Saddles Advice please, which type?

pistolpete

pistolpete

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My horse is a brave soul, put up with an ill-fitting saddle which I have now thankfully got rid of. He has had quite a few health issues including a sore back. I am hoping to start riding him again after next vet check in January. He needs gentle road work to keep his hooves worn. (barefoot). I am happily doing his road work in hand at the moment but if we get the go ahead to start ridden work I really don't know what saddle to go for. Tempted by a Heather Moffett, also wonder about treeless Cheyenne? I have no experience of either of these. Hoping not to cause him any more problems. He has some muscle wastage too. Anyone else dealt with anything like this?
Really I guess I want to know which saddles everyone thinks are the comfiest for the horse?
 
There is no such thing as the comfiest saddle for a horse in real terms. You can only be guided by a decent fitter and the conformation of your horse.

Muscle wastage can be corrected with exercise appropriate to the physical problems your horse may have.
 
Every type of saddle has pros and cons, the best option is the one that fits your horse, and you. I fit traditional saddles and would always use a sheepskin lined pad for a horse with (or even often without!) back issues.
 
I've ridden in both Treed and Tree-less.

Be aware that if you're considering a treeless saddle, as much care (nay, more) needs to be given to the fitting than you would for a treed saddle.

Barefoot are OK, BUT I've never found anything in their range to fit my 15hh traddie cob, who is short backed and low withered. The Size 1 is OK for him, but too small for me; and the size 2 is HUGE, I do wish they'd get something sensible which falls between the two fittings! Very annoying. But some horses are fine in a Barefoot, its just getting the right size for yours.

Heather Moffatt will no doubt receive "wow" reports on here, I've got one of the old-style ones which is without a gullet, and have lost patience with the damn thing TBH! You have to be prepared to spend a lot of time fussing and shimming, and when you put it on the horse it will look all wrong, but after 10 mins is supposed to be OK and settle. I can't be bothered with that!!! To me, a saddle either fits or it doesn't, but like I say some people swear by them and think they're the best thing since slice bread.

Wintecs and adjustables are IME either an answer to your prayers or a nightmare. I've got a Wintec for mine, am aware that its not the best thing I could have on him BUT lack funds at the mo to sort anything else for him. I think that with these replaceable gullet saddles there is a misconception that all you have to do is bung another sized gullet in and all will be well, its not that easy unfortunately and these saddles have power to do an awful lot of harm to a horse's back ................

My mare is ridden in a Tree-Free Exmoor saddle. This suits her, and me, and she goes like silk in it; she has some physio issues and we've found this is the best choice for her. This is the only treeless saddle I can recommend.

For treed saddles: I personally would recommend the Andrea Hicks range of saddles as there will no doubt be something in that range to suit yours; "sbloom" fits for them in my area (dunno where you are) and they're specially designed for the difficult-to-fit cobby/native pony type. I'm sure Steph could put you in touch with a fitter in your area..........
 
Look at Balance International, they are great for comfort and particularly for muscle wastage. I've had a Heather Moffett and did like it, but the horses didn't go better than in Balance (one much worse), and I wouldn't ever want to use a treeless for longer rides.
 
Take a look at Solution Treeless Saddles. I have the older freestyle which fits both of my horses and they go well in it. One of mine didn't take to the newer Smart - we think she found it tight over the withers (they are made much more solid there to make them look like a normal saddle). But as has been said they do need fitting properly - the one advantage with Solution is that you can have them on 2 weeks trial to see if they suit you and your horse. Oh and the other thing I have found is that they are much more comfortable for me - they don't play up my back and I never get stiff not matter how long it is since I last had a ride.
 
Your saddle should fit the horse.

However if it doesn't fit you also it's less than useless; you'll never get a balanced seat which isn't going to help any horse, least of all one that has existing issues. So go and sit on some different makes of saddle and see what your bum likes, then use this narrowed range as a start point.

You may need one saddle now and one when he's filled out. If you use a saddle fitter consider asking if they'd take the first back in part exchange against another. That could save some pennies.
 
Lavinia mitchell saddles are fitted with a shim numnah that help the muscle wastage and also give it a chance to come back, if your horse has wastage just behind the shoulder most saddles will just sit in the dips become too low and tight, shims fitted correctly can lift the saddle so its not sitting in the dips where the muscle has gone.
 
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