I’m looking at getting a cheaper saddle to ride my ottb in untill he muscles up and fills out some more, he has very high withers and large shoulders, what saddle might be a good fit for him, I was looking at the thorowgood and tekna saddles. He has put on alot of weight since this pic was taken. [ATTACH=JSON]{“alt”:“Click image for larger version Name: IMG_20180515_095712.jpg Views: 2 Size: 23.2 KB ID: 10117940”,“data-align”:“none”,“data-attachmentid”:“10117940”,“data-size”:“full”}[/ATTACH]
My favorite cheap, versatile ottb saddle is ny Bates close contact. I bought it lightly used for $600, and had the crappy Cair panels replaced with wool for another $150. Fits great on a wide range of horses as they grow and fill out, with adjustable tree and can be reflocked to fill in hollows behind the shoulder.
I rode my OTTB in a Crosby Grand Prix when I first got him (later upgraded to Stubben Portos).
My go-to for anything with withers is County. Obviously County isn’t “cheap,” but you can often find old models (Stabilizer, Pro-Fit, Conquest, etc.) on local/regional FB boards for pretty darn cheap. Though I sure like the sound of EventerAJ’s plan too! I love my Counties because they can be reflocked to fit a particular horse at any given time. But wool-flocked is my primary objective (over brand) because I’ve found my high-withered horses prone to changing shape pretty drastically based on stress levels, work loads, etc.
But I also have a Stubben Edelweiss that fits my horses very similarly to my Counties (except the Stubben wide tree matches my County narrow trees). I hate the Stubben, but my horses don’t seem to mind it.
You may want to try contacting a local saddle fitting company. I know that their are small ones that are run by a single person and they may do a free fitting for you. Once you find a saddle that fits your horse well, you could look on Ebay for the same saddle at a better price. Hope you find one that works!
Thorowgoods fit TBs very well. Unless you have really long legs, they will fit you well too.
Like PNW, I have found that Counties have fit well. I also have gotten a great deal on a Jeffries that has fit every TB I have had. Neither of those are my favorite to ride in, but they do work for the high withered wide shouldered horses.
My thoughts exactly.
Another vote for Thorowgood. I found an older model (without the changeable gullet) on ebay for my former OTTB, and it fit her like a glove. No point in paying big $$$ for something that’s going to be replaced soon.
Thorowgood and Kent and Masters would be worth considering. They’re wool flocked, have changeable gullet plate systems and other great options. They also have full front gussets which offer panel support to give some lift for clearance and balance.
I definitely would spend the money on wool flocked so it can last longer by flocking to their shape. As someone who is onto their third saddle with their thoroughbred in 2 years, I am hoping it will make the saddle fit last longer if I can continue to flock to her body shape. Also, I just also don’t enjoy saddle shopping.
I found a used collegiate Ruiz Diaz ap saddle, does anybody know anything about that saddle, if It puts you in the correct position
I don’t know that particular saddle but generally would stay away from AP saddles.
I suspect that saddle won’t have the wither clearance you need.
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