Grey hairs on Saturn's back

[dalesponyrider]

I am very concerned about some grey hairs that have appeared next to and either side of Saturn's spine. They are in a line on both sides. I ride him in the Fhoenix GP which is what he was used to at Gill's.

I had grey hairs either side of D's withers when I rode her in the SBS. They appeared to be due to pressure from the stirrup bars.

I thought that as the webbing structure had changed on the Fhoenix I wouldn't get this problem again. It seems like the pattern of grey hairs this time reflects the change in structure though as they appear to follow the line of the webbing front to back, whereas D's were more in round spots at the front.

On both occasions, with the SBS and this time, the grey hairs have come after the amount I ride had increased. Both times I had been riding a fair amount of miles on a regular basis.

Money is short at the moment due to some rather large vet bills for all three of my ponies so I am looking for an affordable solution! Has anyone got any suggestions? Is there any type of pad that will spread the stirrup bar pressure or do I need to save for a new saddle which realistically won't happen for a couple of years! HELP!!

[SuzieP]

Oh heck, Linda - it does rather look like pressure and I'm afraid I'm not sufficiently knowledgeable about HM saddles to advise you.

How wide is Sat? I do have a dressage saddle you can have which is too wide for Bea - I used it for Alfie. If it would be any good to you at all I'm more than happy to let you have it on as long a loan as you need - perhaps you could pick it up next weekend and try it out?

Big hugs - I'm sure you don't need this worry right now.xx

Modified to ask - how on earth did you get those pics? Did you stand on a high ladder? Or on a wall?

[harleydales]

Sorry to say that definitely looks like pressure to me too. Harley developed them after a big season in his old saddle and I got him refitted with a different shape, style, size, material and all is now well. It was costly but definitely worth it for my peace of mind as well as his long term muscle structure.

[zeldalithgow]

It does look like the saddle might be causing it I've got a Wintec wide saddle just sitting here doing nothing you're welcome to try that.

[cadeby]

I would contact the manufacturers and see if there is any particular pad they recommend or any other advice as to how to solve the problem.

If that doesn't work, get a professional saddle-fitter to take a look.

Hope you find a solution that isn't too costly soon

[valerie n scout]

oh hell,Linda poor you and poor Saturn, I hope you find a pad that will help or a different saddle x

[greydales]

That does look to be pressure related, which model saddle do you have Linda? I've had problems with Dancer when he's gone on long rides, he gets pressure points exactly where the stirrup bars are and has two white hair patches there (he has a Vogue). He's ok on shorter rides but this is something I'm going to have to think about if I am going to take him on longer rides/holidays - he also bronced me off after our last three day holiday last year! Out of character and must have been related to discomfort.

All I can think of is to try a pad which would disperse the pressure, there are so many that I couldn't suggest which might be the best one - they tend to be pricey and you want to make sure you're going to spend money wisely. I'm currently using a sheepskin half pad with Dancer which so far he's been fine with, but it does have a tendency to make the saddle slip when mounting . I am going to have to use my Barry Swain saddle on the longer rides.

Have you shown the pics to Heather?

[dalesponyrider]

I am using the Fhoenix GP Gill. Thank you so much Zelda and Sue for your offer of saddles. I may well take you up on them as I really can't afford another saddle at the moment, lots of other outlays, and will just have to stop riding him otherwise!

Heather has been very helpful and offered to send me a Smartpad to try. Here is a link to the thread on EE. www.enlightenedequitation.com/ee/boards/index.php/topic,40825.0.html

It is a strange thing as I haven't noticed any soreness in his back. I did check it regularly when we were riding in Shropshire as we covered quite a few miles!!

[harveydales]

Hope the smart pad sorts the problem. Fingers crossed..............

[carolinec]

Hi Linda
I have a 2nd hand Wintec GP which takes the different width gullet plates. I don't have a wide plate but they only cost about £15 on Ebay and you are welcome to borrow the saddle if you need to. I bought it as a back up plan in case I have saddle problems with Floyd.
It might do as an intermim measure until you can get yourself sorted. I believe Wintec do gullet plates up to XW & I have the gullet measure too.

[dalesponyrider]

I am going to try Heather's Smart Panel first, when I get it, it hasn't arrived yet. But I would like to take people up on their offers of saddles if it doesn't work. I hope it does work as I find HM saddles so comfortable but if they are not suitable for Saturn then I will change. I am still puzzled as to why there should be pressure on the side of the gullet.

[zeldalithgow]

My Wintec Wide has changable gullet head plates too Linda, maybe the same one as Caroline

[southerner]

The centre strip is the spinal processes, either side in the lines which are the nuchal ligament, the saddle is sitting on the long back muscle either side of this and causing specific muscle atrophy, the panels are not very deep nor wide on the saddles, so could be casusing this problem. Also it depends upon the shape/ weight of the rider. it would seem that the saddle weight distribution is centred upon this area of the saddle, whether it is caused by the bars etc I am ncertain. However the muscle atrophy and the white hairs are certainly cause for some quick remedial action.

I have some very similar pictures of my pony from a Phoenix, with white marks either side, these problems are recurring ones as you can see.

i have used the suber pads previously which have worked very well, though would be tempted to borrow another saddle and try and repair the damage

Reading that story on trot on appalled me - the max weight limit is 14st for a HM saddle, and it looks as if the EE fitter who fitted her saddle neglected to tell her!!

[taffydales]

I would not be at all happy Linda, I have to be honest, I have always loved the idea of treeless saddles, but having been saddle fitting now for nearly five years and having seen a number of problems like this I am not convinced that they are for everyone, the problem is nearly always over the pressure points of the stirrup bars.
I hope you can sort this out.

[drummersmum]

Linda, have you got the smart panel yet?