Should I have 2 hairless patches behind the saddle??

islandspirit

islandspirit

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Long story short, new saddle fitted which I was concerned about as i was falling off left, had saddler back out to check it and he said my horse was now to fat but it still fitted ok but a bit high and shimmed it on the right to balance the saddle. Said horse has one shoulder larger than the other and is a true middleweight with mahoosive shoulders and slightly bum high. Also had topspec out at the same time who condition scored said horse as good! I have now been back in full work for 3 weeks, started out in walk but have added in short trots over the last week but I have now noticed that I have 2 large patches of very short hair where the panels sit at the back of the saddle? Is it the saddle or something else? I use an Anky saddle pad. Apologies for any spelling mistakes, I'm on my phone :-) and thank you for any advice which is greatfully received :-)
 
Check your saddle pad extends behind the saddle and isn't rubbing- I had the same on my mare and changed the saddle pad and now don't. The old pad had an edging on it and I now use as flat as one as I can (polypad). If it's not that get the saddle checked again.
 
I once got told by a saddler that sometimes when they are malting patches appear (my lad had two where you described), I was not happy with his analysis! They did disappear once his summer coat appeared and I changed my saddle cloth but I got another saddler out anyway and now have a saddle am 100% happy with. I think if I was you, I would get another saddler out.
 
hoggedmane said:
Check your saddle pad extends behind the saddle and isn't rubbing- I had the same on my mare and changed the saddle pad and now don't. The old pad had an edging on it and I now use as flat as one as I can (polypad). If it's not that get the saddle checked again.
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I don't think it's the saddle pad as the marks are at the back of the panel and the saddle pad is a good two inches further back.
 
This definatly not right your saddle sounds like its too high at the front and tipping back . Is it sitting level when tightly birthed when you look at it from the side.
You need to find another saddler quickly .
 
cavana13 said:
Hi i would get another saddler, as it seems that your saddle is moving at the back.
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That's what I think, especially as it has become apparent when the trot work started. I'm just worried that I'll be told its because he has put weight on ans that it will be fine when I slim him down a bit. Saddle was bought at the end of January and fitted with plenty of room. But started slipping left after two weeks.
 
Definitely get the saddle checked and take a look at where the seam of the saddle cloth sits, but also, is the horse still losing winter coat? I always find the coat is more prone to rubs when they are shedding as it goes kind of brittle, and what may not have rubbed before makes a mark because of this.
 
Just wanted to add we have a horse here whose has damage to back muscles in this area caused by a saddle doing this for a long time he has permanent shallow dimples in this area so it's something to get on top of quickly.
 
Mine had 1 rubbed patch. Saddler said as my horse was so much fitter than before he had gone down a gullet size. The saddle wad therefore too wide and sitting too low in front, tipping me forwards (and due to my bad back,to the right), causing back left panel to lift and scrub his back. Explains a) scrubbed patch, b) why physio found his right shoulder was tight and sore and he would fall in on the right rein and c) why I just couldn't stop tipping forwards. Narrower gullet in place and all the above are fixed. That plus a fatter bit and he is going the best he ever has.
 
Tr0uble said:
Definitely get the saddle checked and take a look at where the seam of the saddle cloth sits, but also, is the horse still losing winter coat? I always find the coat is more prone to rubs when they are shedding as it goes kind of brittle, and what may not have rubbed before makes a mark because of this.
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I've looked on the underside of the saddle pad and you can see where the hair is caught on the pas and it's a good 2 inches in from the back of the pad. If the coat is more prone to rubs when the coat is changing, does this mean it's something not to worry about or you now know you have a problem that would have eventually shown up as back pain? I have only had this horse since December so haven't had a full year with him yet to compare back to a previous year.
 
KatPT said:
Mine had 1 rubbed patch. Saddler said as my horse was so much fitter than before he had gone down a gullet size. The saddle wad therefore too wide and sitting too low in front, tipping me forwards (and due to my bad back,to the right), causing back left panel to lift and scrub his back. Explains a) scrubbed patch, b) why physio found his right shoulder was tight and sore and he would fall in on the right rein and c) why I just couldn't stop tipping forwards. Narrower gullet in place and all the above are fixed. That plus a fatter bit and he is going the best he ever has.
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Mine has gone up a size due to not being in work while waiting for the saddler because of the saddle falling left but the saddle said it is still fitting fine but a tad high, it was checked about three weeks ago.
 
If the saddle is rubbing that much the saddler should come out quickly to remedy it, not leave you at the back of the queue and make you wait 6 weeks.

