What are some good saddles for TBs with high withers? My Mare is 16.2, and I’m 5’5. I’ve had trouble fitting saddles and finally found one that my friend has. Now she’s moving barns and I need a new jumping saddle! I used a beval and that left enough room for withers. Any other saddles you recommend I try? Id like to keep the saddles under the 2,000 or 1500 range.
It depends a lot on your horse’s individual back confirmation but there are some good starting points. It also depends on your preference - whether you’re wanting to stay with the ‘on trend’ saddle brands or don’t mind as long as it fits.
I was on a tight budget when I was looking for a saddle for my shark-fin, narrow-backed, broad-shouldered TB, so I spent a lot of time looking and a lot of time trying various saddles. I recommend calling tack shops to see if they have an inventory of used saddles - you can definitely get a lot more bang for your buck.
A Barnsby ended up fitting him and me the best, which I bought for about $850 used, but I also tried: Jaguar, Crosby, Beval, HDR, and a Bates Caprilli. I did a lot of research, tried only saddle brands that were known for being suitable for horses with high withers, and begged/borrowed ride time in acquaintances’ saddles to see how they fit so I didn’t have to spend money taking a saddle on trial.
It can be a process, especially on a budget, but it is doable!
I’d say a used County with skidrow panels is your best bet in that price range.
Many on these forums have recommended Smith Worthington saddles for shark fin withered horses. Unfortunately, they are pretty pricey and unless you live where they are located, you would be dealing with having the saddle mailed to you. We sent them a wither tracing and back tracing (along spine)- for our shark and we were lucky to get something that worked and happened to be on sale.
My Barnsby Schockemohle in the medium width fits all three of my super-high-withered TBs really well, and I also like how it fits me. I got it from SmartPak but you might be able to find a good used one somewhere.
I have a 17h TB gelding with huge withers and a wide shoulder. When fitting him I found Barnsby, Crosby, and Prestige fit him the best. I like the older Crosby’s before they changed to Excelle. That’s what I have had for years. You can find a good, wool flocked one for under $1200. I think they are super comfy.
I’m sure people are tired of me talking about Prestige, but seriously, Prestige. . .you can find many of their models used in your price range, they are easily adjusted by a good saddle fitter. My recommendation would be to call an independent fitter and fill him/her in on your current situation. They should bring multiple saddles to try, hopefully you’ll like one and it can be fit to your horse immediately. Some fitters can be hard to get in touch with, be persistent!
great thanks for the tips! I used to ride in a Barnsby Shockemohle and I loved it. I’ll look around for one… I’ve never sat in a Prestige. I’ll def do some research on those. My dressage saddle is Jaguar, which was one of the few saddle brands I found that fit her well.
There are lots of tack shops around here with used saddles I will definitely look into! Thanks!
I really like my Stubben Excalibur on my narrow high withered tb. Not sure if they’re selling that model anymore, but the Zaria and Edelweiss are also good Stubben options. You can find them used for under 2k. I find the newer models in the deluxe leather option to be much more comfy than the old school Stubbens. They sponsor Steuart Pittman from the Retired Racehorse Project and he uses them on a lot of his ottbs.
Another vote for the Barnsby Shockemohle or a County. I loved the feel and fit of the Barnsby but it put me in a chair seat.
Another vote for Prestige. You can get a new Roma Jump for $2100, and it’s a great fit for the high/long wither back. I have one and LOVE it. Synthetic flocking, so it can be adjusted if necessary, but mine, a 17/35 fit right out of the box.
I love my Frank Baines Elan for my high withered OTTB. Breaks in very easily, is wool flocked so it can be adjusted, and well within your price range if you look used. Great, great saddles.
[QUOTE=Mukluk;7815083]
Many on these forums have recommended Smith Worthington saddles for shark fin withered horses. Unfortunately, they are pretty pricey and unless you live where they are located, you would be dealing with having the saddle mailed to you. We sent them a wither tracing and back tracing (along spine)- for our shark and we were lucky to get something that worked and happened to be on sale.[/QUOTE]
Same! Madly in love with my SW and it fits my TB. I’d suggest giving them a call and then sending wither tracings. The saddle I got was a model they no longer carry that they just had sitting in the shop. I got a great deal on it and it fits my boy like a glove. Plus, they’re just the best to work with.
My 17’2 shark fin withered WB/TB cross has been a nightmare to fit. I have an old (20 plus yr old) Berney bros saddle that we were able to have fitted to him. My crosby didnt have a chance nor did my dressage saddle. Berneys are great old irish eventing saddles. Ive had it fitted over the years to fit the various horses Ive had . Its amazing how well they hold up since Ive had it for 20 yrs and it was used when I bought it. . However now it IS old, and I just dont think I can continue to have it refitted and restuffed forever.
Earlier in the yr, I sent this horse out for training and after a month or so of the trainer riding him, I started lessons. The trainer rode in a CWD 2G. What am amazing saddle. I have Never sat in anything like it . If fit my horse nicely and he was very soft and forward in the saddle. I found that really interesting as that same saddle fit most of the horses in her barn - and they were clearly not all built the same as my guy. Totally a WOW experience to ride in it… So I had the dealer out. They custom make the saddle to fit you and your horse. (yes its $$$ But sometimes the dealer has some lightly used saddles up for resale. When they make these to fit you and your horse, its about 3 months - they are made in france. Im about a month away from having the saddle come. Cant wait!
My TB was 17.3 with withers like a dorsal fin. I have a 1991 Butet. The Butets older than about 2000 seem to work for higher withers.
Have any of you tried the M. Toulouse saddles? They are pretty popular at the tack stores over here. I’ve never ridden in one, but on Dover and Smartpack they have great reviews and people say they fit their TB’s. If you’ve tried them… what style did you get and how did it fit your horse?
I’ve heard good things about the Ashland saddles, although I haven’t tried one personally. And they would be in your price range. My BDH from Dover worked great on my high withered TB.
Another vote for Stubben. I recently went to their USA headquarters in VA and saw all the different trees and how they can be customized. I don’t think you will find many saddlers with as many ways to fit your horse. Have a few friends riding in their Portos model I believe that love them.
The Toulouse saddles get mixed reviews. I bought my daughter a Toulouse Noelle several years ago when we did a short-time lease on a TB and needed something to fit him that wasn’t going to break the bank. It fit the horse very well and was a pretty little saddle. However, it did not see heavy use, so I don’t know how it would hold up long-term; also, I understand that the current models are very variable in quality.
Another vote for Prestige. Fits my high-withered Oldenburg very well.
