Saddles - how much do they change how the horse goes?

[Ginn]

Ok, so its fairly obvious that a saddle which is not a good fit is going to pinch, rub, move etc and thus effect how the goes as it won't be comfortable.

Its also fairly obvious that a rider sat in an uncomfortable saddle (even if it fits the horse well) is going to be tense and not ride as well.

BUT assuming the saddle fits both horse and rider well without discomfort, how much then does the saddle influence the horses way of going (something I so often read on here when someone tries a new saddle). How much of it is because perhaps it sits the rider differently and enables the rider to be more effective? How much is it becuase having just spent £££££s on a new saddle we want to see a difference and end up seeing just that?

Just my little pondering for the day...

 

[moneypit1]

God knows. To be honest I worry permanently about my saddle, not that there is anything wrong with it (as far as I know), but Fly changes shape all the time and that must affect him. I mean, you can't get a saddle fitter out every month unless you are completely loaded! What fits them one season might not the next, I suppose you have to develop and 'eye' yourself. Trouble is, my saddle is a whopping 20" (came with Fly and was fitted for him) and I am 5ft 5 and not overly large! I NEED a new saddle!!!!!!!

 

[JM07]

it often astounds me the times i read on here that someone has xyz make of rug x 15, abc make of bridle x 4, a new IW/Lorry with living but have NO idea what type of saddle or even if the thing fits...

"it came with Neddy, so it MUST fit"

"my horse/pony doesn't buck, so it MUST fit"

to me, a saddle is THE most important thing i buy my horse...

i'm sure he's grateful i spend freely ensuring this is the case, rather than getting another rug he doesn't need!!!!

when i bought my pony 3 yrs ago he had a GP....Bucked for england..saddle was restricting his shoulder..he's now in a cob/WH type...no problems at all...

in those 3 yrs he's had 5 saddles...this one i have now he's had for 18 mths and is a SC saddle, which suits him fine, as it's fully adjustable, on site, within minutes.

they dont suit all..but they worked for him...thank goodness, as it had previously cost a small fortune trying to find the right one.

 

[Scarlett]

I'd say it affects them a huge amount!

I changed both of mine to saddle Co saddles, after previoulsy having Bates that did fit 'reasonably well' and both horses became lighter, more supple and my big long backed mare can now track up, which she didnt before...

A badly fitting saddle just isnt worth the problems it can cause - it does amaze me some people are so ignorant to it....

 

[Ginn]

Ahh, but thats just my point JM - you made sure you had a correctly fitting saddle (and yes I do consider that to be one that does not restrict in any way). BUT how much do subtle differences in design alter things? For example, Tilly is much happier in her SC saddle, it fits her well, is soft and forgiving as she changes shape slightly and its comfy for me BUT I get much better work out of her in her wintec as while it doesn't fit her so well it fits me better and allows me to be a more effective rider but take the rider off and attach a snug surcingle (on the lunge) and she is markedly better in the SC saddle.

Both are compromises - one allows me to ride her more effectively thus getting better work from her (though I don't like it as I feel perched in it and its not too comfy) while the other hinders my riding and sits me wrongly but is actually a nicer saddle for her - hence needing a new saddle that suits both of us

 

[Ginn]

[ QUOTE ]
A badly fitting saddle just isnt worth the problems it can cause - it does amaze me some people are so ignorant to it....

[/ QUOTE ]

But that wasn't my question - if you have 3 saddles that all fit equally as well but are different in some way (however small) from a riders point of view, how much does the way they effect the horses going come down to saddle design irrespective of the rider and how much is it because the saddle influences the riders riding and thus the horses going!

I am working on the assumption that the saddle is a very good fit!

 

[JM07]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
A badly fitting saddle just isnt worth the problems it can cause - it does amaze me some people are so ignorant to it....

[/ QUOTE ]

But that wasn't my question - if you have 3 saddles that all fit equally as well but are different in some way (however small) from a riders point of view, how much does the way they effect the horses going come down to saddle design irrespective of the rider and how much is it because the saddle influences the riders riding and thus the horses going!

I am working on the assumption that the saddle is a very good fit!

[/ QUOTE ]

sorry, jen...went off on a tangent then!

i would say, from personal experience, that if a saddle fits the horse it doesnt always suit the rider...

personally i don't like barnsby/stubben/wintec/thorowgood..find them very uncomfortable...and even if it suited the Ned, i wouldnt hav one..i'd keep looking.

as for my saddle now..the SC ones are great...but (and this is my opinion ONLY) only if you aspire to low level competing...fine for everyday comps...but if you want to do highr levels of SJ/XC/Dressage....they tend to be wanting in as much their lack of support....

just MY opinion...

 

[Weezy]

YES! I am very long from hip to knee and therefore I have to have a saddle that accomodates this. I also am prone to perching forwards, so I have to ensure I have a saddle that helps me not do this. When I ride bareback I do not perch, so I know it is the ergonomics of the saddle that hinders my pelvis (it is knackered anyway) so I have to ensure I have the best seat for my arse - my WOW seat is too small and does me no favours, so is being changed to try and help this. I really wanted to use my Ideal Springbok on P, but I could not as her shoulder movement was being hindered by it, even though I rode in it well

 

[moneypit1]

I am seriously interested in the WOW saddles. The thing is, they don't look that "nice" from the photo's that I have seen, (never seen one in the "flesh"). Apparently they move freely laterally, interesting. Has anyone got one?

 

[WishfulThinker]

I would say massively! My horse is a saint and puts up with lots, but his saddle, whilst it fitted just didn't feel 'right' and so we changed it and OMG the difference! It is like riding a new horse

SO much so that we managed to jump 4ft and his style was commented on 0 in a GOOD way, not the usual "oh did you see B jump?! WTF". It does have a but to do with the rider to though as my new saddle is a WH saddle, before it was a Wintec (bleugh!) and now it has very little knee roll, a lower back and a flatter seat I sit differently and my leg doesn't swing about as much so ponio feels more secure and is more responsive.

Unfortunately my boy changes shape FAAAR to easily - we are on the 8th saddle - and will no doubt change again in the future so I now have a yearly saddle fund!

One thing I never do is but the saddle that comes with the horse, I have never known anyone to sell a saddle with a horse that fits, never ever - but maybe thats just the bad luck of my circle of friends.

 

[Tia]

[ QUOTE ]
to me, a saddle is THE most important thing i buy my horse...

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm pleased I ride western. Even though I have about 10 western saddles, I can use any of them on pretty much any of my horses, hence my MOST important thing is the bits I buy for each individual horse.