My gelding and I work well together but have been a nightmare as far as saddle fitting goes. He has decent withers, short-backed, banana shaped (and slightly croup high), and fairly wide. My Bates gullet gauge puts him almost out of the Medium Wide into the Wide measurement. I need a narrower twist and shorter flap (I am 5’0" tall…small). Any recommendations? I am definitely on a budget, so used is about my only route for a decent saddle. I’ll also gladly take recommendations for a good, independent saddle fitter that I can send back tracings to. I unfortunately live nowhere near a fitter.
OMG, are we the same person with the same horse? I’m slightly taller than you and you’ve basically just described my Arabian gelding. Between his long defined withers, dippy topline, slope back up to his hip, and XW back we have all sorts of saddle fitting issues. Brands with trees that suit curvy backs include Stubben (became too narrow in front for my guy), Prestige (fit OK but I did not like the feel for me), Amerigo (ditto - and people keep telling me these brands don’t use the same trees/designs but if they don’t they’re damn close), and some Custom models. I have a Custom Icon Flight that’s the best fit we’ve had so far, but it still sits pommel high so I’m now testing a Bua. I like it so far (see other thread) but jury’s still out on whether it’s staying. I’d like for it to work because I’d never have to get a fitter to reflock my saddle again, much less need it done 3-4 times a year.
The Wintec/Bates models have very long, flat panels and did not fit my guy at all. They are probably the worst fit I’ve ever seen on my gelding, actually.
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I’m going to second the comment that @MelanieC made, Amerigo saddles have trees that I’ve been told can manage a curved back (in my case/experience, the dreaded thoroughbred sharkfin wither that dropped down pretty steeply to the horse’s back, which then came up again to be moderately croup-high). You can occasionally find them for sale online for a deal.
For saddle fitters, I’ve heard excellent things from Trumbull Mountain (no personal experience but people I know have given them rave reviews) and I’ve really enjoyed working with Patricia at Fine Used Saddles. Even if you don’t end up buying from FUS stock she can typically do a good job helping you direct your search to what will or will not work. I’ve had that experience with her and have referred others who had similar experiences so I feel like that might be worth looking into for you.
Good luck!
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Pelham Saddlery in New Hampshire has a huge inventory of new and used saddles, which are posted on their website. Their customer service is excellent and they have a 7 day trial on all saddles.
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You might look for a used Black Country Eden or Harry Dabbs Avant.
I have a short-backed banana with massive withers. The saddle I found that fit him best was a County Perfection with a 3" rear gusset (we’re talking MASSIVE withers. Technically, the tree isn’t quite curvy enough (slight bridging corrected by flocking), but it was the only saddle I could find that was wide enough at the withers, along with steep enough rise to clear them, while also fitting the rest of his back. I feel your pain in finding the right saddle. It took me more than 6 mos and countless saddles of different brands.
Amerigo/Vega is what I found to fit the best for my withery, curvy-backed, and wide mare. I also found Amerigo/Vega to offer the narrowest twist of all the “usual suspects” as far as wide saddles go (and I’ve ridden in a LOT of stupid-wide saddles). Ann Forrest at Equestrian Imports was extremely helpful when I was looking at Amerigo/Vega (I ended up buying from her).
Another thought would be Harry Dabbs. It might not be a bad option - it’s certainly more budget-friendly, and there are similarities between Dabbs and Amerigo. Amanda at thesaddletree.com (she posts on here as sheltona01, I think) was also very helpful in this regard. Ultimately, it wasn’t the right fit for me and the mare, but I think it’s certainly something worth considering!
Wide backs are tough enough, but it’s even harder when they are withery and curvy, to boot! Best of luck!
