Stubben's Spring Tree enabling use of what would normally be a too long saddle

[jumponit]

I have run into a bit of a problem with my Stubben Portos looking too long on my mare’s back and was wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this.

Backstory:
Bought a custom Portos with all the bells and whistles about two years ago through the local rep. When the rep came out I rode in a 17.5". I liked the saddle and felt like it was a good fit despite the fact I felt like it was pushing it for length on my 14.2 hand pony’s back.
Saddle came and while beautiful, it is an 18" and looks just huge on my pony. I called the rep with my concerns and was told that the spring tree that Stubben now uses makes it so there is not a pressure point under the very back of the saddle.
I was skeptical but decided in my apparent naivety to go with the rep’s opinion despite my normal saddle fitter, vet, chiropractor, and trainer expressing concern that the saddle was too big for both me and the pony.

Pony is sore right where the back of the saddle hits, and I struggle to find my position in the seat also. Stubben insists that an 18" was the size I needed and that their saddles cannot be too long for the horse.

Any knowledgeable saddle people out their believe that a flexible tree like that really would enable the pressure to come off the back of the saddle? I am feeling a bit ripped off by the whole process, but perhaps it is just that the whole saddle is not working for my pony?

[purplnurpl]

I have the same issues with me and my horses. I’m 6’ and size 10. I ride very short backed horses.
The Portos already has the upswept panels.

I ride in a 17" prestige eventer with XL flap. I deal with the small seat to adapt the same to my horse/s.

[one1horse]

I recently bought a custom Portos (delivered at the beginning of November) and my rep came out in person and evaluated the fit about a week after I got the saddle. Has your rep seen the saddle in person since you got it?

Stubben also guarantees the fit of the saddle for life and will adjust it as needed. I’m surprised they aren’t validating your concerns and troubleshooting with you to see how they can fix the problem. Maybe you could start there, and ask them to evaluate the fit in person as your pony is experiencing back pain? I’d just be very surprised if they didn’t agree to that.

[elizabeth_Callahan]

Stubborn was not very helpful with my issues. Custom Portos, measured by rep who insisted that the saddle needed to be narrower than I thought and when it got to me, not only didn’t fit that horse, but none of my other horses, proceeded to rub holes in their backs (all 3). Fitter came out, couldn’t figure out what was wrong, brought other fitter out. After 3 months, all decided tree was too narrow(duh), gussets were in wrong place and saddle was useless. Stubben would NOT refund my money since it was a custom saddle and not returnable, but gave me a partial credit towards a new saddle, and gave me a demo saddle as partial trade that was now too wide for my mare and too big for me.
Very disappointed in the entire experience, from fitters to Stubben and won’t ever be buying a saddle from then again.

[jumponit]

The rep has been out, more then once. I have voiced my complaints and concerns to them multiple times over the last two years. To give them credit, they have responded and offered me $1000 off a new saddle in my choice of size. However, they will not guarantee the fit of the new one.

I am only 5 feet tall, and while not skinny (size 10), I have been perfectly happy, as has my pony, in my 17" Amerigo dressage saddle.

I really want to believe the best in the company and I wanted to believe that their spring tree allowed the saddle to sit so far back without injury to her, but it is not looking like that is the case.

I wish I could go back in time now to right when I discovered the size and get more demanding about the fact that my saddle showed up in a size that I had not ridden in, and would frankly never have bought if I had known that was my option.

[snowrider]

I can’t see a half inch making that much difference to the pony to be honest.

[jumponit]

[QUOTE=snowrider;8482849]
I can’t see a half inch making that much difference to the pony to be honest.[/QUOTE]

It may be just the way this particular saddle is made, but the seat is HUGE, maybe because it is fairly flat? I rode briefly in an 18" old old old Imperator and it did not come back nearly as far.

It definitely is this saddle making her sore, I was just trying to find out if it is most likely the length or something else altogether.

[jaybird660]

Not seeing photos, it could be the balance, the gullet channel or the length making your horse sore. If the saddle is rubbing into the loins, it will make the back sore. If it is too long, the hips can push it this way and that into the shoulders as well. If it is too narrow, the pressure may be at the back. If the gullet channel is too narrow or the lateral shape too angular and so on. Can be many reasons.

[AutumnReign]

I’ve been told that stubben trees are very banana shaped - so stubben all together may be the wrong choice for your pony??
I have an amerigo alto, which is also a very curvy tree - it doesn’t fit my mare properly despite first appearance - too much pressure under the stirrup bars.