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| Saddle fit | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Thu Oct 20th, 2011 02:44 am |
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1st Post |
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Ayla G.O.G Community Member 
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I bought a Imus saddle. Went for a two hour ride last Sunday. When I took the saddle off I notice two dry circle marks on the side of her shoulder and a dry line down her back. Does anyone know why it does this? I was told to move the saddle up five inches and get a chest strap to hold the saddle in place. Thanks for you advise. Attachment: Saddle fit.jpg (Downloaded 117 times)
____________________ Freedom is earned not given |
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| Posted: Thu Oct 20th, 2011 10:06 am |
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2nd Post |
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whattarack Pasture Boss 
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Hi Ayla, The saddle doesn't look that far off to me. It looks like the grith was in an acceptable place. Moving it forward tho will make a different pattern. I wouldn't make any decisions based on one (especially the first) sweat pattern left by the saddle. I've read that dry spots behind the wither are acceptable, too and means that there is no pressure at those points. So ride it some more and try a little more forward and see what you get then.
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
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| Posted: Thu Oct 20th, 2011 01:10 pm |
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3rd Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member 
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whattarack wrote: The saddle doesn't look that far off to me. It looks like the grith was in an acceptable place. My thoughts too, but I thought maybe the sweat pattern is little too far into the rump curve... that sort of made me wonder if it could come up a tad. I might try that first and see if the pattern changes. I had to ride in my IMUS several times to find that sweet spot on my TWH. I used a breast collar to help hold it in place. I played around with a few pads at first, but settled on the current IMUS pad at NBS. After regular rides on the same horse, the IMUS saddle and pad fit perfectly between us. But I did have to get off and adjust it a few times on those first rides and let it bond to the horse and I, including the new pad. Take pictures of the saddle in place before and after the ride, so you can see how it slides back or settles.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 20th, 2011 01:21 pm |
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4th Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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Here is my sweat pattern after one of our first rides... your girth pattern seems to be in a similar position, but maybe try coming up just a tad. I had to play with a "tad here and there", but not as much as 5 inch suggestion you got. Attachment: sweat patterns 1.jpg (Downloaded 112 times) Last edited on Thu Oct 20th, 2011 01:22 pm by NOELLEE |
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| Posted: Thu Oct 20th, 2011 01:59 pm |
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5th Post |
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SPOTD RIDR G.O.G Community Member 
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My first thought was it looks to far back and Noellee's looks right to me, but I also don't have short backed horse if anything Mira is too long. I love the concept of were the Imus is suppose to sit, Jerry has been fussing at me saying I put my saddle to far forward, but I like the feel of the bareback postion undersaddle when riding , and my saddle always settles backwards some anyway, I don't have a Imus either so maybe I do have mine to far forward for the brand I ride, but it don't stay there so I don't worry. I did put my HAH pad on last trip out to see it would keep my saddle from sinking down in front, but I only got to ride 1 day and did not think to inspect it afterwards.
____________________ JoAngela "Jo" |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 21st, 2011 01:21 am |
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6th Post |
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Ayla G.O.G Community Member
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Ayla is very short backed. I only have 24" to play with. I have bought so many saddle and am so sick of it. I just want one that fits. This is a regular tree maybe it's too small. Someone told me that today and said thats the reason for the dry spots because the gullet is pressing down and thats the reason why the saddle is moving back. This would sound logical. Although I am just a laymen. What is the difference in a ortho flex saddle compared to a Imus? Due to her dip in the shoulders. Should I use a heart pad. I have the Imus bits but they are wide for her mouth. I just want to get it right. I so appreciate all of your kind help. You are a blessing for my frustration. Thank you and have a blessed day.  Attachment: Sisco Head up 2.jpg (Downloaded 100 times)
____________________ Freedom is earned not given |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 21st, 2011 01:27 am |
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7th Post |
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Ayla G.O.G Community Member
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Ayla has a naturally high head set. Look at the sweat marks left by the bars in front of her withers. You think I should have gotten a wider tree. I have looked at and bought so many saddles my eyes are starting to cross. As you can tell she is a TWH. Have a blessed day. 
