Saddle fit - rub areas on coat

[Ozalynda]

I have had a new-to-me saddle on trial the last month. It is a french endurance saddle called a Montsegur (Classic II) and is essentially a mix of english and western saddle. I LOVE it and my horse seems to as well. His trot was instantly more free and forward.

BUT, I have noticed wear on his coat right where the back of the saddle sits. The saddle’s weight bearing ends right at the end of his ribs, but the pad of course extends a little bit further. I can see when he moves, even at a walk, that his back has a lot of lateral movement that the back end of the saddle doesn’t follow, and thus the constant light rub rub rub of the saddlepad.

Is this of concern? Should I give up on an otherwise well functioning saddle? Is this a sign of worse problems to come?

Hoping for some good advice one way or the other.

BTW, the saddle can be seen here: http://guichard-sellier.fr/Msg.htm

[Foxyrab]

I’ve had a similar problem with one of my horses with one specific saddle. Other than being unsightly, it never caused any problems. This same saddle on other horses was fine – it’s only been a problem for this one horse.

To help alleviate this problem, usually referred to as “loin rubbing”, you might want to try sewing some kind of slick fabric to the rear of the saddle pad. That was the only thing that helped me.

[Ozalynda]

[QUOTE=Foxyrab;4443440]
To help alleviate this problem, usually referred to as “loin rubbing”, you might want to try sewing some kind of slick fabric to the rear of the saddle pad. That was the only thing that helped me.[/QUOTE]

Thanks! This is exactly the solution I had also planned if it seemed that the saddle was fine otherwise.

[Leather]

What about Saddle Sox?

http://www.american-flex.com/pads.htm

[matryoshka]

Could it be how the saddle is rigged that allows for the rubbing? Does your horse seem sore there?

[shalomypony]

I had that same problem with my Bob Marshall that fit perfect.I put a thinline on his back first then my pad and saddle.Works like a charm.

[matryoshka]

It would seem that an additional, thin pad might solve the problem. One will hug the back while the other hugs the saddle, moving the friction from the horse’s back to between the pads. It’s worth a try.

I recall a horse at an endurance ride with a sore back toward the rear of the saddle. The vet who examined the horse suggested that the location of the rigging was allowing the saddle to twist a bit against the horse’s movement. I don’t know if this is a problem with treed saddles or not, but it is something I now check for. I’m thinking it is more a matter of matching saddle to horse rather than being inherent in the saddle design.

More food for thought.