Every stubben fitter I’ve had the misfortune of working with has wanted the saddle to fit too small in the tree.
I am guessing who your fitter might be from the area and let’s just say I had such a nasty experience with her and with stubben that I very nearly filed a small claims suit.
Ugh. I agree it sounds too small. I’ve had the same experience as you and @soloudinhere and though I have a Stubben, I bought it two sizes wider than they recommended. Sorry, my round barreled pudgy QH mare was NOT going to be a medium narrow!
Just piping in with a personal experience. Had a critter with very curvy/sway looking back - fully functional, he’d do tempis and p/p quite easily and willingly with an idiot up there. Never sore back except one instance of poorly fit saddle. After many different types/brands tried - the fit he liked was indeed with a “bridge” that gave his back room to lift. The few times we tried to shim the saddle to fit flat, he let us know in no uncertain terms it was not to his liking!
That is why the dynamic fit is so important when saddle fitting. There is no absolutes in the horse world. To me it sounds like that horse has poor posture when standing, but lifts it’s back when it is working.
You start with the ideal and move on depending on what the horse tells you. Bridging is not ideal and most horses will not appreciate it.
Agreed and that’s part of why I was so disappointed with my specific experience.
If you have a low backed FEI horse who instantly changes frame and core engagement under saddle, I can see how a lighter center may not adversely impact that horse.
However, the horse in question in the OP is a super green rehab where a step or two of engaged motion is a huge win. The fitter emphasized how much lift the horse could do statically with a belly lift but this particular horse is logically many years from having that level of engagement for any sustained period of time.
GraceLikeRain My horse was that way from beginning, as an unbroke 3yr old, all the way through his training - his preference never changed. It is hard to know which way is best, sometimes you have to do what you think is best and see how it works out.
I couldb’t imagine her as a medium narrow either! That is what size tree the rep/fitter I mentioned above sized for Holden… I wish I had listened to my gut!
Next on the list is to change the tree size in this Stubben… Thankfully I’ve heard it’s not entirely difficult.
That sounds like a good option that might work to save the saddle. I probably would have been fine in a 30cm on the QH, but the 31 fits her well with a mattes pad so I’m just rolling with that.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
