Does my saddle fit??

shell · 07-09-2005, 06:24 AM

Someone was telling me my saddle didn't fit. They were right about the shoulders, but I don't know about the back. They said if the back of the saddle was lifter at all it didn't fit. BUT, they could not tell me why that was. I think the back of the saddle is lifted because of the leather, but I don't know for sure. If the lift in the back is a bad thing, what will it do to the horse?
I put a pad on her with extra padding in the shoulder area and now it fits her properly, but the back still lifts.

Any ideas?

mustang_dodger · 07-09-2005, 06:42 AM

it looks fine to me from the pictures.

Asfaloth · 07-09-2005, 06:45 AM

If it is pinching in the shoulder the tree is too narrow. The back lifting means the saddle does not sit level on the horse. If the tree fit in the shoulder you could get away with a pad that is built up in the front but the narrow tree pinching is really not fixable. You probably need a saddle with full quarter horse bars from the way yours is cut it looks like it may be an arabian or 3 quarter tree but I can't say for sure from the pics. The not being level thing means the horse ids getting a lot of preassure on the front rather than the even distribution of weight this could be because your horse is lower in front than in back again this can be corrected with a thin pad with a built up and cut back shoulder. But since your saddle also pinches in the shoulder you need a wider treed saddle.

shell · 07-09-2005, 07:05 AM

The saddle sits on her shoulders, so I think I need an Arab tree. The padding relieves the shoulder from the presure of the saddle and with it I can slide my hand under and feel that it is off her withers.

Cowgirl2135 · 07-09-2005, 12:18 PM

Can you slide your hand when you are sitting in the saddle??
It looks to narrow in front and too wide in back.

minnie_mouse · 07-09-2005, 12:42 PM

you can NEVER tell from prictures. i suggest you get a saddler out. they are not too expensive and will fix the problem. i dont know about western saddles...but in english ones, if the back doesnt sit properly....it was lift and bang down on the horse...which wil cause them to tense up their back muscles....causing pain in the long run. thats was minnies dressage saddle was like....but we got it sorted. you can try a riser pad to try and prevent the problem....but it wont cure it.
it looks a little close on the wwithers and shoulder (again....i know nothing about western saddles...im just going on how high it should be for an english saddle)

07-09-2005, 06:24 AM	#1
shell Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Great North West Posts: 8,985 Images: 350	Does my saddle fit?? Someone was telling me my saddle didn't fit. They were right about the shoulders, but I don't know about the back. They said if the back of the saddle was lifter at all it didn't fit. BUT, they could not tell me why that was. I think the back of the saddle is lifted because of the leather, but I don't know for sure. If the lift in the back is a bad thing, what will it do to the horse? I put a pad on her with extra padding in the shoulder area and now it fits her properly, but the back still lifts. Any ideas? __________________ “Look, what a horse should have he did not lack, save a proud rider on so proud back.” -Shakespear Marshalltown, Iowa, it is against the law for a horse to eat a fire hydrant.

07-09-2005, 06:42 AM	#2
mustang_dodger Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Illinios Posts: 17,329 Images: 469	it looks fine to me from the pictures. __________________ Proud owner of Smart Devil a registered appendix, registered paint mare Eye's White Feather, and a breeding stock paint filly Firefly. I HAVE BEEN SPLATTED TWICE!

07-09-2005, 06:45 AM	#3
Asfaloth Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh Posts: 1,025 Images: 36	If it is pinching in the shoulder the tree is too narrow. The back lifting means the saddle does not sit level on the horse. If the tree fit in the shoulder you could get away with a pad that is built up in the front but the narrow tree pinching is really not fixable. You probably need a saddle with full quarter horse bars from the way yours is cut it looks like it may be an arabian or 3 quarter tree but I can't say for sure from the pics. The not being level thing means the horse ids getting a lot of preassure on the front rather than the even distribution of weight this could be because your horse is lower in front than in back again this can be corrected with a thin pad with a built up and cut back shoulder. But since your saddle also pinches in the shoulder you need a wider treed saddle. __________________ Happiness is Owning and Riding Somthing Extraordinary

07-09-2005, 07:05 AM	#4
shell Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Great North West Posts: 8,985 Images: 350	The saddle sits on her shoulders, so I think I need an Arab tree. The padding relieves the shoulder from the presure of the saddle and with it I can slide my hand under and feel that it is off her withers. __________________ “Look, what a horse should have he did not lack, save a proud rider on so proud back.” -Shakespear Marshalltown, Iowa, it is against the law for a horse to eat a fire hydrant.

07-09-2005, 12:18 PM	#5
Cowgirl2135 Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: California, USA Posts: 3,459 Images: 32	Can you slide your hand when you are sitting in the saddle?? It looks to narrow in front and too wide in back. __________________ My Quarter Horse is better than your 4th level dressage horse!

07-09-2005, 12:42 PM	#6
minnie_mouse Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: england Posts: 4,651 Images: 525	you can NEVER tell from prictures. i suggest you get a saddler out. they are not too expensive and will fix the problem. i dont know about western saddles...but in english ones, if the back doesnt sit properly....it was lift and bang down on the horse...which wil cause them to tense up their back muscles....causing pain in the long run. thats was minnies dressage saddle was like....but we got it sorted. you can try a riser pad to try and prevent the problem....but it wont cure it. it looks a little close on the wwithers and shoulder (again....i know nothing about western saddles...im just going on how high it should be for an english saddle) __________________ *****MINNIE ***** - mare of the year....two years running! "I've been Frosted"

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