One of my horses is now in between tree sizes: MW and W. Went with the wide (trial saddle) – and my saddle fitter as well as the rep (for said brand) suggested front shims. Both thought saddle might dip slightly in front.
Since saddle was mailed to me, neither rep nor fitter have yet to see the actual saddle on the horse, nor me riding in it. I’m on my own at the moment – no one with a keen saddle fitting eye to have a look.
First ride I did not use shims – just wanted to see what the fit was. Horse went great (loves this brand and model of jump saddle) but I do think the saddle settled a little bit low in front as suspected.
Also during this first test ride my knees were just about to come over the flaps. I do have a long femur and being that this saddle has regular flaps (not forward) they are either the wrong size for me – or they are the right size but because saddle was downhill the point of my knee was hitting too high on the flaps.
When I sat in same flap size saddle (fake horse in saddle fitter’s truck) they were perfect. On real horse, different story.
I’m going to shim saddle, but it might be hard for me to tell (on a new saddle that isn’t broken in) where my knees actually are – two finger rule is hard for me to gage while riding and looking down at the same time.
So I’m wondering — do front shims (meant to correct balance of saddle) typically change knee/flap fit enough to make a difference?
