Re: Saddle sliding forward (Help!)

Bonnie Snodgrass (snodgrab@ncr.disa.mil)
Tue, 08 Oct 96 11:51:08 EST

I also have this problem with my 4 yr old Arab. All my saddles shift
forward at all gaits and on all terrain. You didn't say if this only
happens to you when going downhill or if it happens on the flat. I
found that my saddle problem is caused by my horses immature build and
conformation. He truly is witherless and he is a lot smaller in barrel
circumfrance ahead of the saddle girth area so the girth migrates
forward and the saddle follows. I tried several suggestions. I rode
with a looser cinch and breastplate and crupper and the saddle still
moved. A crupper would have to be just to darn tight to stop the shift
forward. It would however stop a big slip forward on a steep hill.
You do need to train your horse to a crupper slowly, on the longe
line.

I had a breeching strap suggested to me by Jessica who has a biothane
one she would sell. Again, I think it would work well for down hill
problems and would need some training with your horse.

I solved my problem with a combination of things. My saddles slide
less on a fuzzy pad than on a slick cotton fabric pad. I found the
Sport Saddle conformed the best to my horses shape and I attached a
flank strap (back cinch) to the saddle. The flank cinch is attached by
a short strap to a ring on the regular cinch. I replaced this strap
with a slightly longer strap so the flank strap angles back a little
to just behind the biggest part of the barrel. I bought a wide flank
strap and covered it with a fleece girth cover. I do not have to
tighten this strap up like a front cinch (it's fairly loose and
doesn't restrict breathing)which I snug down tight enough to mount
without turning the saddle. The flank strap just stops the saddle from
going forward and pulls back on the front cinch to stop it from moving
forward and pulling the saddle with it. I still put a crupper on for
the big hills as extra insurance but I probably don't need it.

I did find that saddle fit and type is very important. But even with a
well fitted saddle your horses shape can be a problem. If you decide
to try a flank strap you will need to slowly accustom most horses to
it. My little guy never batted an eye at it or any other tack change
but he's just pretty exceptional, brag, brag, brag!

Good Luck,
Bonnie Snodgrass