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Member
Posts: 13
| I really need some opinions on saddle fit. I know this has been talked to death, but I am 48 years old and never had a problem with soreness or ill fitting saddle. I have had my horse for 3 years plus. He had some lameness issues with shoeing that has been resolved. Been riding steady since fall of last year. He was just being seasoned and was hitting in the local ( I mean very local 1D). Then he stars getting upset with sound system and horses running around him and the sound of people whipping during their run. I have been to Caldwell and had him fitted when I got him cause he has large shoulders. He was put in a maxed out. I got him some ear plugs and they seemed to help with anxiousness but then during his run this past weekend he had an awesome 1st and around the second started bucking and humped for a while. I made him finish. Vet apt was Tuesday. slight ulcers 1 out of 5 he said. a little inflammation on right ft coffin joint (injected). Chiro- He was out in 3 vertebrae in the withers to the right. out in right pelvis. No other issues found. I thought he was sore in the withers and maybe saddle was hurting him. Called Charon. She said the saddle is too small now and suggested the xl max. I don't see him as that big of a horse. What other options do I have ? I am on the fence about the behind the shoulders placement. I have watched all videos and the ones I've seen around my home look stupid and are falling forward and sticking up in the back. I don't see that as beneficial to the horse either. He doesn't really have any atrophy. Please give me some opinions before I spend $$$$ on a Caldwell that I'm not sure will fix the issue either. I love how the Caldwells ride and being old, I need all the help I can get. LOL Thanks everyone. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1286
 
Location: Mississippi | When I saw the title of your thread I was going to suggest sending pics of your horse to Caldwell. I was told my horse needed a Maxed Out and I didn't agree with that at first until Charon explained to me how their saddles sat differently. She did also mention that over time a horse changes so may need a different tree down the road - the good thing is that Caldwells hold their value. I was very pleased when I got my saddle - it fits both me and my horse great. I will say that if you are used to a Caldwell, you are probably going to find that other brands just don't compare especially for comfort! |
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 Cyber World Challenged
Posts: 2526
 
Location: My Own Little World | There sure is a lot of info and differing opinions on saddle fit and design out there. Here are a few sources I've used to try to help my horses. 1. Lynn McKenzie has some really great YouTube videos on saddle fit. 2. Len Brown, the maker of the Corrector Saddle pads. 3. Roo Hide Saddles has a bunch of great videos as well.
It's daunting getting a good fit and then they change lol I think my best investment right now is a Len Brown pad. It has been a godsend in helping my horse with saddle fit. Now, when I have enough money, I'll be saddle shopping and I'm thinking I just might buy a Roo. |
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | You may want to X-ray his back and test for EPM before you spend money on a new saddle. Also, even though the Caldwells are awesome saddles, I think even the flat trees they make have too much rock for some horses. Set your saddle on his back with no pad and see if it rocks from front to back, you may just need to shim up the front a little. I know horses are bigger then they used to be, but I am not sure I buy in to this super wide saddle trend, JMO. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Did you think the saddle was causing the wither issue or did the chiro indicate that?
I can see where the coffin joint pain could cause compensation and going out chiropractically. Did the chiro check your saddle fit on the horse and did you send any updated pictures to Caldwell?
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Member
Posts: 13
| Thank you all for the input. I normally didn't buy into the larger gullet thing either but I know Caldwell doesn't get crazy big like others I've seen. The bar flare is the bigger I guess.
I did have the chiropractor check the saddle and she said way to small. She said my horse was like a body builder that was all muscle and had no neck was the way she described him. I also sent many saddle pictures to Charon before he was ridden and five minutes after. The saddle was moving back on its own. The chiro did think the being out issues could possibly be from the saddle. Most of the time she saw withers out was to the left and it was from mounting and pulling on the saddle too much. Since Tank's was out to the right she said the pushing on the shoulder down can do that. I have no idea what I can even ride in now. I was wondering about the corrector pads and CSI pads. I know if it is too small a pad will not help. The saddle without pad does not rock but he seems to have a long wither and slight drop in his back. The saddle never seemed to move or roll. I was shocked when the places came up on his shoulders. He was being a Turd, so I was riding him a tad harder when they came up. I use a 1 in wool pad cut back 13 inches. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | If you can get your hands on a CSI pad I would most definitely try it-They're all we ride in AND we've had all the high end pads too. Saddles all fit fairly good, but not like a glove-that's for sure! I question whether there is some sort of vertebrae issue that he did in the pasture/stall that you may not know of.....I know it takes a special radiograph to be able to see much in a horses back but might be worth a try?? |
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