How much is too much to send to an out check

[ehwaz]

Hi all-
I am having a bit of a dilemma.

I have been going through saddle fit issues with a very stoic horse. Pattern for the last several years has been no back soreness and good sweat patterns, but every time she grows in a new coat, she has some white hairs. My current plan is to use 2 saddles and alternate to hopefully minimize any pressure points that one saddle might cause. Right now, I am alternating between a Marciante ( Western Endurance) and a Wintec Dressage. They both fit her well (good sweat patterns, no soreness) and both work for me about the same.

I have a 50 next weekend. It is hilly and rocky, will also likely be hot. I have just found out that all the checks are out of camp. I do not have crew.

In the past, I have always minimized what I send out to vetchecks. My plan for this ride was to switch saddles at a vetcheck and I thought at least one would be in camp.

Would it be too much to send a saddle out in addition to my modest crew bag ?

If so, which saddle would you use ? The wintec is lighter and covers less surface area, which would be good for heat. The Marciante has larger panels, so less pounds per square inch , but it is a bit heavier.

Thanks for any advice

[mountainhorse]

Just a note, I would recommend having a saddle fitter come out and determine fit between your saddles to rest your mind and ensure your horse is comfortable.

If a horse has had a trauma (such as an ill fitting saddle) in the past and created a tissue trauma that resulted in white hairs, those white hairs will reappear every year as coats grow out. It may not mean his current saddle is ill-fitting, but that he has had an ill-fitting saddle in the past.

The fitter can also help you determine which saddle is the better fit for you and your horse to use on rides.

[Lisa_Preston]

Lots of folks send quite a burden to out checks (I’m a minimalist, packed my horse’s first Tevis meal from the start because I had no crew for Robinson Flat) but it’s not too much in this case for you to send a saddle to the out check. You’ll feel better knowing you can switch saddles if you want to. And you’ll probably be fine doing the entire 50 in either one of the saddles. Sounds like you’re attentive to her welfare. Have a blast enjoying the terrain and taking care of your girl.

[ehwaz]

Thanks for the advice. I have done 25+ mile conditioning rides in both saddles, so both should work for a 50, but I’ll feel better with an option to switch. I am normally a minimalist as well and have volunteered enough to move some HEAVY crew bags.

The white hairs are appearing in different spots each year. They are fairly mild on the scale of white hairs ( almost look like mild roaning) and they go away with time, so I am pretty sure they were not caused by 1 really bad fitting saddle several years ago.

Various saddle fitters have been involved in the saddle saga, along with a custom fit saddle that always gave beautiful sweat patterns and no sore backs, even on 100s. But, that winter, white hair came in. The plan to use 2 well fitting saddles and alternate is approved by my fitter.

[goodhors]

Would just changing saddle padding midway be an acceptable option? Save saddle handling, chance of damage. A different, dry pad, perhaps thicker or different fabric, might change the way weight on her back happens in making white hairs.

Not an Endurance rider, maybe you already do this. I do ride long distances on trails, all-day rides of 40 miles or so. I have an understanding of how things can affect the horse back over long ride times, horse working as it covers the miles. But we are not moving at speed, so our needs are different than yours.

[SonnysMom]

If the white hair is showing up after the winter it may be from blanketing. I have known a couple of horses where the blankets have caused white hairs on the withers and one that got it on her chest.