A treeless saddle is another option. Not all
gaited horses do well in them but many are doing really well with them. I went
on some gaited lists to find which one the gaited people are using and
successful with. They said the Barefoot and the Freeform. Both fit short backed
horses well and fit the needs of the gaited back and movement. Our very short
backed Paso Fino is in a Barefoot Treeless and doing very well so far with it
and we've been thru 3 saddles before this one. He gaits better in it and is very
comfortable. Its also very affordable and very comfortable for the rider. You
can demo the Barefoot and the Freeform to try them out before buying. Good luck
in your search.
First of all, it depends on how old the horse is. If the horse is
less than 8 yrs old, any saddle you buy might not fit later, so you either buy
a saddle that can be re-adjusted or go cheap.
Second, an LD is not as critical as longer distances wrt saddle fit, but
you still want to get the best fit you can for the money you have to
spend. So how much are you willing to spend?
Every horse is different and my experience has been the semi-quarter
horse trees are a better fit than arab trees, BUT it is better to get a saddle
whose tree is specifically built for a gaited horse. They flange the
front of the tree for freer action. Other saddles either pinch the
whithers or sit too low on the whithers.
I currently use a Synergist, modelled to my Paso Fino gelding. We have
over 800 competitive miles on it right now, and I am very happy with it. There
are a lot of used ones for sale on endurance.net that can be re-fitted,
depending on tree size.
If you don't want to spend that kind of money, check out the Crest
Ridge Sonata. It is not as comfortable for the rider, but it is fit to
the horse and designed for gaited horses.
Let me know how you get on. I have a mare that I am just starting
that is extremely short backed. I am worried that I may have to come up
with a new saddle option for her.
Good luck,
-paul
On Mar 1, 2006, at 1:10 PM, jen wrote:
Hi, all. I have a question
for any and all Paso people out there. I traded my 16h rescue Qh
for a 14.1h little Paso Fino cross for my son to begin his LD career with
and I can't seem to find a saddle that fits. He is short backed
obviously and fairly wide and low-withered. He has two big white marks
on his withers, so someone did not care at some time in the past. I
read somewhere that Arab saddles are a good fit, does anyone have any
suggestions for me. Also, has anyone attempted there first ride with a
junior and his first ride, or am I crazy? I'd better do a couple rides
myself before I attempt all that.
Thanks, Jen, Banjo and new guy,
Falcon(my son picked this name and I love it) I can already here him
saying "Let's fly, Falcon"
