I will second the Stubben upswept panels, as well as the Kent & Masters/ Thorowgood options. The T’good cob saddle that I had was a 17.5, but the panels were shorter to accomodate a shorter wider back. You probably don’t need a cob-shaped saddle, but the company makes short backed options in other widths.
I had a TB with a 15" saddle space, a GRP with 14" and another GRP with 15.5". All girls with short backs and big shoulders, I guess I have a type.
The TB went in a Schleese JES with shoulder relief and relief wedge, the two GRPs go in an Obrigado. To appreciate the space saved relief wedge and shoulder relief, you really need to turn the saddles upside down. The visible difference in my short(est) backed mare was immediate.
then again Schleese is a brand that really fits me. So do with this information what you will. All saddles were purchased used at big discounts because I knew what I was looking for.
That is a long gusseted panel on that Advantage R. That would not imo be appropriate for a short back horse.
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It may seem that way from the picture but this saddle was made for a horse with a very short, round back. When this saddle is beside a regular length Custom Advantage, it is at least 3-4" shorter. This is the “Pony Panel” that Custom makes.
I have a Frank Baines Pirouette that I had built with short upswept panels for my super short-backed hony…
Well, that’s interesting seeing as those are gusseted panels they are longer than the seat. If that is shorter than the regular panels, what do the regular panels look like? Dang.
I browsed through Custom awhile back, and I noticed that big gusseted panels seemed to be their thing. We don’t have that brand here, so I’ve never seen any in person.
You can request the saddles be made with upswept panels as well. Keep in mind, my horse is short and shaped like a beach ball. I needed this saddle to be made short enough but also wrap around him enough so that it wouldn’t roll around. There has to be enough saddle to distribute the weight so it doesn’t shift, which is the problem I had with my Schleese. I’m not at the barn until later this week but I can gladly measure it for anyone that may be curious.
Equipe. Used.
