saddle slipping forwards

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coloredred

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When Magic came back into work after i broke my wrist i got him a new (well secondhand) saddle, it was checked last week and saddler says it fits. He shows no signs of discomfort like he normally does with an ill fitting saddle but the problem is it slips forwards. Not massivly but enough for me to notice it, it sits level when i first put it on yet is a good inch or 2 further forwards and about an inch and a half higher at the front when i've ridden in it. I've never had this problem before, i thought it was his big grass belly that was pushing the girth forwards which was then dragging the saddle but he's lost his belly now and it's still happening. He isn't a roly poly pony type either and he's not a typical massively wide cob, his saddles have always stayed put before.

It's so frustrating because if it keeps happening i know it's going to start hurting him. It's a show saddle so the flaps won't restrict his shoulder too much when it goes forwards but the tree points end up on his shoulder blades.

I don't want to use the rubber type non-slip pads as i want to hunt him and i've heard of them sticking to horses skin before because the horse gets too hot under them.

I can't help thinking that it's just slightly too narrow for him (not enough for him to complain) and if it was a wide instead of a med/wide then i wouldn't have a problem.

Anyone else experienced this?
 
I am going to get him back or maybe a different one to see what another one says. I don't think more flocking in the front would help as then it would be sat too high even when it hadn't slipped forward and i'd be off the back of it when it does move.
 
what make of saddle is it and has many girthing points does it have? I posted about this yesterday in NL and most people recommended the barnsby pad and a stubben string girth.
If your saddle has several girthing options try moving your girth into straps 1 and 3 or 1 and 2. This will help to hold it in place. If this is successful the saddler could then fit a point strap to balance the saddle back out.
 
Thank you saddlesore, it has a point strap which i've tried with both 2nd and 3rd straps and it still slips. It's an ideal ramsey saddle. When i owned an ideal working hunter in wide fit it didn't move, this one is med/wide which makes me think it's too narrow even though the saddler said it fits.
 
I've had similar issues with mine, despite having it checked several times by reputable saddler! Tbh I'm now at the stage of a 'second opinion'. It might be worthwhile getting a different saddler out to have a look?

Or trying to borrow a barnsby grip pad? I know you are reluctant to use one but they were recommended to me on both this forum and another one i use. I used to have a limpet pad (sold it prior to current saddle issues lol) and once you undo the girth you are meant to wait a few minutes for horse to cool down, then break the 'bond' that has formed with your hand by allowing some air to get in. I always did this and it never pulled at my horses skin.
 
A saddle often slids forwards because it's too narrow. They get narrower towards the shoulder, so a too-narrow saddle will migrate up the neck. (And a too-wide saddle often slips back).

Some horses are just such a difficult shape to fit that the saddle will always slide forwards (I used to ride a cob who was 3" higher at the bum, HUGE powerful quarters and loins and a very forward girth groove, so the saddle just would not stay in the right place, regardless of how well it fitted) but if it's not been a problem before it'll be a problem with the saddle, not him.
 
Thank you for your help, i'm 99% certain it's the saddle not him as i've never had this problem before. I'll definitely be getting a second opinion on the saddle as this is the same saddler that told me with my last saddle that some horses just get grumpy and bite when their girth is done up even though mine has never done it before.
 
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