[mytega]

I would love saddle fit critiques.

http://maddiesaddlefitting.shutterfly.com/21
or
http://maddiesaddlefitting.shutterfly.com

My mare is a Clydesdale x TB.

The first saddle is a 34cm Duett Companion Trail saddle.

The pad under it is a Skito Interpad with 3/4" base foam and 1/2" front shims.

The western saddle is a Circle Y, but I'm not sure of the width. I'm trying to find that out.

Thank you for any comments!!

[JBandRio]

Ahhhh, you missed some crucial pictures of the Duett! I want to see how it sits on him from behind

It's a bit wide without any padding, BUT, that's very much how I prefer to fit a saddle, because adding some extra padding allows room for muscles to grow, and your horse has some room for growth. I really like what I see with the pad. However, if you can get some pictures from behind, showing how things sit on him, how the channel clears his spine, that would be most helpful

[jumpthemoon]

The Duette looks a little too low (wide) in the front. The Circle Y looks like a pretty good fit from what I can see. How did you get it on her? That looks like a long way up. LOL! BTW, beautifully groomed mare.

[mytega]

Thanks for your opinions!

JBandRio - Sorry I missed the back photos of the Duett. I think it does sit fine in the back and spine channel is really wide. I was mostly worried that it seemed to tip down in the front. I FEEL like it does in the saddle. Could that be just how the seat of the saddle is? Could the seat be too small?

jumpthemoon - I think she is 17.3hh, so she isn't too bad to tack. Mounting is a separate issue! I had to get a 3 step mounting block.

[jumpthemoon]

Originally Posted by mytega

Thanks for your opinions!
jumpthemoon - I think she is 17.3hh, so she isn't too bad to tack. Mounting is a separate issue! I had to get a 3 step mounting block.

You must be really tall or really young and or really strong! There is no way easy I could get that Circle Y up there from the ground! Only 17.3!

[mytega]

Haha! I guess I've just gotten used to drafts. Everything else is starting to look so fragile.

[JBandRio]

As long as the rear panels sit with the most surface area possible on the back, clearing the spine, then I like this fit. Yes, I'd probably shim up the front a bit. Your horse has some muscle filling in to do around the withers, so after a time of proper riding, you'd be looking at reducing or even eventually eliminating the shimming.

[mytega]

Thank you. I just didn't know what to do about those hollows by her withers. I just couldn't imagine finding a saddle to fit that.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by mytega

Thank you. I just didn't know what to do about those hollows by her withers. I just couldn't imagine finding a saddle to fit that.

You can't, not really, without fitting the saddle TO the withers, which just about guarantees you're fitting it too narrow.

That is what makes shims so invaluable - you fit the saddle as of the withers were filled in (within reason, you can only safely shim so much) and fill in the hollows with shims which you can reduce/remove as muscle fills in

[mytega]

I think now I'll have to be very careful that the shims are just where they need to be. Thanks again, and again...