Jumping Saddles for Short Backed Horses

[lds14]

Just so you know, I have been working with a saddle fitter but have not been able to find a saddle that my horse is really comfortable in, so I’m looking for any all suggestions so I can do my own research and see if there is anything we aren’t thinking of.

My horse has a very short back, a wide, set back shoulder and a somewhat curvy back. So a small available saddle bearing area. He is extremely sensitive, so ok doesn’t seem to cut it. Black Country, Albion, Pessoa, and Prestige haven’t worked out. I need a 18" seat and trying to squeeze into a 17 or 17 1/2 hasn’t worked great either as that throws my weight backward.

For jumping, I have found a lot fewer options for short backed horses. I’m specifically looking for all jumping/XC saddles that happen to have shorter panels, have upswept panels, have an option for a shorter panel and/or can be customized to a shorter panel AND that also have a drop panel.

When I started this process, I wanted a monoflap, but now only care that that it fits and is appropriate for x-country!!

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

[Frivian]

Check out Amerigo Vega… I have it in an 18 inch for my short-backed horse. It comes in both dual flap and monoflap.

[Hilary]

Or Amerigo Deep Jump. They have a couple of tree shapes.

[lds14]

Thanks Frivian and Hilary! I will add those to the list!

[Twigster]

Your need for a dropped panel makes this a bit difficult of a search doesn’t it Do you have the money to go full custom? If so, I would talk to black country about doing a fully custom, upswept panel on one of their vinici jump models. (I completely understand that spending that kind of $ without trying it first is pretty much the definition of insanity)

[lds14]

Twigster, Well, my horse is definitely “special”. Custom is an option. But before I go custom, I do want to understand what is out there. There are so many saddles on the market, and I just want to be as thorough as possible. I already have a custom dressage saddle on order which I’m stressing about what if he isn’t comfortable after all. Let’s just say that the amount of money I have lost on buying (then selling at a loss) saddles that fitters said fit my horse and then he hated after a month is obscene. He’s killing me, but I love him anyway!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I have a horse who is similar…and I need a larger saddle myself (long thighs). I ended up custom both dressage and jumping (stackhouse). My horse LOVES his new dressage saddle. My jump saddle is at Rolex this weekend and I can’t wait to get it home. It was worth it as David put the tree on that worked for my horse, and then built the panels needed–cutting it such that it fit my guys unbelieveable short back and yet was able to still give me the size I needed.

[Frivian]

One thing to keep in mind when dealing with a short backed horse: my fitter told me not to use an anatomical girth on my horse, because she thought it might force the saddle back farther. Not sure what kind of girth you’re using, but that might be worth considering.

[Ready_To_Riot]

I used a county symmetry (retired model) on my short backed horse, but I did not need a drop panel. Prestige evidently makes, or made, a saddle that has drop panel that you can “flip” down when you need it. I havent seen it, but I am about to try it on my other horse at the first of may. My friend is selling it. I am picking it up after rolex. Maybe contact prestige to see what the model is? Prestige fits all your other requirements. All my horses are short backed and they have always fit my horses back length well

[mountainhorse]

I would also recommend Amerigo.

[lds14]

@Frivian

One thing to keep in mind when dealing with a short backed horse: my fitter told me not to use an anatomical girth on my horse, because she thought it might force the saddle back farther. Not sure what kind of girth you’re using, but that might be worth considering.

I have NEVER heard that one before. I have been using a TSF girth.

[leheath]

If you can find a good fitter in your area, you might like to consider the WOW saddles. They are very customizable and and adjustable. They are pretty popular in the UK (where they are made) and I have read generally very good reviews online from people in both the UK and the USA if they are fitted by a good fitter. I just ordered one after trying a bunch that fit my horse but not me (balance all wrong) - I was very impressed with the demo saddle I tried.

[Hilary]

That’s really interesting about the contour girth and short backed horses. My horse was not a fan of the contour girth. He likes the straight neoprene-padded one best. He also did not care for the Mattes girth with the very wide panel in the center.

[riopony]

My very short-backed horse goes well in his Schleese Merci XC (monoflap). He has the shortest panel possible plus shoulder relief panel. I find it super comfy, very secure and can be amazingly customized to him- including adjusting the tree as he grows/shrinks. It is worth looking into!

[Frivian]

@Hilary

That’s really interesting about the contour girth and short backed horses. My horse was not a fan of the contour girth. He likes the straight neoprene-padded one best. He also did not care for the Mattes girth with the very wide panel in the center.

Yep - my horse HATED the County Logic that the County lady tried on him. Like, explosion in the aisle hated (even when it was adjusted loosely on the last holes). He vastly prefers the non-anatomical Prof Choice neoprene girth. I am trying to save up to buy the leather version that is shaped but not anatomical like a TSF girth. Hopefully he likes that too!

[Heart_Hoof_Prints]

I also suggest the Amerigo. My mare has a shorter back and was very fussy when saddle shopping two years ago. I also need an 18" seat which throws a wrench in the scenaria. Found a used Amerigo CC for a steal of a deal and it worked wonders. Both my mare and I LOVED IT! Shortly after buying it I started in to a regular lesson program with my girl and she matured and changed shape so much that, much to my dismay, that particular saddle no longer fit quite right. I have recently upgraded to a brand new Bruno Delgrange and both fussy mare and myself are quite smitten with it. However, had she not changed shape I am 100% convinced that Amerigo would have been a lifer with me.

[Jumperwannabe]

My short backed, big shouldered, moderately high withered, curvy TB fits perfectly in a Fairfax jump.

[SonnysMom]

OP you have a PM

[Mia_Sorella]

Harry Dabbs Future Jump saddle fits my short-backed guy very well.

I use a TSF girth with it, as regular girths sit uncomfortably far back if the saddle is placed correctly. Fits him perfectly, no gaping at the front.

[chism]

OP - thanks for this thread… also looking for the same unicorn, horse is a good sized TB with the usual withers, big shoulder, short back and rider is 5’9 1/2 with long femur. Custom is NOT in our budget though… anyone have any non custom, non Amerigo ideas? I tried an Amerigo Cervia a few years ago, on a similarly built, but much smaller TB… and even though the saddle fitter swore up and down that it fit… he HATED it, was completely miserable which is really out of character for him since he’s very workmanlike.