I have a serious problem to get Mistral comfortable in his saddle. I must add I know very little about fitting a saddle. Only learning now!!!

He's got an exceptionally high wither (they call it the Himalayas) , so because I can sense he wants to be ridden, especially with Rara being backed now.
So we got his saddle re-fitted, and the lady recommended a sheepskin pad, which I got. But I'm still getting the feeling he is not comfortable. He's fine in a walk, but going over into a trot he would stretch his head to the ground, he also wanted to buck, I could feel it coming and then I think he was just being generous and checked himself cause he knew I can't fly!


Now should the sheepskin lift the saddle? Cause it probably lifts but it still feels quite tight when I put my finger in at the front of the saddle.
Also when I stand in the saddle I can see his ears twitching - I'm sure that shows he's not comfortable.

I'm also afraid some of it (like the headbutting etc) might be his ex-racing issues that he would just need to find comfort and courage to leave behind. I don't know how much is one and how much the other...

Eish sometimes I feel soooooo green - not knowing how to do some of the basics.

I've started to give Mistral concentrates again to get the muscles building. But what do I do in the mean time? He wants to be ridden, but I cannot do that if its hurting him!!

Have you tried walking him bareback?
Have you had his teeth checked?
What happens if you lunge him (free or on a line) with and without the saddle?
This might help you narrow it down.

I stuck a list of things to look for in saddle fit in Shannons diary. There is also lots of info on the net under fitting a saddle.
Good luck

Annette's comments in my diary are a good place to get a grasp about what to think about regarding saddle fit.

Its about halfway down this page: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2664&start=75


I also found this article helpful:
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding ... points447/

Comparing on the lunge (with saddle & without saddle) is very useful, as Annette says. This will give you a good guide as to whether it is the saddle itself that is causing the change.

Hi Suzie,
In my experience, saddle-fitting can be a minefield, even when you consult a qualified saddle-fitter
Here are a some books I have found really helpful:
(1) Saddle Fitting by Kay Humphries
(2) The Horse’s Pain-Free Back and Saddle Fit Book by Joyce Harman
(3) Understanding the Horse's Back by Sara Wyche.

Good luck

Thanks a lot for the advise. I will definitely lunge him with and without the saddle.
I was wondering. The saddle in itself seem okay on his back, but it is when my weight is added to the saddle that the problems arise.
He's been tossing his head forever. I think that's a sign of insecurity. But I'm sure it can also be a sign that he might be uncomfortable. Will just have to find out!
Thanks for the recommendations on the books too. There is so many things I wish to learn!!

Suzie, maybe you could try to borrow a "riser" pad from someone. It is a square saddle-pad with places to put neoprene "inserts" so they rest on top of his top-line muscles. Put that below the sheepskin. If that helps, then you need even more padding to handle that wither! If you can't find one let me know and I'll send you one in the mail as I have a few. They are expensive, so I wouldn't recommend you buy one until we know if it will work.

Many "riser" pads actually close down the gullet of a saddle, and sheepskin pads can do that too, so you might find you are getting the correct height but instead are now pinching the actual wither horizontally. Oh man, I wish I could be there and see what's happening! I actually shaved a sheepskin to fit Freckles properly. I could bring my risers and my comfort pad and we could see what's going on. Basically, any kind of riser needs to be very thin where it "covers" the spine but way thick where it rests on the top-line and back muscles ... I now have two "custom-made" risers for Freckles that I "adjusted" myself as Freckles also has a very high wither. It was difficult to get him sorted in the beginning because he is so young he has a long way to go with regard to muscle development..

I have a Wintec "comfort pad" which is a white moulded thingie that cost about 50 bucks a year ago. It helps by compensating for "undeveloped" top-line while those musscles grow. It also does a VERY good job of absorbing concussion so that also helps the horse, BUT you need to have a saddle with a gullet that is one size wider than the horse "should" be wearing to use the Wintec moulded comfort pad.

Oi Glen, wish you were closer too!!
I asked the saddle fitter about more padding, but she said it would crush his wither. And that he will improve as he is building muscle. She said she would only recommend the sheepskin or a gel pad on him, but clearly said she would rather opt for the sheepskin.
So now I'm careful with what I do as I know too little...
What I feel though, is that there might be a pinch at the very front of the saddle where the whole caboodle (pads and saddle) come together. I think it's because he needs to build muscle, but not sure if this pinch is actually bad for him or if it just feels strange and uncomfortable.
He hasn't bucked me off yet - so that is either a result of his kind heart or a sign that it's not that bad, just his old recurring issues!! Don't know which one yet.

He does have a tendency of head tossing etc since I know him. So it isn't necessarily an indication of his comfort level. I'll maybe try to get some photos of the saddle. Maybe that will give a better indication of what's going on!

Still wish you were closer - we could have loads of fun working it out!!

Hi Suzie, Just a quick additional thought about lunging with and without the saddle - and fits in with Annette's question about having his teeth checked... Try with a bridle and also with a head collar, for comparison.

Most people will only ever bridle a horse (and you didn't say whether you are using a bitless or a bitted bridle) when a horse is also saddled, so it is sometimes difficult to separate issues with teeth from issues of saddle fit. This may be worth exploring as well, if you haven't had his teeth checked already, because an uncomfortable mouth will show up in many of the same ways as a saddle not fitting properly.

Hi Shannan,

I don't own a bit and I don't think he's had a bit in his mouth for the last 4 years or so. So methinks the headtossing is a habit that came from his racing days. He is already better with this.

I would like to get his teeth checked though to make sure!! And worth it to lunge him with his Kaydle (bitless) on to make sure. But he seems very happy with it.

Tks for the thought!!

Sx

I put this here because I really liked this little clip. It made it very clear why the saddle must fit correctly.
http://www.saddlefit4life.com/?gclid=CKC8-7mcrJ8CFaFi4wodiHwHMA

Hi Suzie,


Morgans suggestion is a great one. Saddle fit 4 life has great info. Also, Balance International and David Genadick's About The Horse. What ever type of saddle you want to ride in they all provide good basics of what you should be looking for and potential problems.

Saddle fitting is so much fun.

www.balanceinternational.com
www.aboutthehorse.com

Leah