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[RC] Saddle Fit Question - Marv WalkerI have a very tall and wide Quarter Horse with High withers. I purchased a Tucker Endurance Saddle which was customized for him. There were issues in the beginning with dry spots in the withers. The saddle was sent back and fixed and seemed fine after that. No more dry spots pretty evenly wet underneath. >> What criteria was used to determine how to "fix" this saddle? I ve been noticing lately that when I go to saddle him he gets very dancy in the cross ties along with his walk slowing down. Everything I ve read and heard says this is his way of telling me he doesn t like it or it hurts. Opinions&..please. >>
The other night I took him out for a ride and it was pretty much 5 miles of walking. When I removed the saddle I could see on both sides of his spine a perfect dry spot of the entire tree it looked almost like a dry figure 8 on both sides. I ve never seen this before and I assume this is not good.>>
The next step is muscle atrophy. If at all possible, have a professional saddle fitter look at this horse and measure him, then measure the saddle at corresponding points to determine where the contact points actually are, and where your improper fit issues are. From what you say, if you continue to use this saddle with this horse, he will soon develop serious back problems that may take a year and a good bodyworker to fix. A huge percentage of horses are operating well below their capabilities because of conditions like this. Only the most intuitive horse people question to the degree you have. Marv "I don't know everything. I only know what I know keeps me busy." 2004 Events: http://MarvWalker.com/2004.htm ============================================================ When you ask a Quarter horse for something he says - Sure - and when you ask an Arab for something he says - Why? - ~ Heidi Smith ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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