saddles, saddles, saddles

[crazyhorse37]

I have a tricky old mare to fit a saddle to. I have been riding bareback for 4 years now. Have tried conventional saddles (been told by at least 5 saddlers that she is never going to carry a conventional saddle), spoken to solutions saddles (she isn't symmetrical and their saddles are), tried barefoot Cheyenne (kept slipping back and to the right even with shimming and help from 3 experts), a treefree Dartmoor (slipped back), a wow saddle (which was perfect on trial one and when the lady came down to fit it for me once I had agreed a price with her it didn't work at all, again slipping to the right, though not back) and am currently trying a freeform (but I am having some issues with slipping back and lots of problems with lack of pressure distribution). She has a very short back, which is dipped, she is asymmetrical through the shoulders, being completely different on one side to the other and has an unusual movement through her back as she swings laterally. I just want to be able to do a bit more than plod about in walk worrying about my seatbones in her back. It needs to distribute my weight, not slip back and allow me to sit fairly far forward, and preferably close to her in a similar position to bareback. Any suggestions/ideas? Am considering free'n'easy and/or reactor panel but have heard mixed opinions. Many thanks

 

[kaiserchief]

Have you had her vet checked, or checked by a chiro/physio/similar to rule out an underlying cause for the asymmetry? I'd be inclined to focus on straightening her up with in hand work before trying to find a saddle as until you correct the crookedness, it's highly likely that no saddle will stay put and be comfortable for you both.

 

[crazyhorse37]

yes, by all of the above. She has a possible kissing spine, but if I stay forward of this part of her back and with the level of work we do, she doesn't seem to suffer with it. The asymmetry is in her skeleton, at her shoulders and ribs. I have no intention of doing any more than hacking and a little bit of very basic work in the school. She is 24 and as well as the kissing spines she has arthritis, so we aren't going to be setting the world on fire anymore. I need something that is going to accommodate her asymmetry. I have long since proven that it is here to stay I'm afraid so we just have to cope with it as we can. I just can't accept that no one can come up with a way to overcome this. It seems to me there is a massive gap in the market. I cannot believe that all horses are symmetrical, as humans we are not and this doesn't always mean that there is a problem. She can't be the only one in this position? I hope not :/

 

[pennyturner]

Well, this may not be fashionable, but have you tried an old fashioned flat-seated hunt pony saddle? The best of them are remarkably forgiving on fit - even if they're getting on for 50 years old!

 

[crazyhorse37]

Well, this may not be fashionable, but have you tried an old fashioned flat-seated hunt pony saddle? The best of them are remarkably forgiving on fit - even if they're getting on for 50 years old!

Do these have trees in them? Not sure if I have seen one.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Sounds like your mare is uneven to one side and TBH you're unlikely to be able to "sort" this with any saddling solution.

Re. the slipping, have you tried a "non-slip" numnah???

OP you mention the "Reactor Panel" saddles: I have no personal experience of this particular saddle but I have recently had a less than helpful experience with the company that makes them (they make other saddles too) - so my recommendation would be that you avoid them TBH. If you'd like to PM me, I can tell you more.

 

[claribella]

Have you looked at the total contact saddle? I have one and really like it. Its like riding bareback but you have the support of the saddle. I use a gel eze pad and thick bareback pad with mine so its cushioned on my mares back. its worth a look.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I 2nd the Total Contact suggestion.

Image found on Google.

 

[crazyhorse37]

With the total contact saddle does it provide any relief for the horses back from where you sit on it? It just looks like stirrups on a surcingle when I looked into it before? The feeling of being bareback is really important to me, but for my horse the most important thing has to be her comfort and I'm really concerned about my seat bones digging into her back. I know how much they hurt me if I sit on a solid surface, even for a few minutes, so I guess they must be pretty sore for her. Also do you know if there is anyone who can fit/ loan them for trial? Many thanks

 

[claribella]

There have been tests done on it and they've had more recent tests done too which were all really positive. Ive done five hour rides in mine and ride in it most days for two to three hours and my mare doesn't complain at all. If you are concerned then you can use as much or as little padding as you like underneath the saddle. A nice thick gel pad and sheepskin numnah or bareback pad works well. Im pretty sure he offers a trial and they are so easy to fit that you cant go wrong with it

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

What about trying a saddle pad with a gel pad underneath if you are concerned that it may not be enough for you to sit on. There are some listed on ebay. I recently got a saddle pad for my son's pony as she is very wide and a tree'd saddle at present would not be suitable.

 

[exmoorponyprincess1]

After a number of different saddles (treed and treeless) for one Exmoor and a couple of failed saddles for another...we have hit the jackpot!! Saddle pads all the way! We have one Zoe Snape Shetland Pad (made with longer flaps to accommodate the deeper body of the Exmoor) and two felt saddle pads (ones you can get on ebay for £40!) - we use shimmed sheepskin pads underneath them and also a polypad and honestly, after years of saddles slipping, we have happy ponies with saddles that stay put over the roughest terrain! I did an extremely rough ride across Exmoor during the annual pony gatherings (we were even on countryfile!) which was 100% "off roading" and my saddle pad was wonderful!
My exmoor has a short back and no withers which is why saddles always slipped to one side - haven't had a single problem since switching to the pad in the summer. Can't recommend enough!

