Years ago, I had a BIG long.-flat-backed Appy with average withers and a huge shoulder. I ended up jumping him, both cross-country and stadium, in my “hunter” saddle, a Crosby Mark VI (IV?). Yeah, no knee rolls (or just a pencil one to my recollection), but his shoulders were big enough that I didn’t really need them. I don’t think that saddle is even made any more, but you never know. Or maybe a used one might be around. It can’t hurt to try one, assuming they even still exist.
my horse is a little bit different to yours (bigger wither but round and flat too) and im also in a prestige jump saddle in 35
I was thinking SW, also - they are really good about working with you for fit, and they make a lovely close contact saddle. I secont the Baum passier for a try, as well. the panels and pommel are well out of the way of the shoulders. I have a 1969 passier baum dressage saddle which probably isn’t what you want (narrow to medium) but its something to think about.
Yes! This is the vintage mine is, though mine is an AP with jumping tendency and is a medium-wide to wide. I bought mine on ebay for less than a hundred dollars, and I literally cried when I sat in it the first time. It just fits. I held my breath when trying it on Pony, and almost cried a second time when it fit her just as well as it did me.
I’ll second (third/fourth) Smith Worthington. Their Mystic close contact with the shoulder gussets was a game changer for my HUGE shouldered TB.
My go-to for the huge-shouldered relatively flat-backed horse (which describes most of mine) is County.
I know you’ve probably already bought something, but I just wanted to throw out there that I have an Adam Ellis on a hoop tree and it fits great. Big shoulder, big wither, big flat back. His tracings look a lot like yours. Mine actually gets wider as he goes back- most horses the widest point is the shoulder. Also, FWIW, the newer Bates fit mine pretty well too but I wasn’t a huge fan. I had an older Bates before the Adam Ellis that didn’t fit him great that I loved but the newer ones really didn’t speak to me. I also really wanted WOOL.
I bought a Smith Worthington Zephyr Monoflap jumping saddle. $2,200. They were GREAT to work with, I’m out west so sent tracings. Turns out the saddle was too wide in front, but the tree is adjustable. I sent it back and they flocked and changed the tree. Now it fits him (and me) perfectly. My horse is a Perch TB cross, big boy, 17.2 hh and pretty broad in the back.
You may want to call and chat with them, they really are nice people, and very knowledgable.
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I’ve exchanged emails with Matt at Heritage Saddlery in the UK. He has a specific large shoulder design, very reasonable prices, and great reviews.
http://heritagesaddlery.co.uk
