I found the best way to become really proficient in saddle fit was to become an assistant to a fitter and then take the final classes to be a certified fitter for your company of choice. You will pay for the experience but it's much cheaper than buying and reselling saddles that don't work. I also spent years packing horses and mules, some needed custom trees so I spent deep snowy winters inside carving custom trees for my favorite equines, then summers testing them out! I also learned how to make panniers and other gear. So good, practical, hands-on experiences really make the whole subject clearer and can give one a well-rounded education. Pitch for Crestridge Saddlery. Deb is one of the best on the planet. Honest, hardworking and she has a very simple system that works. The saddles are probably one of the highest quality you can find on Earth. Amish made, high quality leathers and canvas in the lighter models. Saddles you will pass on to your kids.
Thank you so much. I bought a $1,000 Winter saddle and spent $100 for a set of different trees. It is worthy of all my TWH horses of beautiful blood lines for pleasure and trail riding. Thank you!!
It seems to me that whether the horse is gaited or not, that the shoulder is only rounded out when the leg is in the straight up and down position when there is weight on it. As soon as the horse lifts the leg into the forward position with no weight on it, the shoulder moves backward and goes flat against the ribs. So, if the saddle is wide enough, and the bars are placed just behind the shoulder blades, they should slip right under the bar tips. You can see this from the side when the horse is walking. I can't see how a treeless saddle won't be causing problems at some point by pressing down on the spine.
Hello and thank you for this video. I want a Tennessee Walking horse do you train them? Do you have any for sale? Would really like to buy a really safe TW horse soon that is a gelding, no order than 13 or 15 years old, great feet no shoes barefooted. Happy to ride out alone and a been there and done that before kind of horse. If you know of any please let me know. Thank you.
I am riding my rocky in a wintec endurance with xw tree..it seems to fit well but when I take off saddle, hair is not lying smooth under where my knee and thigh sit..should I be concerned...also is there a stronger bit than the rockns for the trail that you recommend
Is a horse is built, hip higher then withers on gaited, short backed, 14 hand 2 inch horse with a big walk, MFT. What causes rub Mark's in hair at back of saddle? I had saddle fitter evaluate, the tree fits. Even sweat pattern. I do not trailride faster then fast walk. Mare does not 2 beat pace. She is 19 yrs. Old. Contoured back. Use either non slip pad or wool felt. Round skirt saddle. No back soreness, just ruffled hair.
Hi Linda. I had the same problem with loin rubbing beginning in January. I too have a MFT, short-backed, downhill. I have used the same Ortho-Flex Stitchdown saddle for 27 years. What I have found is that friction soreness in the loin area occurs in the winter time with long hair coats. As long as there is no muscle soreness in the back, it should be okay. Friction soreness can be compared to the wind blowing against your arm with the car window down. The hair on your arm may be sensitive for a short time but soon goes away.
Have found that after grooming, sprayed the hair scuff area with Show Sheen. Then felice bottom saddle pad, and round skirt saddle that fits the horse. Much better. I ride a lot of mountain trails, very few flat areas.
I found the best way to become really proficient in saddle fit was to become an assistant to a fitter and then take the final classes to be a certified fitter for your company of choice. You will pay for the experience but it's much cheaper than buying and reselling saddles that don't work. I also spent years packing horses and mules, some needed custom trees so I spent deep snowy winters inside carving custom trees for my favorite equines, then summers testing them out! I also learned how to make panniers and other gear. So good, practical, hands-on experiences really make the whole subject clearer and can give one a well-rounded education. Pitch for Crestridge Saddlery. Deb is one of the best on the planet. Honest, hardworking and she has a very simple system that works. The saddles are probably one of the highest quality you can find on Earth. Amish made, high quality leathers and canvas in the lighter models. Saddles you will pass on to your kids.
Thank you for the video, your honesty and your knowledge.
Thank you so much. I bought a $1,000 Winter saddle and spent $100 for a set of different trees. It is worthy of all my TWH horses of beautiful blood lines for pleasure and trail riding. Thank you!!
Ivy - did you do a video on twist and rock? dont see it, but you mention it several times. Thanks great video!!
Thanks
It seems to me that whether the horse is gaited or not, that the shoulder is only rounded out when the leg is in the straight up and down position when there is weight on it. As soon as the horse lifts the leg into the forward position with no weight on it, the shoulder moves backward and goes flat against the ribs. So, if the saddle is wide enough, and the bars are placed just behind the shoulder blades, they should slip right under the bar tips. You can see this from the side when the horse is walking. I can't see how a treeless saddle won't be causing problems at some point by pressing down on the spine.
Do you have a part 2 to the saddle?
Hello and thank you for this video. I want a Tennessee Walking horse do you train them? Do you have any for sale? Would really like to buy a really safe TW horse soon that is a gelding, no order than 13 or 15 years old, great feet no shoes barefooted. Happy to ride out alone and a been there and done that before kind of horse. If you know of any please let me know. Thank you.
I am riding my rocky in a wintec endurance with xw tree..it seems to fit well but when I take off saddle, hair is not lying smooth under where my knee and thigh sit..should I be concerned...also is there a stronger bit than the rockns for the trail that you recommend
ua-cam.com/video/VGNM9PzRvKw/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/jm_FzMPKYog/v-deo.html
What brand is your dressage saddle? Thank you for sharing!
Isabel wintec dressage saddle.
@@IvyS ok. Thank you! I have a wintec pro dressage saddle with HART. Does your saddle have the HART system?
Is a horse is built, hip higher then withers on gaited, short backed, 14 hand 2 inch horse with a big walk, MFT. What causes rub Mark's in hair at back of saddle? I had saddle fitter evaluate, the tree fits. Even sweat pattern. I do not trailride faster then fast walk. Mare does not 2 beat pace. She is 19 yrs. Old. Contoured back. Use either non slip pad or wool felt. Round skirt saddle. No back soreness, just ruffled hair.
Hi Linda. I had the same problem with loin rubbing beginning in January. I too have a MFT, short-backed, downhill. I have used the same Ortho-Flex Stitchdown saddle for 27 years. What I have found is that friction soreness in the loin area occurs in the winter time with long hair coats. As long as there is no muscle soreness in the back, it should be okay. Friction soreness can be compared to the wind blowing against your arm with the car window down. The hair on your arm may be sensitive for a short time but soon goes away.
Have found that after grooming, sprayed the hair scuff area with Show Sheen. Then felice bottom saddle pad, and round skirt saddle that fits the horse. Much better. I ride a lot of mountain trails, very few flat areas.