.

The only way you will solve this problem is by opening your mind and considering all possibilities and that includes accepting your saddle may not fit!

I am leaving this thread now because I can't be doing with people who ask advice and then get on their high horse when they don't like the answers, don't post on a public forum if you already have the answers and know it all

 

[sbloom]

Only an expert can really advise you on pads etc. I'd never recommend relying on a breastplate for most saddles - occasionally a narrow ribcaged horse that is eventing or SJ may need one, but I woudln't want it to be coming into action all the time as that means pressure across the chest all the time and the saddle is likely a fractoin behind where it should be, even with a breastplate.

There is a chance it won't fit him, whatever adjustments you do. I fit ReactorPanels which are adjustable and very flexible in fit, though based on a traditional tree, and they still won't work on every single horse out there. I think it is dangerous to assume that a non-traditional saddle is the solution (ha!) to all saddle fitting ills.

There is a great amount of information to be had on this site, like many others - it's worth titling your thread well - "Problem with Solution Saddle" might have brought you people who understand the issue better, and not to get exasperated with people who are genuinely trying to help. Take a deep breath, and perhaps be more specific when asking for advice - a treed saddle slipping back has different solutions to a treeless one, so not surprising most people declared it not to fit.

 

[twinkle]

Jesus what a bunch of nice people you all are!

Think the op gets that it dont fit and she needs to get it checked but you could have all said it in a much nicer way!

Im sure this was ment to be a nice place to ask for advice and guidence guess i was wrong.

hope someone is as nice as you was when you need help.

 

[noodle_]

It doesnt sound like anybody here is familiar with Solution saddles.... never mind... I am after some constructive advice from someone that is familiar with these saddles.

wintecs claim "one siz fits almost anything" they dont!!

get your self a good saddler out and a decent saddle else you will be creating back trouble for a youngster

i have to be so so careful what goes on my horses back - being ridden in a wintec for a few months became a nightmare.