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Location: midwest mama | I have a barrel racing finals coming up in a few weeks, and the saddle I am riding in is not working for me at all. A saddle expert has determined that the seat is too big for me and the stirrups are too free-swinging.
The only other saddle I have to run in is my million year old barrel saddle (which I LOVE and I ride really well in), however it is too narrow in the shoulders for my horse. It fits okay everywhere else, but does pinch his shoulders a bit. I rode him in it all last year and it eventually made him sore, so I quit riding him in it.
There is no way I have time to find another saddle before my finals, and if I have to run in the newer one I have I may as well not go.
Does anyone have any tricks that I can use to get by with just a couple of runs in my old saddle?
A special type of pad........anything? I don't want to make my horse sore again, but maybe he would be okay for just 2 runs?
Opinions? Suggestions?
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Thinnest pad possible. 1/2"
Do you know anyone that has a saddle that would fit him or any treeless saddles that you could borrow? That'd probably be your best bet, IMO |
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 Veteran
Posts: 137
Location: ILLINOIS | Agree with thinnest pad possible and make sure you get off of him as soon as ur done. Nothing extra..
Do you already have fees paid? It may be in the horses best interest to just sit it out. Jmho. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | You say a few weeks befor the finals, should that give you some time to buy a better fitting saddle or to find one to borrow? No way would I put a ill fitting saddle on my horse that I know will make him sore. To me you are asking for trouble. Good luck on finding a better fitting saddle for your horse  |
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 Cinnamon Honey One
Posts: 6549
Location: between here and there | You must use a very thin pad and then shim behind the tight area. NOT ON TOP OF IT! That is what shims SHOULD be used for. It will lift the saddle up off the tight spot at least to get you thru a couple runs. You can use hand towels to accomplish this, too or cut a neoprene pad up that is only 1/4" to 1/2" thick. No more or the saddle could roll! You will need one approx. 4" wide x 12" long. When it works it will lift the saddle up in the front and relieve the pressure. you also must use a rear flank snugged up or it will make it worse. Then you can go saddle shopping. Shims shouldn't be used a long time or improperly so let me know if more questions. Do make sure it doesn't make the saddle unstable!! |
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Veteran
Posts: 247
Location: Crossfield Alberta | What I have done in the past is sacrifice the pad, by cutting it out where the saddle is tight. I am assuming it is the bars that are to tight, if not this won't work. It isn't a long term fix but will get you through a couple of rides and runs. Works best with a really firm pad. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | How about figuring out some tips and tricks for YOU adjusting to the saddle that DOES fit your horse??
I don't mean that harshly, but I'd rather work harder to adjust to the saddle that isn't my favorite than to put something ill fitting on my horse and make him sore. Two weeks of riding in an ill fitting saddle is plenty of time to sore up a horse before you ever even get to your finals. It's not just the two runs you'll be making.
There are padded things you can put in your seat to shrink the seat size. And I'm not entirely sure what you mean by your stirrups are too free swinging but I have seen some kids tie their stirrups to their girths to keep them from swinging back. |
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Cinnamon Honey One
Posts: 6549
Location: between here and there | Missed the part on the stirrups. I know people do this, but you are asking for trouble. If your horse stumbles, you can become a slingshot very quickly. I sure wouldn't EVER do this with a child's saddle especially. As adults, you're on your own. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| wimpyb - 2014-09-02 9:41 AM
Missed the part on the stirrups. I know people do this, but you are asking for trouble. If your horse stumbles, you can become a slingshot very quickly. I sure wouldn't EVER do this with a child's saddle especially. As adults, you're on your own.
I disagree with you regarding the slingshot, I have a sloan saddle that the stirrups are hobbled forward, this is how sloan built the saddle, and I have never been sling shotted out of the saddle.
I also believe some of the Martha Josey saddles are hobbled forward.
To the op, I would take the new saddle have the stirrups professionally hobbled forward or where you want them, and look at getting the seat shrinker.
I do not support riding in an ill fitting saddle, as it can cause problems with horses later on, but if you must I would invest in a Clinton anderson pressure relief system saddle pad, I believe they range from 300-400 dollars, they do have the cut out where saddles usually pinch. |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | wimpyb - 2014-09-02 9:35 AM You must use a very thin pad and then shim behind the tight area. NOT ON TOP OF IT! That is what shims SHOULD be used for. It will lift the saddle up off the tight spot at least to get you thru a couple runs. You can use hand towels to accomplish this, too or cut a neoprene pad up that is only 1/4" to 1/2" thick. No more or the saddle could roll! You will need one approx. 4" wide x 12" long. When it works it will lift the saddle up in the front and relieve the pressure. you also must use a rear flank snugged up or it will make it worse. Then you can go saddle shopping. Shims shouldn't be used a long time or improperly so let me know if more questions. Do make sure it doesn't make the saddle unstable!!
2 runs.. i agree with wimpy. but get a new saddle after and Id not warm up and work alot with that saddle. take the other one to warm up in if need be.. make your runs in the way wimpy suggested with tight saddle..one weekend deal though. |
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Location: midwest mama | BUMP |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 518
| Bibliafarm - 2014-09-02 9:16 AM wimpyb - 2014-09-02 9:35 AM You must use a very thin pad and then shim behind the tight area. NOT ON TOP OF IT! That is what shims SHOULD be used for. It will lift the saddle up off the tight spot at least to get you thru a couple runs. You can use hand towels to accomplish this, too or cut a neoprene pad up that is only 1/4" to 1/2" thick. No more or the saddle could roll! You will need one approx. 4" wide x 12" long. When it works it will lift the saddle up in the front and relieve the pressure. you also must use a rear flank snugged up or it will make it worse. Then you can go saddle shopping. Shims shouldn't be used a long time or improperly so let me know if more questions. Do make sure it doesn't make the saddle unstable!! 2 runs.. i agree with wimpy. but get a new saddle after and Id not warm up and work alot with that saddle. take the other one to warm up in if need be.. make your runs in the way wimpy suggested with tight saddle..one weekend deal though.
For 2 days I'd say you'll be alright doing this. Make sure your back cinch is tight though! If your back cinch is usually looser you may want to get your horse used to a tighter cinch beforehand :) |
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