[QUOTE=sbwinde;7303534]
[QUOTE=chicamux;7303283]Where is the patch of white hair on your horse’s back? Is it under your seat bones, both sides of the spine? Is it under the pommel, one side or both, or is it behind the pommel but in front of your seat bones?
The white hair is under my seat bone on both sides and partially where my upper thigh touches, not on her withers or spine. I thought it might be the roughness of the Dixie Midnight, or perhaps, the foam doesn’t quite support me like it should on the Skito. I weight 120, and post the trot most of the time. But she is little 14.2 and 765 lbs. I have attached a picture of her (she is the one in the middle)
In response to above, yes, I only do LD, and I have only taken her out once, and realized that our rig didn’t work. Trust me, I didn’t walk into this blindly or withouth knowledge. I am not leaning toward treeless or tree, but what works for her :).[/QUOTE]
What you’re describing is the classic pattern of failure to effectively distribute weight.
But, let’s be positive.
There’s an entire class of saddles out there designed to carry 250-300 pounds, 35 miles a day, each and every day, for 5-7 days. I’m speaking of cavalry saddles.
The U.S. Cavalry used the McClellan from 1859-1948. I personally don’t like it but it is very light in weight and works very well as an edurance saddle. The seat is hard, but if get the Officer’s version they are more comfortable.
Or you can look for a Grimsley Dragoon saddle. These were used immediately before the Mac. Very comfortable and were used by a lot officers curing the ACW.
Then there’s the British Universal Pattern (UP). The Model 1902 is still in use by the Household Cavalry. A flexible tree version was tried in 1912 but was not really very successful and was abandoned.
More difficult to find is the M1936 Phillips saddle. This was the last, official Army saddle. Comes in one size (because by then Army Remounts came in one size). I like it better than the Mac but only slightly.
I ride a Stubben Scout. It’s a 1948 design for the Belgian Army and Police. It carries my larger than it should be butt comfortably for me. My horse has never had a sore back. Not cheap, but quality doesn’t cost, it pays. And no vet bills.
Recently I acquired a British Yeomanry saddle (also called a Staff or Colonial saddle). The UP is a “sling seat” design and really can haul a load. The Yeomanry saddle is a modified foxhunting saddle. The bars are wider and extend past the cantle. I’ve not had that much time in it but it fits the horse quite well.
I know some folks who really like the German Armeesattle Model 1925. I’ve not ridden one but a good friend of mine has one. He swears by it.
There are others, but this should give you a start.
If you go this route, pick a reproduction of saddles before 1900. Horses in those days tended to be somewhat narrower and you can create problems for yourself with them. After 1900 you’ll find wider trees. The later you go in the 20th Century the wider they get. The Armeesattle fit the Trakhenners and Holsteiners that were common in the German Army. The Yeomanry saddle does well on the TB type horse (but fits my Marchador just as well).
Treeless seems to me to be a recipe for causing horses problems. There are better alternatives. Seek them out.
G.
