Back of saddle lifts up, too wide or too narrow?

1rish · 02-24-2006, 01:34 PM

A Certified saddle fitter cant see my horse until "sometime in late March" as she is from another state.

I lounged my horse in tack today and noticed that the back of my saddle raises when he trots and somewhat lurches to the side. OH NO!!!!!

As a general rule of thumb does this mean the saddle is too wide or too narrow (besides needing an adjustment in the flocking) The static fit looks okay, no obvious bridging and it does not "appear" that the bars are too narrow but I could be wrong. If I didn't use a mounting block the saddle would spin but the horse has very shallow withers and I don't CRANK down my girth.

If it is too narrow I am in a world of hurt and will have to do something about getting a wider saddle, but if it is too wide I will pad it up until March. Any suggestions?

JBandRio · 02-24-2006, 01:51 PM

Too wide.

How "too wide" is the next question. I prefer an appropriately "too wide" saddle for lots of reasons. 1, it allows the muscles room to grow, and face it, unless you are riding a seasoned GP dressage horses, there IS room for growth

2, no matter how well fitting a saddle is when the horse is standing still, that fit changes when there is a rider on and the horse is moving. Shoulder blades move back and forth, riders put more pressure on the stirrup bars, etc. So unless things are juuuuuust right, a "well-fitted" saddle with a thin pad underneath can (and does, just not always ) cause pressure points. Having an appropriately wide saddle allows you to put pressure-point-relieving padding underneath (ie thick sheepskin, Saddleright pad, etc) and still have a well-fitting fit. That is my opinion, though it is not mine alone

So, you can try a couple of things to see what does what. Put another pad, or replace the thin pad with a thicker pad (don't know what you're using now). Or, fold a towel so that you can lay it across the withers so it drapes down beside the withers, where the stirrup bars would be. See which, if either of those (or maybe a combinatio - towel on top of thicker padding) stops the saddle flapping.

riding_reaper · 02-24-2006, 01:53 PM

I would rather have a saddle that is too wide than a saddle that is too narrow.

1rish · 02-24-2006, 02:05 PM

What a relief. I was worried it meant it was waaaayyyy too narrow.
I am already using a "real" wool pad that is super fluffy. Now to get creative with the stuffing. LOL

Shotgun93 · 02-24-2006, 02:15 PM

Padding up an ill-fitting saddle really only causes more problems.

dreamngold · 03-01-2006, 06:48 PM

Well, I know a lady at the barn I have my horse at has a saddle that fits her horse very well, but when she lunges her horse and it is really underneath itself in the hind end, her saddle also comes off its back a bit. Mostly when it trots. This happened with my saddle on my young horses as well. But I would get someone that is very knowledgeable about fitting saddles out, if you are worried.

02-24-2006, 01:34 PM	#1
1rish Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Doing Laundry Posts: 1,530 Images: 35	Back of saddle lifts up, too wide or too narrow? A Certified saddle fitter cant see my horse until "sometime in late March" as she is from another state. I lounged my horse in tack today and noticed that the back of my saddle raises when he trots and somewhat lurches to the side. OH NO!!!!! As a general rule of thumb does this mean the saddle is too wide or too narrow (besides needing an adjustment in the flocking) The static fit looks okay, no obvious bridging and it does not "appear" that the bars are too narrow but I could be wrong. If I didn't use a mounting block the saddle would spin but the horse has very shallow withers and I don't CRANK down my girth. If it is too narrow I am in a world of hurt and will have to do something about getting a wider saddle, but if it is too wide I will pad it up until March. Any suggestions? __________________ Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

02-24-2006, 01:51 PM	#2
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,722 Images: 145 Blog Entries: 12	Too wide. How "too wide" is the next question. I prefer an appropriately "too wide" saddle for lots of reasons. 1, it allows the muscles room to grow, and face it, unless you are riding a seasoned GP dressage horses, there IS room for growth 2, no matter how well fitting a saddle is when the horse is standing still, that fit changes when there is a rider on and the horse is moving. Shoulder blades move back and forth, riders put more pressure on the stirrup bars, etc. So unless things are juuuuuust right, a "well-fitted" saddle with a thin pad underneath can (and does, just not always ) cause pressure points. Having an appropriately wide saddle allows you to put pressure-point-relieving padding underneath (ie thick sheepskin, Saddleright pad, etc) and still have a well-fitting fit. That is my opinion, though it is not mine alone So, you can try a couple of things to see what does what. Put another pad, or replace the thin pad with a thicker pad (don't know what you're using now). Or, fold a towel so that you can lay it across the withers so it drapes down beside the withers, where the stirrup bars would be. See which, if either of those (or maybe a combinatio - towel on top of thicker padding) stops the saddle flapping. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - You can't hit me with all those snowballs!

02-24-2006, 01:53 PM	#3
riding_reaper Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 4,852 Images: 283 Blog Entries: 9	I would rather have a saddle that is too wide than a saddle that is too narrow. __________________ I can ride my bike with no handlebars no handlebars no handlebars ...

02-24-2006, 02:05 PM	#4
1rish Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Doing Laundry Posts: 1,530 Images: 35	What a relief. I was worried it meant it was waaaayyyy too narrow. I am already using a "real" wool pad that is super fluffy. Now to get creative with the stuffing. LOL __________________ Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

02-24-2006, 02:15 PM	#5
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,815 Images: 132	Padding up an ill-fitting saddle really only causes more problems. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

03-01-2006, 06:48 PM	#6
dreamngold Full Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario. Posts: 287 Images: 50	Well, I know a lady at the barn I have my horse at has a saddle that fits her horse very well, but when she lunges her horse and it is really underneath itself in the hind end, her saddle also comes off its back a bit. Mostly when it trots. This happened with my saddle on my young horses as well. But I would get someone that is very knowledgeable about fitting saddles out, if you are worried. __________________ Life without horses? I think not!!!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Extra Wide Saddle	Tray	Equine Classifieds	6	08-02-2006 02:36 PM
Where & How Do You Tell A Saddle Is Too Narrow?	Burnkol	Tack & Equipment	6	02-19-2006 07:38 AM
Wanted: CC saddle, wide tree...	sirius-dressage	Equine Classifieds	0	01-16-2006 01:21 PM
Is my saddle to wide?	Sissy	Tack & Equipment	23	12-28-2005 01:38 PM
Saddle with wide tree????	morgan21	Tack & Equipment	7	05-13-2004 12:44 PM