I can see your concerns about the first saddle. But the second one is even worse!
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Wow.
Definitely can see the issues with the original, but the remake? Way worse.
I just don’t understand what they are doing with the crazy overstuffed aspect of both saddles shared on this thread. It’s nuts.
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Beautiful horse, though!
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Aw thank you!! He’s a character. Maybe the villain 
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I think they are trying to address the wither pockets (hollows) and tall withers of these horses who are not as narrow as the reps are measuring.
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Yikes. That can cause serious pinching.
Sorry to hear of another case like this… it must be very frustrating after trying to order a saddle that really fits!
These stuffings give another interpretation to ‘close contact’… Hopefully Stübben will get wind of these discussions and make some improvements, since their products have been very reputable.
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With total disregard for the horse’s shoulder anatomy also. These panels are wild!
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From what I have gathered (based on postings on a particular FB saddle fitting group, run by a Stubben fitter) their fitting methodology does not “agree with” using a skidrow/k/drop panel type, so maybe this is their alternative solution? Most often it seems the response I’ve read on that group to wither hollows/dips is that the horse needs remedial conditioning/physical therapy type work to build the topline first, a topline which is frequently referred to as atrophied or “damaged”, and it is sometimes alluded to being caused by poorly fitting saddles of the past putting excess pressure there.
My custom Stubben is a dressage saddle. I like the saddle and it fits my weird pony nicely, but he is a very rotund creature. Some of the stuff I’ve seen spouted by their other brand reps/fitters (not the one I used) is pretty contrary to the way SMS-trained fitters do things, for example.
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This makes me incredibly nervous with mine. Ironically started with Amanda Anderson, and she suggested a 27cm tree with passier, and i found one used and used the local stubben rep to check on her recommendation. It was too small, but my young horse loved the Euphoria the rep brought with her. Found one used in the tree size the rep suggested, and it wasn’t “perfect” but after she refused to move in every other saddle I tried, I was ok with it. Virtually fitted it with the rep, and had conversations to have it reflocked. Reached out to set up the post flock appointment, and she ended up moving. Found the new rep, and was going to end up mailing it as they were too far to justify multiple visits before mailing it back to VA and now I’m hopefully seeing them on Wednesday. Now I am terrified to send it off to be reflocked after reading this thread.
Maybe seek out an independent rep for reflocking?
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Quick note on Passier tree sizes: a 27 tree for Passier is considered more of a “Medium” tree by Passier, with their standard medium being a 27.5 
It’s funny you mention Amanda….when i was going through my Stubben saga she ghosted me when I wanted to connect with her in regards to my concerns 
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It took a hot minute to contact her, chat with her, and then she was adamant I needed a Ps Baum, which to find a 17.5 was impossible at the time, and the one I got just fit horribly. And talking to her felt aggressive, like I was looking for simple help, and she was incredibly blunt despite having spoken to her on the phone prior and understood what she meant. And then I ghosted her after talking with the rep and my horse loving the Euphoria. Ironically, I chatted with an SMS fitter at Equine Affaire based in NC near Amanda, and she mentioned aside from an online presence, she had never heard of anyone local using her at all.
I will probably be finding someone else to do the reflock or at least check it a second time for me. It sucks because we both love the saddle in WT, but I’m hitting some blocks in the canter, which has prompted us to look for some help.
Yes, that’s what I was told by the Stubben rep- that he needed the narrow tree to gain wither clearance. He does have pockets behind his shoulders, and a little bit of an odd back but it’s not completely abnormal for a TB. I’m trying to address the pockets through better work and have sought out a trainer to help us use his back properly.
I had an independent fitter come look at the OG pink saddle and she measured him as a true medium (suggested a total saddle fit shim pad for the pockets/wither clearance until he can build the muscle), after lifting his belly in the cross ties and watching him be ridden and lunged - things my Stubben rep did not do. He stands like a llama in the crossties, and that was how the Stubben rep measured him. He rounds out under saddle and lifts his back but she wouldn’t know that since she only ever saw him standing like a deer in the headlights
I think it’s always worth it to teach them to work over their backs properly, but don’t be discouraged if you don’t see a difference in those pockets in a year’s time. They’re not always caused by improper riding or atrophy. The wither hollows behind the withers are a bona-fide conformational shortcoming of many TBs - and I say that as a staunch TB fan.
Just an example or two - here are two prolific and very fat stallions, who are not used for riding disciplines and so, did not suffer atrophy at the hands of an improperly fitted saddle or improper work. You can see even though they’re well conditioned (fat), the pockets are still there:
I just picked the two more popular race TB stallions that came to mind.
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Side note: if anyone has any suggestions as to what might fit one of these high withered, pocketed wider backed horses let me know. I rode him in a friend’s Voltaire with a shim and he really seemed to like it, so I might trial one from a local saddlery to see if it was just a fluke …assuming I can sort things out with Stubben. My independent rep suggested an Italian brand like the Amerigo DJ but I’m having a hell of a time finding ANY in the states in my size (17.5-18). Pics of his back for reference -
Thank you for that!! I do think some of his is conformational but I also don’t want to add fuel to the fire by riding incorrectly or having a poorly fitting saddle… Hopefully I can find something to set us both up for success 
@katiesteph what saddle did you end up going with?
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So funny you mention Amerigo, that’s what I am currently trying him in! The first one I tried was a hair too narrow in the channel for him (it was an older DJ), but I have a newer one coming this week to try!
Highlinetack.com has a few and seems to get them in on a frequent basis
Mdtackexchange.com also has some right now!
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I’m not sure why they are not recommended as often as the Amerigo’s but Equipe is another Italian brand that similarly offers a range of saddles to match a variety of back shapes.
So we now know of 2 of these hilarious saddles that Stubben has put out into the world. How many others are there??
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Have you thought about trying a Black Country? The Ricochet is pretty popular for fitting this type. The Solare model as well which has shorter angled back tree points. Patty Merli is a rep/fitter down in SC that is fantastic and does remote fittings. I know @beowulf might suggest the same
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