re: joining the Great Saddle Hunt

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• Previous message: Ann Hatfield: "Adjustable Trees and the Great Saddle Hunt"
• Maybe in reply to: tina hicks: "joining the Great Saddle Hunt"

I have had the same puzzle as you with white hairs on the withers but no
signs of soreness. When I saw the first signs, I went on a saddle hunt,
hired saddle fitters, etc. and bought what was supposed to be a great
fit--2 years ago. It was a dressage saddle with an unusually wide
tree. When the winter hair started coming in, I saw more white hair,
and had the saddle fitter come back, sent the saddle back for
restuffing, etc.
Still more white hair the next winter. So, now I'm looking for a new
saddle again. But I've been pokey about it because, although I see the
white hair and they drive me nuts, my horse has showed no sign of pain
or soreness (and she can be very touchy in other contexts), and has
always moved very well. I asked my vet at one point (an endurance vet)
and he suggested that maybe with a thin skinned horse these hairs are
more a cosmetic problem than anything serious.

Also, her hairs come in white in these spots in the winter, but hardly
show at all in the summer, so now they're much less visible. So I
concluded that at least it's not getting worse. Besides deciding to get
a new saddle, I've been thinking more about what I actually do in the
saddle, and it's clear that when I stand my weight comes down right on
the withers ( where the white hairs are), so I'm trying to do less of
that.

My horse also has shown dry spots and ruffly hair in these areas. I've
been playing with cutting down and carving out equalizer shims to ease
the pressure on those points, and what I've done has helped reduce the
dry spots. (Let me know if you want more details).

Ultimately, my fear is that all saddles are going to give me the same
results, that it's my horse's build that is the problem (low withers).
But I'm going to try one more time--this time a western style endurance
saddle (not quite sure which one yet) that will distribute weight
better, and also keep weight away from the withers (because of the
bulkier pommel).

And from what I understand, a horse travelling with its head down is a
good thing, showing strong back muscles and good stretch.

Good luck.

Eileen

• Next message: ETRAIL@aol.com: "Nutrition for abused horse"
• Previous message: Ann Hatfield: "Adjustable Trees and the Great Saddle Hunt"
• Maybe in reply to: tina hicks: "joining the Great Saddle Hunt"

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