____________________ Freedom is earned not given |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 21st, 2011 01:34 am |
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8th Post |
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Ayla G.O.G Community Member
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They said the saddle moves back with her every step because her withers. Can this cause a rubbing maybe soreness. Should I try a breast collar. I will ride tommorrow and take another picture.
____________________ Freedom is earned not given |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 21st, 2011 05:14 am |
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9th Post |
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TN Trailrider G.O.G Community Member 
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I would say the saddle is pressing on her and that is why you get the dry spots. Do you have the pommel over her withers? The 4B saddle is supposed to sit up over her withers. Did you get the saddle new from National Bridle? If so, they will take it back and maybe the wider tree will fit.
____________________ Lynne |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 21st, 2011 09:53 am |
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10th Post |
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whattarack Pasture Boss
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Jake can help you best with this. Please call him especially if you are in the trial period. His number is on the homepage.
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
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| Posted: Mon Oct 24th, 2011 10:10 pm |
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11th Post |
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Lakota G.O.G Community Member 
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Did you use the 'fit my horse' service that Brenda offers? If you did and they specified a standard tree for this horse, I see no need to get a wide tree. I would think that a wider gullet would exacerbate the problem. Having said that, the wide tree version is not supposed to actually be wider, rather the angles are flatter. If you didn't, I bet Brenda would be happy to look at pics to verify which tree your horse requires. It definately will not hurt to use a breast collar, go ahead and use one. Brenda would be the one to suggest whether or not a 'Hav-a-Heart' will be beneficial. As I have understood it, the front of the pommel should be set at the center of the high point of the wither, with the bars ON the shoulder. Brenda has designed the tree for this and there is Supracor padding to allow the freedom of motion required for the horse to perform at his best. People who are not educated in all of this will tell you how you should be doing things based on rigid tree thinking. You have to block their suggestions out of your mind knowing that Brenda knows what she is doing. Make sure your tie straps begin at the rear rigging rings and end up tying off there as Brenda designed it. I have seen some people attatch them to the front rings and it changes the dynamics of the saddle which encourages it to pull down in the front and slide back. The Imus bit will stick out the sides of lots of horses mouths. Don't listen to those that tell you the bit is too wide, it's perfectly O.K. The bit will 'self center'. I use these bits on small Paso Fino's all the time with great success. Trust Brenda's design and try not to stress out. This is the best designed tack for the gaited horses needs that I have ever come across. You will be hard pressed to find anything better. Also, try not to 'over-micro-think', that can make a person stress out about things that are actually o.k. Go for lots of rides and see how the horse performs. Lots of miles is what makes a great horse. Good luck! 
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| Posted: Mon Oct 24th, 2011 10:13 pm |
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12th Post |
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Lakota G.O.G Community Member
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It would be nice too, to see some pics of your horse tacked up, to see how you are placing things before you ride.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 25th, 2011 12:29 am |
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13th Post |
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sdlepal Ranch Hand 
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My saddle leaves dry spots down the middle of the back, evenly on both sides. I never considered it a problem, just air flow getting through. JMO, I would bring the saddle up more over the withers. If it is too far forward, it will slide back a little to get in the "sweet spot" and rest there. It does look as though the saddle is pressing down on the front. Hopefully when you put it up further, your sweat pattern will change. Like Lakota says, don't over think things. ( We all do when we first get our saddles) For some of us, it takes a bit of adjusting this or that to get things right. Have you checked out Brenda's saddle fit video? It will show you proper placement. Good luck and keep us posted.
____________________ Pam and Cowboy Casey |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 25th, 2011 01:46 am |
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14th Post |
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slipslider G.O.G Community Member 
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I cannot comment regarding the saddle. But I did want to agree that the bit is a standard size. I thought when i first got it that it was wide as well. But that is how the bit is made and it is not to wide to use. I use them on my Quarter horses as well as gaited and they all love it and do well with it. My horses are small, the smallest being 14 hds and it works with them. So don't be afraid that the bit is too wide, even if it is a bit wide, it will work. I also use it on my small QH and he has a very small mouth. So small in fact that he is missing one tooth as there just wasn't room for it and it works for him just great. So go ahead and use that bit. You won't be sorry.
