Saddle - What to Do?

JBandRio · 09-30-2006, 06:25 PM

I couldn't vote, because there are "depends" that go along with some of them.

Do NOT continue to use any saddle that does not fit her.

Whether you use a saddle that fits her, but not you, depends on why it doesn't fit you. If it's because it's a bit too big or too small, that's one thing, and an acceptable compromise. But if it puts you in a chair seat, or tips you forward, at best you are compromising correct equitation and creating habits that might be difficult to fix later, and at worst you are causing the saddle to not really fit her, like Dawn said.

Making as saddle is so much more than just leather tooling. You have to know how to fit the tree to the horse.

faroutfax · 09-30-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBandRio

I couldn't vote, because there are "depends" that go along with some of them.

Do NOT continue to use any saddle that does not fit her.

Whether you use a saddle that fits her, but not you, depends on why it doesn't fit you. If it's because it's a bit too big or too small, that's one thing, and an acceptable compromise. But if it puts you in a chair seat, or tips you forward, at best you are compromising correct equitation and creating habits that might be difficult to fix later, and at worst you are causing the saddle to not really fit her, like Dawn said.

Making as saddle is so much more than just leather tooling. You have to know how to fit the tree to the horse.

Thanks JB

I really don't want to use my current one becaues she is showing the signs of ill saddle fit (cinchiness, moving when I mount, reluctance to lope and do lateral movements etc.).

I have only sat in the saddle I bought once on a saddle stand. It actually was pretty comfy, just too small. I liked the position it put me in. My current saddle puts me in more of a chairseat than the one I bought

faroutfax · 10-01-2006, 12:57 AM

Bumpers! More oppinions needed

CJ · 10-01-2006, 01:07 AM

I 'Like' buy a cheap (assuming it fits better) and save / make a better one. Sounds like the thing to do now is get rid of the current saddle, since that doesnt fit? If buy anad save is a fnancial stretch, is there anything you can do to make the current saddle fit better? Pads or something? Or is it too small/ wide?

faroutfax · 10-01-2006, 01:19 AM

It is too narrow for her. Could I use a thinner pad with her until I get another saddle? Or would that just make things worse?

BW this is the saddle and pad I am using right now

The pad is one of those really thick fleece ones. Probally 1" thick

The saddle fit her when we bought it. The gullet fits but the angle of the bars is too steep. I think it also puts too much pressure on her forehand

faroutfax · 10-01-2006, 01:26 AM

Also this is her if it makes any difference

her feet have been adressed since this pic was taken

Here are a few pics of the saddle I bought

it isn't twisted it is just sitting funny

W-I-D-E

and more pics for fun

faroutfax · 10-01-2006, 03:08 AM

I will get the saddle professionally fitted but can you tell if the saddle in the last post would/should fit?

JBandRio · 10-01-2006, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faroutfax

It is too narrow for her. Could I use a thinner pad with her until I get another saddle? Or would that just make things worse?

Is it too narrow without any padding, or does thick padding make it too narrow? The former can't be fixed. The latter MIGHT be fixable depending on how thick the padding currently is.

faroutfax · 10-01-2006, 08:02 AM

It doesn't fit with the thick 1" pad for sure. Without it it sort of fits but it is still a tad on the narrow side

JBandRio · 10-01-2006, 07:26 PM

Then no, it's not a saddle you should keep using

View Poll Results: What would you do?
continue using the bad fitting saddle	0	0%
buy a cheap "leather" saddle off ebay	0	0%
save up the money and use the current saddle in the meantime	9	47.37%
buy the cheap saddle then make/buy a new saddle	4	21.05%
use the show and english saddles until you buy/make the saddle	5	26.32%
use the saddle that fits her but not me	1	5.26%
other	0	0%
Voters: 19. You may not vote on this poll

09-30-2006, 06:25 PM	#11
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,784 Images: 145 Blog Entries: 12	I couldn't vote, because there are "depends" that go along with some of them. Do NOT continue to use any saddle that does not fit her. Whether you use a saddle that fits her, but not you, depends on why it doesn't fit you. If it's because it's a bit too big or too small, that's one thing, and an acceptable compromise. But if it puts you in a chair seat, or tips you forward, at best you are compromising correct equitation and creating habits that might be difficult to fix later, and at worst you are causing the saddle to not really fit her, like Dawn said. Making as saddle is so much more than just leather tooling. You have to know how to fit the tree to the horse. __________________ - 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!

10-01-2006, 12:57 AM	#13
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 4,966 Images: 305 Blog Entries: 16	Bumpers! More oppinions needed __________________ One Man's Wrong Lead is Another's Counter Canter I've Been Snowballed

10-01-2006, 01:07 AM	#14
CJ Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 5,759 Images: 48	I 'Like' buy a cheap (assuming it fits better) and save / make a better one. Sounds like the thing to do now is get rid of the current saddle, since that doesnt fit? If buy anad save is a fnancial stretch, is there anything you can do to make the current saddle fit better? Pads or something? Or is it too small/ wide? __________________ One Mare Can Make a Difference Pinky Ribbon

10-01-2006, 01:19 AM	#15
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 4,966 Images: 305 Blog Entries: 16	It is too narrow for her. Could I use a thinner pad with her until I get another saddle? Or would that just make things worse? BW this is the saddle and pad I am using right now The pad is one of those really thick fleece ones. Probally 1" thick The saddle fit her when we bought it. The gullet fits but the angle of the bars is too steep. I think it also puts too much pressure on her forehand __________________ One Man's Wrong Lead is Another's Counter Canter I've Been Snowballed

10-01-2006, 01:26 AM	#16
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 4,966 Images: 305 Blog Entries: 16	Also this is her if it makes any difference her feet have been adressed since this pic was taken Here are a few pics of the saddle I bought it isn't twisted it is just sitting funny W-I-D-E and more pics for fun __________________ One Man's Wrong Lead is Another's Counter Canter I've Been Snowballed

10-01-2006, 03:08 AM	#17
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 4,966 Images: 305 Blog Entries: 16	I will get the saddle professionally fitted but can you tell if the saddle in the last post would/should fit? __________________ One Man's Wrong Lead is Another's Counter Canter I've Been Snowballed

10-01-2006, 08:02 AM	#19
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 4,966 Images: 305 Blog Entries: 16	It doesn't fit with the thick 1" pad for sure. Without it it sort of fits but it is still a tad on the narrow side __________________ One Man's Wrong Lead is Another's Counter Canter I've Been Snowballed

10-01-2006, 07:26 PM	#20
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,784 Images: 145 Blog Entries: 12	Then no, it's not a saddle you should keep using __________________ - 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!