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Two or three people asked questions about Sport Saddles and wether
they would fit this or that type of back. Thought I'd offer up my
experience. I got the chance to borrow an older SS last year to try
out on my mutton withered, wide flat backed gelding. This was the
older model with the nylon fabric on the bottom. It fit him well,
was
plenty wide. I could see that this model would not fit a really
high
withered horse. It was too wide in the front tree and not high
enough
in the gullet. I ordered a SS and after 3 months it arrived. It
wasn't
the same saddle. It had a fleeced bottom to the panels but it was
higher in the gullet and would definitely be a better fit for high
withers than the older model. Although I was told that the only
difference between the two saddle was the fleece I know that the
one
saddle fit my table top Arab and the one I bought (of course) was a
bit too narrow. I denied it for months but it became obvious.
So, if you have a horse with signifcant withers the present model
will
probably do you fine. It will conform down into a "swayed" or
curved
back quite nicely. I've seen a few TB's over the years that have
high
knife-like withers that could use this saddle but those are few and
far between. If however you have a really wide withered horse you
may
find like me that the standard SS is too narrow in the front
fork/tree. It may be possible to get a wider fork made for you or
possibly you could find a used older model to try/buy.
Bonnie Snodgrass
----------
Bonnie,
I left your post mostly entire, since I want to adress this, and
possible Karen Chaton can also respond. I am concerned that some
mis-information may be spread, regarding the change in configuration
of this saddle.
I understand what you are saying, since I own one of the older,
nylon
bottom models (which seems more flexible), and also a newer one,
which has the fleece, the higher front, and seems a bit stiffer.
When I got the new saddle, my first impression was that it was
indeed narrower in the front, compared to my older-nylon botton
one. They certainly are making the front peak higher under the
pommel; I can't get my hand through as easily as in my older saddle.
BUT after a lot of scrutiny and mesuring, I am not convinced that
there is any difference in the width of the pommels-it just LOOKS
that way. The measurements between the base of the pommels are
the same, as far as I can tell. The new saddle was pretty stiff,
but seems to be breaking in some.
I think the main change may be to the seat; since it peaks up
higher, it "rises" in front a little sooner (the entire seat is not
so flat). The problem for me has been that since I ordered fairly
snug seats, it is a bit uncomfortable. I am hoping that my
weight will squash down this part of the seat. Had I known of this
change, I probably would have ordered a slightly larger seat.
Anyway, the saddle still fits my horses the same, far as I can tell,
despite the higher peak.
Karen
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