Ridecamp: [RC] saddle balance on back impt.

Bonnie and Angie talked about how size of saddle and stirrup length can
cause rider impact on non-seat parts of saddle.

I think the *balance* of the saddle is really important:  how it fits on
your *particular* horse, whether your horse is built uphill or downhill, or
when he/she works, does its butt go down when the horse gets round, etc.
When the saddle balances (pommel level with cantle) in the sweet spot of
your horse really well, you can sometimes still *get by* with a saddle
that's just a tad too small, if you don't have to post *forward* because
your horse has high withers or saddle fitting far behind the horse's center
of gravity.  You won't impact the pommel or cantle as much if it's balanced
well.  If it's *deep* as well, however, you still won't be able to move
forward and back in your seat for uphills & downhills, jumping, etc.  So
size is very important with more active riding, but so are balance and then
depth.

Stirrup leather placement would be next work on; perfect it, then move to
stirrup height appro. for the activity.  Maybe one would find that with the
one saddle that *balances* well, you could raise or lower stirrups and not
have negative thigh impact or any excess forward/backward movement.  This is
another reason for riding in it before buying.  I'd guess, Bonnie, if rider
is moving forward to post, either the cantle is very low (either high
withers, wide shoulders, or saddle needs stuffing or better fitting tree or
graduated padding?) or else the stirrup placement is too far forward?  Maybe
if one checks balance first, the other things will come into alignment and
it will be more comfortable.

bb/jb



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