Trekker on high withers?

[hApPiNeSs]

More treeless questions i'm afraid :p

My new cob Sharman has quite high withers (which you can see from the picture below) and a prominent spine

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g197/sammay321/sharmann3.jpg

I have been riding him in my trekker, which he seems to be very happy with (:D ) and does not seem to be in any discomfort.

However, the front arch of the saddle does touch his wither, and sometimes I can feel his spine through the saddle (:eek: ) - is this right?

I am using a Nytack treeless pad that was recommended to me by the person I bought it from. Do you think I should use a front riser pad underneath it, or is it ok? (and if so, what type?) As I said, he seems very happy in it! :confused:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Copperbeech-Treeless-Saddles/NYTACK-PADS.html

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g197/sammay321/sharmann6.jpg

[Peace]

Does your pad have pockets in it on either side of the spine, so you can add padding? I'm no expert, since I've just gotten a Trekker myself, but the Mattes pad that came with it has pockets on either side of the spine, I guess to support the riders weight and keep it off the spine.

About wither clearance, do you still have the rigid pommel in yours, or did you take it out and stuff the pommel with cotton?

[hApPiNeSs]

no - the pad doesn't have pockets - just wool

i still have the rigid pommel in - maybe if i stuffed it it would be soft on his withers???

[No_Angel]

I find higher withered horses prefer the pommel left in and padding added underneath (i know mine do with the trekker).
If hes really happy with it hell be ok,but if your worried id try a prolite pad or similar:)

[Peace]

I would think that would help, but before making any big changes you probably should wait till someone with more treeless experience replies.:) I know next to nothing - only what I've read - and I haven't actually tried my Talent on my horse with the dipped back (and relatively high withers as a consequence) yet. :)

[Showjumper]

You definitely shouldn't feel his spine through the saddle and one finger's wither clearance is recommended.

I'd advise a different pad - preferably one with shim pockets so that you can add extra shims to lift the saddle that bit higher off his back.

[Mariaana]

Try taking the front arch out and fill it with tightly with foam and see if it makes any difference.

[hApPiNeSs]

well i have put an impakt pad between the saddle and pad - and has made the world of difference. turns out the hard bit of the saddle wasnt actually pressing - just all the padding! he is filling out now anyway - can already see a difference in the muscle wastage either side of his withers - so fit should hopefully improve even more!