Frustrated with Saddle

[luv2lope]

I bought a used close contact saddle in 2018. It’s a 18.5 Richvale with wool flocking. It’s a LOVELY saddle and I got it at a steal of a price. I ride mostly western, but I do ride in equitation and hunter under saddle classes. My last saddle fit all my quarter horses perfectly, it was an Intrepid with foam panels that I bought new at a local tack store…nothing fancy but it fit my me and my horse and was comfortable enough. Unfortunately, my “assets” outgrew that saddle.

Before I bought this current saddle, I took it to the saddle maker and asked if it would fit my horse and brought my Intrepid for comparison. I was told that it would fit, but it would need to be reflocked. Ok, no problem-- got it done.

I have had this current saddle reflocked 2 times with a saddle fitter coming to my barn, since buying it-- I’m up to almost $1000 total that I have put into it and it still doesn’t ride right. Without a ThinLine pad, my horse dislikes this saddle, she pins her ears and sulls up. Put the ThinLine on her and she’s good. I haven’t put any shims in it, but I do want to give her some extra comfort, so I’m debating on buying some shims.

My horse is a good inch downhill and when I post it feels I’m landing my crotch on the pommel of the saddle. I definitely feel like I’m riding downhill and it’s really tough for me to sit on my seatbones. Cantering is much easier and is when I feel most comfortable in this saddle. With my western saddle, I never feel like I’m riding downhill. If I put a front riser under the saddle, the saddle doesn’t sit properly on her and has too much room under the pommel.

Going to the left, my saddle starts sliding to the right. I put more weight in my left stirrup and the saddle still slides right. Put the stirrup one hole down, again, still to the right.

After last night’s ride, I am so fed up with this saddle. Riding around, I noticed that it hurts my thighs when trotting, right where the stirrup bars are. Today, I have bruises on my thighs.

I am getting to the end of my rope with this saddle and have no idea what to do. Trying to give this saddle a shot because despite it’s headaches, it is a wonderful quality saddle.

Has anyone on here had the same situation with saddle fit woes? I am tired of paying $250+ for saddle fittings and reflocking. I’m also tired of being reassured that it will fit better with reflocking, only for there to be no improvement! Is it time for me to sell this saddle and buy something else? Do I just need to ride more in this saddle and just get used to it/ break it in more? Do I need a different saddle fitter?

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

To me, and I’m not an expert by any means, it sounds like the saddle is too wide for the horse (this is going only off what you’ve told us; can you post photos?). It also sounds like the flocking isn’t correct.

I had one of those downhill-built Quarter Horses, too, but I can honestly say that as long as he had a saddle that fit correctly, I never felt like I was sliding down hill on him. They can be tricky to fit, and I think you need to have another saddler come out and really see if this saddle even fits this horse. Not ever ‘saddle fitter’ knows what they’re doing.

Can you borrow different saddles from friends or you instructor, even if just for one ride, and see if they feel different?

[Jealoushe]

Sounds like it doesn’t fit you or the horse. If the horse is acting negatively without a thinline, I would say it doesnt fit and you are chancing the back getting injured. Time for a new saddle.

[luv2lope]

@Alex and Bodie's Mom

To me, and I’m not an expert by any means, it sounds like the saddle is too wide for the horse (this is going only off what you’ve told us; can you post photos?). It also sounds like the flocking isn’t correct.

I had one of those downhill-built Quarter Horses, too, but I can honestly say that as long as he had a saddle that fit correctly, I never felt like I was sliding down hill on him. They can be tricky to fit, and I think you need to have another saddler come out and really see if this saddle even fits this horse. Not ever ‘saddle fitter’ knows what they’re doing.

Can you borrow different saddles from friends or you instructor, even if just for one ride, and see if they feel different?

Unfortunately, there is only one other person that rides english at my barn. Their saddle would be too small for me, but I might just put it on my horse to see if it fits her any different, as it is exactly like my old one.

