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Post by dalesponyrider on Jan 9, 2007 7:22:36 GMT -1
That's true Pam and the treed saddles that D has had in the past have been awful for her. This is the only one she has been happy in. I think she must put up with a lot to have got the stage where she is growing white hairs from the pressure though! I just hope I can sort a saddle out that doesn't do that or else I'm not going to be able to ride her! Do you think building it up at the front will sort that or will her action still cause problems?
I have wondered if it has changed Debbie, that is why the saddle has been posted back. They are going to check all that for me.
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Post by The Moo on Jan 9, 2007 7:59:28 GMT -1
This is a very interesting thread and I am sure there are lots of people watching it with great interest.
I am glad Heather and Nix are taking an interest and asking for the saddle back particularly as many 'non-believers' reckoned it would take a few years before any real problems would show, whether it be the break down of the foam or the pressure issue raising its' ugly head.
I am glad that D doesn't show any signs of discomfort, there is nothing in the saddle to actually poke at her but how many of us carry rucksacks with wide padded straps which do feel heavy but aren't actually uncomfortable. I am sure that you would be able to detect any points that are sore if there were any.
When I had an sbs for my short backed arab it certainly made the muscles under the back of the saddle and behind the saddle feel a lot better, not stiff or rigid like in a treed saddle so I did feel it was better from that aspect but I couldn't help but feel that if there was no pressure under the back then the weight/pressure must be somewhere else. In your pics you always seem to have a good position, sit in the right place and don't seem to tip forwards (that's my problem) it certainly isn't apparent that you putting more pressure on the front.
I look at Ed in dismay, despite him growing he is not getting any longer and I think I would struggle to get a 15" pony saddle on him at the mo. These ponies maybe robust tough weight carriers etc but where do you put the blooming saddle?! LOL
Sorry you are having these problems but please keep us updated.
Jo
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Post by greydales on Jan 9, 2007 12:37:57 GMT -1
D is definitely not croup high but IS short coupled and perhaps the 18" is just a tad too long for her. It could be that it's her hind action which has pushed the saddle forwards over the years which in turn may have caused more compression than usual, as you would have been pushed to the front of the saddle too accentuating the problem.
If it's due to the fact that you are being pushed forward placing undue pressure on the front, I would have thought by shimming it so you are sitting straight would help alleviate the pressure? However I'm not an expert so hope that Jill can shed some light on it.
I agree with Pam that she would have been far worse off in a treed saddle!
Did you have a sit on the suberpanel when you had it - I wondered if you felt tipped forwards in that?
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Post by Debbie on Jan 9, 2007 13:31:10 GMT -1
I think its brilliant they're going to be looking at the foam for you  All in all, I have to say I've been very happy with the treeless types of saddles, seeing many problems resolve. I know the non believers will be just waiting to swoop in, but look at how much damage has been inflicted on horses and ponies through the ages with treed saddles! Bit of the pot calling the kettle black.... |
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Post by zoe123 on Jan 9, 2007 14:02:06 GMT -1
Anything we put on a horses/or ponies back has the possibility to cause problems, even treeless saddles the same way treed do.
Sorry to see you have had problems, hopefully it is easily sorted.
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Post by Debbie on Jan 9, 2007 14:12:37 GMT -1
Sorry Zoe123...I'm not for or against any form of saddle, be it treed, or treeless. My concern is that it fits, no matter the make. As a shiatsu therapist, I've seen loads of damage done over the years by ill fitting tack.... That's why I was saying its a bit of the pot calling the kettle black  |
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Post by zoe123 on Jan 9, 2007 14:30:31 GMT -1
I understand, I don't mind any form of saddle, I just think people seem to forget (not everyone just people I know and have experienced while looking into treeless saddles) seem to think that there is less need to get them checked regularly for fit regularly. This is just my experience though.
I can see that this isn't the case here though.
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Post by jec248 on Jan 9, 2007 15:30:29 GMT -1
My pony wore a 17inch W/H saddle when she was going anywhere, and a 17" gp for hacking out. In June last year I took her to a show and the judge told me that she appeared a bit lame. I got a lady out to look at her ( an equine sports therapist)who came out the next day, by which time Magic was ok. Anyway, this lady said that her back was a bit stiff and said she thought a 17" saddle was too big for her and suggested trying a 16" which I believe would be too small for me. When I bought the Fhoenix I was worried that it would be too big but it appears to be ok. The Native Saddle Co can do a 17" seat on a 16" tree. Magic is 13.2 and wears a 5'9" rug.
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Post by Debbie on Jan 10, 2007 22:03:14 GMT -1
VERY good point Zoe123!! You are right that people should take care in fitting the treeless as much as the treed saddles.
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Post by dalesponyrider on Jan 11, 2007 7:09:07 GMT -1
Actually zoe123 this is the only area where I think EE fall down. If I had a treed saddle I would have my saddle fitter out to check it regularly but now I am using a treeless it doesn't get checked by anyone other than me. I have obviously missed the fact there is a problem and my pony has suffered as a consequence. If I had been able to get it checked yearly by someone who understood the saddle it may have been sorted sooner.
Yesterday Pam and Sue came to see us. Pam brought her Fhoenix for me to try and I am VERY excited by it. It is one inch shorter than the SBS and it fitted much better. I didn't feel tipped forward AT ALL and more importantly, D was a different pony in it! She obviously liked it.
I haven't heard back from EE yet. If I haven't heard by lunch time I'm going to ring again. I have been pacing the kitchen with impatience!
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Post by harveydales on Jan 11, 2007 8:47:15 GMT -1
Aagghh! I'm going mad with impatience too - I was sure she would have got back to you yesterday.
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Post by SuzieP on Jan 11, 2007 11:57:34 GMT -1
Arrghhhh!! Me too!! I've logged on hopeful of hearing a good outcome to this......oh poo!
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Post by dalesponyrider on Jan 11, 2007 12:06:51 GMT -1
Just rung Jill - she was waiting for me to ring her!!!!!!!
They are going to keep my saddle to chop up and examine. They will send me an unused Fhoenix dressage prolite in butt leather. It is basically a reject, only rejected as there is a crease in the back where the Enlightened Equitation imprint is. So I am getting a brand new saddle, not perfect aesthetically but does that really matter? Probably not!
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Post by harveydales on Jan 11, 2007 12:19:53 GMT -1
Yippee!!! Is it the same sized one as mine? Hopefully it will be the new version with the different material pannels and the forward sloping girth straps?
I think that is a fair offer though. I doubt many other companies would be as generous and understanding.
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Post by jec248 on Jan 11, 2007 13:36:38 GMT -1
Please to hear you have a new saddle. Is it a standard size phoenix or a 17" ? Judith.
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