In my limited time working in a training barn they seemed pretty inter-changeable. Is that the case? Does any TB fit any exercise saddle provided they haven’t got an oddly shaped back?
They aren’t. There is just not enough saddle to worry about it. Pretty much one size fits all. Most of us just make “adjustments” with different types/styles of saddle pads.
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Many things influence saddle fit, and/or issues/problems that crop up influenced by saddle fit. The weight of the rider, the balance of the rider, the length of time the rider rides the horse being some of these things, other than the construction and fit of the saddle. Since racehorses are ridden by (usually) well balanced riders, who are usually fairly small and light, and don’t ride for very long, exercise saddles tend to be used as “one size fits all”. However, back soreness is a thing that sometimes crops up, and different exercise saddles can help. Most exercise saddles are the semi treed, “beavertail” type, and they work adequately for many horses and riders. On occasion, a trainer will also have a fully treed saddle of a different type, used if a horse is better to use this instead. Padding up also can be different, based on what a horse needs. Fully treed saddles spread the weight of the rider on the horse’s back better than the beavertail ones do. Fully treed exercise saddles are often harvested from the steeplechase discipline. They seem to use them more than flat racing stables do.
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I have this one on hold: http://www.usedsaddlesmaryland.com/WINTEC-EXERCISE-RACING-SADDLE-P-3004.html
It says it is a half tree, but it has more substance than a lot I have seen. I do like that the panels actually have some padding to them.
When I galloped I always wanted to get a custom exercise saddle made.
