Saddle Fitting Issue

[myvanya]

Sorry if this should go in a different area- please just tell me....but here goes:

This weekend I had a used saddle out on trial. I used it on my horse with just baby pad so we could see if there were any pressure points or anything basically- figuring it would be fine as I thought my horse horse was really pretty normal, if a little wide (it was a bates caprilli with cair....so I was hesitant about the cair thing but more on that in a moment). I was mostly worried about the saddle fitting me (the 22" femurs of doom) and to see if I liked it as I have realized I am super picky (I want a seat not too deep, not too too shallow, not too soft, not too hard....you get my drift). I got done riding, took the saddle off, and it looked like there was uneven pressure (more pressure on the left side toward the middle of the saddle) on the horses back.

My question is, how big of an issue do you think this will be? Is this probably from that particular saddle? Could this be caused by me riding crookedly? If it matters I did make sure I had the girth up an even number of holes on both sides.

I plan on trying a few different saddles (friends' saddles) in a similar fashion to see what happens as I admit I hadn't paid close attention to it before as the horse is new to me. I am just a worried that this could really complicate my search for a new saddle (that is already hard enough- the saddle I had out on trial was the only one that tack shop had in that fit my leg and there are about 3 tack stores within an hour of me that I know of.)

Any thoughts or advice are greatly appreciated :)

[Sudi's Girl]

As someone who has long femurs, and also a hard to fit, rather round, but not fat - Arab, I feel your pain in searching for a saddle!! Mine was a rather frustrating search, but I did end up VERY happy. :-)

That all said, I'm not sure how you were able to determine that there was more pressure to one side of the horse than the other? Are you just going by sweat marks?

Also, without really seeing any pics/video, it's pretty impossible for someone to give you saddle fitting advice. And, without watching you ride, I would not be able to tell if you were sitting squarely or not. Too many variables I believe.

If you do not have a knowledgeable friend or trainer in this area, I would try to get a rep out to assist you. Believe me, it's much better to get it right the first time around than to "guess" and have the saddle not work out...

Good luck!

[mvp]

This might not be the wrong saddle, so long as you dig it. Don't bail quite yet.

First, look at your horse nekkid. Is he evenly muscled on both sides? If so, he'll have the tendency to create assymetrical pressure in any saddle.

Second, ride in as many other saddles as you can with the same pad and see what you get in the way of sweatmarks.

Third, don't trust sweatmarks as much as palpating you horse's back for tension (rubbery or taught muscles 24 hours after the ride?) and his reaction (nothing or flinching and quiverying) in response to your fingers run down the muscles on either side of his spine and other parts.

Finally, with dry spots in the middle of the seat, you need to ask if the tree of this saddle is too curved for your horse's back. The old Caprillis had very curved trees, IMO. When you post or get up in a two point, does the cantle rise up with your booty? Put your hand around the panels/back part of the seat to feel.

But if this saddle doesn't hurt your horse and you dig it, know that you can have its gusseted panels restuffed with wool. I did this and I think its a great option.

[Mach Two]

And in addition to all the MVP has told you, sprinkle some baby powder evenly on your horses's back, and set the saddle straight down on the back (use a stepladder or mounting block to be sure you are setting it down from above the back. Bress it down firmly, and then lift it off, and see where the baby powder makes contact with the panels of the saddle. Sight down the saddle, also from cantle to pommel, to be sure the thing is straight.

[JB]

I got done riding, took the saddle off, and it looked like there was uneven pressure (more pressure on the left side toward the middle of the saddle) on the horses back.

My question is, how big of an issue do you think this will be? Is this probably from that particular saddle? Could this be caused by me riding crookedly? If it matters I did make sure I had the girth up an even number of holes on both sides.
Yes, it's a big deal. But, one ride isn't the full story. I would ride in that saddle/pad combo again and see if you get the same thing.

You also should stand up on something, behind your horse, and look straight down his back. You may find he is lopsided. If you see he's symmetrical, then the issue is either the saddle or you. He could be working crookedly, but more likely than not he'd have muscle differences to show for it. Unless he travels crooked in that saddle because it doesn't quite fit. That's why you need at least one more ride in that saddle and pad.

You should evaluate the saddle fit without any padding. Can you post pictures? You'd want to take pics of it girthed up, no padding, horse standing square on a flat, level surface. One shot from the side, showing at least the whole saddle, barrel, and shoulder of the horse. One from the rear to show how the panels lay on his back. One from a 3/4 front view, fully showing all the saddle, shoulder, and wither.

I plan on trying a few different saddles (friends' saddles) in a similar fashion to see what happens as I admit I hadn't paid close attention to it Always, always a good idea :yes:

[quote]I am just a worried that this could really complicate my search for a new saddle (that is already hard enough- the saddle I had out on trial was the only one that tack shop had in that fit my leg and there are about 3 tack stores within an hour of me that I know of.)
Saddle searching, done correctly, IS complicated! So, get used to that ;)

[myvanya]

Thanks- I forgot to mention that I rode in it again with the same pad and it did the same thing on the same side. It looked like it fit ok appearance wise (based on my eyes and the opinion of a more exeperienced friend) without padding (we checked that before I rode in it). I was not able to see anything uneven as far as his back goes, but I may be missing it. I had my husband look too and he didn't notice that his back looked uneven (aside from his black stripe which is crooked but that shouldn't change how the saddle fits :lol:) We also looked from above and applied pressure down both sides of his spine- nothing seemed too out of the ordinary, but he was a bit more tender on the side where it was drier (surprise surprise.).

I was not in love with the saddle (The seat felt hard to me even after riding in a Hunterdon for years and years) so I returned it. I rode decently in it, and the flaps fit, which is amazing, but I decided if I am going to spend a bunch of money on a saddle I should probably like the seat too. I will try my friends' saddles with the same pad this week and will try another possible saddle this weekend hopefully.

[hollyhorse2000]

A good, reputable unaffiliated saddle fitter is worth their weight in gold . . . I see my "job" as being knowledgeable enough to get a general idea if a saddle is worth pursuing or not, but leave the final opinion to those who really know their stuff . . .

[myvanya]

If you know of any in Colorado/ the Colorado Springs area, please let me know. All the ones I have encountered or found are afiliated with brands. :(

Right now I am relying on my good friend who is more experienced than I am to assist me, she just isn't always available as often as I might want. I can't complain too much though as in addition to the saddle fitting help she gives me free occasional lesson help with my riding she also lends me her tack among other things :cool: I'll make sure she is around the next time I have a saddle out and can help me more.

[mvp]

Yes, you should like all parts of the saddle you buy, given the money you pay. If you know you don't like the seat now, then there's no point in paying to have your tushy unhappy for years to come.

But since more than one saddle sits crooked and your inspections of your horse's back won't let you blame his conformation, then it's time to have your guru check you for crookedness.

Rider assymmetry can a subtle but large problem. If you get that diagnosed and cures thanks to this saddle search, your time will not have been wasted.

[hollyhorse2000]

I'm in Maryland and I guess we are lucky to have at least two who fit my criteria . . .

But even if "affiliated," they might be able to help as long as they are independently credentialed and not just fixated on selling you their brand. One of the best saddle fitters in our area has recently started carrying several brands, but he's a saddle fitter first and doesn't even tell you about the saddles he sells unless you ask.