Cut-Back Saddle Question

[Andean_Echo]

So this has been on my brain, and I am asking this out of pure curiosity. I have been told that a cut-back saddle (for saddle seat) basically fits every horse, unlike a dressage or hunt saddle which has to be more precisely fit. Is this true? I understand that there is not the problem of wither clearance, but are there still other fit issues to consider?

Also, why are the channel and properly flocked panels so important for a dressage or hunt saddle while a cut-back has thin panels and a very shallow channel? Does this put pressure on the spine? Have there been any research studies on this?

Please help me understand

[Renae]

Not true. You can get cutback saddles in different tree widths, and the different brands have different tree widths. However since cutback saddles are pretty exclusively used on just a few breeds we do have more uniformity in the horses, so you do end up with one saddle fitting many horses for that reason. In a cutback saddle we need to pay attention to the angle of the tree and that the saddle is not interfering with the shoulders. On some short backed Arabians and Morgans you might have to watch the length of the tree.

The panels of a cutback saddle are not flocked like a hunt or dressage saddle. They are filled with either felt or foam, neither of which shift around. The felt after a while (decades) does wear flat and the panels should be re-done on a saddle like that if you are going to continue to use it. The panels of every new saddle seat saddle are either foam or layers of felt and foam. They are designed to fit without saddle pads (most saddle seat riders use only a thin pad in daily work to keep the saddle clean and show without a pad), and to give the rider a very close feel to the horse’s back.

Spine clearance is important and should be there, but you don’t need inches of it with any saddle. A properly fitting cutback saddle should not put pressure on the spine.

[Andean_Echo]

Ok, so theoretically, you could put a cutback on a horse that was too narrow through the channel, just as you could in any other seat? And the same or at least similar saddle fitting rules that apply to other saddles should apply to the cutback as well?

[Renae]

Well I’ve never seen a cutback saddle too narrow through the channel. They typically have a wider channel than hunt or dressage saddles. Saddle fitting guidelines still apply.

[blujen]

Definitely still apply - I tried 8 different saddles on my guy last year before I found the saddle that fit him. At the barn where I ride most of the horses are from a specific bloodline, therefore all similarly shaped and use saddle A. Saddle B has been tried but was pinchy to the one they tried it on, so everyone at the barn pretty much bought saddle A and it fits their horses… MY horse of course saddle A was too wide, i knew Saddle B was popular but it hadn’t fit his sister so I tried all sorts of OTHER saddles, only to find that saddle B was a perfect fit! At the lower levels people often DO use saddle pads with them, even for showing. At the big shows it’s more common to see no pads though.

[Lady_Eboshi]

BTW, cutbacks make WICKED GOOD dressage saddles for people who like a truly close contact with the horse and no “blocks” interfering with free movement of your seat and leg; in fact, Jean-Claude Racinet thought they are quite superior to the majority of “dressage” saddles marketed.

But you have to be a true minimalist with an independent seat–if you love to ride your horse bareback, try one of these, and you may find your happy home!

[Tiffani_B]

Several months ago I needed a different saddle for my horse - he has a very short back. My saddle, a 22" Shively 2000, had fit every single horse until him.

So I bought a 21" Blue Ribbon, and when I stood both saddles on their pommel, seat to seat, there was a FOUR INCH DIFFERENCE in the length of the saddles. I wish I still had the photo… it was unbelievable. A 1" seat size difference, but a 4" overall length difference. It’s made a huge difference in my horse’s comfort and rideability since now I’m not riding his croup and the saddle points aren’t rubbing his shoulders.

A barnmate had a saddle (I think a Jeffries?) that seemed to rub just below the withers of most horses she rode - seemed to have a wide channel or a wider tree than usual and “sank” down as she rode. She bought a different brand and the problem went away. So yes, there are definitely differences in the saddles and fitting is just as important.

[stoicfish]

[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;7843477]
BTW, cutbacks make WICKED GOOD dressage saddles for people who like a truly close contact with the horse and no “blocks” interfering with free movement of your seat and leg; in fact, Jean-Claude Racinet thought they are quite superior to the majority of “dressage” saddles marketed.

But you have to be a true minimalist with an independent seat–if you love to ride your horse bareback, try one of these, and you may find your happy home! :)[/QUOTE]

Every picture I have seen with riders using a cutback (saddle seat), they are in an extreme chair seat. How is a proper position possible?
Seriously wondering.
http://upon-a-white-horse.blogspot.ca/2011_10_01_archive.html