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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 503
| So I have an 8" gullet Crown C - I like it for the most part but since getting it about two years ago my horse has filled out more and it's started to leave dry spots about 2 inches in diameter right behind his shoulders. I've always wanted a Caldwell so I sent pictures to Charon (attached are the pictures I sent her) to see what tree he would need. She told me Ultra Rocket - I tried one just to be sure and I'm still not convinced. It's leaving spots in the same spot as my Crown C. I've emailed Charon but also wanted to post here to see what other people have to say - I'm open to other saddle suggestions as well. It just seems like every saddle I've tried pinches him right behind the shoulder.
Couple other saddles I've tried:
Lynn Mckenzie Special - worked really well for awhile (And I loved it too) but started pinching right behind his shoulders and made him sore, maybe I need to try a wide fit?
Cactus CJ - left dry spots on top of his shoulder and he had a super short choppy stride. Seemed too wide - like it was perched on top of his shoulders and his shoulder blades would hit the tree with every stride.
Edited by LuckyNGG'sGirl 2015-09-24 2:05 PM
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
 
Location: PNW | He's built EXACTLY like my horse, and he wears an ultra rocket and it fits him PERFECTLY. Your saddle might be too far back. Calf wells are meant to sit ON the shoulder. If you posted a pic of him saddled, I could tell you. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | A good rule of thumb for the Caldwell is that USUALLY the front edge of your skirt will draw an imaginary line down the middle of your horse's front leg, and then you will probably have it in the right spot :) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 503
| Unfortunately I didn't even think to take pictures of him with it on before we rode. The girl that owns the Caldwell saddled him and put it right up on his shoulder where it should be but it either slid back (which I've heard means it's too narrow? Don't know if that's true.) or just plain didn't fit... I'm at a bit of a loss. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
 
| Don't know caldwell, but I would say your horse may need to go up to a 8.5-9" gullet.
I personally wouldn't be changing brands if I have a brand of saddle that is working.
With that said. Other saddles to try
Lisa Lockhart wide fit
Lynn Mackenzie nueva tree (she says it fits a variety of horses)
Pozzi #10 or a wide (the first pictur it looks like the saddle will need a lot of rock, but the side view doesn't really)
Tod sloan b2-b3 bars probably a b3 |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 503
| cheryl makofka - 2015-09-22 8:47 PM
Don't know caldwell, but I would say your horse may need to go up to a 8.5-9" gullet.
I personally wouldn't be changing brands if I have a brand of saddle that is working.
With that said. Other saddles to try
Lisa Lockhart wide fit
Lynn Mackenzie nueva tree (she says it fits a variety of horses)
Pozzi #10 or a wide (the first pictur it looks like the saddle will need a lot of rock, but the side view doesn't really)
Tod sloan b2-b3 bars probably a b3
I will probably try an 8.5"-9" CC gullet but I already feel like it's really wide and rubs my knees to the point of getting bruises. Granted I am sensitive but I don't know if my hips and knees could handle a 9" gullet. We'll see. He's also a bit downhill which makes him harder to fit and I feel like the CC dumps onto the area right behind his shoulder. Thank you for the other suggestions! Gives me some sort of starting point. |
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Expert
Posts: 1409
Location: Oklahoma | If you are in OK kinda south you can try my meleeta freedom saddle. That is what ended up working for me and my horse is built like that. I had a caldwell since I switched by horse really strides out with the freedom saddle. I no longer a fan of the caldwell after I seen the difference in the stride. So for me a saddle sitting on top of shoulder doesn't work for us. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| LuckyNGG'sGirl - 2015-09-22 9:11 PM
cheryl makofka - 2015-09-22 8:47 PM
Don't know caldwell, but I would say your horse may need to go up to a 8.5-9" gullet.
I personally wouldn't be changing brands if I have a brand of saddle that is working.
With that said. Other saddles to try
Lisa Lockhart wide fit
Lynn Mackenzie nueva tree (she says it fits a variety of horses)
Pozzi #10 or a wide (the first pictur it looks like the saddle will need a lot of rock, but the side view doesn't really)
Tod sloan b2-b3 bars probably a b3
I will probably try an 8.5"-9" CC gullet but I already feel like it's really wide and rubs my knees to the point of getting bruises. Granted I am sensitive but I don't know if my hips and knees could handle a 9" gullet. We'll see. He's also a bit downhill which makes him harder to fit and I feel like the CC dumps onto the area right behind his shoulder. Thank you for the other suggestions! Gives me some sort of starting point.
I am 5 feet tall and I ride in 10 and 11 gullets, my knees don't hurt, it did take a few minutes to get used to using my legs for leg pressure as your legs hang that much farther out. If you have difficulty use spurs.
