Saddles and fat pads

[nedzy]

Hi

I’ve loved riding all terrains with a Silhouette dressage saddle for last 5 years, which at the time was the only saddle I could find to fit HW cob. We’ve now found that the saddle has a very twisted tree(I’ve had it from new and looked after it) so currently considering repair but somewhat put off!

I was interested in Thorowgood/k&m cob saddle as lots with similar shapes swear by them but saddle fitter has said that due to big fat pads behind his shoulder, saddle couldn’t fit comfortably on his short back.
Surely there are others with fat pads, how do you deal with saddle fit issues please?

He’s already lost a lot of weight but while riding is compromised weight loss is slower.

As a last ditch attempt We are now riding in a Barefoot Treeless but that’s slipping backwards and I don’t feel too secure!

Any suggestions please?

 

[sbloom]

Have you looked into the specialists for wide horses? You need something more close contact than a changeable headplate in most cases for very wide horses. The trees are wooden and a better shape for very wide very flat backs, especially with the rails, the part in the middle of the saddle, not covered by the recommendation for "hoop" trees (which simply means a wider pommel), which may or may not have the right rail shape.

These sorts of saddles give more space in a more open seat, and therefore you often can go down a seat size, perfect for short backs. The fat pads aren't necessarily an issue in themselves, but changeable headplate saddles are quite bulky, have lots of foam in the seats to get over the fact the seats are solid plastic underneath, and so perch you up high on the very roly poly horses.

Actual fat pads of course do usually indicate some sort of metabolic issue, even if very mild, and definitely a good idea to try and get the weight off, though I'm sure you know that and are finding it challenging without a decent saddle!

 

[SEL]

I have a tabletop cob who also isn't skinny - and the thorowgood cob was definitely not the right fit on her. If you can find someone who has a 2nd hand in stock then it might be worth a try but I wouldn't buy hoping it fits.

We tried to adjust the pony's saddle company one but the tree shape seems all wrong, so currently we are also treeless whilst I investigate saddles. My treeless slips forward rather than back though

 

[sbloom]

The Thorowgood (K&M and Fairfax and any others that use the same headplate) are the opposite - a hoop tree has a more upside U shaped tree, the TG is definitely a V so they don't wrap around wider horses. Have a look on Youtube for hoop trees for a description.

 

[nedzy]

Wow, thanks for your replies, most informative. I haven’t looked into these but shall...I’m sure I’ll have more questions shortly

 

[nedzy]

AH look great but doesn’t seem to be any fitters or stockists up north? (Cheshire)

 

[sbloom]

She's not on the website but AH have Claire Marshall of Plateau Holistic Equine in Blackpool who would be able to come to you . You'll find her website and FB page online.

 

[nedzy]

She's not on the website but AH have Claire Marshall of Plateau Holistic Equine in Blackpool who would be able to come to you . You'll find her website and FB page online.

Aah ok, Claire came to fit my bit and bridle, didn’t realise she does saddles too ?