Solution Saddle causing muscle wastage?

Kokopelli

Kokopelli

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 July 2010
Messages
7,170
Location
Gloucester
Visit site
I have a freestyle saddle fitted around 3-4 months ago. Louie has built up lovely muscle around his withers but where the back of the saddle sits he has quit severe muscle wastage especially considering how long he's had it.

To say im dissapointed is an understatement, I saved up for ages to buy one second hand done all the research paid for the saddle fitting and it has caused more issues then if I stuck with a normal saddle.

Most frustrating thing is I had a lovely k&m gp that I bought for Andy but fitted Louie really well but sold it thinking I wouldn't need it again.

Has anyone else had these sort of issues with the solution saddles? I knew the older smart ones were not very good but have never heard anything bad about the freestyle.
 
My friend has had the exact same problem, but with a made to measure ideal saddle. She paid 2k and has a horse that has muscle wastage and an aversion to it on his back. She got advice off a 'balance saddles' fan, saying it was too narrow and something much much wider is needed. She even put a balance saddle on him and he loved it. Anyway not quite the same issue but as my friend has only had her saddle 1year and has had the saddler back out on repeat visits as she knew something wasn't right, she is fuming as you can imagine! She is now looking at getting a wintec wide to fit him. Btw - this is no reflection on the ideal saddle brand as that is fab - just the saddler herself!
 
I had it fitted by one of the best fitters in the country annoyingly and because its treeless its meant to mould with the horses shape and change when they change.

I'm so gutted I never thought I'd have to go through all this saddle fitting crap again.
 
ester said:
If he has built up in front is that now tipping it back?
Click to expand...

That's my thought too .
Horses can change very rapidly and during phases of fast development very regular adjustments can be necessary.
One horse who I broke at ten , he was a driving horse before needed fittings every fortnight at one point it was a nightmare .
A saddle being treeless will not affect the need to check its fit and balance if the horse is changing shape.
 
I'd get the fitter back or else phone for advice. They can change shape so quickly and may need different adjustments.I found it was quite an education and learning curve when I first started using them. I really feel the horse benefits and the good thing about these saddles is ongoing fitting to the horse, which with a bit of experience becomes easy.
 
I've just got on touch with fitter and going to send some pictures and see what she suggests, she's a brilliant fitter so I don't doubt her in the slightest I just worry that maybe im not using it correctly.

I'm also wondering because its a size 3 if maybe its too small so perhaps I need a bigger size to stop me sitting too far back?
 
I'm having some saddle probs atm (tree points too long, from what I understand, causing pressure behind the shoulders and muscle not developing correctly, rather than getting as far as muscle wastage thankfully...caught early hopefully). I've stopped riding altogether until I get a new saddle as I have quite a young horse who is incredibly willing and cheerful, so don't want to ruin that. I've just been working him in hand, long reining and lungeing. Fingers crossed for a new saddle tomorrow but in the meantime, he's actually loving the IH and LR work, and has learnt loads. I'm also well on the way to sorting out a straightness problem that's been niggling at me for a while, because I can see what he's doing with every footfall rather than relying on me trying to feel it while on board.
 
Kokopelli said:
As soon as I noticed the problem I stopped riding in it, just riding bareback until I see her. I just really hope it isn't permanent.
Click to expand...

It should not be if the wastage was caused by the saddle and has recently appeared it should correct quickly.
When the saddler comes ask her to show you how to identify the saddle sitting level , sitting tipping back and forward and start to train your self to check it all the time .
At least once a week I look at my saddles on the horses , it's a good habit to get into.
Don't worry I am sure you will get it sorted.
 
Kokopelli said:
I've just got on touch with fitter and going to send some pictures and see what she suggests, she's a brilliant fitter so I don't doubt her in the slightest I just worry that maybe im not using it correctly.

I'm also wondering because its a size 3 if maybe its too small so perhaps I need a bigger size to stop me sitting too far back?
Click to expand...
I remember you getting that saddle, as I was thinking about a Solution saddle, and read all the posts about them. I didn't like the one I trialled at all, and it was a lot of money for something that I couldn't sit straight on. I thought size 3 was the biggest?? I went for a Reactorpanel as I have three different horses to fit, and I'm very pleased with it. One of mine had muscle wastage from a saddler fitted and restuffed tree'd saddle, and I needed a treeless or similar for eventing. Very pleased with the RP, and the build quality is excellent. (Wasn't impressed in that respect with the Solution). Hope you get sorted.
 
Definitely contact the fitter. If your fitter is who I think she is then I know she'll bend over backwards to help you.

I've been looking at my five year old and reckon he'd be Ok with one set of the front shims out of the Original GP's set up. He's matured a lot recently and is filling out.

I've got the size 4 and felt the size 3 was too small for me, felt cramped in it, although technically it's a size that *should* work for me. The size 5 however, I swim about in. Might be worth trying the next size up?

Certainly contact the fitter to have a look at it for you. These saddles do need regular adjustments making, to keep them at their optimum fit :)
 
My horse had muscle wastage from an ideal show saddle, 3 fitters told me it was too narrow but they were trying to fit the saddle to the wastage and hollows behind the shoulder, once they get hollows there any saddle will slip forward and sit in the dips causing more damage, you need a wider saddle with a shim numnah to replace the lost muscle until it recovers and comes back then you can reduce the shims.

I find some people also put the saddle too far forward near the shoulder which can also cause problems in this area.
 
Fitter has been incredibly helpful, I've made the descion to sell it but haven't decided if I'll get the size 4 or get a cheaper secondhand dressage and jump saddle. Very tempted by the wintec.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top