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Expert
Posts: 1543
  
Location: MI | Hey all, I have a Billy Cook barrel racing saddle that has fit myself and my horses quite well up until this point. On my gelding though, I often feel like it's prone to slipping, I just feel quite unstable. I have a Crates trail saddle too that I normally ride him in because I feel uncomfortable in the Billy Cook, but I'd like to figure out why the Billy Cook isn't right, or if a new saddle really is needed.
I feel like it fits ok when I put the saddle on his back, it feels quite even underneath. When I have ridden in it, there aren't any glaring sweat patterns.
I've tried it with my Pro Choice Air Ride saddle pad (old as the hills, but I use it under the Crates and it works well) and a Smith Brothers wool. I've tried both under the Billy Cook with no different results.
I use a simple wool girth on the Billy Cook and I believe a felt Weaver on the Crates. I have not tried the Weaver on the Billy Cook.
My main concern is 'bandaid-ing' the problem; if it feeling like this means the saddle really doesn't fit well, then I don't want to make the problem worse by forcing it with a different pad or girth. Has anyone had this issue where a different pad/girth has helped?
Sorry about the pictures and the muddy mess! I realize now that it looks like the saddle was too far forward, but maybe it gives an idea of the fit anyway. I can take other pictures if needed.
Thanks :)
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
 
| Slipping how? Sliding back or rolling side to side?
How thick are your pads? My double j rolls with my 7/8's 5 star but is perfect with my 1/2" (don't even know why I still have the 7/8ths other than I'm a slight pack rat, never use it). I use a weaver smart cinch and can often get my hand fully under it when I get off.
It does look a bit far forward. I really like to sit my saddles up on their neck and slide them back, you can feel it settle into where it would naturally sit. If it's slipping back it may just be sliding into that position and be a ride you have to get use to. When I went to a crown c from a saddle that sat farther up it felt like a completely new ride. Same when I went from the crown c to the possible pro, way more close contact than the crown c so it took some getting use to. |
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | Thanks Oh Max...I was wondering about a thinner pad. I am not sure how thick my wool pad is, the Pro Choice is thinner (or at least compresses more). It slips side to side.
And yea, I was hurrying to take pictures before the sun set and my kids wanted to ride their gelding, so Grim didn't get much TLC when I was throwing the saddle on him for pics :)
I'm going to go try with the Weaver since and see how it goes...thanks :) |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Your horse is a well fed mount. Use a couple blankets instead of a pad and switch to the felt cinch. Your horse has enough flesh that his back won't get sore. If your still slippy drop a few pounds off your horse.i am on my phone and it is replacing words and spelling.
Edited by cow pie 2014-12-27 12:51 PM
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| No problem, I have fought the saddle fit fight for a year now. 5 saddles later I got it right. Thankfully all quality brands that held value.
It looks like it is sitting on him good so I would say a thinner pad is the way to go. Love my 5 stars but buying a saddle right out of curiosity due to good price too. |
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | Haha, yes, he is quite the epitome of an 'easy keeper' right now. He said he was told it was going to be a rough winter, and he took it to heart.
I switched the girth, and it felt better. I think a thinner pad is a good idea, or even a couple of blankets. The wool pad is definitely thicker than my air ride, and I remember preferring the air ride over the wool pad - it makes sense now.
Thanks everyone! |
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Member
Posts: 8
Location: Kansas City, MO | Our blanket pads have a chamois lining underneath so it helps prevent slippage. It also has inserts I'm them so you can adjust the thickness you need in the areas that you need it. Great for shimming. |
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