Saddle Fit Help

[KandC]

Looking for some brands/styles to try on a tricky to fit young horse. I have a young horse who really hates feeling constricted through his shoulder, but when we try saddles that have freedom through his shoulder, they are probably too wide and lift at the cantle/rock slightly leading to him being sore. So far, we’ve stuck to mostly French brands but tried a County and an Amerigo DJ Salto.

The best he’s moved has been a M tree County (with big shoulder shims) and a M tree Devoucoux with D3D panels (still rocks slightly).

I’m about to venture off into British/Italian territory to try longer tree points, but live in an area with limited reps, so it’s a lot of shipping in/out saddles to try. Next saddle on deck is a Renaissance (wool vs. foam which is a whole different debacle). DH/family/friends/trainer are sick of me talking about saddles. Looking for input on anyone else who’s successfully fit a horse of a similar size/shape and what they go in!

(Also let me know if the Google Drive links give access to everything or just the photos, because I’ve never uploaded photos here with Google Drive)

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[IPEsq]

Can’t view your drive for the photos, but I’ve had luck with Equipe. They have more tree shape options than Amerigo, and now more of the trees are adjustable and you can get a flocked panel option.

[KandC]

I think the photos should work now. Equipe is one I’m considering since it’s one of the reps we actually do have in the area. The one I tried on him was too tight through the shoulders so I didn’t even make it to sitting in it.

[dmveventer]

My Prestige dressage saddle is designed with shoulder relief, so if you’re looking at Renaissance anyway I would definitely have the rep out. Between the two lines they offer a variety of models built on a few different trees so you can try a lot of different saddles in one trip and see what works. I’ve been very happy with my rep’s ability as a fitter, but obviously that can depend on the individual so YMMV.

[albytb]

The only French saddle that would work on him is probably the Antarès Evolution/Evolution-D bc most French trees are too “curved”. Other than that you should look at Prestige or Amerigo

[IPEsq]

It can be hard when they don’t have a big enough tree size in a demo for you to try. Been there! Given how hollow he is next to the withers and how little meat around his scapula, it will be difficult to find the right width tree for what he will ultimately need once he has room to build that muscle up and give his shoulders room without sitting on his spine in the meantime.

Maybe Erreplus? They have a unique panel option where the front is in 2 pieces. So lots of shoulder freedom in the bottom and you can flock up the top portion to clear the spine separately. It can be challenging in my experience to find demos that are wide but I think their network is expanding.

[IPEsq]

For Equipe my horse with scapula sensitivity and high and not super wide withers loves the Allegra model. It was a game changer for him especially since I ordered it and he promptly broke his scapula before it came in.

[Amberley]

Try a Harry Dabbs Italiano. They are absolutely magic for this kind of horse. There are a few fitters who will get you into one remotely: the The Saddle Tree.

[KandC]

Unfortunately those wither hollows have actually filled out compared to where they were in his previous “custom” saddle

It’s one of the reasons I’m leaning towards wool and Prestige/Renaissance or something with a changeable tree.

[IPEsq]

Erreplus is wool flocked with an adjustable tree. The leather is pretty good quality

[EquineEverything]

Hi, just FYI - our lovely Amanda from the saddle tree is no longer with us. She helped me out as I am a rep for Harry Dabbs and she would review my orders before I placed them, just to be sure it was correct. (So many options) I’d be happy to help with HD questions or order.
K&C, let me know if you need any remote fitting help.

[Amberley]

Are you saying she’s died? Oh that’s terrible! I had no idea, I talked to her not long ago. She was a huge help fitting horses remotely and a lovely person who always went above and beyond and will be missed enormously.

[blue_heron]

I think she’s on hiatus or moved jobs.

[Amberley]

Ok that’s a huge relief. I knew she was on hiatus. My goodness that post was phrased very poorly!

[weixiao]

Amanda sadly passed away this summer and is very missed.

[KandC]

So sorry to hear of Amanda’s passing. That is so sad and horrible news.

Updating the thread:

Currently have a Renaissance F on trial but the stirrup leathers won’t stay in the keepers? Otherwise I like it more every time I ride in it, although it’s an adjustment as the seat is flat and the knee rolls are minimal. Horse LOVES it, but (somewhat independent) fitter was worried about it putting pressure on his lower thoracic and upper lumbar in an uncomfortable way.

Also have an Equipe EK 26 on trial which I like… but don’t love. Thigh blocks hit me and hold me in just the right place over small fences, but the seat feels tight. Horse feels the same way- likes it but doesn’t love it the way he likes the Renaissance.

Just unsure of whether to keep looking or pick one.

[IPEsq]

What size is the EK26? (Seat and tree). I have an EKGO for sale. Might be too wide for your horse from the photos. My Equipe rep also has a couple other demos or used saddles for sale in different sizes. She’s currently spending more of her time on the east coast.

[IPEsq]

Oh and adding that she also reps Prestige and Renaissance now as well. Maybe she could make some recommendations if you are too far for a fitting?

[dmveventer]

Have you tried other models of the Renaissance? If I’m remembering correctly the F was the flattest seat they offer. None of them are truly “deep” but I sat in a few that were deeper than the base model. I loved the Renaissance M I tried, almost bought it but ended up liking the extra security of a deeper seat Prestige model. Never heard of the stirrup leather issue, that’s odd. I’d guess it’s something with that particular saddle.

[KandC]

He’s too flat for the other models unless it’s wool is what I was told and the regional rep wouldn’t come to me for flocking. I would have preferred the M personally but I don’t feel insecure in the F. It feels like jumping nothing in the best way possible. Just frustrated with the leathers constantly riding up (and… a little security might not hurt with a 6 year old horse).