Saddle help for gelding with kissing spines

[SweetestDownfall]

Hello!

I recently had a couple saddle fitters out and my beautiful medium tree Amerigo CC Monoflap saddle was deemed not a correct fit for my horse. The last fitter said it was too narrow through the stirrup bar region. I sadly sold that saddle (literally within a day of listing, it was so nice!).

I should also add my OTTB was diagnosed with kissing spines in early April. Proper fit is extra critical.

I have a brand new medium tree County Epiphany dressage saddle that fits him perfectly, but now I need a jump saddle again. I don’t have the budget to purchase another brand new saddle right now as I have spent a huge amount of money on veterinary care, body work, etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions for used saddles to look at? I don’t know where to start with brands/models. My gelding also seems like a tricky fit with a large shoulder/fair wither size and curvy back type. I’ve had trouble with saddles slipping back on him.

I’m hoping to find something through a consignment shop so I can do trials at this point but don’t know where to begin with my search. Prior to my last jump and dressage saddle, I had the same old Beval LTD for 16 years! It a new world diving into proper saddle fit…

Very poor attempt at attaching a photo but…you get the idea

[steelerino]

What about a used County jump saddle. There are plenty on the market to pick from.

[cayuse]

I had a mare built like your guy, she also had issues with the saddle slipping back and a older Pessoa worked well on her.

[beowulf]

The photo is not the best to judge off of, but going off of what I can see I’d start with what you know works – which is the County tree. See if you can find any used that were made on the same tree/panel type.

If you can’t find any Countys or want to go with a different brand, I’d go with Black Country. Look for serge panels - I think they’re almost a must for anything with kissing spine. I have two geldings that look like they match your gelding’s anatomy and they are both in BCs; one does have KS managed with various therapies. Both responded positively to serge-paneled saddles.

Not surprised to hear that about the Amerigo - I love these saddles but never got them to fit a “typical” TB shape, which is what your guy looks like to me – large shoulder, tall wither, and curvy-short back type is fairly typical for a mature TB.

[back_in_the_saddle1]

Another vote for a used County. Additionally, you might try Hastilow. My TB gelding who looks to have a similar shape goes in a Hastilow Alnwick monoflap. It was a perfect fit right off the fitter’s truck!

[Jealoushe]

Could a different model Amerigo work? They have different trees for different shapes.

[SweetestDownfall]

I don’t think I will try another Amerigo, as lovely as they are. On the hunt for a used County or Black Country now! I’m working on a lower budget because of vet bills but…I’m in no rush.

[GreyDes]

@SweetestDownfall - There’s a group on Facebook called “2nd Hand Black Country Saddles USA”. It might be worth taking a look if you know the specs you’re looking for.

[Xanthoria]

EQ Saddle Science saddles are great for kissing spines as they’re highly adjustable and even gullet width can be adjusted. They do rehab rentals too.

https://www.eqsaddlescience.com/rehabilitation-rental-program

[rfath]

(EQ rep here). Just popping in to add this link with some more details on the gullet width: Kissing Spine post

We’re always happy to chat, and have a pretty generous trial and rehabilitation program, as Xan mentioned!

[Loves_to_ride]

Hi, I have a horse built very similarly to your, with an even curvier back. Same issues, large shoulder, wither and very muscled; he’s an OTTB.

I have a new Frank Baines Reflex which both he and I love! I previously used a Black Country Quantum which worked reasonably well. I only switched to the Frank Baines because I bought it for my other horse who has since been retired and I wasn’t going to let a new saddle sit (it’s also the 1st time I’ve ever bought tack with a little “bling” of blue piping and at my age I decided the bling was fun!)

Good luck in your search…

[hj.eq.xc]

I love my Stubben Portos Elite. The only saddle that doest slide back on my big guy. Bought it second hand and its my saddle of gold, will never part with it