Argh, Saddle Fit Issues

[ImaBronsonBear]

So this is the third saddle, and i really, really do not want to get another one, but it is making Bronson sore, and i cannot figure out why.:doh: Anyone got some insight? He'll get sore and fussy when i brush his back area after a long ride in this saddle, and if i softly run a metal curry comb next to his spine, he'll drop his back in the red circled area, but no where else:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_6432.jpg

Here's the saddle, cinched up:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_6428.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_6429.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_6430.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/IMG_6431.jpg

I am at my whits end! I really like this saddle, and don't want to get rid of it, but it makes my horse sore.:mad: He has an even sweat mark every time, and i thought it fit great, but apparantly not.

[ImaBronsonBear]

Gosh, i put this in the wrong place, didn't i? I'm so sorry, it's been a really long day.:(

[luvs2ride1979]

You've got the saddle too far forward, but about 2". That front concho should be 2-3" behind the back edge of his shoulder blade.

With it in the correct position, run your hand flat under the saddle, front to back. Do you feel any tight or loose spots? Generally loin soreness is caused from too much pressure in the rear, which could be due to the saddle bridging, the bars at the back being too steep, or the rider sitting too far back on the cantle. How does the saddle fit you? Do you ride with your feet pushed against your stirrups?

I would definitely give him some time off from riding. I would contact a horse massage therapist and a chiropractor to have him worked on. Have both check your saddle fit and placement.

You might also take your saddle to a repair shop and have them inspect the tree. If it's warped or twisted it could possibly cause that problem.

If the saddle fits you and your horse and you don't push with your feet on the stirrups, then I would get him a ThinLine pad, western half pad (http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/thinline-pads/western-pads/western-half-pad/prod_71.html) or round skirt pad (http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/thinline-pads/western-pads/western-rounded-skirt/prod_74.html). Use it over a thin 1/2" wool felt liner pad or with a thick woven doubled blanket (30x60, you can sandwich it between the layers to keep the pretty blanket showing). The ThinLine pad will absorb the shock and distribute the pressure. They really work, and if it doesn't, you can return it for a refund (within 30 days). I LOVE my ThinLine pads :D.

I would wait to ride him again until he's 100% pain free though. No need to agrivate an already sore area.

[ImaBronsonBear]

You've got the saddle too far forward, but about 2". That front concho should be 2-3" behind the back edge of his shoulder blade.

Ok, the way i see if a saddle is in the correct position is that i put it way too far forward on their withers, then wiggle it back until it stops and stays there. That's where it stayed, should i still move it back? Because he does have a short back.

How does the saddle fit you? Do you ride with your feet pushed against your stirrups?

The saddle fits me fine, and i don't think i ride with my feet against the stirrups:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e3/lettie1/DSC02771.jpg

I would definitely give him some time off from riding. I would contact a horse massage therapist and a chiropractor to have him worked on. Have both check your saddle fit and placement.

Let me just specify, he is not sore at this time. This has happened twice now, so that's how i know that it is this saddle and nothing else. I rode him hard in this saddle, the next day he was sore. So for the next week i rode him bareback and english. In about a week the soreness clears up, even with the riding, and he's fine. If i use this saddle again for longer than 45 minutes or so, he gets sore. It's been a week since i used this saddle, and he has no soreness issues right now. Trust me, he would tell me if he did.:rolleyes: He's never been a horse that you have to wonder about whether he's in pain.;)

You might be on to something about the tree being messed up, i'll look into that.

[luvs2ride1979]

Wiggling or pushing the saddle back works for most horses, but you still need to pay attention to where it is in relation to his shoulders.

The saddle looks fine for you and okay on him. I'm guess there is some bridging going on or the tree is twisted. You are sitting at the back of the cantle with your feet forward though. Pay attention next time you're riding and see if you feel your weight against the back too much.

[WashingtonBay]

I agree with probable bridging. May need to build up under the saddle so you have more even contact.

[ImaBronsonBear]

I agree with probable bridging. May need to build up under the saddle so you have more even contact.

Ok, how would i do that?