Looking for the wisdom of the board. There is a OTTB that my friend is going to look at to potentially part board or maybe ride for free. I’ve been told super sweet in the pocket personality. This horse is not being ridden much, but was going fine, although looked a bit hallow backed and not tracking up in the video. Last time she was ridden she didn’t want to move forward in the trot, and when forced did a bucking spree and hasn’t been ridden since as the owner cannot ride at the moment. Said she gave plenty warning she was not happy before this happened. Was lunged after still upset but eventually calmed down. My friend is aware of all this and knows she will be a project and will asses herself if she’s comfortable. It may not happen. My question is, before this happened she was worked a bit more than usual and the saddle doesn’t look like it fits to me. What do you all think? I know it’s hard from one picture, but it doesn’t look level and looks like it might pinch at the shoulder? Anyone see something or am I just over thinking it. I know there is only so much u can do when it’s not your horse and would not want to overstep but if there is a glaring issue to be fixed why not explore it.
Hard to tell from the photo but it looks to me like the saddle needs to be moved back a smidge
Yes, moved back, but it does look high in front which can indicate too narrow. Looks like they have a sheepskin on there, which will just take up more space on a too narrow saddle.
Yes, I agree. But it can also be high in front if it’s too far forward. Can’t really tell much with that photo, saddle position and pad
Also agreeing - I would want to take out the sheepskin and move it back about 2" and then see how it sits.
Can’t judge the fit here, as it’s too far forward for starters.
Take the pad out, put the saddle up high, close your eyes, slide it back until it “sticks”, and that’s where it should sit. There is where you judge fit.
looks like that saddle, it’s form and position, will rock the rider back on her tailbone. And the weight (esp if rider is a) fluffy or b) not a balanced rider) will make one area of spine depressed. Add to that a low back anyway and there is gonna be OUCH!! If at all possible i’d work to move rider’s body weight forward as much as possible. Toward that wither not back away from it.
You can tell nearly nothing from this photo.
As others have said, you can’t really tell whether the saddle fits the horse or not based on that photo. You’d need a picture of the saddle without a pad sitting on the horse’s back in the correct place.
It’s also possible that the saddle doesn’t fit the rider. Many people ride in saddles that are too small for them and that often concentrates the weight of the rider onto a small area of the horse’s back. And if the saddle doesn’t fit the horse to begin with, the weight can hit at a bad place (like the SI region) or worsen the pinching at the withers area.
Retake a photo of the same saddle with no saddle pad under it, and the front edge of the saddle clearly just behind the shoulder blade. Then we can talk.
As presented, the saddle looks too narrow, too far forward, and the sweet spot is very far behind the stirrup leathers. Would put most riders in an extreme chair seat.
