Could an english saddle fitter do a good job on a stock horse and a western saddle?

For the second time, my saddle fitter was hours late to her appointment with me. Since I was going to have to meet her and it would have been after dark, I cancelled the appointment. I live at the edge of nowhere, and it is two hours drive to any horse community, this is very frustrating.

Since english saddle fitters are more numerous in the first place, IF I could find a fitter of english saddles that would come to my area, do you have any opinion as to whether he or she might be familiar with stock saddles and horses? Is that sort of thing common?

2012-11-29T17:36:29Z

I know my saddle is not fitting right, I need advice to decide if it needs to be wider, shorter or a completely a different angle of tree. It is Full Quarter Horse Bars, but is still bearing down in the typical area behind the withers that is hard to fit, causing dry spots, and also is impinging on her shoulder movement. This is the second saddle she has outgrown as she matures and gets more fit, but now I'm out of saddles that fit her, and am going to have to search for a new one to buy.

You can't reflock a western saddle, there is no flocking. The only thing you can do is use different weights of saddle pads, or even ones with padding in specific areas. I've tried a thin pad, a thick pad, one with built up padding behind the withers. I've not tried one made specifically for sway backed horses because I think that will be counter productive, but I just might try it while I'm searching for a professional fitter.
I can't afford too many errors here, so I

2012-11-30T04:18:07Z

Of course I'd ask them....I was trying to get your opinion if that was common. I know I sound sarcastic, but I would love to know where you guys live that have custom saddle makers in your area to choose from. I've got a custom made saddle, but it is now, what, about 45 years old, and that guy has long retired, though I do believe he is still alive. It was the first one she outgrew, since it was made for another horse of another generation, horse shapes have evolved over the years, too. Also, like everyone else, I've got a budget, and if I could get a fitter to give me (I don't know what to call it) some parameters, I could look (as is often suggested) for a high quality used saddle, which would have to be shipped in, tried by me (it has taken me months to get the appointment that fizzled out), and then returned if it doesn't fit, and hope I could get my money back.

OK, so armed with the idea that a fitter who specializes in english saddles, MIGHT be able to giv

2012-11-30T04:21:08Z

(ok, yahoo keeps cutting off the ends of my edits)

e me an opinion on western saddle fits, I'm off in search of one who will come to me, or is within a 2 hour drive out for me.

gallop2012-11-29T20:04:32Z

Favorite Answer

If you were fitting yourself for a saddle, I'd stick with a stock seat specialist. But to fit the horse, if you can find a saddle fitter who is also a saddle maker, then the specialty shouldn't matter. Any saddle maker knows the basics of fitting gullet height and width, twist, pitch, and rocker in the tree that forms the skeleton of the saddle, and the rest is like the "flesh" that fills the saddle out over its skeleton. A saddle fitter who makes saddles should be able to evaluate the fit of any saddle. If none of the fitters in your area are also custom saddle makers, then I'd probably wait for one specializing in fitting stock saddles.

zephania6662012-11-29T18:39:19Z

Here's a novel idea: Ask the fitter.

I would expect most English saddle fitters to have some idea about how to fit a Western saddle, but not all of them will be comfortable doing it.

So when you call to make an appointment, first ask if they can check the fit of a Western saddle. If they say no, thank them and call another. If they say yes, explain the issue, see if they'll come, and then make an appointment.

Only your saddle fitter knows if they're comfortable fitting a Western saddle. Ask them.

Paisley2012-11-29T17:11:01Z

A saddle fitter will be able to fit a saddle, regardless of what type. They will still (or should) have a background in other types of saddles. They will be able to see where your saddle is creating pressure points or ill-fitting, they might not be able to re-flock or fix a different type saddle than their particular expertise, but you will know whether or not a saddle fits well.

eolanda2016-10-14T15:15:59Z

Yep a inventory saddle could be an magnificent thank you to bypass, i became particularly youthful and my horse had a extensive bucking problem (and became over coming decrease back issues) and not in simple terms did my inventory saddle no longer harm his decrease back yet i became maintain as something and it became consistently a comfortable journey. It became in simple terms a cheapo one (like $3 hundred) yet it became in simple terms gently used so i could no longer inform you the way it would have worn over the years cos once I have been given the bucking taken care of I moved directly to a various saddle. i think of wintec makes inventory saddles (guy made) yet this is gonna value you till you will stumble on a 2nd hand one. additionally my bloke became no longer narrow in any respect (appy) so uncertain the type you will bypass with the greater healthful on your lady. sturdy success!

NeverShoutLaura2012-11-30T02:47:53Z

a saddle fitter should be able to fit any saddle to any horse

Show more answers (1)