Saddle Suggestions for a Narrow Horse

[chicamux]

A friend has a new horse who is 1/2 Arab, 1/2 “Mountain Horse”. He isn’t REALLY narrow but his back and barrel shape is different than any horse I have ever owned. He has a more prominent spine and withers and his back slopes away and downward from his spine. He needs a medium width tree, definitely not a wide or even med-wide tree.

Her 32 cm Stueben is too wide for this horse. She really wants a western type endurance saddle, higher pommel than the english saddles have. She also doesn’t want a treeless saddle. Saddle must be reasonably lightweight as she is an endurance rider. So no big, heavy saddles. Oh, horse’s back length is fairly short.

She bought an Abetta Gaited endurance saddle to use short term and the bars are too long (longer than their Arab model) and do not have the correct angle for his back plus the saddle is too wide.

Can anyone think of any off the rack saddle that may be a better fit? She knows she may need to have a saddle made for him but unless she finds a saddle maker that has the appropriate tree she will just be wasting more money.

chicamuxen (Bonnie)

[stb]

Talk to Summer at saddleupshop.com. She was very helpful when I was trying to find a saddle for my somewhat narrow appendix QH. I ended up with a Tucker Cheyenne saddle with a medium tree and am using a Skito pad with additional shims for behind the shoulder hollows.

[morgan01]

It’s not off the rack but sometimes she has some in stock. Crestridge saddlery. Check out her website on line. She’s made two for us and we have never been happier. One for a really WIDE horse and one for an Arab who is narrowish. Good prices and she offers lightweight ones. She won’t let you down and just sell you a saddle and then forget about you. If you’re not happy, you’re not hung out to dry. She works with you. She wants the saddle to be a perfect fit for the horse.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

Sent you a PM.

[ahorse4]

I’m not sure of your price point, but try county saddlery!

[jaybird660]

Along the English saddle route:
Frank Baines Enduro is good for this type and you can also get a Black Country Equinox made on a standard and not hoop tree. Budget wasn’t mentioned and photos of the horse are always helpful in really knowing what would be suitable.

[chicamux]

The horse owner does not want another english saddle. She wants to switch to a more western style ENDURANCE saddle. Not just a trail saddle, it must be a trimmed down, lightweight, endurance saddle. The Tucker type saddles are heavier than desired by most endurance riders.

Saddle shopping for short backed horses is also a conundrum! I think it would be much easier to stick with an english type saddle. Having a high pommel in front of you is a reassuring feeling for most riders but as I well know you can fall off over a shoulder just as easily with either type of saddle. Personally I prefer a big thigh roll and a deep pocket for my knees on an english saddle for staying on.

Well, it’s not me that is looking for a saddle, it is my friend. I was hoping for suggestions of endurance saddles that are made so they can be customized to the horse. I suggested the Stonewall saddles to her. The bottom of the panels can be customized and they have a wider range of tree widths.

Any suggestions?

Chicamuxen

[trailpal]

My friend has a Rocky Mountain horse, my horse is a cross of one of the mountain breeds crossed with a Walker. The back you describe sounds so familiar!

About 6 years ago, my friend got a saddle from www.sycamorecreeksaddles.com (not sure if I can post the link, so if it disappears, search for Sycamore Creek Saddles). She’s loved it all this time, so when I found that my buena vista saddle no longer fit my horse, I contacted them too and am waiting for delivery of my saddle.

They are not off the shelf, but will build and deliver one reasonably quick - usually 5-8 weeks. The bar length is 23 inches and are built on a western tree. Gaited horses often need much less twist in the tree than trotting horses - and they have trees to accommodate either build. The website has a video demonstrating a simple way to determine which tree is appropriate, and since your friend’s horse is a cross between a gaited and non-gaited breed, would likely be useful. They also show you how to measure & photograph your horse to get the best fit. The prices are great; much less than other saddles I was researching.

Since they are building it for you, you can ask for specific features - I needed/wanted a western seat and V rigging, but I don’t like fenders, so I had them put an english flap and leather on instead. You can call or write Tony (his contact info is on the site) to find out about weight and specific questions - he is pretty responsive and has always gotten back to me within a day.