Asha
Well-Known Member
To cut a long story short, I have a 5 year old , 6 in April. Who isn't the easiest to fit, being short coupled with low withers and big shoulders. He's a sensitive chap, who lets your know immediately if he isn't happy. We had a problem with a jumping saddle which didn't fit, which was fitted by a professional saddler! He showed us by looking cold backed. After spending an arm and a leg with vet work ups and X-rays etc etc, we couldn't find anything wrong. Changed his saddle, and hey presto no issues at all, no more cold backed.
So I have finally got my confidence to ride him. ( he's competed SJ by a local pro). Decided to just do some low level dressage tests. So borrowed a dressage saddle. I was nervous as it wasn't fitted by a saddler, but he goes really well, no issues with cold backed, just a chilled out chappie. So he likes it. For peace of mind I arranged for a saddle fitting, as the one we are using Is medium, and he is mw/wide in his close contact jumping saddle. I asked them to bring some other saddles in case it didn't fit.
Saddler reckons its too narrow, but if we increase the width on same style it will drop at the front.so we tried other styles. The one the saddler liked, looked lovely on him. But we got on him (pro first, I'm not daft ), then me. I didn't like it, felt tipped forward, plus he didn't like it, very tail swishy, running forward, and I felt like he wanted me off. His rider also agreed he didn't like it.
I'm going to get another company in for another opinion.
But just wondered what everyone else thought. Would you listen to your horse, and ignore the saddler. (Master saddler)?
So I have finally got my confidence to ride him. ( he's competed SJ by a local pro). Decided to just do some low level dressage tests. So borrowed a dressage saddle. I was nervous as it wasn't fitted by a saddler, but he goes really well, no issues with cold backed, just a chilled out chappie. So he likes it. For peace of mind I arranged for a saddle fitting, as the one we are using Is medium, and he is mw/wide in his close contact jumping saddle. I asked them to bring some other saddles in case it didn't fit.
Saddler reckons its too narrow, but if we increase the width on same style it will drop at the front.so we tried other styles. The one the saddler liked, looked lovely on him. But we got on him (pro first, I'm not daft ), then me. I didn't like it, felt tipped forward, plus he didn't like it, very tail swishy, running forward, and I felt like he wanted me off. His rider also agreed he didn't like it.
I'm going to get another company in for another opinion.
But just wondered what everyone else thought. Would you listen to your horse, and ignore the saddler. (Master saddler)?