I feel that the flocking isn’t correct with my saddle either. The saddle sits on her nicely, doesn’t sink down on her withers, but I can easily fit my hand between the saddle flap and my mare’s side…so I’m guessing it’s too wide? I had asked the fitter about that and she told me that is was because the saddle flap was just stiff and needed to be oiled/ conditioned. The saddle leather is butter soft and the saddle was broken in as the previous owner was the original owner and rode for a few years in it.

[luv2lope]

@Jealoushe

Sounds like it doesn’t fit you or the hrose. If the horse is acting negatively without a thinline, I would say it doesnt fit and you are chancing the back getting injured. Time for a new saddle.

I think you’re right

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

@luv2lope

Unfortunately, there is only one other person that rides english at my barn. Their saddle would be too small for me, but I might just put it on my horse to see if it fits her any different, as it is exactly like my old one.

I feel that the flocking isn’t correct with my saddle either. The saddle sits on her nicely, doesn’t sink down on her withers, but I can easily fit my hand between the saddle flap and my mare’s side…so I’m guessing it’s too wide? I had asked the fitter about that and she told me that is was because the saddle flap was just stiff and needed to be oiled/ conditioned. The saddle leather is butter soft and the saddle was broken in as the previous owner was the original owner and rode for a few years in it.

When you say the flap - you mean the knee rolls? That shouldn’t have too much to do with the fit. You need to be looking at the flocking and how the tree fits your horse. Does this saddle have gusseted panels, or ‘banana’ panels? Sometimes that makes a difference in how the saddle fits, because banana panels often rock and cause discomfort. They can also create a ‘pivot point’ in the center under the rider that can rock the saddle back and forth.

If you can post photos of the saddle on the horse (no girth, no pad), we’ve got a ton of really good saddle fit experts here who can tell you more than I can!

[joiedevie99]

Saddle fit is not easy, and it sounds like this one is all wrong for both of you. To fit the horse right, you need the correct width and angle in the tree, the correct slope of the panels from the spine outward, the correct curvature of the panels from front to back, and a saddle that isn’t too long for the length of the back. Then it also has to fit you well enough

[Scribbler]

Did the saddle fitter evaluate the fit on the horse? If my fitter gets something wrong on a reflock she will fix it at no charge. I think you need a new fitter.

[RedHorses]

I disagree about the saddle not fitting just because your mare is unhappy without the Thinline. Which is not saying that it does fit - the other symptoms suggest that it doesn’t fit either of you very well.

I have a very good saddle fitter, and a better understanding of saddle fit than most (my second horse was very sensitive to saddle fit and produced white hairs after a month of three 20 minute rides a week!) and we have talked about it. My own horse demonstrated a preference for wool flocked panels over the foam when I was buying a jump saddle. My younger horse has expressed a preference for firmer panels throughout the adjustments done on his saddle.

For you, stirrup bars can be a problem when riding with stirrups that are too long for the rider/saddle combination. If that’s the ideal length for you then that saddle is not suitable, though it is possible that correcting the front to back balance will correct the problem.

What did you use to lift the front of the saddle? Sometimes a very thin shim is all you need. I tend to use a folded hand towel as my test shim and work up from there if needed.

The side roll could be the saddle putting too much pressure on the right shoulder and your horse dropping away from it, which makes. it roll more. This and your comment about riding downhill makes me wonder if your saddle is shifting forward onto her shoulders.

A different saddle fitter might be the best place to start if you can find one. Good luck!

”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

[Bluey]

@luv2lope

I bought a used close contact saddle in 2018. It’s a 18.5 Richvale with wool flocking. It’s a LOVELY saddle and I got it at a steal of a price. I ride mostly western, but I do ride in equitation and hunter under saddle classes. My last saddle fit all my quarter horses perfectly, it was an Intrepid with foam panels that I bought new at a local tack store…nothing fancy but it fit my me and my horse and was comfortable enough. Unfortunately, my “assets” outgrew that saddle.

Before I bought this current saddle, I took it to the saddle maker and asked if it would fit my horse and brought my Intrepid for comparison. I was told that it would fit, but it would need to be reflocked. Ok, no problem-- got it done.

