Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I am no saddle fitting expert, so hopefully others on Ridecamp will  
jump in.  However, I have some suggestions for you.

Since you have a Wintec, I would suggest first buying the gullet gauge  
that Wintec sells to determine which gullet width to use.  Since you  
can't afford a new saddle, that is the cheapest alternative for  
starting to figure out what is wrong.

Second - a too narrow tree can cause problems, and since you say that  
you have put weight on your horse, I would tend to think than you  
might want to go *wider*, not narrower.  That depends, however, on  
where the sores are.  You didn't say, exactly, but it sounded as if  
they were on top of the withers.  If they are on each side of the  
withers, I would guess the gullet is too narrow.  If they are on top  
of the withers, then the gullet is probably too wide.  (hence the  
saddle gauge recommendation)

If the gullet width is right, and you are still having problems, (and  
assuming the sores are on top of the withers), then you might try a  
cutback pad.  If the saddle normally sits level, a cutback pad will  
raise the whole saddle up, rather than just the front.  Some older  
horses lose condition over their topline, which would have the effect  
of "raising" his withers.

One final thought.  Have someone (like a saddle fitter) check your  
saddle to make sure that there isn't something going on with it.  For  
example, some of the Wintecs have air-filled panels.  If those panels  
have stretched, or lost air, then your saddle simply doesn't have the  
panel height it is supposed to, again making the saddle sit down on  
the withers.  Padding may not be able to compensate.  I don't know  
where to point you for repairs in that case, but you could contact  
Wintec.

Hope this helps.


On Nov 10, 2008, at 8:33 PM, Steph Teeter wrote:

> Gina - I'm forwarding your question to the Endurance discussion  
> group 'Ridecamp' (http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp) -
>
> (Ridecamp: send private replies to  gtabasso at hotmail dot com)
>
> Steph
>
>
> On Nov 11, 2008, at 2:47 AM, gina tabasso wrote:
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > Someone directed me to your website and said that endurance riders  
> > would have a solution. I was wondering if you or anyone you know  
> > could help me. I have a horse who is 18. I've had him 11 years.  
> > Bought my current Wintec saddle about five years ago (with  
> > changeable gullets). About two months ago it started pressing on  
> > his withers and rubbing bloody sores. I double padded. No help. I  
> > tried a pommel/withers pad and it tipped the saddle backward so it  
> > pressed on his lower spine. I tried a riser pad and that worked for  
> > 20 minutes until it worked its way out to the back of the saddle  
> > and my pommel was pressing again. I put the narrowest/smalles  
> > gullet in (one down from what I was using all these years). Nothing  
> > helped. Last night I bought a swayback pad although he has a pretty  
> > straight spine (16.2 thoroughbred with the withers of a shark fin).  
> > I have to try it yet. But if this doesn't work I don't know what to  
> > do or why my saddle no longer fits. I assume his body is changing  
> > with age. I can't get a narrower tree and this saddle is all- 
> > purpose and cut back pretty well. I can't afford a new saddle. This  
> > one is like new. Worked all this summer and all of a sudden not. I  
> > did put some weight on him for winter because he shivers it off and  
> > maybe the weight gain did something but that would seem to indicate  
> > a WIDER tree, not narrower. I don't know where to turn. I usually  
> > ride every day and can't right now and he is getting batty and  
> > dangerous again without being worked hard and galloped. If you have  
> > any resources or advice, please let me know. I am going to the  
> > experts! Thanks,
> >
> > Gina
> >
> > Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with  
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>
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Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

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