Interpreting the Port Lewis Pad results

[CHT]

So I spent the money and bought a Port Lewis Pad to test saddle fit to help me with Dani. First off, she goes great in the pad. I know it isn’t a saddle pad to be used regularly, but she is much more content when I ride in this pad. There is also no evidence of friction on the top of her shoulder when I use this pad.

I have a Wintec Wide for her, with the XXW plate (or maybe XXX…I don’t remember).

Dani is flat across her shoulders. So fitting her is much like fitting a bench. A bum high bench.The Port Lewis pad shows pressure (no fill left) under the stirrup bar/gullet plate area. This area is relatively horizontal on her.

I then added shims to the point just behind where there was pressure (like for a sway backed horse), and this just increased the length of where the pads gel was pushed out of the way. There does not seem to be any pinching on her sides, just too much weight towards the front of the saddle.

I am assuming that this means I need to shim up the front with gradually less shim at the center, to help compensate for the downward shape of her back, with the idea that this should slide more weight/pressure to the back. Does this logic make sense? ( This what we tried with her former saddle (jump saddle) and she HATED it, so instead he just reflocked with lighter/less flocking.)

And of course, then the saddle will be higher in front than it should be to be level for me, although I am not sure I will notice (it isn’t a very deep seat…pretty forgiving position wise).

Or…do I just need a pad that mimics the Port Lewis pad and that likely shifts and squishes out of the way as needed? Does anybody remember the pads you inflated from back in the early 2000s?

[pluvinel]

I would suggest taking a picture of your impression and consulting with the Port Lewis people.

[jaybird660]

My gut feeling without evaluating info is that your horse might need a true hoop tree with a K type panel and full front gussets. The Wintec wide saddles do run wide but the gullets have a shape that is not as rounded. They do have full front gussets that I recall but not deeper front panels which are helpful with a downhill horse or one that has a dip, even if wide.

[CHT]

@jaybird660

My gut feeling without evaluating info is that your horse might need a true hoop tree with a K type panel and full front gussets. The Wintec wide saddles do run wide but the gullets have a shape that is not as rounded. They do have full front gussets that I recall but not deeper front panels which are helpful with a downhill horse or one that has a dip, even if wide.

You are probably right, but I gave up trying having someone work with me here locally. It’s unfortunate, but I can’t spend $5000 on a saddle when local sellers can’t be trusted to stand by their product. I do have someone who can bend the gullet plate into a hoop shape, I just want to sort out what to do with the panels to get it all sorted at once.

What is a “K” type panel?

She likes the Duett Presto, and I recently bought her a semi trees western with a shim pad that also works…I just like the Dressage saddle the most (for me) and want to get it sorted for her too.

[CHT]

@CHT

You are probably right, but I gave up trying having someone work with me here locally. It’s unfortunate, but I can’t spend $5000 on a saddle when local sellers can’t be trusted to stand by their product. I do have someone who can bend the gullet plate into a hoop shape, I just want to sort out what to do with the panels to get it all sorted at once.

What is a “K” type panel?

She likes the Duett Presto (reflocked), and I recently bought her a semi trees western with a shim pad that also works…I just like the Dressage saddle the most (for me) and want to get it sorted for her too.

[luvmyhackney]

Try a Thorowgood or their leather option. Their tree is more of a U shape than the Wintec at least on my round pony. Wasn’t overly expensive either.

[jaybird660]

@CHT

You are probably right, but I gave up trying having someone work with me here locally. It’s unfortunate, but I can’t spend $5000 on a saddle when local sellers can’t be trusted to stand by their product. I do have someone who can bend the gullet plate into a hoop shape, I just want to sort out what to do with the panels to get it all sorted at once.

What is a “K” type panel?

She likes the Duett Presto, and I recently bought her a semi trees western with a shim pad that also works…I just like the Dressage saddle the most (for me) and want to get it sorted for her too.

I’ve pasted a link that has a K panel example if you scroll down. Bending the plate is risky. Those plates have a spot that curves in that can pinch versus the Thorowgood plates or others that don’t. However, some saddles are more open and rounded. Duett is a hoop tree.

http://www.trumbullmtn.com/saddle-fitting/saddle-terminology/

[CHT]

Thanks Jay, yes, the idea if lifting the front like the K panel, is what the saddle fitter tried to do with the jumping saddle, but the horse hated it. I have no idea why, but she was not subtle. In theory, it looked right. What she liked is just a softer flocking. I don’t use that saddle on her very often.

thank you for your help. Always appreciated.

[no.stirrups]

You need a new saddle. The Wintec Wide tree is the wrong shape for the horse you describe, with any gullet plate. A saddle to fit doesn’t need to cost $5000. Many options exist for really round-backed horses for half that and less. Any one of the saddle fitters that posts here regularly would be happy to point you in the right direction.