Great photos everyone!!!!
K.T - I had a long chat with the master saddler there and the cantle is not weight bearing but purely there to pull up the built-in sheepskin underside so there is no pressure on the withers. She also said that you fit the treeless saddles further forward than normal so that you sit where you would when riding bareback.
That is true about the cantle. I understood that the saddle should be placed behind the shoulder, not further forward as it does have a fixed front arch and if you put it further forward the rigging is in the wrong place. I guess that depends how far forward it is recommended it is put though
I am thinking of changing my freeform to a barefoot. I like the comfort of the freeform but it is rubbing Marco's back and seems tight on his withers. I tried Bev's western, just too hard on my bum bones, ouch!! got my eye on one on ebay.
I am afraid I have no experience of the Freeform. What material is the pad under the Freeform made from? Also, you can get really comfy, well-padded western saddles, but they can be tricky to fit. Does your Criollo have little topline or nicely built-up? If the former, then you are much better off with a treeless as this will allow for the muscles to come back up. A fitted treed saddle will often prevent this from happening properly. Ebay is a great place for treeless saddles
KT, yes it came with Marco, and was brand new, but never been v happy with the fit, or the look of it, I prefer the look of the western but they are too hard on my arse!! so need a compromise like a barefoot arizona.
KT do you know which pommel you have in the front of yours? Is it the right width for Buddy? Also, the horses I have seen that have had rub patches - it has always been behind the cantle under the back of the pad. We think it may be due to a little saddle movement, but because the Grandeur pads are made from non-wool fleece it causes heat and therefore friction = hence hair loss. Not saying that IS what is causing your problem, just an idea. Can you Port Lewis Impression pad test it? I have done that with all the hair loss I have seen and it showed clearly there was absolutely no pressure under the cantle.
Great Auntie - sorry if I missed it but is your saddle treed or treeless? If treed and slipping back it often indicates that the bars do not fit the contours of the horses back, hence why it moves.
Yeh I think they must fit some horses better than other. How do you find your saddle as my Western one really restricted Maximo's movement and he kept going disunited in canter. I have taken him out lots in the new saddle and he hasn't once and I feel that he really opens up through his shoulders now.
This is a VERY common problem in most western saddles - they simply do not have enough 'flair' to allow the shoulders the freedom they need. Nearly all USA made saddles have trees that are made so very straight. Great if you have a really slab-sided horse, but no good if your horse has shape.
Then it does just as you described.
