Ask The Vet: Saddle Fitting - January 09

Question: Is there any physical harm to the horse's back to use a treeless saddle compared to a treed saddle with the weight distribution? Any known problems?

Question: I was thinking of buying a "soft saddle" that is made out of closed cell foam inserts and pads. What can you tell me about fitting this kind of saddle. Also, is using this kind of saddle harmful to the horse's back?

Question: What are your thoughts on treeless saddles?

Question: I have been away from riding for some years.. . school, baby, career, but have kept my gelding. He is a 27-year-old, unusually fit Arabian. His inability to keep still (as well as frequent floats and and expensive geriatric feed) has been an asset to keeping him pretty healthy. My vet laughs when she sees him because his personality seems that of a much younger horse. However, I can't keep the saddle from slipping back. I just bought a new swayback foam pad. Today I got off and readjusted the saddle three times. I am riding in a western saddle for now . . . I can ride english, but he is so spunky/crazy (and I am not as young as I used to be) that for now I feel better in a western saddle. It seems as though it is sliding off the shoulder into that "pocket" due to his slight sway back. Please tell me I can fix this without buying a new saddle.

Question: I have a 4-year-old Paint stallion that I have broken to saddle over the past year. Recently, after we have been out for a while he starts to twitch in the shoulder and eventually will swing round and nudge my leg. I've checked and nothing seems to be pinching or rucked up. If I dismount and remount after five or 10 minutes, the behavior recurs after less than the initial period. He is very short backed, the saddle is a 16" synthetic 'saddle Co;'. Could the saddle be interfering with the shoulder? I weigh 60kg, could this be a sign of tiring? I have begun to ask more when we're hacking.

Question: I would like any information you can give me to help a mare that is 30-years-old. I still ride her twice a week, two to three hours at a time. We have a forest near us that has some steep hills, rolling hills and flat areas. I have noticed her back is changing (swayed), and you can see the spine (knots), which the vet said it is where the ribs attach. Recently, it has changed to where it looks like the spine- muscle is dropping away like it does in the withers, this area is going toward the tail. I would like to know if I should stop riding her. My vet has said when I ride to keep her well padded, which I do, but I wonder if this is normal or if there is anything else that would help it nutrionally? I ride her in a bareback pad with pads underneath. Any insight would be appreciated.

Question: My horse has moderately high withers and a more concave (Arabian-like back). I am having a problem finding a saddle that will properly fit him without the addition of a wedge pad under the cantle area. Do you have any suggestions?

Question: I have a Quarter horse mare that has developed into a 'mutton wither' beauty. She is 7-years-old with a body condition score of 5.5. I am looking for a saddle for her. The saddles I currently have started leaving dry marks on her last year. I thought I had considered everything about the saddle fit, then I read your article and the placement of the cinch was discussed. Having a perfect fit means nothing if the cinch is in the wrong location. The saddle maker I am talking with has suggested a form that is heated then placed on the horses back to capture the shape and lots of photographs. He will make a tree, then send it to me to try out. He said he will put stirrups on so I can ride on it. Again, he wants lots of photographs. Are you familiar with this technique and do you have any suggestions that would help me with this project?

P.S. I truly appreciate this website. I have had my horses for approximately six years. As I travel this road of horse ownership, your information is timely to what I am experiencing along the journey.

Question: I have an older horse (24) that his back has become swayed. He does not have prominent withers and he has a short back (Arabian). I use an all-purpose jumping saddle with a thick fleece pad. Do you have any specific recommendations for saddle fitting for this horse or what to look for in an aging back?

Question: I have acquired a horse with asymmetrical shoulders. The muscles behind the shoulder blades and below the withers, where the points of a dressage saddle would sit, are unevenly developed. The left side is large and convex, the right side is slightly atrophied and convex. Should I attempt to fit the larger shoulder when I try out new saddles? If so, should I be using shims to fill in under the saddle the small-shoulder side? What should I be using for shim materials? Or is there a better approach?

Question: With a western saddle purchase, the store we purchased our saddle from said that when looking for a good fit, we should place a sheet underneath the saddle, work the horse to a light sweat and the sheet should be wet with no dry spots signifying that the saddle fits correctly. Is this an accurate way to assess correct saddle fit?

Question: I have a 19-hand Percheron and would like to ride him for pleasure and trail. Is there a good resource for finding the right tack for him? I like Aussie saddles and have found draft-sized saddles online, but how do I measure him to ensure a comfortable fit?

Question: I have a 15-year-old Egyptian Arabian. It is impossible to find a saddle for him. He has low withers and broad shoulders and a short back in which everything slips forward, pinches his withers and causes trauma to the shoulders and withers. Currently, I have been riding bareback to give him a healing period. I need some suggestions for saddle brands, tips and fitting tricks and what to look for in fit. This is a very frustrating horse to fit. I am at my whits end!

Question: I know my saddle does not appropriately fit my horses due to the development of white hair and occasional sores, on both sides of the withers. This occurs on both of my horses. However, I am having a difficult time determining exactly what the problem is with the saddle.

Due to budget constraints, I have one saddle to use on two different horses. The saddle is a Rocking R with a flex tree and dropped rigging. It appears level to me when on the horses. Three fingers fit between the withers and the gullet. I have used a saddle sock for a pad on the flex panels as well as tried different thickness of saddle pads, but there doesn't seem to be a difference for the horse.

I know both of my horses have distinct withers. One horse is 8, and the other is 21 with a drooping back, but both have the same problem with the saddle. I have taken the saddle to a saddle repairman; he was unable to find anything wrong with the saddle structure.

Any ideas or suggestions you have would be appreciated.