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 Elite Veteran
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Location: Southwest Minnesota | I had a saddle fitting done last fall on my daughter's gelding and an 8" Martin Crown C fit him well at that time. His old saddle did not fit well and actually caused some muscle atrophy behind his shoulders. I am a total newbie to trying to figure out saddle fitting. Sooo...I am wondering if I can get a bigger gullet knowing that when that muscle rebuilds he will fit into a bigger gullet. Can I shim and make a bigger gullet work?? If I can is a 9" way too big to shim into right now? I don't have the finances to buy a different saddle in 6 months - 1 year or whatever but I also don't want to make her gelding sore. I would really like someone who is a saddle fit expert to show up on my doorstep with a bunch of saddles to try. Nearest saddle shop to me with any inventory at all is probably 4+ hours away. Thanks in advance for your patience and advice.  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 984
Location: Southwest Minnesota | anyone??? |
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 Northern Exposure
Posts: 3919
 
Location: Wasagaming, Manitoba, Canada | Yes you can. I fit my 9" to to several horses all the time. I have different pads that I use along with the shims and it works great. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | That's what Sherry Cervi does. There's a "up close and personal" video where she goes over it. Mind posting pics of what your horses' back looks like? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 984
Location: Southwest Minnesota | hammer_time - 2014-01-17 1:38 AM That's what Sherry Cervi does. There's a "up close and personal" video where she goes over it. Mind posting pics of what your horses' back looks like?
from what angles? I don't have any good ones of him where is doesn't have a saddle on. But, would be very happy to take some if you just tell me what you are looking for! |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Oh just what his withers look like. Something that shows the atrophy and the wide parts. Just curious because mine has the atrophy as well and I'm not sure if he needs something wide or something narrow..... |
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Northern Exposure
Posts: 3919
Location: Wasagaming, Manitoba, Canada | hammer_time - 2014-01-17 12:44 PM Oh just what his withers look like. Something that shows the atrophy and the wide parts. Just curious because mine has the atrophy as well and I'm not sure if he needs something wide or something narrow.....
I can post some pics for you if you want (have to wait until I'm home from work though haha)
I have some pictures of horses with atrophy and some of horses that have filled out since using the saddles. 
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| Sprinkle some flour(a light dusting) over his back where the saddle would fit. Put the saddle on him, cinch it up, and then remove the saddle straight up and off(so you don't smear the flour). You should be able to see the marks on his back and it will leave residue underneath your saddle and you can see exactly what parts made contact and which didn't.
Edited by FlyingJT 2014-01-17 1:05 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1118
Location: The South | I wouldn't think a 9" would be too big. I think of it this way-you can always shim and make a big one fit smaller, but you can't make a small one any bigger. I have a 9" and it doesn't seem huge to me. Good luck! |
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Northern Exposure
Posts: 3919
Location: Wasagaming, Manitoba, Canada | Here is my boyfriends head horse. I tried to circle the areas where you can see the atrophy. It's much easier to show in person (and sorry he's wet). From the side shot you can see how prominent his withers look, as the muscle regenerates they won't be as noticable.
The area I have circled in the one picture shows where we will shim until the muscle regenerates.
We had him fit by martin and they figured he would fill out to a 9.5 " so that is what he has coming.
I attached pictures of a couple other horses too.
Edited to add:
My horse Ice is a snug 9 right now, I am in the process of getting him a 10". I will find a side profile shot of him and post it in a minute (resizing)
The bottom horse is a 10.5"
Edited by BBKitamanCutter 2014-01-17 7:04 PM
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iceprofile.jpg (71KB - 261 downloads)
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 984
Location: Southwest Minnesota | This is the only picture I can find of him without a saddle on...
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Thanks for the pictures! Mine is built KIND of like that...I think his withers are less prominent...like less of a dip from withers to back. Still....I struggle with figuring out if he needs to go wider or narrower.... :/
Edited by hammer_time 2014-01-18 1:49 AM
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Now I'm curious to see the horse with the Martin saddle on without a pad. Just to see how they are sitting.....so if anyne wants to contribute.....Haha sorry, I don't mean to steal the thread, promise! |
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 Veteran
Posts: 216
Location: SC/Ga line | I don't use shims. When a saddle fits you don't need shims. I ride in PSC saddle wwww.pscsaddles.com. maker of H3, Sarah Mcdonald rides in them and she ran the fastest time at open nbha world in one of these saddles and been on the cover of barrel horse newsmore than once... they have a flat tree and a twist tree. The twist tree fits a tall wither with a dip behind it. These saddles are made to sit the bar of the tree on the shoulder to allow the scapula to rotate underneath. The soft muscle behind the scapula can'tbear the pressure of the bar thus causing atrophy. That's where you see white marks too from pressure points. Also when the saddle is behind the shoulder, every stride will push the saddle back. You see this when a saddle slides back and tips down in the front . |
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Northern Exposure
Posts: 3919
Location: Wasagaming, Manitoba, Canada | Hummer - 2014-01-18 4:53 AM I don't use shims. When a saddle fits you don't need shims. I ride in PSC saddle wwww.pscsaddles.com. maker of H3, Sarah Mcdonald rides in them and she ran the fastest time at open nbha world in one of these saddles and been on the cover of barrel horse newsmore than once... they have a flat tree and a twist tree. The twist tree fits a tall wither with a dip behind it. These saddles are made to sit the bar of the tree on the shoulder to allow the scapula to rotate underneath. The soft muscle behind the scapula can'tbear the pressure of the bar thus causing atrophy. That's where you see white marks too from pressure points. Also when the saddle is behind the shoulder, every stride will push the saddle back. You see this when a saddle slides back and tips down in the front .
That's correct, when the horse builds up the muscle again - you don't need to shim. |
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Northern Exposure
Posts: 3919
Location: Wasagaming, Manitoba, Canada | hammer_time - 2014-01-18 1:57 AM Now I'm curious to see the horse with the Martin saddle on without a pad. Just to see how they are sitting.....so if anyne wants to contribute.....Haha sorry, I don't mean to steal the thread, promise!
I can take some this afternoon and pm the pics.
I'm biased obivously haha. But, if it were my horse I'd be looking at wider for him. I bet your horse would be a at least a 9" and probably bigger.
Chuckle - I think you would be okay with a 9" but I would double check with whoever fit your saddle. When the 8 fit him was it with shims (allowing for growth) or did the 8" fit as is ? Just curious how much room you have to play with.
I would also suggest getting in contact with Brian and Tracy Peterson at Martin. They are great to work with and it is well worth it to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I just can't visualize where the gullet sits and where it's making contact....pics appreciated...sorry, not trying to hijack....just get a better understanding! |
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