mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Oct 29, 2014 17:51:59 GMT
UGH - I hate when cyberspace eats your thread! Here we go again.
I need some advice on how to tell if a saddle truly fits a horse. I can tell if they are obviously too wide or too narrow but have more trouble telling if they truly fit.
A friend is selling her custom made saddle for about half of what she paid for it. It was handmade by a somewhat local couple and until I put it on Mister yesterday, it has never been on a horse. It is just too heavy for her to lift on to her 16+ hand horse (she has issues with her hands and joints).
I would like to compare the fit to the Circle Y Park and Trail saddle that I bought a year ago and have been using since then.
Mister has lost a bit of his topline as he has gotten older and we don't ride regularly. The pommel of the saddle before the Circle Y pressed on his withers so that one is out. The pommel of the Circle Y is better but the very front of the seat (where the "cutback" is just behind the pommel) is pretty close to pressing on him. I do use a think wool pad and he's never been sore but I don't like the idea of it being so close. This new saddle, the pommel and the front of the seat do not get near his withers or back.
So here are some pictures. I do not have the saddle cinched up in these pictures (of course I forgot my cinch at home). I will get some with the pad and cinch tonight or tomorrow.
What do y'all think? Does one look like it fits better than the other? How can I tell if the angle of the bars is right? (Sorry they are blurry, my phone camera stinks).
This one makes it look like it is pinching him but I don't seem to remember noticing a lot of pinching when I was looking at it.
The Circle Y
If you look at the sunshining spot just below and behind the pommel, you can see how close the bottom of the seat is to his spine.
Circle Y cinched up with pad.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Oct 29, 2014 17:57:32 GMT
Let me know if you need different/better pictures of either one.
I had thought about having the vet look at both of them too when he is here next week.
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Post by lorddaxter on Oct 29, 2014 18:33:40 GMT
The first one looks awful to me, second one better but not perfect either, are they both semi bars?
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Post by horselover4life on Oct 29, 2014 21:30:33 GMT
I don't like the first saddle at all. Even loose it is to tight, it looks tight forget putting a cinch and pressure to it, jmo. I like the saddle, but not on Mister.
The Circle Y.... The saddle isn't touching that I can see in the picture. Have you tried a built-up pad to raise the saddle front...the padding on the one our instructor has has a graduated build-up in reverse...meaning thickest in the front where the saddle would be closest to touching the wither area and it decreases in thickness as you go toward the rear{cantle} area....I think it may also be a cut-back pad too. I think the pad is a Reinsmen {sp?}. A nice wool pad....
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Post by horselover4life on Oct 29, 2014 21:40:13 GMT
I'm not good on terminology but when you look at just the pictures of both saddles from the front....the angle is so steep on the new one versus the Circle Y. It looks like it is pinching., or going to. There is no excess air channel/gullet...that saddle sits so close and down on the spine I would really worry about his back.
Does Mister have any "white hairs" in the wither area from damage? Rubs?
I like how the Circle Y sits with no pad...the other NO....
Me, I would pass on the new one being offered.
If you decide to sell your Circle Y... I would be interested providing it is the right seat size...and the right price. I'm on a budget too.
jmo...
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Oct 30, 2014 2:43:15 GMT
That Circle Y is the same saddle I had. Loved that saddle. But had to sell it when I got JR. If you decide to sell it and Hl4L passes and again if it is the right size seat. I would be interested. I think the first one is to wide in the front looks like it would put pressure on if tightened down.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Oct 30, 2014 12:36:34 GMT
Thanks all. I will try the brown saddle again and maybe see what it looks like with a pad, just to see. I really don't need to be spending money on another saddle anyway. I just thought if it fit well, it would be worth it.
I think Mister likes the Circle Y; he seems to move out really well in it. No, no white hairs on his back but I'm not sure I ride regularly enough to cause that, however I have never seen any sores on his back. Next time I ride him in it and he gets sweaty, I will try to take a pic of the sweat pattern (but that may be a while!).
Perhaps I could use the money I was going to spend on a new saddle and get a really nice saddle pad to help the Circle Y fit a bit better.
Even if I were to get the brown one, I am not planning on selling the Circle Y. I got a great deal on it and am probably going to hang on to it until....well forever! I paid $400 for it with a matching breast collar and bridle. It probably needs to be reflocked (is that the word?) but otherwise is in perfect shape!
