Synthetic Saddle Fitting - Help Please!

tonitot

tonitot

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I bought a Maxam synthetic saddle with FISH inserts which arrived today :) Tried it on Ethel and realised that everything I learnt at college about how a saddle is the right fit for the horse seems to have disappeared from my head! To me it looks as though it fits but I'm not really trusting myself to be sure. She isn't being ridden yet so its not a big problem as of yet, but when she is ridden I want to make sure it does fit her. Can anyone give me any tips on how to check that it fits?? Taa :D
 
Where to start? Theres a lot to it. TBH you shouldnt have bought a saddle you havnt tried, you could have completely wasted your money. Anyway, things to look out for include-
1) width- the points of the tree should be parallel to the body underneath
2) length- with the points of the tree behind the shoulder blades the back of the saddle shouldnt extend beyond the last rib
3) tree profile- make sure the saddle sits level all the way along
4) panel type- does the saddle sufficiently clear the wither and support the saddle all the way along. Are the rear gussets deep enough. Are there any gaps between panel and body
5) gullet width- is it sufficient for your horses spine width

Thats just the very basics. You really have taken a big risk, especially with a horse at the start of its education. Any discomfort now will be dangerous for you and detrimental to her education. I suggest you get a good fitter out to check it for you. And the horse needs to be ridden in it to say for sure, so you will need it checking regularly as you start work.
 
Thanks for your help with the points of what to look for. This saddle was very cheap so if it doesnt fit I'm not really too bothered, I could sell it on or maybe keep it for a future horse. I can change the shape a bit for it to fit her as she changes shape as she grows. If it doesnt fit her then I wont use it but for the moment I only want it so she can get used to wearing it with no weight on it and so I can longrein her. But again, thanks for the pointers and I will give it a proper check tomorrow (tried today but my mum let her fidget too much so it kept moving around) :)
 
The fitting tips sound good but def get a qualified fitter to check it. I did tho I was sure mine fitted and it was great when they agreed. I couldnt buy it through them as they dont bother with synthetics, not enough profit margin, so I had to take a punt.

3+ years on pony (Haffie) is still very happy with (Thorowgood cob maxam) saddle and so am I, I only bought it to do initial stuff on (I backed her in a good treeless then sold it), but shes gone so well in it we've never gone on to buy anything else! And are doing first endurance event in it in a fortnight.
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
The fitting tips sound good but def get a qualified fitter to check it. I did tho I was sure mine fitted and it was great when they agreed. I couldnt buy it through them as they dont bother with synthetics, not enough profit margin, so I had to take a punt.

3+ years on pony (Haffie) is still very happy with (Thorowgood cob maxam) saddle and so am I, I only bought it to do initial stuff on (I backed her in a good treeless then sold it), but shes gone so well in it we've never gone on to buy anything else! And are doing first endurance event in it in a fortnight.
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This is good to know :) So I guess a fitter will come and fit a saddle you've already bought? Shall have to try and find one :)
 
tonitot said:
This is good to know :) So I guess a fitter will come and fit a saddle you've already bought? Shall have to try and find one :)
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yep mine did but if you dont buy one of their nice shiny leather ones gleaming in their van you will have to pay the call out fee :-) (about £40 for mine) but well worth it. I also got them to swap the front of the 4 girth straps from synthetic (which were cracking under the strain of haffie tum) to leather (£10 a strap)
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
yep mine did but if you dont buy one of their nice shiny leather ones gleaming in their van you will have to pay the call out fee :-) (about £40 for mine) but well worth it. I also got them to swap the front of the 4 girth straps from synthetic (which were cracking under the strain of haffie tum) to leather (£10 a strap)
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Ah cool :) Will have to find a saddler then to check it fits .. the saddle is in really good condition so as long as it fits her it shouldnt need anything doing :)
 
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