What do you think of this saddle fit?

[Vibe]

I tried a new saddle on Dolly today, and I think it fits a bit better? I think it may be alittle small, but I don't know. So to all the pro's out there how does it look?

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/LoveXxMyxXMustang/100_3134.jpg
http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/LoveXxMyxXMustang/100_3135.jpg
http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/LoveXxMyxXMustang/100_3137.jpg
http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/LoveXxMyxXMustang/100_3139.jpg
http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp322/LoveXxMyxXMustang/100_3141.jpg

I probably should have dusted it before putting pictures up of it on the internet huh..:D

[WashingtonBay]

To small in what way?

It's actually not bad in front, but I can't tell if it's bridging or not, and it looks like the skirting is much too long and will interfere with her hip, and probably cause soreness right at the back of it. See how it appears to be digging into her at the back?

She's a very short backed mare. You're going to want a saddle that is short in length and round skirting.

[alittleoffkey]

If her back was a touch longer I think it would fit almost perfectly (she has a bit of either fluff or chub in the front that, if she lost, it would probably fit perfectly :))... but her back length isn't really changable. :(

[vicklynn]

Thats what I thought, but wanted to see what you said WB. I guess were on the same page.

[WashingtonBay]

You may want to look for an aussie saddle if you want a horn.... or maybe English :)

[vicklynn]

I can see an Aussie, or an endurance saddle(change out the stirups). Both are shorter backed.


WB, Big Horn? Oregon cut?

[vicklynn]

I can see an Aussie, or an endurance saddle(change out the stirups). Both are shorter backed.


WB, Big Horn? Oregon cut?

[vicklynn]

Ut oh, a bloop...what happened.

[Harleys Owner]

Looks to me that you could move it forward just a bit and that might take care of the length. The first picture looks like it might be a tad bit going downhill. If it was moved forward even just an inch or so might level it out and fix the length problem too. Hard to tell for sure from pictures tho.

[luvs2ride1979]

The tree fit looks good, but it's too far forward. You need to move the saddle back about 2". Those front conchos should be BEHIND the horse's shoulder blade by 2-3", to give your horse freedom of movement through the front end.

Now, if you move the saddle back to its proper position, it's going to be too long. If the skirts are soft and supple, and the tree of the saddle is 2-3" in front of the flank (feel around on the fleece to find the back edge of the tree), then you might be okay. But if the skirts are really stiff or the tree is over the flank, then the saddle is too long for your horse's back.

You might want to look for a round skirt saddle or a barrel/gaming saddle with shorter skirts.

[luvs2ride1979]

Looks to me that you could move it forward just a bit and that might take care of the length. The first picture looks like it might be a tad bit going downhill. If it was moved forward even just an inch or so might level it out and fix the length problem too. Hard to tell for sure from pictures tho.

If you move it forward, it will interfere with the horse's shoulders and cause pain (eventually). It's already too far forward.

[cloedoll]

I agree with luvs2. You don't seem like a big person at all, what size seat is that? I think even with a round skirt, if it's placed in the correct spot, it is going to still be too long. Dolly has a short back and she's going to need a smaller saddle. Have you considered going English? English saddles are generally more compact overall and you can get upswept panels to help with length as well.

[FlitterBug]

I agree with luvs2ride as well. Another alternative might be a wade saddle. I have seen some long and some short. I personally like the a-fork tree, as do my horses.

Something else with a round skirt or english would also be an alternative.

[Vibe]

Thanks guys for all the info! what would I do with out you!! So I do agree the saddle is just to long. And I don't want to try to fix the problem any more, I want the perfect saddle so Dolly will be comfortable.:) Well I have only been in an english saddle once, and I have never put one on Dolly.. I think I should get some lessons, but how is the transition for the horses?

[cloedoll]

A saddle is a saddle, it may feel weird to Dolly when you post, but honestly, there is no transition. =P

[lovesfortune]

Wow. I'm actually learning something. I agreed with WB! Whoo hoo! Hope you find the right saddle for her. My mare is short backed as well and we got lucky with our 1st saddle, but it could have been tough.

[Vibe]

Oh really! well thats pretty darn cool, I have always wanted to go english. It appeals to me much more. But I thought you had to train a horse different ways, prepare them etc..(shows how much I know ;))
Hmm.. So now I know what to spend my Christmas money on..(Lessons!) oh this will be so fun, Dolly would make a cute english pony I think.

[vicklynn]

A saddle isnt a saddle. Some jingle more, fit a hair different, feel different due to style.
My suggestion to you is, lunge your horse when making a saddle type change.
I have 2 totally different saddles for City, he is used to the change of how each feels, but at first, thought one was gonna eat him...lol, it was a bit jingly.

[cloedoll]

Well, a saddle is a saddle. =P They all are different, but if it fits, there might be a transition period I suppose, but you shouldn't have to do anything different or any additional training. If Dolly acts a bit different, give her a week with it, it might feel different, but you don't have to worry about training her something new...or something. xD

[vicklynn]

Well, a saddle is a saddle. =P They all are different, but if it fits, there might be a transition period I suppose, but you shouldn't have to do anything different or any additional training. If Dolly acts a bit different, give her a week with it, it might feel different, but you don't have to worry about training her something new...or something. xD
Yup, transition period. I give City no more than 20 minutes though...LMBO Buck it off, not happening, move through it, it wont kill ya...lol Lets ride.

[Mandzanita]

I got to this thread late but my opinion is it's still a bit wide. Not as bad as the previous one but it still looks as thugh it tips forward and would put some pressure on the front concho area. A pad might help since it isn't HORRIBLY wide. As far as length, I'd find a round skirt.

[luvs2ride1979]

Thanks guys for all the info! what would I do with out you!! So I do agree the saddle is just to long. And I don't want to try to fix the problem any more, I want the perfect saddle so Dolly will be comfortable.:) Well I have only been in an english saddle once, and I have never put one on Dolly.. I think I should get some lessons, but how is the transition for the horses?

As long as the saddle fits, most horses don't care. Now, she might react differently if you are unstable or unsure of yourself. Try to find a VSD or regular All Purpose. They are best for learning in. I don't think a Wintec will work for your girl, her back is just too round, lol. I would look for an older Stubben in a 31.5-32 cm tree or an older Crosby in a Wide tree. A Passier wide would be perfect, but they are hard to find. No one wants to sell them! lol

Before you buy though, take some lessons English to see if it's for you.

If you decide to stick with western, look for round skirt Full QH bar saddles, older Simco, Circle Y, Textan, Herford, or even OLD saddle without a maker's stamp. Generally, if they've lasted 25+ years, they're going to be good even if they aren't a brand name, lol. If you'll let me know your seat size, I'll do some digging for you.

[vicklynn]

luvs...Full QH bars???? Kind of wide dont ya think??? That saddle she has is boardering on width.

[luvs2ride1979]

luvs...Full QH bars???? Kind of wide dont ya think??? That saddle she has is boardering on width.

I don't know... The maybe for the newer FQHB saddles, which are a LOT wider than older saddles. An older FQHB will measure narrower, but still have the open angle, which I think her horse needs, especially with a medium to thick pad. My 1981 Circle Y FQHB saddle fits a LOT of different horses with just minor adjustments to the pad(s) used.

Older Semi-QH saddles are VERY upright, which I don't think would work for this horse. And regular QH bar saddles are hard to find, though an older QH bar saddle would probably be perfect on this girl.