[Carab]

As its getting hotter here my horse Ed-e is starting to shed. And I've been noticing two big white patches either side of his wither that werent there last Summer. Im pretty sure these are from a saddle, but the only saddle thats been on him lately is my status all purpose. It was brand new when we got it in March this year and its really light and never been on another horse. He never gets sore after I ride him but gets a bit cramped up if hes not been exercise in a week or so. I used to use my friends old ponyclub saddle and my old stock saddle on him before I got my new saddle. Does anyone have any ideas what I can do stop his patches getting any bigger? Im prepared to get another saddle but only if its a last resort.

[Blistering Winds]

One of the saddles is causing it from pinching.

First, evaluate your padding. Do you have too much padding? YES this too can cause pinching and cause wither whitening.

If the saddle fits PERFECTLY with a blanket, with no pad, then remove the pad all together. If the saddle does NOT fit perfectly, and is too tight still, then a new saddle is in order.

Best to consult a saddle fitter. I would rather have a saddle slightly too big, then EVER too small.

[spyro1]

In order for the hair to grow back in white, I believe that there must first be open sores. Did you ever notice any around that area??

[Blistering Winds]

Spy,,....nope. I experienced that once. No open sores, no nothing. Just all of a sudden, white patches appearing after having my barrel saddle for a while. I immediately quit using it, sold it, and whala, a year later, they were gone since I caught them early enough.

[Carab]

thanks for your replys.
I use just a normal saddle blanket with my saddle its kinda thick. I also have a thinner one I might use for a while and see how that goes. I'll have a look into it this afternoon.
Spyro, He's never have sores in that area, but I was thinking it might be just be pressure sores or would he still have to have open sores for that too?
He's also a light palomino, so its not really too noticable.

[spyro1]

Good to know BW. I have never had a saddle that fits wrong, luckily. I always thought that in most instances, white hair was a result of a sore....*tucking away in memory*

[KZWestern]

Yes, it's probably pressure sores. You're lucky your horse must have stoically delt with it! Some horses get really cranky if there is that much pinching.

[Carab]

Thanx for your reply KZWestern. Can anyone tell me what a saddle should look like on a horses back when it fits properly. I know that you should be able to see light underneith it. Anything else, like how do I tell if its too tight? Also can pressure sores fade or go completly?

[Carab]

Just bumping this up

[paulnsue]

It would be a good idea to have your saddle checked for a correct fit by a profesional saddler
its not as much as you think and a happier horse will allways perform a lot better.