low wither 4yr old slipping saddle issues

[piaffegirl]

Wanted everyone's suggestions on keeping saddle in place.

Have had "Buie" since he was 2 1/2, broke him myself, no issues, trail rides, have shown at DAL (60.4 T1).

Have had saddle issues before but because he was younger just took it easy on his work and just kept readjusting saddle during a training session.

I have 4 horse's that I use two saddles on depending on their muscle development.

I use a thinline half pad and a thinline full dressage pad on Back on Track fabric. Haven't had any sore backs as of yet. Love the combo.

But on this particular horse, his withers are low and he is wide in the barrel yet narrow around his shoulder/wither area.

Have used a black rubber type non-slip square under the pad but I'm not really comfortable with that. Not so sure if there would be any long term issues using that. Used it intermittenlly when I was backing him but not consistently.

He is a Diamond Hit x Ramiro gelding. Smooth to ride, but such a huge mover.

My thinking at the moment is to put a wool half pad on him with a roll of wool in from of the pommel to help keep the saddle from slipping forward. And I guess using the anti-slip square under the pad.

So let's have all or any ideas. I also think he is in another growth spurt (as always). He stands about 16.3 now and I think he's about level. I'm sure there is more in there.


U can look on my website at a pic from this summer at Buie www.rachealharwelldressage.com

please note my website is in construction phase though it doesn't say that since my teenage son is working on it.

thanks to all for any info and help

[goeslikestink]

pads wont help - a horse as it grows goes in and out and up and down and they dont stop grwoing till 7ish 7 being the year of there circumfrance your saddles wont fit and doesnt fit
people should buy saddles out of a tack shop that has a master saddler attached to it so they can come out measure you and the horse as it has to fit both if a young horse then it can be altered as they grow etc also if leather then it should be flocked at least once a year
synthetic ones only last a duration leather last for ever as it can flocked and dressed

if the saddles fitting then it doesnt fit the horse so go finda saddler and take your saddle to him some shops offer part exchanges etc
so many people on here think they casn ride with one saddle to laods of horses its not the case it should be a saddle to the horse in question which is fitted to them and then to you most saddler bring up many stlyes as well as sizes and price so you can chose a style or price once its been fitted to the horse and they have to horses size

[slp2]

I recently posted about this same problem on the eventing board. I have a 3 yo 1/2 trak that has no withers right now--and is just round over her back (like fitting a saddle to a big hot dog). Unfortunately, my other horse has shark fin withers and needs a fairly narrow saddle. So I have been borrowing saddles from other boarders because I don't want to buy a saddle for a 3 yo who is going to change shapes 10 times before she is done growing. The ones that fit her well, still slip around--despite tightening the girth ridiculously tight.

Anyway--I use the non-slip black pad under a pad and it helps. Why would you think there would be long term problems with that? Also, a really "grippy" girth helps too (wintec type or other synthetic girth materials). You could also try one of those poly pads or maybe even a Mattes sheepskin pad to help the saddle sink into something. For me, I am just hoping that she sprouts some withers when she turns 4!

[Piaffing]

Not many people use them anymore, but a foregirth might do the trick.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-0210&cn=101&bhcd2=1256178332

[shall]

I'd been using a Thinline pad for the same problem, but recently switched to a Gel-Eze on top of a Poly Pad type saddle pad. The Gel-Eze was about $60 at Bevals and the pad was $20 at Miller Harness Co. Searching around for a saddle for us yielded a used Thornhill Germania Klasse which has the right amount of banana shape. It's a frustrating problem as dainty mare can go into rodeo mode if the saddle climbs her neck in canter. She's 5 and finally growing a wither, but it's still too tiny to offset her barrel body. Well, at least now we can trot in peace. Good luck in your search for solutions!

[buck22]

Have had saddle issues before but because he was younger just took it easy on his work and just kept readjusting saddle during a training session.

I have 4 horse's that I use two saddles on depending on their muscle development.
if you're stopping the ride to readjust, that sounds like the saddle *really* doesn't fit well. Which, honestly, despite your horse not complaining, isn't doing anyone any favors.

Perhaps consider looking about for a nice, used, better-fitting saddle for him. You can easily find something nice, balanced, decent leather, and better fit for well under $800, it just takes time, being observant and doing your homework. hey, its an excuse to go tack shopping, no? :D (like anyone needs an excuse)

imo, you are really fortunate to be getting by with 4 horses and only 2 saddles! :lol:

[goeslikestink]

continue to ride in ill fitted saddle will cause permenant back issues and also behaviour problems that includes bridles and bits

reead this link http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=223453

[piaffegirl]

i have two saddles, both albion one older and wider no knee rolls (yuk on a young horse) and a albion slk mw newer model (my favorite). so to be honest i periodically have changed saddles in the cross ties to see which one would be better during the whole time I have been riding him.

today i did ride him in the wider one with the black neoprene antislip pad under his back on track. i guess i was okay with it, but without going to the expense of having the saddle fitted every 3-6 months (haven't won the lottery yet) the saddle still is barely edging out the shoulders.

please know that all the responses were helpful.

oh and my issues with the black anitslip deal was it holds heat which is exactly oppisite of why i have the back on track pad.

i don't have any training issues. he trail rides, he travels, he shows, and goes to clinics, he is a big 4yr old goof ball.

i use to back thoroughbreds for the track so he doesn't have a chance to develop anything but go forward and have fun.

thanks to all