I need a saddle!

laura jeanne

laura jeanne

Active Member
Jan 7, 2004
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Here's my horse. He's an Arab Barb and a full quarter horse in the front but has a pretty short back. Saddles made for Arabs do not fit. I'm using an old Wintec dressage saddle but I don't like the fit of it at all. I just want a trail saddle but can't find anything that fits. The girth always seems to slide up to the front and makes the saddle too far forward I think. Any suggestions would be welcome. (stirrups are probably too short in this pic too)

wizpic.jpg


wizsaddle.jpg
 
for the girth issue you could try a saddle with point billets.
or a forward curved girth maybe?
If you can scoot a little forward in the saddle so you are not so far back towards the cantle.

How is his back? relatively flat?
I had a Sensation treeless saddle for Minnie (and Bixby when she still had a more muscular back) and liked it quite well.

You guys look so great together! Happy you got him :)
 
I can see your problem with the girth, I have the same problem with my Arab. My saddle fitter recommended a humane girth as she said they don't move forwards as much as other girths. However Raf didn't like it so I'm back to a flexigirth. I do now have a saddle that I'm happy with, but I can see that your lovely horse is a different shape to Raf. Good luck in your search, I know what a pain that forward girth groove can be!
 
My friend in Texas had a similar problem needing a short saddle for a horse whose back had been injured - I think it was solved by a German friend of hers getting hold of an inexpensive German treeless Western or endurance saddle of some kind. She might remember the brand but as she did not make the purchase, she may not. I can ask her if you like.

Arabs excel at endurance so, if I were you, I might start by looking there.

It is nice to hear from you on NR again and to see the pics.
 
Bodshi said:
My saddle fitter recommended a humane girth as she said they don't move forwards as much as other girths.
Click to expand...

Please, please, please DO NOT use a humane girth! They are very dangerous. The reason the girth has two girth straps is that if one snaps or comes undone your saddle is still held on, if this happens on a humane girth the pulley system will just loosen and you have a very loose saddle.

We banned them at the riding school and I know a lot of people that have stopped using them for fast work because they have no back up.

This is the sort I mean, the two straps are linked to each other so when one is long the other can be short:
humane__22022_std.jpg
 
That's what I thought too until I discovered that's what works best for Joy. I've never known a girth strap break yet in all my years of riding but can totally understand why people are anti them.
 
Lot1983 said:
Please, please, please DO NOT use a humane girth! They are very dangerous. The reason the girth has two girth straps is that if one snaps or comes undone your saddle is still held on, if this happens on a humane girth the pulley system will just loosen and you have a very loose saddle.

We banned them at the riding school and I know a lot of people that have stopped using them for fast work because they have no back up.

This is the sort I mean, the two straps are linked to each other so when one is long the other can be short:
humane__22022_std.jpg
Click to expand...

I always used these for my ShireXAndulsian for some reason it seemed the only type that worked well for his shape ( barrel type! - flat back short but huge shoulders)

however, very Dimly I never thought of that safety aspect you have pointed out ! I think Im put off them now! I always quite liked the humane ones ooops!!
 
I still like good quality humane ones and so do some of my horses.
Why do I choose to use them on certain horses?
Because the chance of saddle instability is way higher for me than the chance of the single strap breaking during fast work. I trail ride and do dressage. I don't jump or gallop.
The likelihood of a little spook letting the saddle slip sideways is way higher for me than the likelihood of of a well maintained girth's strap breaking in my case.

you just evaluate your situation and go from there.
 
I don't like humane girths, they also place a lot of pressure on the D rings rather than across the width (and it's not wide!) of the girth. A wider girth, leather or synthetic rather than cotton etc, gives better grip, though i know some also get on well with the Stubben type string girths.

You need to find a good fitter - the right flattish tree, probably neat and not wide in the seat or twist, flat flocking and a point strap, should do a good job, though you'll probably need gussets to give you extra depth in the front and back of the panel.

I would recommend, as you already do, using a sheepskin pad, and possibly shimming if he has a little muscle loss as it looks in the photos, though I may be wrong.

I fit most Appys and QHs in a our narrow twist tree, but he looks a little less flat than some, but it can still work really well for horses with a little more shape, especially with the extra gussets.
 
sbloom said:
I don't like humane girths, they also place a lot of pressure on the D rings rather than across the width (and it's not wide!) of the girth. A wider girth, leather or synthetic rather than cotton etc, gives better grip, though i know some also get on well with the Stubben type string girths.
Click to expand...
Not all humane girth's look like this cotton strip picture though. In fact I've never seen one like just a little strip of material like this. Bixby used to be very girthy but she liked the humane end girth from Sensation best.
Example: Thinline Dressage Girth, Frank Baines Leather Dressage Girth or Sensation Treeless fleece or wool lined Girth

I do like string girth's. Minnie goes in a Montana Cincha mohair Endurance girth and that seems to be the best fit yet so far for her.
It's made right here in Texas, LJ, and from 100% mohair -not synthetic rope.
Minnie's Mohair Girth.
 
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Saddle Help

Laura Jeanne,

Get hold of this guy for English saddle help:

David Gilpin
Richmond, Utah
winnowsaddlery@yahoo.com
435.881.2364

He's a former UK pro footballer, who learned the saddle-fitting business, and moved to the USA with his (then) wife. He has formerly fitted for The Queen, and as of two years ago had a healthy custom saddle fitting business at the location listed above. On occasion, he also traveled. He seems to know his stuff.

If he can't help, then try Steve Stefely at Bison Saddlery, Helena, MT. 406.449.7231 He's been in the custom saddle fitting business going on 30 years.


Harry
 
sbloom said:
I don't like humane girths, they also place a lot of pressure on the D rings
Click to expand...

I believe this is why Raf didn't like his - I tried two types with different D ring styles but he wasn't happy, although the girth didn't slip up under his elbows. I've also tried a leather (barefoot) girth but this didn't work either as it was quite substantial and combined with the forward girth groove made too much bulk behind the elbows.
 
Rubic seemed to like her humane girth, she actually got a bit girthy when I changed away from them. I never thought about the safety issue but then I always check things like that after having my reins snap on me after bad jump and being tanked with and falling off! I have now got a girth me and Rubic like and the saddle fitter was very pleased when he saw it too!
 
Just goes to show that there's no one way that's right or wrong.

Tbh if I were that worried about risk management I wouldn't be driving before I'd swap away from the human girth as that's far more risky!

Mind you, this comes from someone who, despite being fanatical about hi viz and hat wearing, has never worn a body protector so in reality I'd advice everyone to do the opposite of what I do as I clearly have no common sense, but I'm happy in the choices I make.
 
I have had a leather girth snap and the whole saddle went. If its going to break it will break.
I avoid girth with elastic at one end and choose it in the centre if anywhere.

Your horse looks croup high so possibly saddles will tend to edge forwards.
 
Joyscarer said:
That's what I thought too until I discovered that's what works best for Joy. I've never known a girth strap break yet in all my years of riding but can totally understand why people are anti them.
Click to expand...

Jasmyn likes this girth more than any other. She does not blow out as it fastens. I know I can not adjust it from the saddle. The moral is keep an eye on your tack as any can be unsuitable or break.
 
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