Now that my custom didn’t work, what western saddles have worked for your OTTBs? Fairly standard build, semi-high withered, some hollows under withers. Only other issue is weight of saddle, need to keep it under 25 lbs for my sake, because of surgeries I’ve had. Thanks!!
I have a morgan, but the Stonewalls (esp the older ones) have a ton of wither clearance and weigh about 12 lbs. Plus, the saddle maker, Jackie is great to work with and really helpful.
I currently have a Crest Ridge Saddlery western style endurance saddle. I have two TB mares and it fits them both. It is part leather and part synthetic, so not terribly heavy.
Treeless - my Bandos is the favorite, but the Barefoot and Black Forest saddles also work well. NOTHING treed fit my mare, Jet.
The Frank Baines Enduro is an English endurance saddle that works well for a TB build.
I use a Specialized Saddle that was fitted for his back, you know, with his knife-edge withers that I could no way in heck ride bareback!
Annie George Endurance saddle. It’s not really western but fit shark wither large shoulder short backed horses.
My OTTB has those crazy high withers and he and I both love the Tucker Equitation Endurance, it’s about 21 pounds. No horn which I like, but they’ve got lots of other western saddle styles. Bought mine used!
My horse is an appendix, built like a TB. I recently bought him a Tucker western saddle, medium tree. Under the saddle I have a Skito pad with shims for the hollows behind his shoulders. (Horse was underweight when I bought him and he’s still in the process if gaining weight and muscle.). This combo is working really well for him.
I worked with Summer at saddleupshop.com. She has been very helpful with this hard to fit horse.
