Saddle For a Very Short Backed Horse

[CanteringCarrot]

My Spanish Couch aka PRE has a very short back. I feel like it ends where it begins! I currently have an Eicchorn Sattelprofi Advantage (German saddle maker) that is comfortable, but the flap doesn’t exactly fit me because I am a little long in the femur. It’s not terrible though.

This saddle may be in violation of the “last rib rule” but I am quite certain that most will! I must have a 17.5" seat, and while we did try a 17" that was shorter on his back, it was too small for me. My current saddle fitter said that a 17.5" while longer, is overall better because my balance is better in the saddle, which makes the weight distribution better instead of cramming myself into a smaller saddle and having the weight too far back on the seat.

So, will this horse always have a saddle that is too long? Are there some makes/models of saddles that accommodate this back, or lack-thereof better?

Pictures to follow.

[NJRider]

There are some very specific mfg/models for shorter backed horses. Albion, Hulsebos, Passier have them. I would look at their web sites and find an educated rep that can help you. There might be one or 2 Custom Saddlery models that are aimed for this body type but make sure you are dealing with someone knowledgeable They have suddenly gotten on this kick of hiring a boatload of “fitters” with 2 weeks of training. Some were good before they signed on with CS but many are not.

[LilyandBaron]

Agree with looking at some of the short back specific models, but my older KN Symphonie fits my short-backed horses - Azteca and Standardbred - great, per saddle fitter. But if your leg is longer, Passier Compact might be worth checking…

[2tempe]

Custom Saddlery makes the Wolfgang Constanza with short panels. Works quite nicely on my Lusitano.
Schleese makes one too, though it is significantly more $$…

[no.stirrups]

I like Black Country and Harry Dabbs for short backs. Both are significantly shorter than some other brands “compact” models and both can be made even shorter by special order.

[MysticOakRanch]

Some of the custom saddle makers also offer shorter panels - Custom Saddlery offers “pony panels”, and I know Schleese has their version too. I also have the Custom Constanze saddle for my short backed mare and my pony.

[joiedevie99]

Depending on exactly how short, you may have to consider going to a flat seat in order to go down in size. A flat seat 17" will feel almost as big as some of the deep seated 18"s on the market.

[WhyMe1]

Schleese specifically has saddles for short backed horses. The Obrigado has a shorter tree (might be available custom on other models too) and they can do a “relief” panel that is swept up in the back on all their dressage saddles. I love my Schleese and if you have a good fitter, the horse will love it too.

[csaper58]

Is it possible to remove the short flaps on your current saddle and replace with a longer flaps? I have had a damaged flap replaced, it was not expensive.

[CanteringCarrot]

CoTH and my phone are not cooperating so I cannot provide a visual aid at this exact moment.

However, I did buy this brand of saddle because my fitter knows it well, and I’ve seen him do some in depth saddle work to make one saddle fit two differently shaped horses (not simultaneously). So, if the flap is an issue, it’s a possible replacement I’m sure.

Can one construct “upswept panels” on a saddle that has regular panels? I’m not saying I want to, just sheer curiosity.

I’m trying not to spend more than 2k and prefer used. Even then, Schleese can be quite pricey!

[luvmyhackney]

Look at the Thorowgood saddles, they are a great price and tend to fit short backs. The Kent and Masters are the leather version if I remember correctly.

[KyrieNZ]

Have you looked at a WOW? I had a couple of Andalusians and rode in WOWs on them. My current mare is a very short backed, wide shouldered Dutch warmblood. You can have a short panel, and the longer flap for your long legs (I don’t have that problem, hehe).

http://www.wowsaddles.com/

[jaybird660]

Some saddle companies can do a saddle with a short panel such as a 17.5 seat and 17 or 16.5 panel. Baines and Black Country can. A more open seat and less in the way of a front block or forward flap can also help.

[Archer]

I just tried the Albion Fabrento (monoflap, very short panels) and it fit my short-backed mare very well.

[phoenixrises]

I do not have a couch but I went with the Custom Saddlery with the pony panel for my ungodly short backed super curvy TB which allowed to fit both me and the mare.

they have a couple trees specifically for the PRE

[demidq]

I have a Sommer Diplomat, fits my short backed Arab /Hano very well. The panels are swept up at the back instead of the popular gussets, and the points are also designed to give good shoulder clearance. Endleely adjustable as well if your beast is still changing shape!

[CanteringCarrot]

These are all helpful suggestions! I’m not crazy about the WOW saddles, and there is no rep for those anywhere close to me, so I’m not sure how I’d take a closer look to evaluate further.

I’ve seen some good prices on some Jaguar (Harry Dabbs) saddles, and had those on my list. All other brands mentioned I can look into as well.

I am trying to avoid going gull blown custom/brand new. Mostly because of the cost, and because I’ve spent the money and had it not worked out. I’ve been through some bad saddle fitters here (not they there are many to begin with), and paid too much for my horses to have sore backs.

While this guy is ok right now, I don’t think the gusseted panels are OK for him. I also want a more close contact feeling.

EDIT: pictures below from my wonky phone. However, I do feel like the saddle was being placed too far forward in the shoulder in these pictures. If slid back, it definitely is too long. It is even past the rib too far forward. And then there is the somewhat forward girth groove?

Anyway, I don’t know how some of you just get a saddle and it fits. I always get sold something that is fitted to my horse and doesn’t work out and I end up with an unhappy horse. 3 fitters so far…

Maybe it’s just me?

[CanteringCarrot]

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[beowulf]

@CanteringCarrot

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Anyway, I don’t know how some of you just get a saddle and it fits. I always get sold something that is fitted to my horse and doesn’t work out and I end up with an unhappy horse. 3 fitters so far…

Maybe it’s just me?

Nope, BTDT, got the expensive vet bill and equally expensive T-shirt. I feel you. What I really think happens is you don’t know what you don’t know, and then once you know, it’s always something you’re going to look out for.

I think in the end going custom is cheaper than trying All The Saddles – plus, when it inevitably stops fitting as saddles always seem to do, you have some sort of legal leg to stand on as the saddle is supposed to actually fit.

We just got a Black Country for our short-backed shrimp. He is so short that even my little Ainsley slips a little past his last rib. I will say that while he is not my horse I do ride him every now and then and I have noticed he goes much better if I use my gelding’s girth on him, which is the TOTAL Saddle Fit girth. I think it anchors the saddle in a more stable manner. The Black Country fits him pretty well but needs a reflock. He’s got very wide and long scapulas for a smaller horse, which made saddle fitting a challenge because his human happens to be very tall and he happens to be very narrow/short once you get past his shoulders.

[kashmere]

A gal at my barn has a wildly short backed Friesian, and she recently bought a Hulsebos that is working wonderfully for him.