I have known rubs like this but it has always been due to poor fitting saddles as goldenstar said it can leave lasting damage to the back muscles, so a physio check would be a good idea also.
 
islandspirit said:
I've looked on the underside of the saddle pad and you can see where the hair is caught on the pas and it's a good 2 inches in from the back of the pad. If the coat is more prone to rubs when the coat is changing, does this mean it's something not to worry about or you now know you have a problem that would have eventually shown up as back pain? I have only had this horse since December so haven't had a full year with him yet to compare back to a previous year.
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It's still showing pressure even if it's just " dead" hair coming out , but it is very common to see this on hunters in Febuary / march as their coat begin to change and although I keep a eye on their saddles as they are slimmest this time of year it often not a big issue but hunters wear their saddles up to five hours at a time if you are doing normal levels of work it not right to get worn patches.
is he still in his winter coat all my horse are fully in their summer coats for some time now.
 
Goldenstar said:
It's still showing pressure even if it's just " dead" hair coming out , but it is very common to see this on hunters in Febuary / march as their coat begin to change and although I keep a eye on their saddles as they are slimmest this time of year it often not a big issue but hunters wear their saddles up to five hours at a time if you are doing normal levels of work it not right to get worn patches.
is he still in his winter coat all my horse are fully in their summer coats for some time now.
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I think most of the coat is out now, its difficult to tell as he was fully clipped and is grey :) He hasn't really shed masses like my old bay though. He is quite sensitive skinned as well, poor thing just had to have a steroid injection due to a toxic reaction to fly bites, he was so lumpy he looked like the Alps!
 
be positive said:
If the saddle is rubbing that much the saddler should come out quickly to remedy it, not leave you at the back of the queue and make you wait 6 weeks.

I have known rubs like this but it has always been due to poor fitting saddles as goldenstar said it can leave lasting damage to the back muscles, so a physio check would be a good idea also.
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I'm so hoping we won't be left at the back of the queue this time and I am very worried that this will cause lasting damage. It is difficult to tell whether he is sore as he tends to be quite twitchy and reactive, if you know what I mean but I do think the area is reacting slightly under pressure.
 
Get another saddler to give it a proper check! I made the mistake of letting me get strung along with I'll fitting saddle and ended up with a violent bucker. Horses will suffer for some time but there is a point when they just had enough. He now has well fitting tack again and is happy as a sand boy!
 
my saddle does this during moulting time, I have no worries about it's fit, I do know I have a 'hardy' chestnut cob whose hair falls out the soonest opportunity! He is also short coupled and the way he moves in walk does tend to mean the saddle moves with him.
most years it is resolved by fully clipping out in feb, when there is no length of hair to rub it seems to be much better (same goes for girth/elbow rubs) although it is a bit scary to clip more hair off when they are loosing it!

He is normally ridden with a lemieux numnah but I don't think that helps with hair gripping so has had a polypad on for the last few months which has minimised it + been in limited work.
 
muffinmunsh said:
Get another saddler to give it a proper check! I made the mistake of letting me get strung along with I'll fitting saddle and ended up with a violent bucker. Horses will suffer for some time but there is a point when they just had enough. He now has well fitting tack again and is happy as a sand boy!
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I stopped riding him initially because of two huge bucking sessions that almost had me off which started immediately that I got on. The saddle was checked and it was noted that the right shoulder was much larger than the left which was causing the saddle to slip left and the flocking had compacted slightly on the right, and I was advised to use a shim under the whole right of the saddle which has corrected the slipping left but now I'm upping the pace the marks have appeared under the back of the saddle. Initially also had the vet out and he is sound but vet felt he wasn't pushing through with his left hind as well as he could as he has scar tissue on that hind quarter and advised hacking to build up muscles and to get him working properly again. Also had physio out who said similar and sorted out sore patches under the saddle area from it slipping left.
 
Miss Bean said:
I once got told by a saddler that sometimes when they are malting patches appear (my lad had two where you described), I was not happy with his analysis! They did disappear once his summer coat appeared and I changed my saddle cloth but I got another saddler out anyway and now have a saddle am 100% happy with. I think if I was you, I would get another saddler out.
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:eek: Yes I would have another saddler out to check again before it causes a real problem, and as soon as possible !
 
I've just spoken to my saddler and they have reassured me that this is nothing to worry about unless he becomes sore. Because my boy isn't quite moving straight and has been a bit stop, start with his work the saddle probably has a bit of lateral movement but we will hopefully work through it as he gets stronger and straighter. I just need to check his back after every ride to check that he isn't getting sore.
 
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Shy had an infection in his saddle area, and after each ride I rinse him down with Lavender Wash and a bit of water. Lavender is really good for any aches and sore skin, it might be worth giving it a try :)
 
Shysmum, that is a very good idea, I have been using a touch of hibiscrub in my wash down water, especially since the fly bite reaction, I could add a couple of drops of lavender oil to the water as well.
 
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