[Star_chablis]

Diesel, My QH gelding has low withers, when i ride him western my saddle fits fine but when i put my english saddle up the saddle pad like practicially came slidding off the back and my saddle was slippin around, i dont wanna tare his back uip so can anyone suggest any saddles that would work of give me any tips ( if not i plan on taking it to a custom saddlry and having him fitted cuz i know thats what everyones going to say

[Dawn]

What brand is your current saddle and what's the tree width?

[Star_chablis]

English or Western
my english is a stuben and my western is a 'custom saddlry' i dont know the widths but their both 2 high

[Jade]

if the sadddle is slipping around what about a breast plate or crupper?

[Dawn]

Measure the gullet on the stubben. Is it a new one or an older? What model? I have a stubben, and it fits quarter horses really nicely. You want to stay away from breastplates and the like, especially if you want to jump.

[RubySlipper]

Dawn why do you say to stay away from a breast palte if you are going to jump? I have used breast plates on many horses that jump, and have seen them used on many jumpers and equitation horses and hunters. I personally don't see a problem with using a breast plate on a horse that jumps.

[Sandra-A1]

You want to stay away from breastplates and the like, especially if you want to jump

Thats a new one for me too!
I too am curious as to the reason!
I have used them in both Hunter (under saddle and over fences) as well as in Jumping classes if one was needed with no problems, no penalties give by Judges, and no interference with the horses performance.
Maybe the current fad (and I am not saying it is) in the show ring might be against them, but I never was one to follow fads.
If the horse needs a breastplate to keep the saddle in place, then I think, by all means, one should be used. The horse's performance would be affected by the saddle slipping and the rider trying to stay centered if one was needed and not used.
I would use the appropriate style and honestly prefer a traditional, understated look myself.

[Madeline]

I think you can get special foam molded pad things to help with the low withers problem.

[Dawn]

Using breastplates is going to restrict shoulder and chest movement. It's not going to be very obvious over lower fences. If you must use one, an elastic one is best as it will restrict movement less. If low withers are a problem you can use a front riser pad. Getting a better fitting saddle would be a better solution. This problem sounds more like a saddle being too wide or possible even too narrow.

[Sandra-A1]

That is interesting Dawn, I have never heard that before! Thank you for the explaination.
I do find it interesting that you see breastplates being used quite often on the 3 Day event horses and those are some pretty intimidating jumps! eek!
I guess it goes to show that all tack must be fitted correctly and of the proper type so your horse can perform it's best...! wink

Star_chablis why not load you horse up into the trailer and take it and the saddle to you local saddle shop and let them help you with the fit? If you recently purchased it from there they should be willing to swap it for another that fits of the same brand or price.