The curse of a mutton withered, flat backed, (currently) downhill horse....

[crazybootlady]

Hi All,

I’ve got a three year old gelding that I finally got a saddle for in Dec. He takes an XW gullet in a Bates HJ saddle with a small amount of shimming in the front of the right side.

Problem is, he’s got Zero withers. None, nada. He also runs slightly downhill at the moment (Hopefully that’s a growing thing and not something that will turn out to be permanent due to his Halter Horse bloodlines).

I ride with a standard underpad (similar thickness to the dover quilted underpad) and a professionals choice neoprene girth.

I can’t lunge this horse with a saddle on, it slides forward. It doesn’t roll nearly as much side to side as did all the other saddles I tried on him, but it still will, especially because he’s still learning to balance himself and occasionally that means me weighting the outside stirrup and it slides.

Has anyone had any luck with no slip underpads?
I like the one by Wilkers thats shaped, but wondered if there was a square schooling type pad that actually works? I don’t need to shell out for the shaped one just yet as I won’t be showing until at least late summer/fall.

Thanks for any ideas!

[ElisLove]

You could always try one of the cheapo no slip pads that are just the small squares that sit under you regular pad and see if that helps. I got one for 20 bucks. I can’t say it’s ‘life changing’ (my saddle slips back due to the shape of my horse’s back) but I think it makes some difference.

[Tea]

Ah those horses…I have a pony that like that. Her saddle ends up on her neck if allowed.
I use this greenhawk.com/wdItemDesc.asp?strilhID=Web&strmdNumber=RIE0147&stricSKU=RIE0147
I just put it under my normal square pad and you can’t tell it’s there. It does get a little warm I think in the summer but I have not found a better option and she doesn’t object. I have used it on my high withered warmblood as well to keep his saddle from slipping back and it seemed to work well then as well.

[crazybootlady]

I’ll have a look at both of those options. I bought a thinline contour pad sz large, and it claimed to help with issues of saddle rolling, but I have not found that to be the case.

[Cindyg]

I have one of those too, and I ride in a treeless saddle.

What has helped me is a Dixie Midnight pad and a mohair girth.

For a saddle that’s slipping forward, you might consider a crupper.

[Kitt]

Sounds like your horse might be a candidate for a hoop tree - many of the broad, low (to no) withered horses are. Also, croup-high horses often need a thinner and/or upswept rear panel, a K/skidrow type panel in front, a full front gusset and a point billet. Can you post some conformation shots? It would be easier to determine a good solution if we can see the horse in question.

[crazybootlady]

The best conformation shot I have is this one…the lighting is crappy, and it’s a cell phone picture. Is there any hope of getting something that will work without having to change saddles every year as he grows and changes?

http://hoofbeatscitybeats.blogspot.com/2014/01/warmer-weatherand-goals.html (Photo is two thirds down page)

[jn4jenny]

[QUOTE=crazybootlady;7386777]
The best conformation shot I have is this one…the lighting is crappy, and it’s a cell phone picture. Is there any hope of getting something that will work without having to change saddles every year as he grows and changes?

http://hoofbeatscitybeats.blogspot.com/2014/01/warmer-weatherand-goals.html (Photo is two thirds down page)[/QUOTE]

This one, you mean?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2veJYQcnagQ/UsYfstUQjAI/AAAAAAAAAJY/_mhdIGAfCTM/s1600/TITAN1.2.jpg

At any rate, I agree with Kitt’s advice so far. Not surprising since she’s an excellent pro saddle fitter, so crazybootlady, do consider giving her a phone call. She reps for several brands that carry products that would suit such a horse.

[PaintedHunter]

[QUOTE=crazybootlady;7386777]
The best conformation shot I have is this one…the lighting is crappy, and it’s a cell phone picture. Is there any hope of getting something that will work without having to change saddles every year as he grows and changes?

http://hoofbeatscitybeats.blogspot.com/2014/01/warmer-weatherand-goals.html (Photo is two thirds down page)[/QUOTE]

I have no advice, but that’s an adorable face!

[crazybootlady]

[QUOTE=jn4jenny;7386788]
This one, you mean?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2veJYQcnagQ/UsYfstUQjAI/AAAAAAAAAJY/_mhdIGAfCTM/s1600/TITAN1.2.jpg

At any rate, I agree with Kitt’s advice so far. Not surprising since she’s an excellent pro saddle fitter, so crazybootlady, do consider giving her a phone call. She reps for several brands that carry products that would suit such a horse.[/QUOTE]

Thanks jen. Apparently I’m computer illiterate at times.

I know nothing of such things as gussets and K panels…looks like I will be doing some research tonight!

[Kitt]

jn4j, thanks for the kind words. I’d be happy to help you out, crazybootlady; your horse doesn’t look too terribly hard to fit, but I’d know better if I saw a template. And fyi, email is usually an easier way to get in touch with me (pantherrunsaddlery@yahoo.com); I’m in and out a lot, and given my area, my cell phone is fairly useless.