saddle fit..

trackgal · Postby **trackgal** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:34 pm

Hi,
I have an OTTB that I am having a hell of a time finding tack for, he is 16.2 very high wither's and "hollow's out" on each side of his wither's..can anyone reccomend a special pad or even a saddle (must be english)..right now we are trailriding him in an Abetta endurance saddle with a Supra core pad and a western pad. but the owner would prefer english tack, any info is GREATLY appreciated.

Cree · Postby **Cree** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 3:57 pm

Sort of have the same problem. I was told Stubben Siegfried's are good for TBs. Good luck. Took me FOREVER to find one for me and my gelding. I am tall and long legged, and finding something for him and me was a pain!

Diane · Postby **Diane** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:16 pm

www.doversaddlery.com
I have a Stubben Siegfried, reg or med tree, vsd. I used a wool pad and elastic breast collar. It wasn't 100% perfect for her but it never caused problems. If you are doing dressagey things like 20m circles @ working trot, up/down transitions etc you will develope those topline muscles and eventually

those muscles will help with saddle fit. What's wrong with riding him in the Abetta if it fits ok? Explain to the owner that the saddle doesn't change the training. If she doesn't know that then teaching her to post on a western saddle might be the kindest thing for both owner and horse :wink:

Oh and if she's still not sure ask her to watch tvg and alllll those Tb pony horses with big ol western saddles on and their riders who sometimes are seen to post. When she can post in any saddle encourage her to call dover and ask them how to saddle fit and send her a saddle. Bless you for trying trackgal

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:35 am

Older Stubbens are great for TB's because they are stuffed with sheepswool and seem built precisely for TB's. The flocking is fairly easily shifted, and they have quite thick swells. Literally ANY Australian saddle will fit a TB better than any Western saddle I have ever seen, provided you get the gullet right. The Aussie saddles tend to have very high pommels.

Fair Play · Postby **Fair Play** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:09 pm

I have an old flat wool flocked Crosby Prix de Nations that fits most TBs. One guy needs a thin, but rigid pad under it. Good luck searching.

soft hearted · Postby **soft hearted** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:16 am

For some reason, don't ask me why, I had one mare that I had a saddle fitter out to fit EVERY (increasingly expensive) saddle he had to try to fit. Nothing worked.
In exasperation I looked through the tackroom and came across an old Rossi y caruso that I'd picked up as a breaking saddle at an auction.
For 17$, that thing fit the witch like a glove.
Again, that "Warmblood" (big body) build, high withers with the same hollowing out.
Sometimes, it doesn't hurt to look. Even if you're looking down and cheap

Cathy D · Postby **Cathy D** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 1:47 pm

You might want to look at the wool flocked saddles, since they can be adjusted somewhat. I believe the County line has some options that can work for the horse rider fit combination you described, plus they have local reps that will come out and fit yor horse. Here is a link to their Website: http://www.countysaddlery.com/pages/fittingguide.html

There have been a lot of saddle fitting threads on the Chronicle of the Horse bulleting boards (http://www.chronofhorse.com) you might try searching.

Good luck!