Also what type of pad do you use?
With my crown c saddles I use a csi pad and I don't have to shim.
Actually I use csi pads for all my saddles |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | This horse is not that wide. I don't understand how a huge gullet is going to fit him. |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Tdove - 2015-09-22 9:31 PM This horse is not that wide. I don't understand how a huge gullet is going to fit him.
It's not.... |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | It might have been that the pad was too thick. I ride with a Saddlerite pad, everything thing else makes it slip.
I wouldn't go up in the Martin. I really dislike their fitting philosophy, and honestly think it is total bullhucky that anything wider than a 9 inch gullet exists. We aren't riding elephants for goodness sake.
Edited bc of autocorrect.
Edited by svincent 2015-09-22 9:52 PM
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 Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | Also keep in mind that dry spots do not disapear immediatelly. Sometimes it takes some time for that area to function properly again.
I came back to add....we have both a crown c and a caldwell. I'll take a caldwell over a crown c every day of the week twice over.
Edited by ThreeCorners 2015-09-22 10:16 PM
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | ThreeCorners - 2015-09-22 8:14 PM
Also keep in mind that dry spots do not disapear immediatelly. Sometimes it takes some time for that area to function properly again.
I came back to add....we have both a crown c and a caldwell. I'll take a caldwell over a crown c every day of the week twice over.
THIS |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1196
Location: Wide open spaces, Canada. | If your are just recently transitioning from an ill fitting saddle it could be that there is still muscle damage that has affected the sweat patterns. Your horse does not look that hard to fit. I would get an experienced saddle fitter to have a feel under there ( no pad) and see how it's fitting. Or you try place is on without a saddle and slide your hand up underneath the bars. Feel for even pressure along the entire bar. Make sure it is a hair bit more open in the front near the shoulders and in that spot where you are getting the dry marks make sure it is not a pressure point , or open spot. Caldwells are great. I personally I would stay far far away from a crown c . Looking at his back I bet you a tami semas regular would fit him really well ! Good luck. Also wanted to say that I have a meleta brown, I love it but it has a lot of rock and flare ....i feel, probably more than your guy needs as his scapulas are not overly prominent. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 503
| I use a 5 star 3/4" pad so the pad isn't too thick. I also don't think he's *that* wide but he's not as small as the average horse. He has huge shoulders which may be hard to see in the photo, and sweeps back to a wide loin.
He's had dry spots for maybe the last five rides I've put on him, so I highly doubt that's enough time to leave some damage.
I've had an experienced saddle fitter take a look but it's still leaving dry spots like that and I'm not convinced it's fitting the way it should.
I did get an email back from Charon and she said the saddle wasn't up far enough and I wasn't using the right pad. When I put the Ultra Rocket on his back without a saddle pad it actually fit like crap.. When I ran my hand under it put pressure in the exact spot it left dry spots. She said I need to put it on with a 13" cutback pad and move it up farther (which I also don't understand as it was practically on his neck when we saddled up). Why would a cutback pad change the fit so much? I've watched her videos but I don't see how a pad would help it not pinch... Someone enlighten me? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 503
| MS2011 - 2015-09-22 9:34 PM
Tdove - 2015-09-22 9:31 PM This horse is not that wide. I don't understand how a huge gullet is going to fit him.
It's not....
Do you have any suggestions then? Because the only thing I've found to fit him for the longest was an 8" Crown C. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | LuckyNGG'sGirl - 2015-09-23 7:59 AM
I use a 5 star 3/4" pad so the pad isn't too thick. I also don't think he's *that* wide but he's not as small as the average horse. He has huge shoulders which may be hard to see in the photo, and sweeps back to a wide loin.
He's had dry spots for maybe the last five rides I've put on him, so I highly doubt that's enough time to leave some damage.
I've had an experienced saddle fitter take a look but it's still leaving dry spots like that and I'm not convinced it's fitting the way it should.
I did get an email back from Charon and she said the saddle wasn't up far enough and I wasn't using the right pad. When I put the Ultra Rocket on his back without a saddle pad it actually fit like crap.. When I ran my hand under it put pressure in the exact spot it left dry spots. She said I need to put it on with a 13" cutback pad and move it up farther (which I also don't understand as it was practically on his neck when we saddled up). Why would a cutback pad change the fit so much? I've watched her videos but I don't see how a pad would help it not pinch... Someone enlighten me?
Cutbacks allow for the rotation of that big shoulder blade. SOMETIMES without a cutback, that shoulder rotation will scooch your pad (and saddle) backwards just with friction.
