Western saddles/stock saddles.................

[Serendipity]

Are they right for my horse?

I recently have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and find that I am having very few days which it is possible to ride( my horsey is challenging to say the least and a bit more security in the saddle would allow me to feel more confident with his tantrums)

It's not an option to send him on his way and find an easier horse to ride because hes my boy and our bond is tight.He's had a hard past and he trusts me.We have plenty of fun in the ground work we do, but I would like to ride more.

I have a 3/4 TB with high withers. Firstly.....would a western saddle be suitable? Even a stock saddle? Am thinking along the lines of a synthetic one if anyone can recommend.

If either of these are possible then how do I know what size saddle I require and he requires( I would like to have an idea of potential cost before I start saving)

If I go down this route then would definately seek out a competant western saddle fitter( If anyone can recommend one in south wales, I would be most grateful:))

God I hope this makes sense.... had to drink a pint of wine to get the confidence to post....kept hoping someone else would do it for me:D

Any way thanks for reading:D

[Harry Hobbes]

I have a 3/4 TB with high withers. Firstly.....would a western saddle be suitable? Even a stock saddle?
A western stock saddle is usually a good choice for any full-sized horse.

The difficulty you will encounter is matching the western saddle to your horse's back. Thoroughbreds are typically high and narrow withered, with a narrow and angled back, rather than gently withered with a relatively broad and flat back.

The western production saddles are usually engineered to fit that gently withered, broad and flat back typically found on a Quarterhorse; meaning that the "rocker" is relatively gentle.

Because your horse has high withers, the "rocker" of the (saddle) tree bars will have to be pronounced to match the curve of the spine/withers. Should you have a custom saddle built, the saddle maker should be able to order a tree that fits your horse's back, and build on that tree. But this is quite expensive in the USA where a wide variety of trees are available. If you're not in "cowboy country," you may not find a western saddle maker that can obtain the correct tree; at least not for a reasonable cost.

But if you can find a good fit, the western stock saddle will do nicely for your horse.

Best regards,
Harry

[carrieh]

Or alternatively you could go the treeless western saddle route, which makes for easier fitting. I have a Barefoot Nevada which is brilliant. Like you, I got it because my balance is very bad nowadays due to a bad leg, sciatica and arthritis. It holds me in balance beautifully so that not only do I stand little chance of falling off, but also it helps my horse because I am sitting correctly rather than totally unbalanced in a normal English style saddle. Barefoot also do an Arizona, a slightly different style of treeless western saddle.

http://www.barefoot-saddle.de/main.asp?l=2&s=5&p_id=2001

http://www.barefoot-saddle.de/main.asp?l=2&s=5&p_id=4001

The Nevada has English style rigging whereas the Arizona has Western style rigging. You can get different size pommel forks according to what size your horse is.

British stockists are: www.horseandharmony.co.uk and you can have a 7 day trial if you order a saddle.

[Serendipity]

Thankyou so much for your replies, I hadn't thought of treeless (lots of rumours of them slipping). Will definately look into it:)
Thanks guys:)

[No_Angel]

I have 2 treeless western saddles and they really are secure. Mine did slip but I swopped around the rigging so the side you do it up on it on the right side of the horse, and that seems to anchor the saddle when mounting.
The barefoor arizona slips more than my hilason, im not sure I would trust it mounting from the ground.
The hilason is fab, easy to mount from the ground from it, and you can get off and stand the one stirrup and it doesnt move at all.
It as a rather high pommel and cantle which does a fantastic job of keeping you in, I have sat many spooks, bullfighter spins, rodeo bronks and such in it.
Unfortunately im selling my hilason:(

If you have arthritis in your fingers, doing up rigging might be a bit fiddly for you, one of these might help.
http://www.horseandharmony.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=267_269&products_id=1148&zenid=4540b0d5f317dc654adb872ac61b819a

[carrieh]

I don't get any slippage at all with my Barefoot Nevada on my little round Fell - Barefoot do say that the Nevada is made for the roundies! :D Must be the full skirts I suppose. Not tried a Hilason though. But I am in love with western style saddles now.

I took my friend out on her Irish Draught mare this morning using the Barefoot Nevada. My friend adored it, said that she felt so safe in it, even though she has a total lack of confidence like me.

Word of advice though - if you choose a Barefoot western saddle, get a Heather Moffett Hipsaver to go with it. It is a specially shaped Hipsaver that fits treeless saddles. You will be very glad you did! It does exactly what it says on the tin and helps your hips from feeling over-spread without a tree. Great for those of us with dodgy hips and arthritis.

[Serendipity]

Thanks the girth tightener thing looks great, I do have trouble, usually use my teeth:p
I looked at the site regarding the navada and the hilason caught my eye, as my boy is rather narrow.
I'm popping up to my saddlers tomorrow to have a look at a few treeless and see them on their horses.
Thanks for the tip about the hip saver, will definately need one of those:D

[Hayleycob]

I have a wintec pro stock saddle and it is wonderful ! I feel very secure on my very spooky horse. Why it might suit you is it has the changeable gullets so you could go as narrow as your horse needs.

[western-saddler]

Whereabouts are you based? I also sell and, most especially fit, western saddles - treed and treeless. I may be able to advise you if you need any assistance :)

My web address is: http://www.western-saddler.co.uk