 

[crazyhorse37]

I'm also concerned about spinal clearance for her. I am up for trying something like this though. My biggest worry with gel etc not distributing well comes from a recent trial with a freeform saddle. treeless pads, Korrector pads and prolite have all failed to distribute the pressure any further than my exact imprint. She has a tendency to get sore in her back and so I guess I am over cautious. Does anyone have contact details for the total contact?

 

[crazyhorse37]

After a number of different saddles (treed and treeless) for one Exmoor and a couple of failed saddles for another...we have hit the jackpot!! Saddle pads all the way! We have one Zoe Snape Shetland Pad (made with longer flaps to accommodate the deeper body of the Exmoor) and two felt saddle pads (ones you can get on ebay for £40!) - we use shimmed sheepskin pads underneath them and also a polypad and honestly, after years of saddles slipping, we have happy ponies with saddles that stay put over the roughest terrain! I did an extremely rough ride across Exmoor during the annual pony gatherings (we were even on countryfile!) which was 100% "off roading" and my saddle pad was wonderful!
My exmoor has a short back and no withers which is why saddles always slipped to one side - haven't had a single problem since switching to the pad in the summer. Can't recommend enough!

Do they give spinal clearance? and do you get even pressure distribution underneath?

 

[exmoorponyprincess1]

We really do put a lot of padding underneath the pad - like I said, sheepskin shimmed numnahs (fully shimmed) and poly pads combined - it's like riding bareback with stirrups. My back lady recommended the total contact which I tried but I do a lot of dressage and showing and it threw my legs too far forward to get a decent seat so that solution wasn't for me. I talked to her about the pads and what we were putting under them - given we got 1st place at the first dressage I took her to after trying her in the pad, her view is that something is clearly working for my pony! I don't feel that I am sitting on her spine and trust me, she is an exmoor, if she wasn't comfortable I would know all about it! She was clearly in pain with "normal" saddles and got to the point she would turn away from me when I approached carrying a saddle...she is happy as Larry these days. Back lady due again in a few weeks - I will let you know how we get on 😄

 

[maccachic]

I be concerned about the distribution of weight / pressure its a small area to be carry all the riders weight, regardless of how much padding you put under the stirrups are still only over one small area.

 

[Kathyt]

HM Flexee saddle has a leather tree which will mould to the horse so may be worth a try?

 

[exmoorponyprincess1]

I be concerned about the distribution of weight / pressure its a small area to be carry all the riders weight, regardless of how much padding you put under the stirrups are still only over one small area.

I have got some concerns but have spoken to people who do workers etc in pads and they haven't had any adverse reactions - I will obviously continue to monitor things and keep having her back checked on a regular basis. The way I look at it just now is that I am having no issues with my pony in the pad and when she was in a treed saddle (fitted and refitted by someone who runs a saddle company specialising in ponies like mine) she had pain so terrible that she couldn't even stand the sight of the saddle coming into her stable.

 

[crazyhorse37]

Exactly what make and model of saddle pads are people using? I have had no joy in good distribution of pressure with all the ones I have tried with the freeform that I am currently trying.

 

[exmoorponyprincess1]

The best one I have is the Zoe Snape Shetland pad - i had her standard pad made with longer flaps and longer seat to suit my exmoor and so far I am extremely happy with it.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Dunno if this helps......... but I'm considering a Suber pad for my treeless saddle at the moment. Have no personal experience of them, and they're not cheap, but they are "supposed" to be fantastic.

So I just chuck this in the pot for good measure as a possible solution?

 

[crazyhorse37]

Dunno if this helps......... but I'm considering a Suber pad for my treeless saddle at the moment. Have no personal experience of them, and they're not cheap, but they are "supposed" to be fantastic.

So I just chuck this in the pot for good measure as a possible solution?

Have seen one of these and was also considering trying one, but like you say, they are so expensive. Have you seen the new smart pad that has some more features? HM makes them. Has some useful features like washable cover.

 

[crazyhorse37]

The best one I have is the Zoe Snape Shetland pad - i had her standard pad made with longer flaps and longer seat to suit my exmoor and so far I am extremely happy with it.

sorry, I should have been clearer, I meant the pads underneath like equitex, grandeur, suberpads etc?

 

[exmoorponyprincess1]

sorry, I should have been clearer, I meant the pads underneath like equitex, grandeur, suberpads etc?

