Saddle fitting woes

[Mtn_trails]

I have been trying to find a saddle to fit my young horse for several months. I’ve tried what seems like dozens and they all slide forward and interfere with her shoulder while on the longe. I’ve tried wider trees, narrower trees, flat with minimal curve, gaited saddles, etc etc ad nauseum. The best I’ve found is an Arab tree with a 7" gullet but it still slides forward. I can probably make it work but I’m not in love with it. It’s a circle Y and just seems cheaply made.

What do I try next? A pro fitter? I’ve never had so much trouble fitting a saddle before. I want to ride my horse dang it! If you have any nuggets of wisdom or want to commiserate, please do. Venting over.

[Countryclips]

Sounds like your horse needs muscles to hold the saddle in place. I rode my 3 year old bareback the first year before I found a saddle to fit. I did use a nice thick pad and a bareback pad for his comfort.

[beau159]

How old is your horse? Breed? Can you post pictures?

Yes, saddle fitting can be quite frustrating. I think I tried 8 or 9 saddles on Red over the course of a couple months before I found “the one”.

Luckily, my Shotgun fits the same saddle as he has a similar build. But what is amazing with these young horses is how much they grow. In the fall of his 3-year-old year, I was using a full QH bars Circle Y saddle that fit him pretty good. Had to send it for repairs. I tried Red’s saddle on him and was WAY too wide to the point the gullet was sitting on his withers. Borrowed a saddle from my mom that was a little bit wide, but okay for the time being.

Come springtime, only 4 months later, guess what? Circle Y is now WAY too small, and Red’s fits him like a glove. :eek: Now I’m waiting for him to outgrow that and then I had no idea what I’m going to do, haha. I’ve got insanely wide beefy quarter horses.

Just have to keep searching! It’s an ongoing battle, especially with a young one.

[Mtn_trails]

She’s a mustang, 4 years old, built more like a TB and has been mistaken for one. Not beefy but long flatter muscling. I don’t have any current pics but can take some tonight. My sometimes trainer is going to look over the situation tomorrow and see if we can come up with a solution.

[UrbanHennery]

What style of saddle are you looking for? Reining? Barrel? Cutting?

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Mtn trails;8451636]
I don’t have any current pics but can take some tonight. [/QUOTE]

Yes, pictures would be great. Also if you can do any pictures with the current saddles you think fits the best thus far.

[Mtn_trails]

I have a modified wade tree roping saddle which I love and is really a well made high quality saddle. I’m looking for something similar but willing to try whatever fits and is suitable for the mountains.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Mtn trails;8453010]
I have a modified wade tree roping saddle which I love and is really a well made high quality saddle. I’m looking for something similar but willing to try whatever fits and is suitable for the mountains.[/QUOTE]

Are you looking for more of a trail saddle then, for riding in the mountains?

If you have a Wade saddle that currently fits your horse, then I would look for another Wade with the same tree, but in the style you desire.