Saddle saga

We all know buying a saddle is typically the worst. This was recently pinged into memory by breedrideevent’s latest post on her actual great shopping experience.

I had a CUSTOM saddle I bought for my mare Skye. After she retired I used it on Murphy.

She's retired now in my field

Murphy started having some bucking problems. And I say bucking lightly as he's just cute like a dolphin because he's such a good boy he knows I will fall off it they're dirty lol.

I first checked with a saddle fitter who came and checked the saddle on Murphy and said it was totally fine. Along with body worker and chiropractor who said he was tight in several areas and we got him feeling better but still didn't fix the canter transition buck/tightness.

my custom ideal saddle

Then we had his feet x rayed and a full vet workup. The vet had a couple suggestions for his feet but overall no issues. Which left us to go to it being a saddle issue.

much too long for my short back murphy (which i love a shortback horse)

At the time I had sent Murphy to my friend and trainer Cecile at CPhorsemanship. I believe I was pregnany or I had just had my baby so he was just sitting in the field and I couldn't make it out very often. Cecile had another lovely client who said she/we could use her saddle on Murphy since mine wasn’t working out and we all know saddles take a long time to find AND they are EXPENSIVE.

another saddle that didn't fit , see green line on his last rib the good saddle fitter put on there to illustrate

Another saddle fitter came out to take tracings and evaluate the saddle we were borrowing. Which she actually said it’s actually a pretty good fit. So wild!!

I did not have the money to go ahead and buy a custom saddle so I actually took the tracings and sent them into Pelham Saddlery. They are a great, great service!

tracings sent with tape measures for reference

You can trial their saddles for 7 days for free! You do pay some shipping costs but it’s a great way to save on your budget. I tried out 2 saddles and sent them both back. The 3rd saddle fit and he rode very well in it! As I started looking I realized it was the exact same saddle we had borrowed from Cecile’s client LOL.

And there you have how I wound up with the saddle I am using now. I do not have a dressage saddle yet until (if ever) I go up the rankings and need one. Right now I just do all phases in my jump saddle and adjust my stirrups a bit. It’s still very comfy and my trainer recommended I put my adjustable shim in the front and I will 100% say his canter is the best it’s ever been. His body feels very good and strong.

grainy shot of us because I really don't have that many

I'm sure when I get my saddle fund funded I'll want a better fit but for now it works just great for us!

Happy riding friends!

-A