Saddle Question

[candyappy]

@Nezzy

That is what i am trying to figure out. The gullet supposedly fits, so what else could i do? If the saddle fits most horses, and i have measured the gullet correctly, which i believe i have done, In what ways could the saddle not be fitting? Do you think a Wintec WIDE would be something to try? They also have adjustable gullets.

I want to add- there are no saddle shops near me that i can try saddles or have someone come out to help.

—No offense intended in my reply—

Are you accustomed to mounting from the ground?? I have seen a fair number of people attempting to mount from the ground who manage to pull the saddle sideways as they struggle to get on…

Mounting from the ground should be a quick and somewhat nimble spring from the ground. If you have to hang, and pull and drag yourself on even a saddle that fits will probably slip. You shouldn’t have it over tightened so you can get on.

He doesn’t appear to be “overly wide” from what I can see, just an average Quarter “type” horse.

Very nice boy…

[Nezzy]

I usually use a mounting block. At our barn we have an old set of house steps which makes it really easy to get on. So altho i can get on from the ground, i have not done a lot of that in the past few years. My big fear is, if the saddle is able to slip with me trying to get on, will it slip if i am cantering? I am worried about that. I am considering trying wool pads, maybe a neoprene girth, and even possibly a 5 point breastplate. Oh and trying a friend’s WIDE saddle as well.

[jawa]

Another thing to consider… If the saddle in question is a dressage saddle with long billets, using a girth for a short billeted saddle may help with stability.

It’s times like these that I wish I could wiggle my nose and “presto chango” a saddle would fit perfectly. Saddle woes have been the bane of my existence of late.

[SonnysMom]

In the grand scheme of things I am not that far from you. Pottstown, PA. I have an English breastplate you could borrow to get you by until you find something that works for him.
I don’t consider your guy that wide. He has a decent shoulder but so do my two. Neither are wide trees. You just need to find the right shape.

Maybe we can meet up and you could try my jump and dressage saddles just to give you some ideas on basic fit for him and preferences for you. I really like my jump saddle and brand new it wasn’t too expensive. I actually ran into somebody trail riding recently with the same saddle. Thornhill Germania jump saddle.

I borrowed a Wintec for my OTTB for a bit until we got some weight on him but finally pulled the trigger and bought a leather wool flocked saddle. It isn’t fancy but it works. I personally do not care for Wintec and did not like the CAIR panels but that is me.

Not far from me is Rick’s Heritage Saddlery and they have a decent selection of used saddles.

[arabiansrock]

Ditto what joiedevie said. The wintec gullet gage is only a guide. we had a wintec and my mare made quite clear that she wanted the gullet that was one size wider than what the gage read. We currently have a fairly round mare that we do have some slipping issues on, mostly with saddle not staying in exactly right place, but if the girth is one hole too lose when you mount it def slips to the side. She is just round. Neoprene girths help. What can also help a lot is a pad called Prolite StayPad. Its about 30 dollars, and you put it directly on horses back, then the saddle pad, It REALLY reduces slipping. Only negative is it does make horses back sweat. Hastilow USA sells it.