Talk me down! (maybe...)

[outerbanks77]

@Artistinnature

She said I’d need a half-pad with shim pockets and shims for the short term, if I keep using this saddle…

It isn’t really possible to compensate for too narrow saddle but sticking more padding under it. It sounds like the saddle may have too much angle to the panels. Like if you sight down the channel from the back, do the panels angle down, or is there a nice flattish surface? Friesians tend to have well-sprung ribs and need the panels flatter. Since he is going to grow and change a lot, you might try out a Thorowgood saddle - they are synthetic and hence much cheaper, and have interchangeable gullet bars. The cob model is made for broader horses: https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/thorowgood-t4-cob-dressage-saddle-16679

If you start a new thread with photos, you can probably get some good insight here.

Incidentally, my 17H wide load warmblood is in a Patrick saddle built on their “cob” tree, so don’t let the description sway you. Black Country and Lovatt & Ricketts are also good choices for a wider saddle and can often be found used for lower prices.

And lol @sigrid.sijtsma as if warmbloods aren’t having OCD chips removed left and right. I know an Arabian with a stifle OCD. It is in all breeds and the WB breeders from what I’ve heard are routinely getting OCD surgery for about 60% of the two year olds and definitely not selecting those horses out. When the PPE on my mare turned up a coffin joint OCD, I went ahead and bought her and did the surgery because her hocks and stifles were clean, and the vets said the OCD she had was very operable.

[Artistinnature]

@outerbanks77

Friesians tend to have well-sprung ribs and need the panels flatter. Since he is going to grow and change a lot, you might try out a Thorowgood saddle - they are synthetic and hence much cheaper, and have interchangeable gullet bars.

Thank you for the tips! I know it’s not optimum to compensate for the saddle with padding, but the idea is to tide us over until the regular annual saddle fitter comes to our area in March or April…

I’ll try to get some photos this weekend and start a new thread. If the Thorowgood saddle had some good thigh blocks I’d probably get one stat, but it looks too much like my KN in that regard.

[atr]

I’d call the previous owner, ask for the details of what she was riding him in (make, model, width and seat size) then post that info here and see if we can offer similar cost effective alternatives.

Until March/April is too long to wait with a growing boy in an ill fitting saddle.

[Posting_Trot]

Be careful about adding pads to a too narrow tree: would you try on thick wool hiking socks to help with too narrow dress shoes?

Depending on when the saddle fitter is coming, you might be better off just buying an inexpensive (relatively) used saddle in an extra wide and padding that where you need to.

Don’t ride in a too narrow saddle–the horse may not complain at first, but eventually the pinching will cause enough pain that it will affect his behavior (not standing for mounting is a classic issue) and his way of going.

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

@atr

I’d call the previous owner, ask for the details of what she was riding him in (make, model, width and seat size) then post that info here and see if we can offer similar cost effective alternatives.

Until March/April is too long to wait with a growing boy in an ill fitting saddle.

This, absolutely. You may be able to find a good deal on that exact model of saddle, used.

Young horses in full work change SO much - faster than you think! It really would be better to buy a saddle that’s a bit too wide, and then get a good Mattes pad that you can shim up a bit, than to try to work him in a saddle that’s too narrow. He will only continue to outgrow it, and become sore in the process.

[candyappy]

@Posting_Trot

Be careful about adding pads to a too narrow tree: would you try on thick wool hiking socks to help with too narrow dress shoes?

Depending on when the saddle fitter is coming, you might be better off just buying an inexpensive (relatively) used saddle in an extra wide and padding that where you need to.

Don’t ride in a too narrow saddle–the horse may not complain at first, but eventually the pinching will cause enough pain that it will affect his behavior (not standing for mounting is a classic issue) and his way of going.

Unknowingly BTDT on a horse I was having an issue with.

Duett makes a nice, affordable and comfortable saddle and they are pretty easy to find used. I found mine so much more comfortable for both my horse and myself over the synthetic with the changeable gullet.

Seems finding a saddle that fits has somehow become so much more difficult than it used to be?

Could be the reason he felt so different when you rode him @Artistinnature .

Best thing ( like advised) is to get what he was currently being ridden in.

[Artistinnature]

I really really appreciate all the saddle advice! I’ve checked with seller on what she was using, and will get photos of my KN sitting on him today or tomorrow, then start a new thread for that. I’m agreeing with the dx of flat back / round body, and his withers haven’t sprouted yet either.

