My turn! Saddle fit for draft x--update

[kcmel]

I’m looking for a jump saddle. I am interested in the Thorowgood T8 jump (or possibly Kent & Masters) but I am worried about the long R bar not fitting him. I would also be interested in a Stubben Roxane S. I had the Stubben fitter out last year and she said he need a 29 cm tree, but I think he is wider than that. I use a Wintec 2000 AP on him when hacking and he takes the wide gullet plate.

Here is a confo shot from the side.

And from the rear (I couldn’t get him to look straight ahead because he was wondering what the heck I was doing).

I have some pics of the Wintec on him if that is helpful.

Thanks!

[jaybird660]

I think he would be a candidate for either of those saddles. I think your horse has a typical wither of that type needing a broad saddle laterally but some support in the front area. These saddles have full front gussets and that will be helpful .

[kcmel]

Thanks Jay!

[AKB]

County makes several saddles that fit my wide, difficult to fit, Irish Draught.

[jn4jenny]

I agree with Jay. PS, Stubben has a very long tree point too. They do sweep it back, but it’s comparable in length to the Simatree R-bar saddles.

Gotta be honest, though…I have trouble envisioning a rider who would be physically comfortable and effective in the Stubben Roxane S (a very deep-seated saddle with a very forward flap, which is only ideal if you’re TALL and are purposely buying a bucket that will be hard to get unseated from on XC) and the Thorowgood T8 (a more middling design for a more average body type, medium deep seat, etc.) I would also be deeply suspicious that the fitter who suggested a 29cm Stubben tree is recommending a saddle without deep front panels and is trying to “fill” the gaps behind the wither by making the saddle really narrow.

That doesn’t take Stubben off the table, though, because Stubben does make some saddles with a deeper panel shape. And if your horse is wearing a Wintec wide gullet, then he’s still well within the range of how wide Stubben trees can go. I’m just saying to be careful that you’re not getting sucked down an unproductive fitting-philosophy rabbit hole. Buy your Stubben from someone who “gets” the need to fill dips behind a pronounced shoulder with either built-in deeper saddle panels or effective corrective padding.

[kcmel]

Got it Jenny. I think the saddle fitter that fit the Stubben last year is no longer representing Stubben, so you are probably right about the poor job. That’s why I am hesitating to purchase this brand without another fitting, but it is frustrating that I paid $150 (I think?) for a bad fitting. I have ridden in the Roxane S and I do like it (I’m 5’8" so tall but not super-tall). My current saddle that I use on my other horse is an Excalibur, which also has a deep seat. I have not tried the T8 though, so maybe I wouldn’t like it.

[soloudinhere]

I have a horse who is wider than that (wears the white gullet plate - xw) and he is fine in an R bar thorowgood. I’m going to try the jump saddle myself for him, if I can find one to try. The saddle is a TINY bit too curvy for him but a sheepskin balances it out a bit - and he is a wide little tank of a thing.

[kcmel]

I have a local Thornhill dealer so I sent her a wither tracing and she said the saddle that would fit him best was the Germania Spring, extra wide. And it fit! But I don’t like the forward flaps; I feel like I have to hike my stirrups up to jockey length for my knee to be in the right spot. So any suggestions on a saddle that would fit similarly but without the forward flaps?

[galloping-gourmet]

I’m also looking for my draft crosses. I sent tracings and got several Thornhill Germania Spring recommendations, so I ordered it. and I hated it. Funky in front and pretty wide twist…It’s so hard to find one…

[Lori_T]

My draft cross sports a Stubben Siegfried, XW tree. They had just started making the XW when I asked for a saddle fitting for him.
And there are always the Duett saddles, specially made for the draft crosses.

[soloudinhere]

As an update to my previous post I did end up taking a kent and masters s-series jump on trial and I LOVED it for me. Horse was neutral on it so I sent back the demo but I am still considering pulling the trigger.

[kcmel]

Thanks Soloudinhere. That’s good to know that a K&M fit your super-wide guy. Gives me hope. Do the flaps feel really forward?

[soloudinhere]

[QUOTE=kcmel;8182211]
Thanks Soloudinhere. That’s good to know that a K&M fit your super-wide guy. Gives me hope. Do the flaps feel really forward?[/QUOTE]

Well, forward is relative, and I’m short - but one of the reasons I am shopping is because my current saddle is not nearly forward enough for me. The blocks are removable on the K&M and removing them gave me a ton of room in front of my knee/thigh so I’m hopeful.