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Member
Posts: 7
| I have had my mare for a little over a year and have been riding her in a Double J Pro. It has always been hard to keep tight, but it has finally made my mare sore everywhere. Diagnosis at this point is poor saddle fit per my vet. Those problems are being dealt with but now I am at a loss as to what to look for in a saddle. Neither of my other 2 saddles fit her either. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. I have pictures of her that I can post if needed.
Edited by luckyppc 2015-06-30 8:14 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | Posting pictures could give us an idea of your horse's shape so BBs could suggest saddles. Some saddle companies like Martin do saddle fitting at the factory, at some dealers, and they have a demo program. |
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Member
Posts: 7
| Thanks for your reply. I am going to try to add the pictures.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 324
| If you're anywhere near Alabama/Georgia, I highly suggest visiting Jeremy Bethune with Pro Rider.
I have a mare who was practically impossible to fit and I took her to be fitted by him and I haven't had a single dry spot or any soreness since.
If you can't go visit them, find your nearest saddle fitter. I know Martin does that demo program which isn't a bad idea... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | She is shaped similar to my gelding - low withers, wide, flat back. I just ordered him a 10.5" gullet flat bar FX3 saddle from Martin after working with Brian Peterson through their demo program. If you're too far from Texas to have them fit your horse you can send them pictures and they will talk you through the fitting process and send you a demo to try. I've been using Martins for a while and ever since I went to the wider gullets my horse hasn't been sore (he used to get really sore in a normal 6 3/4" gullet Martin I rode 4 years ago and he had a lot of muscle atrophy behind his shoulders from it). The flat bar that I had on demo made all the difference in evening out the pressure. I highly recommend you call them and ask to do the demo program to help you get your horse fitted. Your horse will thank you for it. |
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Member
Posts: 7
| Katie, I sent you a PM. |
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 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| luckyppc - 2015-06-30 7:08 PM Thanks for your reply. I am going to try to add the pictures.
My horse is built like that - after many saddles I bought an older used Double J wide fit and it fits him perfectly. No more dry spots or soreness anywhere. Good luck, saddle fitting is a pain.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | Here's my horse before Martin's wider gullets and after Martin wider gullets. The pics on the left were taken in February 2012 and the pics on the right were taken in February 2015. You can see how much he's filled out on his topline and the muscle atrophy has started filling back in.
Edited by KatieMac88 2015-07-01 3:57 PM
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Regular
Posts: 81
| It can be a pain, but when I had a hard-to-fit mare I finally limited my search to used saddles that sellers would agree to let me try before buying. I was fortunate to find a few folks who would let me ride a prospective saddle and make a run in it before writing a check. Worked for us & kept me out of the doghouse with my husband! |
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Member
Posts: 7
| Thank you to all for you input and ideas. I am going to try a 7 inch Martin FX3. The concensus is that it is not so much the gullet as it is the angle of the bars. So starting there and will see how it goes. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| luckyppc - 2015-07-01 7:07 PM
Thank you to all for you input and ideas. I am going to try a 7 inch Martin FX3. The concensus is that it is not so much the gullet as it is the angle of the bars. So starting there and will see how it goes.
A 7 inch Martin is not going to fit that horse.
With Martin it is all on the gullet, not the angle of the bars, your horse would probably be a 9.5-10 probably a flat tree.
The regular trees by Martin have a lot of rock in them, a horse needs to have prominent withers and almost a sway back for the saddles to fit properly (this is my experience)
I have three crown c, I have two 10's one in regular, the other in a flat, these fit most of my horses 5 yrs and up
I have an 11 flat who fits my barrel built horse, the only saddle that fits her.
