Saddle fitting Issues Fed Up!?

Question

I have tried many different saddles I have had my horse for 3 years and dont believe I have ever found a western saddle that has fit him correctly. He always has small dry circles on either side of his withers after a hard work out. I have educated myself on saddle fitting and today rode in a saddle that i thought fit my horse well I felt under it before I rode, it was not pinching him it gave him plenty of room in the solders and my horse even seemed happier. however when I was done with my ride there were those notorious dry spots on his back. I cant buy a brand new 500$ saddle no way many 300 would be my max. I have come to the conclusion I can never find a saddle that will fit perfectly. I want my horse to be comfortable and recently he has started developing white spots in those dry circles it is really distressing me. also my hose has high withers and no muscle behind him and he is only five. could my saddle be keeping him from building muscle back there if its too tight?

Update:

FYI I have used many different saddles some really nice ones 1,000 range they still gave him the same issues. My saddle is a circle Y equitation and it is a nice saddle, here in chico Ca you can find a good saddle for my price range.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Yes, your saddle absolutely could be preventing him building correct muscle in his back.  Do you know what kind of trees are in the saddles you have tried so far?  There are several kinds including full quarter horse bars, semi-quarter horse bars, arab bars gaited bars and more.  Either a saddle that is too narrow or too wide can leave dry marks at the shoulders.  Actually, a saddle with the correct angle to the bars but that has insufficient bend in the tree from front to back can also leave dry spots.  Saddle fitting really is an art and science.  You will have to educate yourself in order to figure this out.  Here is a website to get you started: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/howshoulifit.html

? · Answer

You need a flex tree or one that fits

Perhaps he is a difficult to fit horse

Dixie Land Saddles makes a custom saddle for about $800 - $1000

You can also try English Wyntec English ($500 on sale) 

I use Ortho Flex as the panels sit and flex, the tree doesn't sit on the horse

A bad saddle will effect your horses entire body, hollow out his back instead of building a nice round line

Hi will not round up in the back, he will hollow out.  He will be trying to escape from the pressure moving away from the pressure, this will effect his entire body from top to hoof

You need a saddle fitter or use the method of a good saddle fitter to trace his back and withers

I always hate tack fitting - its a pain and worse your needs for tack bits and saddles change over time as your horse ages

It is a must have though.  I would see if you can try a flex tree

Take an old sheet (bed sheet), put pad and the saddle on, work the horse and see where the dry spots are

That is how you know if the saddle is fitting properly, if not return it and try another

Good Luck

Finley · Answer

Your problem is your unrealistic price range. 

$300 is crap saddles. 

Save up your money for at LEAST a Shenandoah saddle...it's got wood in it like a leather saddle. Wood is what flexes some with the horse. It also has a better fit than most cheap saddles that are just hard plastic.

Google: Shenandoah western saddle. The price is around $425.

STOP using that saddle that is causing the issues!!! 
It's cutting off the blood circulation and killing the hair follicles (why you get white hairs), next thing it will do is rub the skin off. I've seen it happen. It's totally preventable, if you stop using that crap saddle.

Becky S. · Answer

You obviously have a very hard to fit horse!  Good for you for not sticking with a saddle that doesn't fit.

Is it possible to put some of your money towards a saddle fitter for right now?  Then continue to save up for a better saddle that the saddler feels will fit?  You have done a good job with saddle fit, but if it is that hard to fit your gelding, a professional will be your best bet.  

Yes, it does sound like your saddle is causing muscle atrophy behind the withers.  I'd stop riding him in that saddle immediately.

If you don't have a saddle that fits correctly, try riding bareback for a while while you save up for quality and a saddle fitter.  I just got the go-ahead from my vet to bring my gelding into a bit of work, but I don't have the cash flow to fix his saddle right now.  I am riding him bareback until my saddle can be fixed, because I know what's best for him.  Not to mention it is really giving me a workout while riding!

? · Answer

try a ToddSlone saddle... they can be fitted to fit your horses back and neer rub sore spots

Saddle fitting Issues Fed Up!?

5 Answers