I have had this current saddle reflocked 2 times with a saddle fitter coming to my barn, since buying it-- I’m up to almost $1000 total that I have put into it and it still doesn’t ride right. Without a ThinLine pad, my horse dislikes this saddle, she pins her ears and sulls up. Put the ThinLine on her and she’s good. I haven’t put any shims in it, but I do want to give her some extra comfort, so I’m debating on buying some shims.

My horse is a good inch downhill and when I post it feels I’m landing my crotch on the pommel of the saddle. I definitely feel like I’m riding downhill and it’s really tough for me to sit on my seatbones. Cantering is much easier and is when I feel most comfortable in this saddle. With my western saddle, I never feel like I’m riding downhill. If I put a front riser under the saddle, the saddle doesn’t sit properly on her and has too much room under the pommel.

Going to the left, my saddle starts sliding to the right. I put more weight in my left stirrup and the saddle still slides right. Put the stirrup one hole down, again, still to the right.

After last night’s ride, I am so fed up with this saddle. Riding around, I noticed that it hurts my thighs when trotting, right where the stirrup bars are. Today, I have bruises on my thighs.

I am getting to the end of my rope with this saddle and have no idea what to do. Trying to give this saddle a shot because despite it’s headaches, it is a wonderful quality saddle.

Has anyone on here had the same situation with saddle fit woes? I am tired of paying $250+ for saddle fittings and reflocking. I’m also tired of being reassured that it will fit better with reflocking, only for there to be no improvement! Is it time for me to sell this saddle and buy something else? Do I just need to ride more in this saddle and just get used to it/ break it in more? Do I need a different saddle fitter?

If a saddle doesn’t fit as you describe, maybe looking for a better fit up front makes more sense?

Or losing weight so your old one fits.
(Just kidding, not going to happen if you are getting older.)

I think smaller saddles tend to fit more horses, larger ones less horses.

At least that has been my experience over decades.
My 16" Stubben Rex has fit every horse it ever sat on.
So has my 14 1/2" modified association lady’s 95 tree western saddle.

Larger saddles, same brand and model, same saddle maker, just have not been as accommodating on fit.
My current Stubben 17" Roxanne fits most horses, but not all as well as my Rex.
My 16" western saddle also fits most, but not as many or as well as my smaller ranch saddle.

Getting saddle fit right is just going to take time and money, but is very important for the horse that it fits just right, especially when carrying the bigger, heavier riders.
Riders can manage with a less than perfect fit, horses not so much.

[luv2lope]

@Bluey

If a saddle doesn’t fit as you describe, maybe looking for a better fit up front makes more sense?

Or losing weight so your old one fits.
(Just kidding, not going to happen if you are getting older.)

I think smaller saddles tend to fit more horses, larger ones less horses.

At least that has been my experience over decades.
My 16" Stubben Rex has fit every horse it ever sat on.
So has my 14 1/2" modified association lady’s 95 tree western saddle.

Larger saddles, same brand and model, same saddle maker, just have not been as accommodating on fit.
My current Stubben 17" Roxanne fits most horses, but not all as well as my Rex.
My 16" western saddle also fits most, but not as many or as well as my smaller ranch saddle.

Getting saddle fit right is just going to take time and money, but is very important for the horse that it fits just right, especially when carrying the bigger, heavier riders.
Riders can manage with a less than perfect fit, horses not so much.

Yes, if only losing weight was so easy. To date, I have lost 13 pounds but I still have a long way to go. I have never been slim, my lowest weight was 180 pounds. I sold my old saddle in order to get some money for the one I have now.

I’m definitely not needing a saddle to fit me perfectly. I care more about it fitting my horse than me. However, I want to feel centered in my riding and secure in my seat. I might try some 18’s and see how they feel.

[Bluey]

@luv2lope

Yes, if only losing weight was so easy. To date, I have lost 13 pounds but I still have a long way to go. I have never been slim, my lowest weight was 180 pounds. I sold my old saddle in order to get some money for the one I have now.

I’m definitely not needing a saddle to fit me perfectly. I care more about it fitting my horse than me. However, I want to feel centered in my riding and secure in my seat. I might try some 18’s and see how they feel.

Good for you, losing weight is so hard.

Going up 1/2" in seat may just help the rider some times.