Saddles that may possibly fit this horse
Tod sloan b3
Lynn Mackenzie nueva tree by double j
Charmayne James cactus
Lisa Lockhart wide fit circle y
Martin 9-10 |
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Member
Posts: 7
| Thank you Cheryl. I am so completely overwhelmed with this whole process, that my mind is swimming. I for sure do not want to buy a saddle to only have turn around and sell it to try another one. What a vicious cycle. The dealer I have been working with is in the same state as I am so I would like to deal with him. Obviously his inventory is more limited, and I really want to try the FX3 for myself as it seems like it would be a good fit for me.
He does have a 9 in. crown C that maybe I should try first or try another dealer to see if they have at least an 8 to try in the FX3. Since I post my last post, the people at Martin looked at my pictures and thought a 7.5 or an 8.
Nothing like being under the gun!!! Nothing that I have fits her.. and of course right during the season.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
Location: Ellensburg, Washington | This is my gelding. After trying Cactus, Sibleys, Pozzi, etc I found a McKenzie Nueva tree that fits him like a glove. Good luck with your search. It is a PITA!!! |
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Member
Posts: 7
| This is for sure a PITA!!! Hoping to get this done with the least amount of grief and anxiety for my husband... LOL
Demo saddle is suppose to be here today, so I will post my findings. I have never posted to this board before, but I am really glad I did. All of the responses have been helpful.
THANK YOU!! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 631
Location: Somewhere in N.C. | Have you tried the double J pozzi 35 degree bar ? I have 4 horses all built similiar to your horse. I tried Martin, Caldwell, Cactus by Charmayne, Ammerman, pro rider, circle y, etc. none fit like the double J.. The 35 degree bar fits all of them perfect and it's lightweight. Double J has a demo in the 35....might be worth trying if you like their saddles.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 499
Location: ARKANSAS | i went through the saddle buying merry-go-round..I HATED IT!!!! I think i tried EVERYTHING!!! Deb sibleys, martha joseys, martins, bob marshalls,pro riders, off the wall name brands, i was desperate till i found the JUST B NATURAL by circle y, it rides like a treed saddle but rides like a treeless to your horse..i have the wide in both saddles i own and they fit everything i ride..i have an all foundation QH bred that is no withers flat backed as they come, med withers QH and a semi high whithered QH they fit all of them perfectly..i LOVE running in them. i OWN 2 of these saddles and wish i had a 3rd... |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I think in saddle fitting you have to be a little like Dory - just keep swimming just keep swimming...or maybe that's going down the road barrel racing in general.
Don't be afraid to ask people if you can toss their saddle on your horse. I've done it several times and because most of us understand that it's a tedious process are willing to at least let you set it on them.
I just went through it in the past 24 hours. We're at a jackpot and my young horse was definitely out. Took him over to my chiro who's here and she's puts him back together, first time she's seen him. Saddle up and go work a couple exhibitions. Untack him and I notice he's sore again. So we went back over and yep, it's the saddle. I was never thrilled with the fit but with a CSI pad I didn't think it was terrible, at least passable for now since he has a lot of filling out to do, I was wrong. So I loaded up every treed saddle between the 3 trailers Im here with and took them over to the chiro.
Long story short I found one that a gal had sitting out for sale that fits him great, was able to ride in it and then get him checked again by the chiro and he stayed in!
My advice is buy quality, become a member of the saddle trading groups on Facebook, if for no other reason than looking up prices and making sure you are getting a good deal. I've bought and sold 7 or 8 saddles in the past 18 months and I think on the whole merry go round I've only spent an additional $500 since the purchase price of the first saddle, by purchasing quality at good prices and being able to sell for the same or even a little more than I paid. |
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 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | I just got a Tami Semas wide and am totally impressed , may want to try one of you have the opportunity |
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Member
Posts: 7
| Thank you, Thank you to everyone!! I am off to the saddle fitter tomorrow. He has numerous saddles and trees to try on her. Hopefully by this time tomorrow I will be a little closer to finding an answer. It will be a road trip for sure, but ultimately easier then sending saddles back and forth.
Since starting this adventure, I wonder if any my saddles ever fit any of my horses.
Edited by luckyppc 2015-07-06 5:33 PM
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