Saddle Fitters Come Here!

[FatSpottedAppy]

Okay, I need your guys' input on these 4 saddles. There will be 1 saddle per post, and I know all of them look all ragged but they're all I have until I get April's money, which I'll use to get one more(synthetic). :) Oh, and they did get cleaned this evening.

Saddle 1:

[vicklynn]

IMHO
Saddle 1
Saddle sits to low in the front, but looks like a shim or ortho pad may lift that.
Other than that, I think it looks ok.

Ops, got company, gotta run.

[Arrow]

I think it's sitting too far forward to judge...pushed back it may be to long...hmmmm....

[FatSpottedAppy]

Saddle 2..

[vicklynn]

I think it's sitting too far forward to judge...http://dragcave.net/image/dbrw.gif (http://dragcave.net/viewdragon/dbrw)

opsy, got one sec left. Your right Arrow. I missed that. If it sits back, I bet its gonna sit way low. Ill check back later.

[cloedoll]

The second one to me looks like a nice fit, I'll critique them both more thoroughly after I get food! :D

[luv2show]

Saddle 2 looks good to me!

[WashingtonBay]

The angles on the front two look OK to me... but they're on the long side, or the horse is real short backed, at any rate a rounded-skirt saddle might be best for hip clearance if you have one of those coming. :)

[FatSpottedAppy]

Saddle 3..
This one is nearly touching the withers in the front, so I'm guessing is a bad fit.

[Blue]

I can't see past the first post...anyone else having this problem? It says there are 8 replies...

Edit - After I posted this I could see the replies!

Edit 2 - Yea, I'd say the third saddle is too low on his withers.

[cloedoll]

I can't see past the first post...anyone else having this problem? It says there are 8 replies...

I'm not having that issue, maybe refresh the page or re-start your browser?

[Blue]

I'm not having that issue, maybe refresh the page or re-start your browser?
I tried that. I could only see posts after I posted about not being able to see posts...:p

[cloedoll]

Saddle #1 -- I think it's placed too far forward and as WBay mentioned, too long of a skirt. I think the gullets angle is too wide for him as well. So, that would be a no go from me. xD

Saddle #2 -- This is the best fit out of the three, IMO. I think you might need to move it back a smidge, but other than that I like the angles and the wither clearance is iffy, but I think with a pad on it would be fine. The skirt looks to be too long, but I think it could work until you get a new saddle. If he shows any signs of discomfort, is sore, etc., then obviously you know it won't work. Hah.

Saddle #3 -- Looks way to low on thee withers, you could possibly fix that issue with a pad, but the skirt is worse than #2, so I say in the meantime go with saddle #2. :D

[FatSpottedAppy]

And finally saddle 4.. Aussie saddle. I thought this was too narrow, and I'm not sure if I have it far enough up on him.

And a picture of his confo. Note that on his leg is Scarlett (and Bluekote), none of it is blood. He got a scrape there.

http://i38.tinypic.com/oh4bxu.jpg

[Hill]

To me saddle #2 looks the best. #1 looks long but could work. The 3rd one is way out for me as I think if you put ANY weight in it your right on the withers. The Aussie loks like you've got good clearance on the spine but not so much on the withers. I'm not sure but it also looks like if you put weight in it you'll be on the withers.

[WashingtonBay]

I think 1, 2, and the Aussie look like they might work better, so I'd go ahead and toss out 3 as too wide.

With any of them I'd suggest a good felt pad that is cut back at the wither to make sure you've got good clearance. None of them have a whole lot of room up in the gullet and he's got a pretty substantial wither.

[cloedoll]

I think the Aussie saddle has too narrow of panels for Melee's back.

I agree with WBay on the saddle pad :D

[WashingtonBay]

Depends on how soft or firm they are. If they're real firm, I agree cloe, on the Aussie.

[gaited07]

I don't care for saddle #1 Too long and it looks like it could pinch in the withers.
Saddle #2 is a better fit but also alittle too long for this horse. I like how the saddle lays on over the withers/shoulders.
As for the Aussie, NO. I don't care for it at all.
Washingtonbay had a great idea, a round skirt would be a best fit for this horse with the same measurements on the gullet as saddle #2

[vicklynn]

I say #2. Im not sure about #1 unless we saw another pic of it farther back, but then again, to long for the horse. Number 3 and 4, nope, dont like them.

[FatSpottedAppy]

Thanks SO much everyone. The only one I noticed that had a big lack of wither room was saddle #3, the other ones had quite a bit of room, but it was hard getting a good picture because all of the pictures looked like there was no space in the gullett. So I will definitely be going with saddle #2. There's 2 other horses I'd like to ask about so I'll probably end up getting their pictures up here in the next couple of days.

The next saddle I plan on getting is a Big Horn or Abetta with a roundskirt. :) I already have the round pad. Thanks again!

[vicklynn]

Big Horn:cowboy:

[BalooEyes]

I think the panels look to narrow for he spine. I can't really comment much about western saddle fit, as I try and distance myself as much as possible from western saddles, lol. But I agree to my uneducated eye, saddle 2 looks best. They all seem too long on him, maybe look for a round skirted saddle when you get another?

[Tens Legacy]

As far as the photos go saddle 2 looks pretty good. The only thing that concerns me, that I can not discern, from the photos, does it sit low in front on your horses withers if not then it looks like a good possibility.

Edited to say that I don't like the other 3 saddles.

[FatSpottedAppy]

I'm leaning towards that Big Horn I showed you Vicky. :) It's just soo hard to decide because Abetta has a ton of really good reviews.

He will definitely be getting a roundskirt saddle, I already have a light blue round pad. :D As soon as April's paid off I'm going to go buy one.

And I am 99% sure that he has a good amount of wither room with saddle #2, I will recheck just in case though. The only one I noticed that he had a big lack of room in was #3.

Thanks again!

[vicklynn]

I hear ya! I hope which ever you get will be a good saddle for ya.
That one guy really believes in the Abetta, breaks in them and everything.
I prefer the Big Horn, but I think its the feel of the Abetta I dont like, and the stirup buckles.
That has nothing to do with the build or quality Im sure..lol

[Mandzanita]

Here's my take...

#1 Too wide, I don't like where the front Concho area sits on his shoulder...it looks like it digs into him even without anyone on him. The angles are okay but I think there will be a significant amount of pressure at the top part of the bar, causing some discomfort.

#2 The best fit in my opinion, I like the bar angles on the shoulder, it sits nice and level, needs a good cleaning but I also like the look of it!

#3 WAY too wide, I wouldn't even really think twice about it.

#4 The Aussie doesn't seem to fit too badly, it may be worth a try if the aussie is the type of route you want to go.