After riding today I noticed that the saddle Ava's using was rubbing her pretty bad. It's rubbing on both sides of her withers and where the cinch is. After seeing this it made me think if this is why she hasn't been performing as well. She has started to canter really fast and she won't soften as well either. I'm getting FED UP with this saddle business. The only saddle that came even close to fitting her is now sold, so now I need to find something else. I'm thinking to get a Wintec with a changeable gullet. The other saddle that fit her was also a Wintec. So, maybe that is the way to go for a saddle. I'm going to search around; eBay, the local paper, and local tack shop, hopefully I'll find something. Although, since Ava is so wide I don't know if I'll be able to find anything with a fixed tree. Oh boy, we'll just see how this goes.
Until then, I don't know what I'm going to do about riding. I will feel horrible putting either of those saddles on her. Hopefully something comes up soon.
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| Something like this with a changeable gullet and a size 16" would be amazing | ! |
I'm so with you on the Wintecs, they are great little saddles! The newer ones have easy change risers to adjust other areas besides the gullet. I'm going to be shopping for a saddle myself and the Wintecs are on my list though I think Thorowgoods are nice as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Emmi,
ReplyDeleteHarley had similar issues when his saddle did not fit. It was very frustrating for both of us.
Saddle fit is tricky business. Why not send some tracings to a reputable saddle shop, like Trumbull Mountain Tack Shop? They can recommend a saddle for your mare and carry some used tack.
Wintec does make a wide-version of their changeable saddles, but the gullet is only one factor in the fit equation.
Val I took your advice! I did some tracings of Ava's back and will be sending them in shortly. Thank you for the recommendation :)
DeleteWelcome to my life! Fitting a barrel shaped horse is DIFFICULT. I've been through 7 saddles in a few years. Think of all the money!
ReplyDeleteI just bought a Thorowgood Cob for one of the mares (who is shaped like a well-endowed barrel). Fits her perfect, and pretty good pricing too!
I've also had a wintec WIDE, which is definitely a nice saddle. It seemed a bit thin on padding at the back, but with a riser pad that could be fixed. Slightly more economical than the Thorowgood.
Let us know how you go!
I'm so glad someone can feel my same pain! I'll have to look more into the Thorowgood saddles, lots of great things have been said about them. Thanks!
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