Do i HAVE to get this??

Question

my horse has really high withers like really i don't have a pic of them but do i HAVE to get a cut back saddle? I can't find a cut bacl anywhere and the only ones i can find online are the cut back saddle seat saddles... i am doing hunters

do i need a cut back? he's a TB by the way

and his gullet is like 5 inches?

i'm afraid anything else might push down on his withers

are there any saddles you can recommend ?

right now we're riding in a big horn western saddle hahah the horn is so high it clears his withers

Answer 1

I'm not an english rider, just western, but I have a horse with the same build as yours.  I bought a pad that was built up....much cheaper than buying a new saddle.  Providing your saddle fits him fine elsewhere, a pad that has extra thick padding over the withers will help raise the saddle in front so that there is no pinching/contact with the saddle and withers.  Good luck.

Answer 2

ok, well sounds like you have a horse with no muscle along his spine or withers. You probable want a narrow gullet english saddle, with either a cut back head, or a square pommel, which is basicaly a cut back head, but its square'r rather than rounded.

Answer 3

I feel your pain!!! I too, have a TB with withers to the sky. I also show hunters. I finally found a Barnsby that is a cutback. It is a close contact. You could try them. If you cannot find a cutback you like, check Dovers supply of wither releif pads and see if you can find a saddle you like that will work with one of the pads.