Widest FQHB western or endurance

[Brasslimit]

Finding a western saddle for my new trail horse is proving more difficult than I thought. I am hoping someone has some suggestions for brands/models that I can try!
My horse is QH draft cross (we think, maybe)
~15.2hh with huge shoulders and a wide short back.

His shoulders seem to be the biggest problem (he pushes most sadles right back), but he also needs a fair amount of rock in the bars. He is not sway backed at all, but he does not have a flat back either.

~I have tried Fabtron Trail (model 7110), but it bridged terribly.
~A Bighorn FQHB (not sure of model) Better, did not bridge but was too tight for his shoulders. Left dry spots on either side of withers that were tender to the touch.
~Circle M Saddlery Roper saddle FQHB. This one fits his shoulders great but I think the skirt is too long. The skirts come almost to the point of his hip (they are 29" long).
~Thornhill Trail 34cm tree (english style) so-so but tree points were a bit too tight on shoulders again. The 36cm tree in this saddle was too wide.

[Brasslimit]

B

[Leather]

What about a flexible tree?

http://www.american-flex.com/system%20discription.htm

[GallopingGrape]

A super saddle for him may be the Dakota Walker. Wide front bars, tons of flare in the bars and just enough rock. It shouldn’t bridge at all. I ride and own this saddle and swear by it. You can have them semi custom made for under $1,000. You can see more info on here… http://gallopinggrape.com/SaddleFittingGuide.aspx

[CanterQueen]

Have you thought about a treeless saddle like a Bob Marshall? I have had several over the years and they fit a wide variety of horses.

[GallopingGrape]

Ditto on the treeless too!!

[spurgirl]

Does the circle M make a barrel racing saddle? The skirts are usually really rounded, so maybe it would fit his short back better. I know sometimes the barrel racing saddles have a more “snug” seat for the rider, so that may not be an option-just some thoughts-Good Luck!!

[MontanaDun]

I saw you were in the Mid-Atlantic. You might try Wenger’s. They make very nice, reasonably priced custom saddles. Located near Gettysburg, PA. Hub’s horse is very short backed and they made a model with short skirts that works great for him. If you aren’t far from them, it might be worth a trip out. www.jrwengersaddles.com

Good luck. Saddle fitting woes suck!

[Brasslimit]

Thank you for all the suggestions and ideas. I felt like I had tried everything when in fact I see I am only beginning

I have tried the Bob Marshall treeless but I did not like the roly poly feeling it had. My horse is very barrel shaped and although the saddle did not visibly move at all, it just felt unstable. I may give them a second try though!

I am within an hour of Gettysburg, PA and will check out the saddle maker recomendation there.

Thanks again!

[SouthernTrailsGA]

The Fabtron 7110 has a 6.75" Gullet.

You may need a 7" Gullet or a 7.25" Gullet

Of Course a 7.25" Gullet is special order, but not that expensive from the right Company.

29" Shirts are very long, many Saddles are in the 26-27" Range and Barrels can be a little shorter.

.

[monstrpony]

Check out Colorado Saddlery (dot com). They have a wonderful thing on their web site that shows the dimensions of all of their trees. They also are willing to send out a bare tree for you to try on your horse’s back. They just did this for me, for my very large QH gelding, I tried a draft tree and it looked quite like it would work. Alas, I’m not able to buy a saddle right now (economic issues) but I am planning to go back to them when that situation improves (or stabilizes, at least).

One of their draft saddles is built with shorter skirts just for shorter-backed horses. They also do custom work.

[JellyBeanQueen]

I have a half draft mare that was hard to find a saddle for. I found a Extra full QH bar western saddle by King series Saddles. They arent the best saddles in the world but it has done very well for my extra large mare, no more sore back and even sweat patterns. I think it was a rare find because I havent seen any since finding this one. Perhaps the Draft saddles are the extra full QH bars now. IDK. I ride in a Simco Semi QH on my grade gelding.

I have thought about buying a Big Horn Draft sized saddle for my Big mare but my son will be swallowed up in it since the seat size is 17.5 inches. He is bearily in a 15 inch. riding a 16 inch seat saddle. I had to have the stirrup leathers shortened for him so he could at least ride in the saddle. He is due for a growth spurt anytime.