saddles for barrel shaped horses

[no.stirrups]

I’m just starting my search, but most saddles I’m finding are A-shaped, and the wider ones are just wider A’s. I need a saddle to fit an upside-down U. Are some saddle makers better at fitting this type of horse? Is there a name for what I’m describing? English riders refer to it as a hoop tree.

TIA!

[Flash44]

If you go to horsesaddleshop.com, they have templates you can download that will give you a good indication of what width your horse is. You can talk/chat with them, and they will make recommendations regarding what saddles are/are not likely to fit your horse. They carry multiple brands. I have an xwide Circle Y that fits my super wide pony well, especially through the shoulders. She was in a 38 cm Duett English saddle, which his a “hoop” type tree.

[no.stirrups]

Thanks Flash44! I’ve sent them a message, we’ll see what they recommend…

[LJStarkey]

I had some success with a flex tree for a sofa-shaped horse.

[Flash44]

[QUOTE=no.stirrups;8208707]
Thanks Flash44! I’ve sent them a message, we’ll see what they recommend…[/QUOTE]

I’d also do the templates, I had no idea that they even made xwide trees until I looked at the templates and put them on my mare. The xwide fit beautifully, and the wide was clearly too narrow. If I had not done the templates, I would have probably ordered a wide tree instead of xwide.

[beau159]

I was just going to say that you probably need a larger gullet so that it is WIDER at the top (thus the difference between an “A” and an upside down “U”).

I’ve got two beefy wide QH’s that both work well with the Circle Y Flex2 tree in the WIDE. “Regular” saddles are too narrow for them.

[no.stirrups]

beau159 that makes sense, thanks!