Split-shoulder panel saddles

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Ceilidh3114

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Hi,
(I'm quite new to this so I'm hoping it is the correct place - couldn't find many similar threads so decided to make my own!).

I have a young TB mare with large shoulders. My saddler has recommended a shoulder panel that does not inhibit shoulder movement; this can be seen in the newer Fairfax jump saddles.

I wondered if anybody knew of other companies or saddles that do a similar design, or a shoulder panel designed to allow shoulder movement?


I have tried the Fairfax and did like it but am keen to investigate other options before investing! Experiences with the Fairfax jump saddles or saddles with similar shoulder panels would be much appreciated too - did you notice a big improvement in jumping or the horses movement? I should mention that saddles I'm interested in are jump saddles. Many thanks!
 
Hi, I have a real problem with this also. My horse - with huge shoulders, is in a Wow, which is a marmite saddle really. Not sure I like it but it's worth a try.
 
Barrie Swain and Balance Saddles also do panels to allow more shoulder movement. They are also a bit Marmite. Some people swear by treeless ones, too, like the Solution Saddles.
 
Thank you all! Have had a look at thorowgood but not sure they have the same shoulder panel design as the newer Fairfax. Will look into all of these options though - find its hard to know which saddles have been engineered specifically for larger shoulders or which ones just use shoulder comfort as a USP. Any other suggestions and positive/negative experiences welcome too ☺️
 
I was so excited about the fairfax panels til I realised it was a TG tree. Urgh!

Wow do them but my horse wasn't all that impressed with wow unfortunately and I've ended up with a solution saddle (treeless) which solves the big shoulder problem as it's flexible.
 
Oh ok - that's interesting to hear, thank you!

I've never heard of a TG tree before to be honest - what are they? Think I probably have one on the Kent and Masters seeing as the companies are related? Thanks :)
 
It might be worth trying a wow as they are completely different tree shape, which is why they are so useful. I am struggling with mine as there is so much movement with it, but have had it for a few years & manage so would still recommend them. I simply wouldn't entertain a synthetic or cheap saddle on a horse which is hard to fit. they do enough damage in the wrong hands on horses which are a normal shape. It really is worth investing.
Does anyone have any insight into Harry Dabbs Saddles as they are supposed to have points which are directed backwards with soft flaps which sit over the shoulder without inhibiting it, don't know if they are any good though.
 
lavinia Mitchell saddles come up wide and are ideal for large shoulder horses as I had the same problem with my Arab, although I have a dressage and a gp so no idea about how her jump ones fit might be worth a look.
 
I have an albion k2 jump for my large shouldered, big moving WB. I am pretty sure the saddler said it has a cut back tree or something (sorry can't remember wording and not saddle expert!) so would suit his big shoulders. I also think its a great saddle for me :) very comfy and fits my horse beautifully
 
I'm sorry but I'm very cynical about these gimmicky panels, if you fit a flat enough tree that is stable and stays back behind the shoulder even the largest shouldered horses can be free in front, even in a more forward cut saddle.
 
My problem Sbloom, and I would appreciate any advice you have, is that the horse has an extremely short back, so although a VSD or dressage saddle will sit behind the shoulders fine, a jumping saddle has to have the flaps over the shoulders to a degree. Unless I am making so sense. This illustrates the point. This is an Ideal we had specially made before horse had his Wow. Sorry OP to hijack post but hopefully it's useful.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...976198.-2207520000.1466517592.&type=3&theater
 
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So you need to go down in seat size, or have a shorter panel design. A very forwards flap and a high set block will give more leg room if rider height is more of an issue than bum size. A flat seat gives more room too.
 
I have the same problem - I have long legs but my mare is a short backed TB but with big shoulders that push the panels back or they inhibit movement. I will have a look into these suggestions, thank you! It's hard to know which saddles actually work and allow free shoulder movement and which ones say it to attract a wider customer audience..does that make sense?
 
Precisely my point, if the tree points aren't behind the shoulder then a split panel really isn't going to do more than slightly diffuse the problem. Flatter tree, shorter panel, point strap (which only a small minority of horses won't tolerate if the fit is good ie flat enough and a really good even fit down the front) and a shorter seat where possible. On rare occasions it's simply that horse and rider are ultimately incompatible.
 
Is a working hunter saddle an option perhaps? they are cut to free as much shoulder as possible while still being suitable for jumping - top WH tracks are not small after all
 
WelshD said:
Is a working hunter saddle an option perhaps? they are cut to free as much shoulder as possible while still being suitable for jumping - top WH tracks are not small after all
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It's not really like that, a WH saddle is just a cut, is often straight cut like a dressage but without the set back bars or bigger blocks, or it can be a bit more like a VSD but usually with a flatter seat. They are straight cut to try and show as much shoulder as possible, whilst having a little more support for jumping, but unless fitted correctly, back behind the shoulder, they won't be any more likely to free the shoulder up than any other saddle.

Many riders on here, and me included, would not want to jump a big track in them, they are designed first for the show ring and to visibly show the shoulder, but not truly to help the rider with jumping, most people jump despite them which is why the plaiteds are increasingly going over to jump saddles. I sell most WHs to people who dabble in showing but otherwise hack and do dressage.

The only time the flap cut really affects the fit, with most horses, is when the shoulder blade is very prominent compared to behind it, where usually there has been muscle loss for this to be such a problem. Then a more forwards flap has to come up and OUT to get over the shoulder blade, and it can cause issues. Otherwise even a big shoulder can be accommodated with the right tree and fit no matter the flap style.
 
Thanks sbloom, I hadn't really considered that, it's interesting to hear a variety of expertise. I think the idea behind the Fairfax is that it moves with the shoulder so as not to inhibit it but I wonder how much difference it really makes (as you say, can it really diffuse the pressure on the shoulder enough to justify the cost?). It is great to hear reviews (thanks Newlands!) as its great to hear it first hand.

Unfortunately WH saddle isn't option due to my long legs! However will look into the other suggestions listed - she's a funny shape so not sure a flat tree would suit as she has high withers with quiet a steep curve to her back but I suppose with some flocking it could work.


Thanks for all your suggestions - feel I'm getting closer to a solution
 
I have a fairfax jump saddle for my Westphalian with big shoulders and am pleased with it too. I believe he jumps better in it or he did when I tried it along with the Albion K2 ( which incidentally fits my TB better).
 
Ceilidh3114 said:
Thanks sbloom, I hadn't really considered that, it's interesting to hear a variety of expertise. I think the idea behind the Fairfax is that it moves with the shoulder so as not to inhibit it but I wonder how much difference it really makes (as you say, can it really diffuse the pressure on the shoulder enough to justify the cost?).
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But if it's the correct tree shape and width that frees the shoulder then the shoulder panel isn't doing anything to reduce shoulder pressure...so not worth a bean. If the individual saddle suits your horse then no worries, but if you took saddle A and saddle B, saddle A sits in the wrong place and doesn't give shoulder freedom because the tree shape is wrong, but saddle B sits in the right place with the right shaped tree, saddle A is never going to be right even if you add split shoulder panels.
 
My friends solid 17hh worth of giant dales x has an ideal impala which doesn't impinge her shoulders at all, they just move under the knee rolls/flap much as sbloom describes. Right tree and size and what goes on in front of the tree point is pretty circumstantial.
 
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