It is hard to overstate how valuable I’m finding this forum (along with my two trainers) as I begin this adventure, this journey into terrain that is unfamiliar to me. I’m still wondering if I should get my head examined, but hopefully that will lessen as we see progress together.

[KBC]

@Pocket_Rocket

@sigrid.sijtsma Please, if you have a message to share with the world - fine - but I don’t think it belongs in this particular thread.

There’s plenty of other options right here on CoTH… for your wet blanket!

Amen sister!

I agree with sharing “your reality” of a breed, known issues etc, but this is not the place.

It’s general good advice, start your own wet blanket thread😉

[ASB_Stars]

Whatever he was wearing before will fit him now (assuming that it really was). The future? The kind of work that you are doing, how often, his growth, etc. are just come variables.

I love my old KN. I had one for another horse, and I had to buy an XW for one of my horses. I know that you can get one reasonably if you look around. I love them.

[Paisley_Pony]

Another saddle you might consider while he’s growing is a Wintec: either the Isabel or the Pro. They are covered in a suede-like material that can help add security as much as blocks, IMO. They’re not hard to find used online, and one version of the pro came with significant blocks as well. My wide-backed Welsh pony/ stock horse cross (think short, wide, fuzzy Arab type) goes extremely well in the extra wide gullet in a regular all purpose Wintec (as opposed to the Wintec Wide made specifically for wider horses). They resell easily, and the newer models also have other fit/ adjustment options. FWIW my panels are flocked rather than Cair.

[atr]

When I got my “new” horse, 18 months ago, I put my retired boy’s very nice saddle on him, had a bit of reflocking done, and off we went.

Two weeks later he started to refuse to turn right or pick up a right lead canter, and got difficult about my posting the trot. And this is an upper level schoolmaster who can do this stuff with his eyes closed, and I’m not completely incompetent.

Turns out that when we actually measured his back properly rather than giving it a quick eyeball, the panels were just a bit too long for him and were making him back sore.

I bought a new saddle. His back settled down. We are both comfortable. It is a reasonably priced mid-range choice that my fitter happened to have in stock rather than all out custom.

But it took quite a while for him to come round to the fact that new mom wasn’t some kind of monster who was going to hurt him every time she got on. This didn’t help the start of our relationship at all. I felt pretty bad about it. I’ve been doing this stuff for long enough to know better.

So if you can swing it, get something that fits reasonably well sooner rather than later. New and expensive is not a prerequisite.

[floppyammy]

You could try reaching out to Janie at Pelham Saddlery. I know she is not in your area, but she is super helpful at remote fitting and could point you in the right direction. She did a great job with my guy, through pictures that I sent via email.

NHSaddleFit@gmail.com

[lenapesadie]

Hastilow USA has a good selection of new and used saddles in British brands well suited to flat broad backs. I had a virtual fitting with them and the rep was able to find some used saddles very affordable in their inventory. Easy trial process. I trialed a Lovatt and Ricketts saddle through them that I loved and was very affordable but sadly it was a smidge too small for us.

I ended up with a Duett, that we are very happy with, bc the combination of sizing and features we needed was basically impossible to find used and Duett was budget friendly. The owners are very helpful. Did virtual fitting with them too. Excellent trials. There is a FB group for used Duetts. If you’re a common seat size, there are deals to be had.

I think the L&R saddles feel less wide for the rider than Duetts. Narrower twist perhaps. YMMV.

[Long_Time_Lurker]

@lenapesadie

I think the L&R saddles feel less wide for the rider than Duetts. Narrower twist perhaps. YMMV.

I agree. I tried several of the Duett models and all were VERY uncomfortable for me. So much so that I couldn’t imagine riding in them every day. Once around the ring was enough to rule them out. The saddle fitter who claimed NOT to be a Duett representative but was listed as one on their website (in Boston area) was adamant that the Duett was the only brand that would be comfortable for my horse. She was wrong, I found a good used saddle that suited us both, and another fitter.
Edited to add: The L&R that I had was a jumping saddle rather than dressage, but it fit my wide round barreled horse very well and was very comfortable for me. When I needed a dressage saddle I would have loved to get a L&R but couldn’t find one in my area and didn’t want to take the risk of buying online.

[lenapesadie]

I’m in the Fidelio with the regular, not the H, tree and it rides well for me. I demod the H tree and it was a non starter from the instant I got my leg over.

The one L&R I tried was very nice. Just double the cost new, if not more.