Saddle placement and saddle fit for horses with wide scapula

[ToTheNines]

I have four horses, two of which have a very wide scapula. Behind the scapula, they hollow out, and then have very broad backs. They also have normal/high withers.

I ride them in a Tad Coffin SmartRide, which we (my horses and I) all seem to love. The saddle is wide-ish on purpose, so it I can try to use it with various half pads to fit my different horses. So I have ended up with a huge half pad collection.

For the two mentioned above, I am trying the Acavallo Gel and Memory Foam half pad. They seemed to go well in it, but the more padded (thicker) gel part wanted to slide back into the hollow behind the scapula. This put the saddle a bit farther back than I usually ride, but I experimented anyway, and both horses seemed loose and happy. If that’s where they want the saddle, maybe that’s where it should be. Or maybe I need a half pad that is shimmed or thicker farther back (I have actually improvised a few half pads like this). But with a half pad as nice as the Acavallo, now I find myself questioning saddle position.

When you look down at the horse from sitting on a correctly fitted saddle how much shoulder should you see in front of the saddle? I have always thought that when you start to see shoulder flab in front of the saddle, it’s definitely too far back. Or when there is too much gap behind where the mane stops? I should add that I am not one of those who rides up on the withers! I don’t mind it a back a bit.

Do any of you have any metrics you use for when a saddle is too far back or forward?

[sheltona01]

The tree points of the saddle should sit about 2" behind the scapula. With jump saddles you can not look at the flap position to tell if the saddle is positioned correctly. The flap is for the rider and can be adjusted in different angles and lengths for the rider. The best way to see about where the the tree points are is to look for the tree pocket that it sits in. Lift up the top flap and towards the top, there is a stitching line that is in a U shape. That should be tucked in behind the scapula.

[jaybird660]

I would say exactly what Shelton01 says. However, pay attention as to whether the saddle moves forward or back from that position. If it stays put, great. If not, fit or billet placement would need to be addressed.

[ToTheNines]

Thanks to both of you! What more could I ask than for two comments that agree from two of the best saddle experts!

I did try that test, and actually, the saddle fits really well. I think I have been worry too much about that hollow behind the scapula. But the tree points are well back of it.

I actually think I have been overpadding! I was trying so hard to raise the saddle up over the scapula that I think I was making it wobbly and unstable. I tried a simple quilted Thinline pad with a baby pad on one of them. Everything stayed where it was supposed to stay and the horse seemed loose and happy.