[AQHA Hunter]

I was not 100% happy with my Barnsby, and on something of a whim, bought this Schleese Jane Savoie off of ebay (went for a great price, so I thought it was worth a shot). Just got it today and gave it a trial run. It is much better in terms of fitting me (narrower twist), and my seat aids seem to be going through better. Obie was a bit sucked back and being a twit, but I think he's between the super green "OK mom, I'll do what you say" stage, and the "Hmm, maybe I don't really have to do this" stage, so being sucked back and a twit doesn't make me think it's the saddle.

Anyway, I think this saddle is a pretty fair fit for him, also. The Barnsby is too wide, and I've been using a Mattes shim pad to prop it up for the time being. If anything, this one seems a tad to the narrow side, but if all else is good, I can send it out to get widened.

I have tried a lot of saddles on this horse, and have yet to find one that will stay back behind his shoulder. I think this is because he has a well-sprung girth, but narrower shoulders. This one did as well as any, if not better. I've been using an anatomic girth, which has helped, but this one still looks a tad forward to me (though I did the sliding it back until it settled into place thing a couple times). So without further adieu, here are some photos from after our ride (no pad, wanted to see the sweat marks). More pre and post-ride photos here: http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p...0Saddle%20Fit/

[AQHA Hunter]

No replies, does that mean it looks OK?

[Andalucian]

I'm not disliking the fit, but I'm seeing what your problem is - it looks much too far forward to me. The photos both of the saddle and the sweat marks make it look as though it's resting up against his scapula. (I'm not sure if it's just coincidence, but I have a horse whose build tends to dump saddles forward on his scapula like that if I'm not careful, and he definitely sucks back when the saddle gets up there. He opens up nicely when it stays back.)

I did find that when I had the saddle fitted to him, used an anatomic girth like you're doing, and added one of the Nunn Finer No-Slip pads under his saddle pad, the saddle no longer dumped on him. Those NF pads have been a life-saver for me - both for this guy and the mutton-withered barrels I also have!

[buck1173]

hahahahahah!!!!!! AQHA, I nearly bid on that saddle!!!! It was a steal and I was foaming at the mouth over it! I actually even contacted a RnB here to tell her about it as she's such a schleese fan.... I really wanted to see someone get that one... good for you snapping that up, so glad a HGS member got it... gorgeous saddle.

Re the fit, I'm the last person to offer advice, but I too see it too far forward, despite your having found the 'sweet spot' when sliding it back. Perhaps try sliding it back a tad further than you'd ordinarily feel.

Also, and this is just a random hunch, does the saddle bridge at all? Something is nagging me that it might be, but I have no basis for that thought other than just a random hunch.

[kristenc812]

Originally Posted by buck1173

Also, and this is just a random hunch, does the saddle bridge at all? Something is nagging me that it might be, but I have no basis for that thought other than just a random hunch.

I see a little bit of what you mean, but I think that it may not look like it's bridging if it were shifted back just a tad.

[AQHA Hunter]

Thanks, I only have a minute, but wanted to say that I thought it was bridging, but then when I lead him off, he dropped his head and stepped under more, and I could see space at the front and back, and so I think it quit bridging when he rounded his back up a little.

I will try it farther back, but even with the point billet and the anatomic girth, I'm not sure if I'll have any luck keeping it there.

[PerfectPonies]

If the saddle is fitted properly, it should stay in place. The saddle appears to be too narrow regardless of the placement of the saddle. It looks tight though the point/shoulder area. It is shifted to the left, and I don't like the panel contact in the rear. Is the bridging worse on the left? How is the wither/pommel clearance?

Bridging causes uneven pressure distributed on the horse's back... if it is bridging when the horse is standing, it is a poor fit.

A note on adjusting the the tree to make it "fit"...You really compromise the integrity of the tree when you have it adjusted. It is very difficult to simply stretch or squeeze a tree evenly using the devices typically used, and many saddles that have been altered tend to have a rock and uneven pressure at the points. Then you have to think about what happens to the rest of the saddle. The saddle is balanced and tree calibrated for the intended tree size. The whole saddle is compromised. One size fits all may work for t-shirts, but not for saddles.

[No1Dazy]

Originally Posted by PerfectPonies

A note on adjusting the the tree to make it "fit"...You really compromise the integrity of the tree when you have it adjusted. It is very difficult to simply stretch or squeeze a tree evenly using the devices typically used, and many saddles that have been altered tend to have a rock and uneven pressure at the points. Then you have to think about what happens to the rest of the saddle. The saddle is balanced and tree calibrated for the intended tree size. The whole saddle is compromised. One size fits all may work for t-shirts, but not for saddles.

Just a note on this comment: The Schleese saddles are MADE to be adjusted. The tree is not wooden, and has several different points that can be adjusted by a certified schleese technician. It's easy, and doesn't take long.

I suggest contacting Schleese to see if there will be a rep in your area soon! (I don't work for them, I swear! I have a client who just bought one, and it's worked wonders on her hard to fit mare!)

[PerfectPonies]

Originally Posted by No1Dazy

Just a note on this comment: The Schleese saddles are MADE to be adjusted. The tree is not wooden, and has several different points that can be adjusted by a certified schleese technician. It's easy, and doesn't take long.

I suggest contacting Schleese to see if there will be a rep in your area soon! (I don't work for them, I swear! I have a client who just bought one, and it's worked wonders on her hard to fit mare!)

I am familiar with Schleese. I just don't agree with that adjustable tree can be totally adjusted in 3 or 4 points and will be a balanced, perfect fit. Its really a great thought on Schleese part, but when you think about it.....its just my opinion!!!!

They do make a lovely, quality saddle. And can be a great fit for both horse and rider.

[AQHA Hunter]

Thanks for the input, I really appreciate everyone's opinions! I rode in it again yesterday (placed farther back), and it is definitely too narrow, mainly because this saddle has longer points. I could feel his scapula bumping them and he wouldn't canter, so it's definitely a no-go for now, but my seat aids go through, whereas they don't with the Barnsby, so the Barnsby's now on eBay.

I think I am going to go ahead and have it adjusted. We unfortunately don't get Schleese reps through our area. I have been in contact with the coordinator, but I think it would be tough to get enough people together to make it worthwhile for them to come this far. I'm thinking of sending it to Schurer saddlery, since they have a fitting set to make a cast of the horse's back for long-distance fittings. Of course I'll send the photos and get her opinion on whether the tree shape is fundamentally OK shape-wise before sending it. I may have to find something with shorter points though, as there is just no way to put the saddle farther back then where I had it yesterday. A friend has generously offered to loan me her Ansur while the Schleese is out so I can keep riding.