Update on the saddle woes. I'm not convinced. Am I being Silly? What would you do?

charlimouse

charlimouse

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A bit of an update following this thread http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=543544.

Harry went to the saddle fitter today, and he thinks the Ideal Impala is essentially fine, but he has put more flocking in the middle of the panels and hammered down the flocking by the gullet to give a little more room. He says to use just a poly pad, without his gel pad. TBH I am not convinced. Saddle fitter also mentioned he may need the tree narrowing, which goes competely against what my physio said (Physio thinks the tree is already too narrow and he needs a wider one :confused:). However my physio is not a saddle fitter, but it is clear that the saddle has made Harry's back very sore, so now not sure what to do :confused:. I guess I will try it and see, but I have a very strong suspicion after being ridden a couple of times in it we will be back to square 1. it was interesting that the saddle fitter asked me why he had lost so much muscle behind his shoulders. It wasn't until I pointed out how the muscled had developed along the spine behind the wither, creating the illusion of a bigger dip.

This fitter is one I have used for years (and was originally recommended by the above physio), and sorted all my previous horse's saddle issues (which were very major) so he does know his stuff, but the horse is telling me the saddle isn't right.

I guess I will try the saddle as it is, and if Harry becomes sore again (it has taken 2 weeks off for the bruising to go!) get a second opinion. Question being who do I trust to get a second opinion from as the saddle fitter I use is widely regarded as the best around (it is a 90 minute drive for me to get there!)? I suppose this is the problem, we can't be experts in all areas, hence we pay 'experts' for a service, but if you aren't and expert yourself how do you know they are doing an 'expert' job :confused::rolleyes:?
 
I knew my saddle just wasn't right despite SF telling me it was. I got a second opinion - she worked on it for 20 mins and hey presto - the saddle was amazing, has improved my riding no end now I'm not trying to balance on something that is constantly moving on top of something else that is constantly moving!

Nothing to lose by getting a second opinion....
 
Well I would say you already have the answer. If your Horse's back is that sore flocking adjustment won't help. Yes it will tweak the fitting but it won't make a major change.

I bought my own Horse a lovely made to measure saddle. What a joke. It wrecked his back. Despite all re-assurances from people the only thing that will tell you for sure is your Horse. I took a huge loss, learned a lesson, and went back to the make of saddle I knew suited before and the fitter I trusted.

Your Horse by looking at the photos will need an adjustable saddle to muscle up under. The type I use allows that (Saddle Company). Any fixed tree won't allow that. You could also look at balance saddles whose philosphy uses a lot of pads and a wider fitted saddle AFAIK but I have never used them. I think in cases where there is a lot of muscle loss / asymmetry I would definately look into them in more detail.

Many fitters seem to fit into these dips behind the withers. The same dips that are caused by a too tight saddle in the first place. Then fitting into said dips makes it worse and a cycle develops.
 
PS My fitter covers all the UK. He's also a Bowen therapist and is based in Gloucestershire (though half the year he's in South Africa). I can PM you details if you like.
 
I've got a Lavinia Mitchell saddle for my lad now, which is the same theory as the balance saddles, it's a great fit with shims to allow for muscle wastage which can easily be adjusted when the horse builds up. It's not the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat in but my horse is so much happier with it that I'm certainly not complaining! Well worth a look in my opinion.
 
personally I would be inclined to go with your gut feeling that the saddle is "just not right" and get a second opinion. I had a saddle fitted by a saddler whose opinion I trusted but my horse was unbelievably sore I keep having the saddle readjusted and re-flocked and in the end (which was really difficult) I got another well recommend saddler out who fitted my girl with an ideal and we never had another day's back problems.
 
I had exactly the same problem. Bought a new albion off a saddle fitter i had used for years, within 2 months i had muscle wastage. My back lady said saddle didn't fit and insisted we call kay humphries who confirmed not only was my saddle too narrow, but also the stirrup bars wern't level, so i got a full refund. I got a semi flex, with serge panels and the difference in my horses back is amazing.
 
mongy46 said:
I had exactly the same problem. Bought a new albion off a saddle fitter i had used for years, within 2 months i had muscle wastage. My back lady said saddle didn't fit and insisted we call kay humphries who confirmed not only was my saddle too narrow, but also the stirrup bars wern't level, so i got a full refund. I got a semi flex, with serge panels and the difference in my horses back is amazing.
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I would also strongly recommend Kay(if she is in your area), I had her out for my new lad - he now has a H/S saddle - my saddle before was too narrow and my lad had no muscle - new saddle, two months and the difference is already noticeable
 
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