Saddle slipping forward - please help

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kerry1

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My saddle is constantly coming forward onto my poor mares neck when I ride - I have tried a Kieffer - not too bad - a reactor panel - lovely and comfy for me but really catches my horses shoulder, I am now using a Heather Moffett (sp) synthetic which has a fairly flat seat - it seems to stay in place pretty good but I really dont like it. I was reading somewhere (cant remember) that the Bates Innova are pretty good for this problem?

I would love to know your comments as if I buy another saddle from ebay it really will start divorce proceedigs!! I know a saddle fitter would probably help to sort this problem out but I am about a 2.5 hour drive from one - so any alterations etc would really be awkward
 
We cant really comment as there are a number of reasons why your saddle is slipping forward. The best thing to do is to find a saddler who can do basic onsite alterations, although you may just have to let them take the saddle away and bring it back.

Maybe if you posted some pics of your horse with and without saddle (with and without girth) and perhaps these might give more of an idea.
 
Yeah I am asking you all to feel in the dark a bit arnt I! I do realise a saddle fitter would be the best option but was just looking for an alternitive first! Will try and do some photos but as im such a techno dino I dont hold out a lot of hope on me being able to download them!! In the meantime my mare is prob irish draught x would be wide fitting and withers are not that defined.
 
If you cant take pictures, try and sit the saddle on, without a girth and have a look at how it sits. does it look level, is there clearance in the gullet and along the spine, is it sitting in the correct place and do the back panels fit against her back.

Bear in mind a W in one make isnt the same as a W in another.

It sounds as though she has a flattish back so you want something with flat panels (disregard the seat for a moment). If you are looking for a synthetic, I would look at something like the Thorowgood cob range which has changeable gullets, flattish panels and also FISH inserts which will help you alter the fit of the saddle.
 
Sorry but without photos its like asking how long is a piece of string! It could be one of a number of things! Can you take photos and send them to a fitter before they come out. It sounds like youve gone through several saddles already so getting a fitter out really would pay off
 
Where did you get your Reactor Panel saddle from (Ebay) if so did you get one of their fitters come to fit it correctly.

The RP saddle should sit over the shoulder not up against them, are the panels the right size for your horse.
 
Yes I did - Phil Richardson who actually originally designed these saddles was in this area and fitted it - now it was some time ago and she has changed shape so that is prob my problem - I did always feel that they did not really free the shoulder - there was alway a slight appearance of the skin wrinkling by the shoulder which I thought wasnt right - But you are all correct in that I really should get hold of him again and get his opinion. I did buy the saddle from ebay with the idea that Phil would be able to fit it. Think Im probably looking for an excuse to blame for my crap riding really!
 
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I did always feel that they did not really free the shoulder - there was alway a slight appearance of the skin wrinkling by the shoulder which I thought wasnt right

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you are correct - it sounds like it is too narrow.
 
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