____________________ LaVonne Summertime Stables, LLC |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 25th, 2011 02:19 am |
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15th Post |
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Ayla G.O.G Community Member
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I bought this as a used saddle. It is a regular tree. So the tree is a flex fit and not just a hard tree? I didn't know that. So, it will flex at the withers like and ortho-flex?
____________________ Freedom is earned not given |
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| Posted: Wed Oct 26th, 2011 03:53 pm |
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16th Post |
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Brenda Im Pasture Boss 
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Ayla wrote: Ayla is very short backed. I only have 24" to play with. I have bought so many saddle and am so sick of it. I just want one that fits. This is a regular tree maybe it's too small. Someone told me that today and said thats the reason for the dry spots because the gullet is pressing down and thats the reason why the saddle is moving back. This would sound logical. Although I am just a laymen. What is the difference in a ortho flex saddle compared to a Imus? Due to her dip in the shoulders. Should I use a heart pad. I have the Imus bits but they are wide for her mouth. I just want to get it right. I so appreciate all of your kind help. You are a blessing for my frustration. Thank you and have a blessed day.Hi Ayla, Let me address your concerns. The Imus saddle, unlike any other brands, is designed to sit over the wither and shoulder. When saddling, position it so that the front edge of the pommel is over the mid-point (high point) of the withers. It may settle back some when you ride, as it tends to settle in the "sweet spot," or over the horse's true center of gravity. Since the saddle sits more forward than others, it's very well suited to short-backed horses. It does appear yours needs to go more forward. The dry spots behind the shoulder aren't likely to be caused from pressure - just the opposite. We make the saddles so there's no pressure, little or no contact, where the scapula rolls back when the horse moves. Since there's little or no contact, there's often no sweating. Likewise, you don't want contact along the spine, so there will be minimal sweat. (This depends on the individual horse. Some will sweat over their entire back, some will not.) Did you come to Jake with pictures for a saddle fit before purchasing your saddle? I ask because my impression is that your horse would do best with a wide tree configuration, and you say you have a standard. If you haven't had him do a fitting, contact Jake_R by private message, and he'll help you out. If you have the wrong tree size, NBS will likely allow you to trade it out for the correct one. Your bit isn't "too big" for the horse's mouth. It is designed to fit so there is light contact at the cheeks, or as much as 1/2" beyond the cheeks on either side. Unless your horse's mouth is narrower than 4-1/2" inches - unlikely - try the bit. You, and your horse, will love it. PB 
____________________ Always forgive your enemies. It's good for you - and really messes with their heads! |
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| Posted: Thu Oct 27th, 2011 09:11 pm |
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17th Post |
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Ayla G.O.G Community Member
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Thank you so much for your time. I have discovered that I was mislead in purchasing the saddle. I was told it was wide enough and to measure the outside of the pommel(wrong). I measured it correctly underneath from concho to concho and it is only a 6.5. That is why the saddle is have a bridging effect. That stinks cause I really like that saddle oh we.. back on the block. At least I know the truth now but, what a costly learning curve. I do love the bits. I bought both kinds and they work great. She has a good head shake. She was the clearance filly at her barn cause of her sorrel color. They have three world grand champions there. For thirty years their foals have been either black or bay. They said she would never be a pleasure horse and probably be no good. After the accident they said the same thing about me but I have proved them wrong and I'll do it again. Many Blessings and Thank You.  ))
____________________ Freedom is earned not given |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 28th, 2011 11:34 am |
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18th Post |
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liteshodwalkers G.O.G Community Member 
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Ayla, I sent you a pm.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 28th, 2011 06:37 pm |
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19th Post |
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Brenda Im Pasture Boss
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Ayla, This is an easy fix, I think. Call National Bridle Shop and explain that you purchased a standard tree saddle, and have discovered that your horse needs a wide. It's probable that they will arrange for a trade. You may have to pay shipping, and if you're over your two week guarantee a nominal fee, but this won't be prohibitively expensive. PB
____________________ Always forgive your enemies. It's good for you - and really messes with their heads! |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 28th, 2011 06:50 pm |
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20th Post |
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whattarack Pasture Boss
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PB, If I understand the thread, this saddle was purchased on the secondary market. If this is the case, NSB can't help.
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
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