Aaah! Ok so I use a poly pad and on top of the poly pad I use a Mattes sheepskin half pad with shims.
I know a lot of exmoor people who have used the gel non-slip pads under saddles and all that has happened is that the saddles have slipped and the ponies end up with bald bits where the "anti slip" gel pad has pulled the hair out due to the movement of the saddle

 

[exmoorponyprincess1]

I said I would update after my pony had her back done for those who were sceptical about riding in a saddle pad....
So my back lady came to see my exmoor today and for the first time since she started treating her (around about last May) she needed no manipulation whatsoever and had no soreness at all across her back and girth. It was at her last visit that we decided to try a totally different approach and I haven't ridden her in a "proper" saddle since then...we have done dressage, we jump the odd log/bike gate out hacking and did a good few hours of very fast, rough terrain riding across Exmoor in October so right now I feel like I have hit the jackpot! My pony has never been so full of energy and so happy to work...my back lady did say that the extra padding I put under the saddle pad is what will be ensuring she doesn't get any pressure points so I will be sticking with this solution for the foreseeable future She is also confident that the spinal twisting and muscle wastage that my mare had previously was all down to an ill fitting saddle - which I might add was a new saddle fitted by a company specialising in saddles for ponies like mine who insisted at 2nd and 3rd call backs that it fitted perfectly and that it was me who was twisted and not their saddle. I get my own back looked at twice a year and had my chiropractor confirm that I was indeed straight when it was suggested to me that I was causing my mares saddle to slip to one side and given I am basically riding "bareback" now and the pony is perfect, I share my back lady's view that it was indeed the saddle at the root cause of the problems!

 

[crazyhorse37]

I said I would update after my pony had her back done for those who were sceptical about riding in a saddle pad....
So my back lady came to see my exmoor today and for the first time since she started treating her (around about last May) she needed no manipulation whatsoever and had no soreness at all across her back and girth. It was at her last visit that we decided to try a totally different approach and I haven't ridden her in a "proper" saddle since then...we have done dressage, we jump the odd log/bike gate out hacking and did a good few hours of very fast, rough terrain riding across Exmoor in October so right now I feel like I have hit the jackpot! My pony has never been so full of energy and so happy to work...my back lady did say that the extra padding I put under the saddle pad is what will be ensuring she doesn't get any pressure points so I will be sticking with this solution for the foreseeable future She is also confident that the spinal twisting and muscle wastage that my mare had previously was all down to an ill fitting saddle - which I might add was a new saddle fitted by a company specialising in saddles for ponies like mine who insisted at 2nd and 3rd call backs that it fitted perfectly and that it was me who was twisted and not their saddle. I get my own back looked at twice a year and had my chiropractor confirm that I was indeed straight when it was suggested to me that I was causing my mares saddle to slip to one side and given I am basically riding "bareback" now and the pony is perfect, I share my back lady's view that it was indeed the saddle at the root cause of the problems!

It is so heartening to find someone else that has been having the same problems as me from the so called specialists and knowing that they are wrong. I have been told for years that I am wonky and that my horses saddle should be symmetrical because otherwise 'she won't develop symmetrically'. My argument that if the saddle is uncomfortable and slipping due to its symmetry was ignored! My horse most definitely isn't symmetrical but for 4 years bareback she has been much better. I think I will definitely look into your suggestion. Although I have been having some success with the freeform. It also really being a glorified bareback pad, albeit with a little more rigidity. I think I just need to find the right padding. Tried a standard prolite with a prolite high wither numnah (which sadly they no longer do) which gives spinal clearance the whole way along its length. This worked well, but the asymmetry did mean the saddle sat a bit forward on one side. Do you feel the support for the rider on the pad is enough? I would like to do a little schooling and would rather like some knee rolls as I have a tendency to ride very long! In fact I put my stirrups up a good couple of holes the other day to go in the school and felt I could have jumped in them. When I looked at the photos they were at dressage length!!! Amazing what eyes on the ground shows you!

 

[exmoorponyprincess1]

I ride dressage length most of the time and find my position has improved loads (according to my instructor!) - the Zoe Snape pad actually has a little raised bit kind of like mini knee rolls on it so not as flat as the other pad I have

 

[emmylouhorses]

I agree with MiJodsR2BlinkinTite ...avoid Reactor Panel like the plague. They will ruin your horse & your pocket. PM me if you'd like to hear about my experience with the 'experts' who make them. Recently was chrged £260 for my 'free' 6 week trial of a really old Roe Richardson Reactor Panel; which had the overpriced price tag of £995. The £260 was what they charged me when I returned it. they don't answer emails or the phone & their customer service sucks.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Gosh this seems quite an "old" thread........... re. the suggestion of a suber pad (think I was the one mentioning it???)......... well I did get one for mine, but TBH wouldn't recommend them. They're as thick as a loaf of bread and put the saddle up way too high. A matter of taste/preference perhaps, but I don't like them (mine will be e-bayed in the not too distant future; woops, advertising!!!).

Hope you're sorted OP. Um, did I PM you as I promised you I would, or not??? I just can't remember, sorry!

 

[JulesRules]

I have a reactor panel dressage saddle. I bought it 2nd hand privately so have no experince of the company, but it is is a fabulous saddle. Really deep and comfortable and free across the horses shoulders.

Becuase of the pads which distribute the weight, you might be able to get it built up more on one side to even things out.

In terms of spine clearanace it is very good.