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Discussion on Saddle for a wide backed horse
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Member:
wgillmor
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 8, 2008 - 8:28 pm:
We recently adopted a Rocky Mountain Horse to be used by my wife as a trail horse (with light arena work in the winter). We are having trouble finding a saddle to fit him. I would describe his back as extra wide, short and almost squared off. His withers are not prominent. A Wintec dressage saddle with the widest gullet plate is not wide enough. He has some acquired white areas back of his withers probably from a previous ill-fitting saddle.
Does anyone have advice as to what kind of a saddle might fit? We're not wild about going the custom saddle route. Neither my wife nor I want to hoist a heavy Western saddle but most any other type that gives a deep seat would probably be acceptable.
Thanks,
Wiley
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 8, 2008 - 9:24 pm:
Have you looked into tack for draft horses?
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Member:
wgillmor
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 8, 2008 - 9:45 pm:
Lori,
Thanks for the suggestion.
I always think of drafts as big horses. Peter (our Rocky) is actually about 14.3. (Definitely different from my 17 hand Trakehner.) I suppose a horse like a Halflinger might be of similar build. I'll see what I can find on that route.
Wiley
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 8, 2008 - 10:46 pm:
You also might try Arab saddles, they are quite wide also.
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Member:
sdms
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 8, 2008 - 11:54 pm:
Hi Wiley. I have a friend that has a treeless saddle that she uses on her draft cross mare. It's a western style saddle but it's very light weight. I don't know a lot about the treeless saddles but I'm sure they must have an english style. I did ride the saddle once and thought it was pretty comfortable.
I also know two different tack dealers not too far from you that have a wide variety of used saddles. One is in Longmont and the other is in Boulder. I think the one in Longmont might have a few english saddles available. Both will let you try the saddle to make sure it fits you and the horse before you commit to buying it. Just shoot me an e-mail if you'd like their numbers.
Good luck!
~Sara
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Member:
terrido
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 9, 2008 - 12:02 pm:
Wintec also makes an ultra wide saddle (dressage style) that has gullet plates that go, I think, three sizes larger than the standard set. They do need to be ordered, but any tack store that is a Wintec dealer can get one for you, or you can find them online too.
There are also many nice lighter weight western saddles that have an adjustable tree. That's what I ended up getting for my very round Friesian. She takes a 7inch full quarter bar saddle; she is 15.2 hands. In fact it has a 15 inch seat and the cantle sits just at the last rib. I have to special order pads because it's hard to find a short enough pad. ;] The normal size western pads I have to place about 6 inches up on her neck but they still hit her pelvis.
For my dressage saddle I have a beautiful Schleese because I am one of his 'ambassadors'. And it's the best way to have a perfectly fitting saddle for my round and super short backed horse.
Quite often with a very short backed horse it's a challenge to find a saddle that isn't too long, regardless of whether it's too narrow. You have to look at both these two measurements at a minimum.
Good luck.
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 9, 2008 - 4:50 pm:
Wiley! my commiserations! Our MFT mare is the same! Very hard to fit. Brenda Imus makes a very nice gaited saddle just bring money!! My Arab mare is what they call mutton backed, very round, but even her custom made saddle does't work on Pest.Right now we have been riding in a very nice bareback pad with stirrups! Holler if you find one I'll do the same!
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Member:
jivete
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Posted on Monday, Nov 10, 2008 - 8:56 am:
I use a Sensation treeless dressage on my Andalusian/Percheron cross and I love it. I also have the Wintec Wide and it also fits pretty well.
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Monday, Nov 10, 2008 - 2:12 pm:
A friend of mine uses a Tucker "wide" on her Rocky Mountain horse, but she also must use a special gel pad so that the horse does not get rubbed behind the withers.
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New Member:
rmkurtz
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Posted on Monday, Nov 10, 2008 - 9:50 pm:
I have a horse of similar size and shape to what you are describing. Have been using an Icelandic Pony saddle for him. For a non-custom saddle, it seems to be working well.}
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