Saddle For a Very Short Backed Horse

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

@MysticOakRanch

Like most saddle makers, Custom has different models for different types of horses. Their C saddles (Coda, Constanze) fit shorter backed horses well.

And like many custom saddle makers (Schleese, JRD, etc), they offer different panels for different backs - that is what having a custom saddle allows you to do - customize it for the specific horse and rider.

I’ve been riding in Customs after years of trying to find saddles to fit my shorter backed horses well. Not saying they are the only solution, but I wouldn’t discount them because ONE model doesn’t fit short backed horses well.

I loved my Wolfgang Solo but it didn’t fit my horse…even though I asked them to put on pony panels. (To clarify, the fitter said I didn’t need pony panels, then two other custom reps later asked why I didn’t get pony panels.)

I also had a Constanze that was also too long.

I truly don’t think Custom is a good bet anymore, but I used to.

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

@MysticOakRanch

Like most saddle makers, Custom has different models for different types of horses. Their C saddles (Coda, Constanze) fit shorter backed horses well.

And like many custom saddle makers (Schleese, JRD, etc), they offer different panels for different backs - that is what having a custom saddle allows you to do - customize it for the specific horse and rider.

I’ve been riding in Customs after years of trying to find saddles to fit my shorter backed horses well. Not saying they are the only solution, but I wouldn’t discount them because ONE model doesn’t fit short backed horses well.

I reread my original post you responded to… I’m not trying to be a jerk, but if she’s overseas, it’s really pointless to get custom saddlery involved in any way at this point.

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

@CanteringCarrot

That’s kind of how I feel.

Just trying to locate saddles and a good fitter!

I finally found a good fitter, but she sells only Fairfax, Kent and Masters, Loxley/Bliss of London, and Jeremy Rudge.

I did ride in the Fairfax Gareth again and really like it. Like I said before, it would be nice if it were a little shorter, but it’s not terribly long.

I do have a lead on a nice used Equipe, just trying to find out more info.

I think the absolute most important thing is a great fitter. I think fetters can make or break the brand, and I’ve seen that in our local area where one brand had the entire market and lost 75 or 85% of the market.

[2920]

Try the Passier Compact. I tried it for my short backed and wide Oldenburg, along with two Schleese saddles, and the Passier Compact worked the best, at half the price, but still a well made saddle.

[Haffygirl]

Looking for a dressage saddle to fit my short-backed Haflinger. One suggestion was Verhan Odessey, any thoughts?

[LetItBe]

I have a Kent and Masters S-series and a Hennig ( both for sale) and 2 Dresch customs. I think it all depends on how short backed, how wide, etc. The Kent and Masters worked until I changed how I was sitting and the Dresch for that pony is heavily customized. The other Dresch is a newer tree model and is pretty much off the shelf for the other pony. The Hennig fit the pony it was bought for but not the other two.

LetItBe

[Maude]

DT Saddlery has a new Butterfly saddle specifically targeted for short backed horses. It is designed for the Icelandic horses however my friend rides her warmblood in one and says her horse goes better in it than anything she’s ever had on him. The Butterfly saddles work very well on short back horses to begin with. I’ve always had saddle fitting nightmares with my horse and I finally bit the bullet and bought a Butterfly after trialing it for 1 month. I have the Uta Graf model and my horse and I both love it. It’s easy to care for as your horse changes also because the hinges in the front accommodate shoulder and whither development and all you need is a simple thin shim pad to balance the saddle as your horse changes. No flocking or tree adjustments needed. Of course the saddle fitters hate it but people that have them swear by them.

[oranges2016]

Devoucoux and Childrec have panels that fit short coupled horses very well. Especially like the Childrecs for rider balance and feel as well as fitting a lot of different horses.

[SaddleUp158]

My short backed Morgan ended up with a Takt. She loves it!