Most BMSS fit issues can be fixed with customizing the foam inserts in the Skito or Toklat pad. they both use a type of memory foam that is easily trimmed with a serrated bread knife or even better, an electric knife.
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the BMSS, like most western saddles, is designed to sit up over the shoulder muscles, not waaay forward, just and inch or so.
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Horses with prominent shoulder muscles often an "narrower barrel behind the shoulders.
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Horses with big withers and/or big shoulders often have a hollow behind the shoulders.
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Saddles and especially treeless saddle will tend to move to the area behind the shoulders if that area is smaller or really downhill from the shoulders/withers.
Fix - change the 'shape" of the back by customizing the foam inserts. You need really thick inserts. Your plan is for the pad and saddle to sit over the shoulder a little bit. So trim the front edge of the inserts so that the part that sits over the shoulder muscle bulge is thin. This should then taper into a section of foam that is thick, to fill the hollow behind the shoulders. Then cut a gradual taper on the back 6-8 inches of the inserts so that it tapers gradually to compensate for the gradual rise of the loin area.
This levels the saddle out and keeps the shoulder movement from pushing the saddle backwards and prevents the saddle from sliding backwards in a “hole”.
The specialized saddles basicly do the same thing, only the foam is velcroed to the bottom of the saddle instead of in the pad and you add shims to level the saddle. Either way, you are adjusting the saddle fit yourself instead of buying more and more saddles. It’s just too bad that many people buy a treeless saddle without understanding the concept that the saddle pad with inserts is adjustable and is an importent part of the “Treeless System”.
Shelby Friml, info below, is a different type of saddle fitter and a Specialized saddle dealer. She uses skito saddle pads to customize saddle fit and does other stuff too. Check out the calendar on her web page,
http://www.doublediamondequine.com/calendar.asp you’ll see that she’s going to various endurance rides, show, tack stores, etc and doing Saddle Fit clinics. She’ll be at the Old dominion’s Fort Valley ride in Oct here in Virginia.
Double Diamond Equine
Shelby Friml
www.doublediamondequine.com
Bonnie S.
No matter how carefully I place the saddle, it slips back a good 6" within the first few minutes of work. It doesn’t appear to create any pressure or problems, but it is not comfortable for me, as I feel like I’m sitting on his hindquarters and tipped way forward. He never squawks about anything, so its hard to tell if something is bothering him or not. This happens even with the Zilco breastcollar.
