[RC] Saddle Fit - Room for Shoulders? - Aaron & Crysta Turnage
I posted a while ago that I'm
in the middle of the "Great Saddle Hunt". I test rode a Wintec 2000AP with
the CAIR panels and adjustable gullet system. LOVED this saddle except for
one thing....
How much room should you have
for your horse's shoulders when they are moving? My gelding (who is 5 and
still changing shape) has average withers but very broad shoulders. I was
using the extra-wide (white) gullet plate on the saddle. For wither
clearance I had approximately 1 - 1.5" from the top of his withers to the pommel
of the saddle. I "may" have been able to use the next size down in the
gullet. My concern though was that the saddle seem very tight on his
shoulders when he was moving. To put my hand about 2/3 of the way down the
panel between the saddle and him (around the point of his shoulder) it
would squish my hand very firmly as he would move. I don't think it was
girthed too tight as I was able to get a full hand plus 1" of space between him
and the girth. This was occuring BELOW the gullet plate, so going to a
wider (custom) plate would not seem to be the answer.
Does this go away as the saddle
gets "broke in"? Since I could see the saddle flexing with him, is this
even a concern? How would you alleviate this problem? I did not buy
this saddle but am wondering if this is something I need to be concerned
with.
