Anyone have a FABTRON with SEMI QH bars? (So not the Lady Trail, it's FQHB)

[allisontatman]

Curious about the actual wither clearance with this saddle:

http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/fabtron-rough-out-cordura-saddle.html

It says the gullet is 6.5", so smaller than a traditional Western saddle, but I am looking for an inexpensive western saddle just for the occasional trail ride. I have a lovely Circle Y Flex 2 wide that I love, but it sits on new horsey’s withers

Luckily it fits my other horse fine, so I am keeping it! I’ve read up on the many threads here on western saddles for high withers, but am not looking to go custom or spend a fortune for a very occasional 30-45 minutes walk only trail ride around my farm.

If anyone has the above saddle and would shar their thoughts I would appreciate it, and also if you have any other suggestions that would be awesome!

[beau159]

I have several of the Circle Y Flex 2 WIDE saddles and I agree they do not have much wither clearance. Thankfully, my horses have “normal” withers so it is not a problem.

However, if you are trying to go from a Flex2 Wide saddle tree (well over a 7" gullet with a 100 degree angle) that fits your horse’s shoulder angle, to a semi-quarter horse bars saddle with less than a 6.5" gullet … oh it’ll clear the withers … because it’ll be so tightly perched on the shoulders!

Two completely different saddles. If the Flex2Wide actually fits the shoulders (and just sits low on the withers) you’ve got to find something that is still wide but gives you more wither clearance. Meleta Brown has a great saddle that is comparable to the width/agle of the Flex2 Wide but it has exceptional wither clearance. However, it isn’t going to have a cheap price tag.
http://thefreedomsaddle.com/

[JBCool]

Another solution that might help your Circle Y work would be a cutback/buildup pad. They are cutaway at the wither to keep bulk out of the gullet, but have extra padding on the shoulder area to help keep the saddle up where it belongs. We sell lots of these at work for just this issue with western saddles going on a lot of walking/gaited horses that are narrower than the saddle was designed for. Reinsmans are usually around $80-100, but they are good pads and cheaper than any new saddle.

[allisontatman]

Oh the Flex2 Wide is big on him all the way around. He’s not got a huge shoulder. He’s a TB with big withers and goes in a Narrow-Med tree English saddle.
I agree that a pad could potentially help, but I’d rather find an inexpensive saddle that actually fits.

[SouthernTrailsGA]

The Fabtron Saddle with a Semi-QH bar will sit higher on the withers than a Full-QH Bar, so you will gain wither clearance with a Semi-QH Bar.

If your Horse uses a narrow-medium English Tree, there is nothing you can do with Pads to use a Saddle with Full-QH Tree, the angle would be incorrect and the gullet too wide, you need a Sem-QH Tree.

Sorry, but I cringe ever time I hear a pad will correct a Saddle that is 2 sizes too large…

Basic difference in Trees: Note, these are averages…

Full QH 7.0" Gullet 94 degree angle

Regular QH 6.75" Gullet 90 degree angle

Semi QH 6.5" Gullet 86 degree angle

.

[GallopingGrape]

In general, the bar angle on the Fabtron Semi will be closer which should allow for more of a wither clearance, but that bar angle still must match the shoulder angle…

[allisontatman]

Thanks for the replies! I think I will try one! Wanted a used one, but seems those are only the square skirt ones and the Lady Trail which is a FQHB.