My saddleright is kind of a cutback-ish and works really well. Message me your email and I will shoot you a pic of my gelding saddled if you want :) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 503
| svincent - 2015-09-23 11:24 AM
LuckyNGG'sGirl - 2015-09-23 7:59 AM
I use a 5 star 3/4" pad so the pad isn't too thick. I also don't think he's *that* wide but he's not as small as the average horse. He has huge shoulders which may be hard to see in the photo, and sweeps back to a wide loin.
He's had dry spots for maybe the last five rides I've put on him, so I highly doubt that's enough time to leave some damage.
I've had an experienced saddle fitter take a look but it's still leaving dry spots like that and I'm not convinced it's fitting the way it should.
I did get an email back from Charon and she said the saddle wasn't up far enough and I wasn't using the right pad. When I put the Ultra Rocket on his back without a saddle pad it actually fit like crap.. When I ran my hand under it put pressure in the exact spot it left dry spots. She said I need to put it on with a 13" cutback pad and move it up farther (which I also don't understand as it was practically on his neck when we saddled up). Why would a cutback pad change the fit so much? I've watched her videos but I don't see how a pad would help it not pinch... Someone enlighten me?
Cutbacks allow for the rotation of that big shoulder blade. SOMETIMES without a cutback, that shoulder rotation will scooch your pad (and saddle ) backwards just with friction.
My saddleright is kind of a cutback-ish and works really well. Message me your email and I will shoot you a pic of my gelding saddled if you want : )
Alright that makes more sense. Maybe I'll have to cut up and old pad and go try the Ultra Rocket again.. I messaged you my email! Thank you! |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | svincent - 2015-09-23 11:24 AM LuckyNGG'sGirl - 2015-09-23 7:59 AM I use a 5 star 3/4" pad so the pad isn't too thick. I also don't think he's *that* wide but he's not as small as the average horse. He has huge shoulders which may be hard to see in the photo, and sweeps back to a wide loin. He's had dry spots for maybe the last five rides I've put on him, so I highly doubt that's enough time to leave some damage. I've had an experienced saddle fitter take a look but it's still leaving dry spots like that and I'm not convinced it's fitting the way it should. I did get an email back from Charon and she said the saddle wasn't up far enough and I wasn't using the right pad. When I put the Ultra Rocket on his back without a saddle pad it actually fit like crap.. When I ran my hand under it put pressure in the exact spot it left dry spots. She said I need to put it on with a 13" cutback pad and move it up farther (which I also don't understand as it was practically on his neck when we saddled up). Why would a cutback pad change the fit so much? I've watched her videos but I don't see how a pad would help it not pinch... Someone enlighten me? Cutbacks allow for the rotation of that big shoulder blade. SOMETIMES without a cutback, that shoulder rotation will scooch your pad (and saddle ) backwards just with friction. My saddleright is kind of a cutback-ish and works really well. Message me your email and I will shoot you a pic of my gelding saddled if you want : )
Saddleright pads are great, but do not work under a Caldwell at all. No bigger than he is, I would think that a ProMax would probably have fit him better. It looks like the Ultra Rocket is probably way too wide for him all over and is only getting good contact in those spots. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | rachellyn80 - 2015-09-23 10:54 AM
svincent - 2015-09-23 11:24 AM LuckyNGG'sGirl - 2015-09-23 7:59 AM I use a 5 star 3/4" pad so the pad isn't too thick. I also don't think he's *that* wide but he's not as small as the average horse. He has huge shoulders which may be hard to see in the photo, and sweeps back to a wide loin. He's had dry spots for maybe the last five rides I've put on him, so I highly doubt that's enough time to leave some damage. I've had an experienced saddle fitter take a look but it's still leaving dry spots like that and I'm not convinced it's fitting the way it should. I did get an email back from Charon and she said the saddle wasn't up far enough and I wasn't using the right pad. When I put the Ultra Rocket on his back without a saddle pad it actually fit like crap.. When I ran my hand under it put pressure in the exact spot it left dry spots. She said I need to put it on with a 13" cutback pad and move it up farther (which I also don't understand as it was practically on his neck when we saddled up). Why would a cutback pad change the fit so much? I've watched her videos but I don't see how a pad would help it not pinch... Someone enlighten me? Cutbacks allow for the rotation of that big shoulder blade. SOMETIMES without a cutback, that shoulder rotation will scooch your pad (and saddle ) backwards just with friction. My saddleright is kind of a cutback-ish and works really well. Message me your email and I will shoot you a pic of my gelding saddled if you want : )
The ProMax has the flat bars. If you need narrower, you'd go to a Rocket. If you need flatter you would go to the Pro trees.
I was told by Charon that my Saddleright worked perfectly under my Caldwell. I have no issues with it slipping any direction, no dry spots, so uneven sweat patterns of any kind, and no back soreness at all.
Edited by svincent 2015-09-23 1:18 PM
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