Anybody know of something i can do for a VERY hard to fit Standardbred? (I ride western).

Question

I just got a Standardbred. He is an excellent riding horse but i can't find a saddle that fits him! He has very very very wide shoulders. His withers are tall. I don't know what to do! I've tried five different saddles. i even have an English saddle that fits him somewhat. Unfortunately he is starting to be bad for riding. He doesn't like the sore saddle so I can't have an enjoyable ride because he will not work. I am at my wits end. I Do not know what to do. does anybody know what i can do? Also I live in Ontario so I can't travel to far away places to try out saddles. I can't afford a customized one, and in my area I can't find a gaited horse saddle. What can i DO!!

Answer 1

Try a Wade Tree. Fits the most different types of horses I know. They will be expensive, so see who you might borrow one from to make sure it'll fit. You can also make a template of your horse's back at the withers so that you can take it with you saddle shopping and know right away what will fit. There is a good video on horse.com on how to do that with wire and a piece of cardboard.

I've not come across really wide with tall withers before. The only time I remember riding a standardbred I did it bareback at a sale. Nice gaits, though... I hope you find something that fits soon.

Answer 2

Here is a link that teaches you how to make a template

http://www.statelinetack.com/western.asp...

Answer 3

I would get a custom saddle. Dont stop reading yet, you dont know what im going to propose! Ok, save up for a custom saddle as much as you can, and in the mean time, get one of those bareback pads with stirrups. They are very comfortable and fit any horse (literally).

*EDIT*

Ok, i mulle dthis over for a while, and i have the perfect solution for you! a treeless saddle! The fit any horse and cannto hurse because, well, the part that hurts the horse most is not there!

Answer 4

A treeless saddle.  They are great for fitting hard to fit horses.

Answer 5

I have a Walker that is IMPOSSIBLE to fit.  I cannot even tell you how many different saddles I tried.  I eventually got a treeless saddle and it is amazing!  It fits even the most impossible to fit horse.  They come in english, western, and everything in between, and can fit just about anyone.

Best of luck!

Answer 6

I feel for ya!  Try a FULL Quarter Horse treed saddle with a cut back pad.  That will give you the width with the tree, then the saddle pad will give you the lift.  If it's still not high enough, then add another pad or blanket to it.

Answer 7

Good luck - I got two Standardbreds only a few months ago - one is smaller and fits well in good horse sized.   The other is like yours - just a little too big for normal horse sized & a little too small for draft sized tack!

I like the idea of the bareback pad - I may try that also - so thanks for asking the question