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I just completed my FIRST 50 mile race (Foxcatcher) - we got the  
turtle award, which is fine with me since my goal was to finish and  
have a healthy horse.  I should be thrilled, but the luster is taken  
out of the accomplishment because I feel guilty for her sore back.   
My mare's report card went as follows: after 25 miles - all A's;  
after 40 miles - all A's and 1 B for back/withers; after 50 miles -  
all A's and a C for back/withers.  Additionally, I noticed today, the  
day after the ride, that there is some chafing along her ribs/ sides.

I currently ride her in a Bob Marshall sports saddle with a 100% wool  
Skito pad.  She is a small arabian (14.2-14.3 hands), with little to  
no wither, a wide, flat back, and a well-spring rib-cage.  She is not  
one of those big-muscled stocky types, just a delicate female with a  
wide back and ribs.  I did not think I had any problems with this set  
during our limited distance rides (25 and 30 miles) last year, and  
her back has seemed fine during our training rides, but it obviously  
shows up after a long ride.  She received mainly A's for her back  
last year on her LD cards with a couple of B's on the final check.  I  
chose this  saddle type because prior to starting endurance, I was  
riding her in a wide tree Wintec all purpose saddle that seemed to  
pinch her, and she did not like that.  I thought a treeless saddle  
might suit her body type, and she does trot out and move nice and  
long in it, but I am starting to think it is too flexible and too  
long down her sides (too much "stuff" on her).  So, I have decided  
not to try another 50 until I resolve this problem.  Does anyone have  
any answers for the following questions?

1. Should I continue to ride her in this saddle for training until I  
find something that works?  Or will the cumulative effect be too much  
for her back?
2. There are a lot of endurance saddles out there, does anyone have a  
suggestion on where to start looking for a mare with this general  
type of build?  Or am I crazy and it is just the way I am riding her?

Thanks,
Jane


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