I do have a few other saddles that I need to sell but nothing special. A 12" wintec, a big Aussie saddle, a tan "Wintec like" 16 inch western and possibly a no-name but nice 16" leather saddle.
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Post by lorddaxter on Oct 30, 2014 15:37:49 GMT
On the saddle pads, I have a csi and a thinline western pad, I really like the csi, I want to like e thinline but so far it's slipping back and I've noticed some rubbing at the rear on his hair, could be the saddle of course but with the csi I didn't get that so I'm thinking overall the csi has to be the better pad:)
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 7, 2014 0:51:11 GMT
Ok, we had another photo session. Here are both saddles without a pad and with my 1" pad (the pics with the pad, the saddle is also cinched up. The brown saddle:
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 7, 2014 0:53:25 GMT
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 7, 2014 0:54:22 GMT
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 7, 2014 0:57:41 GMT
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 7, 2014 0:58:39 GMT
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 7, 2014 0:59:50 GMT
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 7, 2014 1:03:06 GMT
Sorry for all the pictures! Just want to make sure I am riding in something that at least somewhat fits Mister.
I sat in the brown one today and it's a little big for me.
If you still think the Circle Y is a decent fit, I think I will spend the money on a better pad (assuming I need one) and also to get the underside re-flocked. I did feel under the seat where it was sitting so close to his spine when I first got it. I don't know if he's put on weight or lost weight or what but it wasn't near touching today. Who knows!
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 7, 2014 11:28:53 GMT
IDK....
Have you ridden Mister in the saddle for more than a few minutes? Does he stride out with his forelegs as normal and push from behind, really get under and push forward? I still am not fond of the new saddle fit. It just looks to be sitting wrong, to far down where your "pressure point" spot is going to be when cinched on the shoulder blade. There is something that really bothers me about it....can't really put in in words, it is just a gut niggling feeling I get from the pictures.
I am also thrown off by the angle of the cinch strap in the picture...it is rather severe like the saddle is already slid back and not where it belongs. I don't know if any pad will fix what I think I see....and I admit to I may NOT be seeing it right.
I am used to the rigging of my sons saddle that the cinch lies near under part of the fender... the way your Circle Y looks in the pictures.
Knowing you have a sound moving horse with what you have, are comfortable riding in what you have... Me, I would have the saddle re-flocked first, then if needed do a new pad. Have a feeling though if re-flocked and the loft and "squish-ability" is back underneath you won't need that new pad.
If this was a English saddle I would tell you flat out, "NO", don't like it at all.
jmo.
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Post by horselady on Nov 7, 2014 12:32:20 GMT
The first saddle the brown one is way to narrow. and sits on top of his shoulders too high and you have it way to forward. it should be a couple of inches back.
the black one again is too narrow. but not as narrow as the brown one. again slide the saddle a little back. so not to interfere with his neck.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 7, 2014 13:23:47 GMT
Sorry, forgot to mention he back cinch was not done up, just hanging. I am going to return the brown one to my friend. I don't really have the money for a new saddle right now but if it had fit him beautifully (and me too), I would find the money.
So, the Circle Y it is. Yes, he does move out well under the Circle Y. If I ever get to ride again (lol), I will post pictures of the sweat pattern. In the meantime, while I can't ride due to his feet still growing out, I think I will bring it to the saddle repair man and get it flocked.
By the way, I know you can put corn starch on a squeaky saddle but that hasn't worked for me. Any other suggestions? Maybe I didn't put enough or put it in the right places?
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 7, 2014 15:34:50 GMT
Corn starch works but sound like you didn't get it high enough... It also works its way out over time...you may need a new sprinkling.. Some use baby powder instead...sprinkled in and then you thump the saddle upside down so it works well into all the cracks and crevices, nooks & crannies {sound like Thomas English muffin commercial} Do your "thumping" on a thick towel or pad to protect the saddle from scratches... maybe do the pommel end then the catle end so you can thump and still have good control over the saddle.
I actually love the sound of a saddle working. The "creak" of leather...goes with the smell of leather and horse... smileys-hearts-532620
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Post by lorddaxter on Nov 7, 2014 15:47:23 GMT
I think the circle y is a better fit:)
As for pads, please splash out on the CSI pad, I can vouch for it 100% and believe me I've tried them all!
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