Western saddle for a thoroughbred

[gypsymare]

I’d like to pick up an inexpensive western saddle for my husband that would fit my thoroughbreds. One I may not have a hope for as he is king of narrow tree and high withers, but the other is a more reasonable shape with a flatter back and looks like she may not be impossible to fit. Hubby is 6’3 and of average build, not cowboy skinny.

Are there brands or types that are known for fitting TBs better than others? This would be for trail riding only so looks are not terribly important. What size would he need?

[Thoroughbred_in_Colo]

I would get a saddle that has semi-qh bars. Full qh bars will be too wide. Fit is a little more forgiving since western saddles distribute weight over a larger area. There are basically 5 fits for western saddles: full qh bars, fits your typical wide stock type horse; semi-qh bars, fits horses with a narrower than full qh bars build; gaited, arab and mule bars, which are self explanatory.

For the narrow, high withered guy you would probably need a pad with wither relief or possibly a built up pad. The other horse may just need a standard pad.

Circle Y makes good quality saddles in a variety of price ranges. They can be found fairly easily on craigslist and ebay. Steer clear of super cheap saddles (just like English you get what you pay for).

[gypsymare]

Thanks for the tips! I had a Circle Y Flex tree with semi QH bars for my paint a few years ago but I can’t imagine it would fit my narrow TB well. The paint takes a MW English saddle and didn’t have any extra clearance and the TB takes a narrow. I was hoping there might be some that are made with an extra high gullet?

[Thoroughbred_in_Colo]

Unfortunately not many outside of custom:no:

[Pocket_Pony]

Give Crest Ridge a call or check on their website - their saddles have a high gullet, although they tend to be marketed toward gaited horses and mules. I’m working with Sarah right now on fitting a saddle for my mustang who it turns out needs a mule tree.

They have “lite” saddles that are part leather/part cordura, so that takes down the cost, but probably would still be around $1k or so (not sure what you consider inexpensive).

[Bluey]

The older Courts barrel racing saddles were light and fit TB type horses.
You may want to check those out.

[csaper58]

If there is a racetrack near by, they use western saddles on the pony horses, and many of the ponies are OTTBs. Maybe you could spot a pony horse built like your guy and ask what kind of saddle it wears?

[Amym600]

I have a TB like you described. It really depends on two things. How wide is the shoulder and does the horse have a curve to it’s back? I had a curvy TB and we fit into an older Tucker well. Room for shoulder in some of those too. If you have no curve to the back a Gen II Tucker works, but inexpensive it is not. Any pictures of the back? I could maybe make some reccomendations. My problem was a shorter backed TB on top of it, if you don’t have a short back problem then look for a an A Fork anything. That should work for a flatter back with higher withers.

[Foxtrot_s]

I’ve never understood Western saddle fit. With a TB there is likely to be bridging over that low spot behind the withers — do they make shim type saddle pads (like Thinline) to fill that gap?

[gypsymare]

This is the one that will be more difficult to fit… who is currently the more seasoned horse who has toted hubby around on the trails. The other TB is fresh off the track so will be awhile before she is ready for him and I think a standard semi-QH saddle will fit her. She is very straight through her back, although short-backed.

He has a curvy back, gets very narrow behind his withers and they come up pretty steep. It may be a lost cause finding a western saddle to fit him but I was hoping someone made one for the tricky to fit TB.

[nikelodeon79]

I really, really like Big Horn synthetics. They really allow you to still feel the horse while giving the extra security of a Western (at least for me a Western feels more synthetic), and the price won’t break the bank, even new. I actually bought a 16" SQHB Big Horn for my Paint before realizing he really needs a FQHB.

[gypsymare]

[QUOTE=nikelodeon79;7208394]
I really, really like Big Horn synthetics. They really allow you to still feel the horse while giving the extra security of a Western (at least for me a Western feels more synthetic), and the price won’t break the bank, even new. I actually bought a 16" SQHB Big Horn for my Paint before realizing he really needs a FQHB. :([/QUOTE]

I rode in a friends Big Horn for team sorting. It ad a leather.seat but synthetic skirt and fenders. I really liked it! I rode her QH though so I’m not sure how they fit.

[lpcutter]

We used western saddles on the thoroughbred lead-ponies and finding one that fits is difficult. I looked for used saddles at local tack shops and 4-H tack swaps trying to find ones that may fit. It was always a gamble but if I bought it cheap enough and it didn’t fit I could usually sell it without taking a loss on it. I wish I had better advice but try as many saddles on her as you can hoping to find one that fits and that you can buy one like it.

[CHT]

I was going to recommend Big Horn too! I have one I got for DH, and it seems to do well on higher withered horses. It also seems that there is less to it, so fits a wider variety of horses.

[Silk]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;7205831]
I’ve never understood Western saddle fit. With a TB there is likely to be bridging over that low spot behind the withers — do they make shim type saddle pads (like Thinline) to fill that gap?[/QUOTE]
Yes they do I use one on our appendix…she has high withers and is older, so has a lower, curvy back. ebay has them…they have 6 shims, 3 on each side (withers, spine and cantle area) We use all 6 on our mare. The one we have is older and the shims dont come out, but the newer ones have shims that can b removed. I also use a similar pad on my hackney pony (shark fin) when I ride him in a western saddle its a lifesaver if you are riding anything narrow or high withered.http://www.ebay.com/itm/261239712425?var=560210243971&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I also use this with a regular pad on the hackney:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171157901002?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[wylde_sage]

What I’d really like is a McCall lady wade. What I’m using right now is a reining saddle purchased off of eBay from of all places Mr Saddle…I can’t find a better fit for my Tb nor afford the McCall just yet. I have a semi bar cordura/leather saddle made here in US. It just does not fit. I like the pad Silk listed above, the Diamond wool pad with shims. They do make them contoured and I will prob get one. My Tb goes nicely in his knock off saddle. The Big Horns would be too wide for mine. No, I have no affiliation with any saddle seller. Just found one that fits for now.

[FaassFaarm]

I looked into a western saddle for my TB too. He is large, has high withers and up hill. Circle Y makes excellent western saddles for every shape and size of horse. I’m looking for a used western saddle so friends and family can safely ride when they visit. Circle Y has a serial number look up, a great resource since I’m looking for a quality used saddle at a fair price. Their website has a saddle fitting section… I’m well versed in English saddles but I know nothing about western. When I contacted them they said if you send a tracing of my horses back they will let you know what will fit. A great service since I want a well fitting saddle even if it’s for short rides and I don’t have the time or energy to do a deep dive into western saddles and western saddle fitting.