Check out the Sensation treeless saddles. They have more wither clearance than many.
I also have an appy with exact same body structure
We have an appy with the same body structure and we use her for LD and endurance. She is high withered with prominent spine and a bit hollow behind the shoulders…which by the way has NOT filled out in three years of conditioning – this is just the way she is built. She has also been a nightmare to fit, but we found that the gaited saddles fit her best so we purchased a Bighorn Gaited saddle (not the greatest saddle in the world, but it fits right and didn’t cost a fortune) with a thick wool felt saddle pad which is split in the front for high withers. This is the ONLY saddle we’ve found that doesn’t rub or pinch – and she is doing 50s without back soreness.
By George, I think we have a GREAT FIT!!!
And Signa Strom hit the nail on the head. I have a Big Horn gaited saddle, the cheapie model, and lo and behold, it fits the mare like it was made for her. Only problem is, the saddle makes my knees and back sore. So I went on a mission to find the same tree in a better made saddle, and this is what I found out.
The exact same plastic (cheaper) tree that’s in the Big Horn Gaited saddle is also used for the Tennessean Trail Gaited saddle. The Tennessean costs a bit more than the Big Horn version and has more leather. Then I inquired about the Tennessean Endurance saddle, which is also made by Big Horn. It also has the “gaited horse tree”, but costs quite a bit more than the other two, so I asked the folks at National Bridle why there was such a price difference between the Tenn. Endurance and the Tenn. Trail saddles, if both were on the same tree and look pretty much the same except one has a horn and one doesn’t. What I found out is very interesting.
The Endurance model, which costs the most, has the Equi-Fit fiberglass covered WOOD tree by the Steele Saddle Tree Company. The cheaper saddles, both the Big Horn Gaited horse saddle AND the Tennessean Trail saddle for gaited hroses have a cheaper, plastic tree, which is made to fit and is shaped exactly like the higher quality wood tree. It’s just a cheaper alternative, with the EXACT SAME FIT.
And I’ve owned 2 Tennessean Endurance saddles in years past and they fit me wonderfully. So, I have found the right tree size, and the right saddle that SHOULD, in theory, work for both me and my horse. I did a search and found a very nice, used Tennessean Endurance saddle and will be buying it later this week. So, for now, my research has paid off and I think I’m on the right track. Best of all, I don’t have to spend a thousand dollars or more for a treeless…whew…that’s a relief! And I’ll get to ride in a Tennessean Endurance again, which has been one of my all time favorite saddles, because it fits my butt and hips and NEVER made me sore.
Why does saddle fitting have to be so complicated? Oh well, at least I’ve gotten good at it over the years!
Treeless Saddles
I concur with “Bonnie”. A Bob Marshall with a pommel designed for a high withered horse along with a “Skito” pad will do wonders for your you and your horse. I’m a heavywieght ( 240) and have never had a horse with back problem, even on a variety of “shapes”. Also, fall is coming and your mare will be disappointed that you haven’t solved the saddle problem! Good Luck.
JackTreeless Saddles
:winkgrin:I concur with “Bonnie”. A Bob Marshall with a pommel designed for a high withered horse along with a “Skito” pad will do wonders for your you and your horse. I’m a heavywieght ( 240) and have never had a horse with back problem, even on a variety of “shapes”. Also, fall is coming and your mare will be disappointed that you haven’t solved the saddle problem! Good Luck.
JackKellye, I hope the saddle works out!! Maybe we can do the Gallop on the Greenway Endurance Ride at the FL Horse Park on Jan 31??
Christina
