View Full Version : I knew it was coming! :) So now help! (Saddle Fitting)
Ok I always figured the saddle I ride Dolly in didn't fit properly..
And WashingtonBay informed me it was to wide. I have always noticed dry spots on Dolly after our rides, so I have tryed many saddle pads with not much luck.. So I think its time I get everyones opinions!.. I bought the saddle before Dolly..:eek: Yes that is really bad, but my father just said "oh well it will have to do". I want to change that so Dolly and I can have more enjoyable rides. You see the horse I was going to buy before I got Dolly fit the saddle perfect, Dolly is much smaller than that horse.So now that I know the problem Anny help would be great!!
Here are some saddle pictures.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll224/DeannaXLovesXDolly/100_6220-2.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll224/DeannaXLovesXDolly/100_1733.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll224/DeannaXLovesXDolly/100_1739.jpg
And here is the dry spots..
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll224/DeannaXLovesXDolly/100_1740.jpg
cloedoll
10-09-2008, 10:02 AM
As WashingtonBay said, the saddle is definitely too wide, I wouldn't bother getting additional pictures so we can evaluate the fit because if it's too wide, it doesn't fit. You could pad it up a lot, but I would recommend buying a new one because do you want to be riding on pads, or riding your horse? ;) I think it's better to find a saddle that fits properly and have as little padding as possible, that's just me. Actually, maybe you should get pictures from the sides, back, 3/4 angle with the saddle on and off, just so we can maybe help determine what Dolly would need?
ETA: The Photoshop you did is really nice, great job!
WashingtonBay
10-09-2008, 10:14 AM
My two cents for now, copied from the other thread:
Thanks soooooo much for all the nice comments guys!!
And WashingtonBay I don't mind at all!! I actually bought the saddle
before Dolly..:eek: I know its terrible, but the horse I was going to buy before I got Dolly fit the saddle
perfect, Dolly is much smaller than that horse. Annnny help would be great!! And links or suggestions would help alot!!
Look for a pad that is built up in front. To test how much it would take, you could even try folding a navaho or even a towel over to cover under the front half of the saddle to see if it sits and rides any better. Careful, you don't want to create wrinkles or voids, just a nice pad surface that will distribute the weight more evenly.
You want that skirting to sit level, I think if you feel underneath that would also make the tree level... as you can see in this pic, it's pitched down quite a bit on her, which also tends to focus all your weight forward. Like I said above, it may not be critical, the angles of the tree don't look too bad, it's just a little too wide.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll224/DeannaXLovesXDolly/100_1739.jpg
Try it with some homemade 'shims' over the top of that felt pad first... and maybe take some more pictures.
Cloedoll Okay too wide, would you like more pictures so maybe you could give some suggestions? I also agree I don't like alot of bulk.. I feel so stupid!:( Poor Dolly I have been riding in such and ill fitting saddle!!
Oh thanks!
Wb Thank you! I will defiantly try that. Now that you said that I can see how much it slopes.. :( I feel like a bad mommy!!
cloedoll
10-09-2008, 10:21 AM
Don't get too mad at yourself, you are fixing and now and actually care - that's more than a lot of people can say. ;)
WashingtonBay
10-09-2008, 10:26 AM
Cloe's right of course the the right fitting saddle would be best. But for now, and until you can find a saddle that really fits well, you can try to improve it and that may work. If you end up feeling like you're riding too much pad and sitting too high off the horse, then you'll have to decide sooner to trade it out for one that fits and works for both of you.
WashingtonBay
10-09-2008, 10:34 AM
Hope you don't mind that I moved it to Tack... also added a (hint) about what the thread was about in the title. :)
oh no I don't mind at all, thanks so much!
Okay so I think I am going to do some research on maybe a saddle fitting session with a professional in my area. Does anyone know how much that would run in price..? Then maybe trade my saddle, or sell it for a proper fitting saddle!
cloedoll
10-09-2008, 11:37 AM
When I had a saddle fitter out for Cloe it was $60 for an evaluation.
cloedoll
10-09-2008, 12:43 PM
Also, could you take a picture of her from the side of Dolly squared up and on level ground? She thinks kinda downhill, but it's hard to tell when the picture isn't like what I just described.
vicklynn
10-09-2008, 12:59 PM
I love that 3rd pic, of her head. Shes so pretty.
I sure hope you find the saddle and or pads you need to make that saddle adjustment.
Thanks vicklynn! Ok I will have to get some better pictures tomorrow, but here are some for now.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll224/DeannaXLovesXDolly/100_0894.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll224/DeannaXLovesXDolly/100_0892.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll224/DeannaXLovesXDolly/100_0908.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll224/DeannaXLovesXDolly/100_0898.jpg
WashingtonBay
10-09-2008, 05:39 PM
I would:
Put the felt pad down first.
Put the Navajo on top, and instead of having it folded just once, put it on like you have and then just pull the top layer forward again flush, so there's three layers in the front, one in back . Does that make sense?
Then try to center the saddle on the pad more, same distance in front as behind. You've got it flush with the front edge of the saddle, which can make it look like it's trying to squeeze the pads out from under you and it would not give as much distribution of any pressure at the front of the tree.
Yea, I get what you are saying, I will defiantly try that!
42many
10-09-2008, 07:52 PM
I can't afford to have a different saddle for each of my 4 horses, so I generally just do padding changes to adjust it. I actually don't like my saddle currently, but it is what I'm stuck with until spare funds come along (and that will be awhile! :mad:). Even then, though, I will go for a saddle that fits me and the main riding horse and just use pads to adjust it for the others. It's not ideal, certainly, but it's not like mine work that hard - I've been so busy lately that I probably haven't ridden anyone but July (to get her ready for her new home) in over 6 weeks!
42many, I know what you mean..I don't have any extra money for things like that. I do have this nice consignment shop close to me. I am thinking of trading my current saddle for a better fitting one..
cloedoll
10-09-2008, 08:08 PM
Definitely give a shot to what WB said. (:
Definitely give a shot to what WB said. (:
I will!
zoel_222
10-09-2008, 09:04 PM
First I have to say that mare is so dang cute!!
If I were you I would just just flat out sell the saddle you have now and find one that fits. I'm not a big fan of fixing a problem with padding. But that's just me.
cloedoll
10-10-2008, 10:51 PM
Also wanted to say, I am sure these (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=110297439416) kind of pads look tempting, but they can cause bridging, so I would stay away from them. I would rather see you use a full felt pad or something similar as a temporary fix then just one that is in the wither area. (:
42many, I know what you mean..I don't have any extra money for things like that. I do have this nice consignment shop close to me. I am thinking of trading my current saddle for a better fitting one..
Is that a Pampered Pony trip I see coming up? lol! Maybe I can meet you there, I've got to get a girth with roller buckles and stirrup leathers coming up, maybe tomorrow if they're open.
Yep! :D JGH that would be cool! maybe tomorrow, I'll ask! You know I rode in my friends saddle,..and I think I like english better..:innocent: I need some lessons, and better info and tack, etc.. And I might just get into english!
WOOO! English ROCKS! lol. I still ride western from time to time, but I really do love english!
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