Would you please help me?!?

Question

So I have a new Quarter Horse gelding, and when I ride him, I use my collegiate 16inch medium sized tree. So far it has seemed to fit him very nice, he never seemed uncomfortable, there were no dry spots, and he was never sore. Well today after I untacked him, from riding him, there were dry spots right behind the tope of his shoulder. I am not sure why he had these, hes never had them before with this same saddle. He has gotten muscle, and he has pretty good sized shoulders, but do you think that could be a reason for the dry spots? Also would a half pad, or a thick pad help at all, so it helps even out the pressure? Please help, thanks so much guys =D!

Answer 1

I dont think you should worry, maybe a little thicker of a pad would be better, and his body is probably changing so that causes dry spots. Unless he is getting sores he isn't doing to bad.

Answer 2

He's probably gotten wider due to building up muscle. At this point a thick pad probably isn't going to help much as it will make his back wider. It's actually much easier to fit a too wide sdaddle with padding rather than try to help fix a too narrow saddle, more padding is going to make it pinch more not less.

I'd look into purchasing a thin gel-type pad, one of the ones that distribute pressure evenly. They are a little expensive but very long lasting and definately worth the cost if they save a horse from having back problems. If you know someone who has one it would be a great idea to ask if you could borrow it for ride to see if it helps the problem, before you actually buy one. You might just end up having to buy him another, wider, saddle instead.

Answer 3

I really don't know why the dry spots are going on with your horse but I have a Quarter horse and he is a foundation and has a big chest ,shoulders and hind quartes also. and he has dry spots when I ride him also. I think it might just be how big our horses are.

              Good Luck = )

Answer 4

A thicker pad would help her is probably getting it from building the muscle

Answer 5

Horses backs will change throughout their life, thats why some people have difficult time getting saddles.

Answer 6

Hmmm... a thicker pad will not make a saddle that is too narrow fit.

Does your Collegiate saddle have an interchangeable gullet system?  Many of these saddles are made with an "Easy Change Gullet System" that allows you to change the gullet/tree width to the exact size your horse needs.  If your saddle was made with the Easy Change system, you can purchase the kit for about $100.  Depending on your area, you may even be able to have a saddle rep come out and help with any current fitting problems.

Good luck!