Hi. I’m not 100% sure where to post this thread but since I (aspire to) do endurance I’ll post it here. I bought a saddle that fits my horse nicely except for the bars that “lifts off” the withers. Opinions and advice on photos please? I’d appreciate it. Thank you.
http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/suzanne119/library/ChronoHorse
[QUOTE=SuzanneD;8474457]
Hi. I’m not 100% sure where to post this thread but since I (aspire to) do endurance I’ll post it here. I bought a saddle that fits my horse nicely except for the bars that “lifts off” the withers. Opinions and advice on photos please? I’d appreciate it. Thank you.
http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/suzanne119/library/ChronoHorse[/QUOTE]
“Saddle fit” is kind of like pregnancy; either it is or it isn’t. 
Get a professional fitter to assess the issue. Sometimes you can do minor adjustments with pads, shims, etc. but major changes are not possible.
If the problem is the bar shape is incompatible with the withers shape then you need to change the bars or change the withers. That last is actually possible to an extent through exercise. The former means a different tree. Unless you’ve got an “adjustable tree” in which case maybe you can fix the problem by adjusting the saddle.
It is sometimes possible to address this sort of problem by adjusting the saddle position slightly to the rear. We don’t have a clear side view showing saddle position. It’s worth looking at but such an adjustment can cause problems elsewhere if it’s too large.
Get the fitter’s advice before you spend any more money.
G.
I agree with Guilherme. To me, it looks like the bars will create pressure points on the horse’s withers; however, it’s hard to determine things like that without actually being present. I say get the advice of someone who is knowledgeable of saddle fit even if you have to pay for it. You certainly don’t want to break down the horse.
I rode in it the weekend and all seemed fine, no pressure points, no reaction from horse. I will get a fitter out anyway.
Is this a Franco saddle? How did it turn out at the end?
It appears too narrow in front, hence the lift at the withers. It will eventually create pressure points where it runs into the shoulder.
However, I second that you need a fitter out, not ask from photos. They will need to do a static (standing/still) fit, as well as dynamic (with you in the saddle, horse moving at various gaits) to ensure it’s correct.
It definitely appears too narrow (as much as can be determined from pictures). Often it takes more than a weekend for the pain to be enough for the horse to exhibit symptoms.
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