Saddle fitters have many different saddles.
You think they would have helped you find one that fits?

Try another fitter, surely someone ought to do a good job for you.

When I got a little too big for my old saddle and my horse old and with poor topline, courtesy of Cushing’s, I called Pelham Saddlery, told them what I wanted, they suggested two used saddles they had.
One fit me very well, other a little too large, but fit horse best, so I kept that one and sent the other back.

You could talk to them, see what they tell you, if you want to try shipping saddles back and forth, that would be one more option.

[SolarFlare]

I had a Richvale previously, and it’s definitely built on a A-frame tree. I see you have a quarter horse - perhaps this tree is not quite the right shape, and that’s why it’s sliding. You may weight one stirrup a bit more than the other, so it only tends to slip going one direction. The Thinline also has some grip to it, so might prevent the saddle from rolling as much which is why your horse is happier using the Thinline.

I agree it’s a nice saddle, and I liked riding in it, but I used it on 2 TBs with withers and fairly flat backs. My second TB ended up with a different saddle after he put on some muscle and the Richvale started interfering with his big shoulders.

It also sounds like it may not be the right fit for you, although if it isn’t fitting your horse properly this could also be interfering with how you sit in it.

I suggest having a different fitter take a look, Are you in Ontario? (Guessing maybe, since that’s where the Richvales are from ). I can suggest an independent fitter that I and many at the barn have used and have been very happy with.

[enjoytheride]

It’s possible your old saddle didn’t fit well either, and you can’t judge good fit by looking at two saddles. Has any fitter seen it on your horse?

[candyappy]

Why not find an Intrepid in the size you need and sell your newest saddle??

[luv2lope]

@SolarFlare

I had a Richvale previously, and it’s definitely built on a A-frame tree. I see you have a quarter horse - perhaps this tree is not quite the right shape, and that’s why it’s sliding. You may weight one stirrup a bit more than the other, so it only tends to slip going one direction. The Thinline also has some grip to it, so might prevent the saddle from rolling as much which is why your horse is happier using the Thinline.

I agree it’s a nice saddle, and I liked riding in it, but I used it on 2 TBs with withers and fairly flat backs. My second TB ended up with a different saddle after he put on some muscle and the Richvale started interfering with his big shoulders.

It also sounds like it may not be the right fit for you, although if it isn’t fitting your horse properly this could also be interfering with how you sit in it.

I suggest having a different fitter take a look, Are you in Ontario? (Guessing maybe, since that’s where the Richvales are from ). I can suggest an independent fitter that I and many at the barn have used and have been very happy with.

Yes, I’m in Ontario. This saddle would be awesome to ride in if it fit my horse correctly! At this point, I’m tempted to take it to a tack store on consignment but part of me wants to give it one more shot with a different fitter. I am just so tired of sinking money into saddle fittings, yet the end result is that the saddle still doesn’t fit my horse

[luv2lope]

@candyappy

Why not find an Intrepid in the size you need and sell your newest saddle??

I don’t think the Intrepid comes in a 18.5 seat. I went to a tack store on Friday to go take a look at what they had and actually found an 18.5 seat. It was a Santa Cruz, the reviews are kind of hit and miss on them. It was super comfortable, and seemed like nice quality leather. Maybe I should take one out for a test ride? I don’t need top of the line as I don’t ride in an english saddle all the time, but I still want some quality.

[SolarFlare]

@luv2lope

Yes, I’m in Ontario. This saddle would be awesome to ride in if it fit my horse correctly! At this point, I’m tempted to take it to a tack store on consignment but part of me wants to give it one more shot with a different fitter. I am just so tired of sinking money into saddle fittings, yet the end result is that the saddle still doesn’t fit my horse

I suggest having Joe from Canterbury Outpost come out to you. He has access to used saddles from a couple tack stores as well, so if you discuss your horse’s shape and issues you’re having with the current saddle, he may be able to bring some for you to try, and also look at your existing saddle.

I wouldn’t bother much right now with taking saddles on test rides until you know what you need to fit your horse, or you’ll likely end up in the same boat with a saddle that you can’t get fitted properly.