SADDLE BRANDS FOR: Wide Shoulder, High Wither, TB

[Wmbld]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for suggestions for saddle brands for a very wide shouldered, high withered TB (shoulders wide, typical hollows on either side of his high wither, then fills out again into the back).

I am currently using the Bates Pro Dressage in a MW gullet. Its fits “ok”, but the panels are a bit too straight as his back conformation dips and then curves upwards slightly into the loin.

I would like to try to find a brand that takes an adjustable gullet or widens with a key, so as he grows I can change the saddle width.

Please let me know what you have used that you have found work! Thanks!

[atlatl]

Trilogy Verago, with extra gussets in the back.

[sheltona01]

I would suggest Kent and Master. It is an adjustable tree but curvy then a Bates from front to back. They fit Tbs very well. If you want higher in brand, Fairfax Saddlery. These are the saddles I recommend if you are worried about your horse changing shapes. They are very adaptable and fit horses well.

[McVillesMom]

Black country Eden with front gussets and K panels is what I got for my guy.

[Wmbld]

Are you a saddle fitter? Just curious. Could I send you a pic of my horse and maybe you would be better to recommend a certain brand based off of what you think he looks like? Thanks!

[sheltona01]

I am a saddle fitter. I would be more than happy to help you. My email is thesaddlefits@gmail.com

[quiet_girl]

Neidersuss.

[scruffy_the_cat]

My TB is shaped just like that an I had the fitter from Pelham bring some lovely Frank Baines dressage saddles that fit him extremely well.

[scruffy_the_cat]

I can’t edit my post for some reason but I wanted to add that I also have a Hastilow Concept Flexibility, which has the same interchangeable gullet/tree as the Kent and Masters. It’s a lovely saddle, and very comfortable. It doesn’t fit my TB perfectly but he adores it for some reason. But the Baines saddles were definitely worth a look and a great price, even new. Gorgeous quality.

[beowulf]

I second Neiderseuss for the big shoulders; there’s big shoulders, then there’s the crazy, trapezoid-like shoulders where they just keep getting wider and wider from the base…

I have this exact horse. He is a TB but you wouldn’t know it looking at him - he is dense & thick as TBs come, with a big wither and his shoulders… god. They’re huge. Anyway, I rode him in an Ainsley Chester XC for a while and while it fit all my past TBs, it wasn’t a good match for him: the tree points in Ainsleys go straight down rather than fan out, and it made his shoulders sore (it was fitted to him too). I played around a little, pulled out an old Kieffer Wein dressage saddle; the trees in the Kieffer point out a little more and it was much more accommodating for his shoulders.

I ended up purchasing a Stubben Zaria with the New Tree (NT); it has made an incredible difference. The tree points in the NT angle out on a curve, which is exactly what a horse like him needs. No complaints. He loves, loves, loves the saddle. Goes much better in it than anything else.

I was having a hard time justifying the cost, until I cantered him in it… He was a pretty green OTTB at the time, but that canter sold me - it was completely different than his canter in all other saddles.

I’ve had really good luck with Stubbens on TBs in the past: I never get the “stereotypical” TB - mine always seem to look like some other breed over a TB be it QH or Cleveland Bay… so I’ve got a collection of saddles that work well with them. I’d start looking at Kieffers and Stubbens and go from there.

I would personally avoid most french saddles if I were you: I found the panels are too round for most TB backs, which tend to be a little flat and broad… At least my TBs, anyway.

[suzyq]

I use Albion slk on mine.

[StormyDay]

Passier

[no.stirrups]

Harry Dabbs has done a ton of research on horses like yours:
http://www.thesaddletree.com/Thoroughbreds.html

[oldernewbie]

Luc Childerac. Not always the easiest to find, but a great saddle. A great ride, too.

[beowulf]

PPS love the link to Dabbs, did not know about them.

Another brand that has done extensive research (and developed a saddle) on saddle fit for TBs is Stubben. That’s what their NT is.

[kashmere]

Dabbs are amazing saddles. I had one to try on my girl while I was in saddle hell this summer. I loved it very, very much. It was unfortunately just not wide enough for her, but if it had been a different tree size I would have jumped all over it.

[jaybird660]

It would be most helpful to see photos of your horse as there are other things that fitters also look for.

There are a number of saddles that have potential but mostly, I would stick with something that has front panel support such as full front gussets and that isn’t too angular laterally. Many of the UK saddles offer those options including some listed above.

[jaybird660]

It would be most helpful to see photos of your horse as there are other things that fitters also look for.

There are a number of saddles that have potential but mostly, I would stick with something that has front panel support such as full front gussets and that isn’t too angular laterally. Many of the UK saddles offer those options including some listed above.

[Twigster]

I have a similar sounding horse and Sheltona01 above has been immensely helpful in fitting him. I highly recommend her.

[Wmbld]

For everyone responding, thanks! However, what size trees are in the saddles you are describing? Thanks!