I know saddle fit can get off the rails quick, but I’m sort of out of ideas here.
Scenario: very prominent wither with under developed top line. Working on building the top line up but the horse is new to me and we are working through possible physical issues.
Back is extremely sore to palpate, very stiff to the right. We thought it was a stifle issue but he flexed negative on stifles. Shock waved his back and saw drastic improvement.
Due to the shape of his back, saddles slide way far back and cannot be kept appropriately forward. A vet in our barn said that she usually sees them sore up on the sides of their wither due to saddle fit, but he’s also sore back in to his SI.
I’m going to see about getting X-rays today and see what we are dealing with. But I’m filling preparing myself to need a custom saddle, which brings about a whole other problem….
I’m currently riding in a Voltaire Palm Beach. It fits me perfectly and is life changing in how it positions me. I’m hearing they tend to make horses back sore (at least in our barn) and may be a contributing factor in my situation.
Trainer rides in a Mademoiselle and he seems to have less issues. Though we’ve been battling the behavioral reactions to back pain for the last 2 months or so, thinking it was just a bump in the road training wise. Until it snow balled this week at a show. So whether or not her saddle is contributing, unsure right now. But I’m interested in the idea of the flex tree that CWD uses.
I don’t care about brands. I just want something that fits both of us, has good customer service, and is accessible. I don’t need something that I can’t get help and support with in our area.
I realize the discontent with brand saddle reps. I also realize they aren’t always as educated as we would like them to be. But I do need the support from a brand and rep in case the saddle needs to be modified over time as his top line develops. But I need someone competent. Someone who can fit a horse with back problems and provide experienced feed back.
I’m sick of going through saddles. I’ve lost track of how many saddles I’ve gone through in the last 6 or 7 years. I love how the Palm Beach works for me. So suggestions on similar riding brands that may be easier to customize for this horse would be appreciated.
Or, if there’s a panel reconfiguration that can be done for super high wither narrow backed horses. Perhaps my saddle can be repaneled. Problem is, my other horse is nowhere near the same build as this one….
Send help….