goldpony

Bruce, I have order a 3/4 wool Ricotti pad. It will probably take at least a week before I receive it. Thank you for the suggestion.

JRedding, Oh dear! These were my exact words " I need advice from experts - LeatherWorkers is the best!" JRedding you are part of LeatherWorkers! YOU are part of the group I am seeking advice from, and I appreciate the time everyone has put into this post!

Tkleather1 & Bruce. Thank you. I will look into the Ricotti pad.

JRedding, The saddlemaker told me (about a week ago) the gullet was a little too wide and suggested a 1" wool pad or one built-up in that area. The saddlemaker also stated that the 32" girth (the one that is digging into his shoulder muscle) was the right size. If the saddlemaker fitted the saddle on my horse (September 16th), why was I not told about the gullet being a little wide, advised about the appropriate sized cinch and the correct saddle pad thickness? I've had my custom made saddle (with a custom made tree) for a month now. I am using his old saddle pads (wool felt top with a sheepskin bottom total width 5/8" with a ThinLine pad 3/8". I have used these two pads together for over a year.) with the addition of a 1/2 hospital felt wither pad. I have had other custom made saddles for other horses. No insult taken. I need advice from experts - LeatherWorkers is the best!

Billy H & jwwright, I am riding the horse. I have ordered a longer cinch. This does not address that the saddle is tipping forward slightly. I tried a 1/2" hospital felt wither pad. If I went with just a 1" 100% wool felt pad, would this be better for the horse? I trail ride in an area with gradual and steep hills, there are also flatish areas. The footing is good. The cinches and saddle pads I used with his previous saddles (drop,double dee rigging) do not fit with his new custom made saddle. I will have to mail order the right type of pad, just as I have done for the mohair cinch. This horse is only five. He has an exceptional work attitude and I want to preserve this.

Any ideas?

Hello. Why can I not edit my own posts? I am trying to get advice about the gullet width and if a different saddle pad would help. If the gullet is a little too wide, what are my options? I do not want folks to think I'm still stuck on cinch alignment. The cinch part has been dealt with - I've ordered a custom mohair 36" cinch from Darin at ArtCords. Can you change the topic title to ask about gullet width .....? Thanks again for your help! Name: cheri UserName: goldpony IP Address: 206.116.223.5 Email Address: goldpony10@hotmail.com

Hi. I tried to start a new topic with a picture, and it just got put into my original one. Is it okay to separate the two? Thank you Name: Cheri UserName: goldpony IP Address: 206.116.223.5 Email Address: goldpony10@hotmail.com

Hi all! Spoke with Darin this morning. He looked over the saddle pics and conformation pics of my horse. The cinch will be ready in two weeks. If the saddle is also too wide (please see above), would a 1" 100% wool pad do the trick?

I received this image from the saddle maker. A few days later I received an email suggesting a 1" wool felt saddle pad and a link to CSI Pads. I did purchase a 1/2" hospital felt wither pad from Flint Saddlery. I tried that on top of my wool felt/sheepskin pad and over this a 1/4" Ultra ThinLine. These two pads I have always used on this young horse. It did not seem to make a difference in the alignment of the cinch. I am waiting to hear back from Darin to order a 36" mohair cinch. Any thoughts?

Took the camera to the barn and the batteries were dead! Thank you for the info on the roper cinch. I would have thought it was just the opposite! There was also talk of using a Y-Cinch.

I spoke with the cinchmaker tonight. He asked me to measure from the horse's elbow (mid-point) on one side then underneath to the other elbow. I will also send pictures of his front-end and side. This will help him decide on the correct width and length to make the cinch.

While I am picking everyones' brain - how do I know what width of cinch to get, or do I just go with the cinchmaker's suggetion of the roper cinch? The mohair cinch is 5" below the cinch ring and 10" a the center of the belly. My Norwegian Fjord is not fat, just built like a tank!

He is a gray dun. My other horse is a Haflinger gelding! Both need to have their front leqs stretched after being cinched up. The saddle came with a back cinch, but it was too small. The saddlemaker is making him a larger one. Glad to hear mohair can take getting wet. I'm a total newbie to mohair!

Again, thank you for the advice! Yes, this is a five year old Norwegian Fjord gelding. He is short-back, wide with a big barrel and a honking thick neck. He has personality-plus and very smooth to ride. I have spoken to a cinch maker, and he has suggested a 38" mohair roper cinch. I trail ride and it rains a lot here. Time to do some research on how to keep a mohair cinch clean in a wet environment. I have never used a string girth/cinch before. I am very grateful for this forum with its wealth of hands-on knowledge!

Thank you both for your comments. I reversed the front rigging to see if it would make a difference, but it did not. The cinch will not stay in a straight line, it angles forward. I have tried a longer cinch (but not mohair) and it still angles forward. I've owned four western saddles (one custom) and have never had a cinch issue. Thank you for the suggestion of a longer cinch (mohair).

Hi all! This saddle (and tree) was custom made for my horse. I am concerned about the cinch placement pinching/digging in to his shoulder muscle. Any suggestions? Thank you very much!

Horsewreck - Thank You!

Thanks Andy! I have a pair of 11" Boulet Packers that catch on the bottom of my husband's saddle fenders. I need taller boots!

Hello. I am curious about the design/shape/style/types of western saddle fenders. The part that lies against the rider's calf can be different widths and lengths. Are there names for the different fender shapes? Obviously, it keeps the rider's leg from direct contact with the horse's side. Do the fenders make a difference as to which boots you ride in? Thanks! This forum is fabulous!

Hello. I am curious about the design/shape/style/types of western saddle fenders. The part that lies against the rider's calf can be different widths and lengths. Are there names for the different fender shapes? Obviously, it keeps the rider's leg from direct contact with the horse's side. Do the fenders make a difference as to which boots you ride in? Thanks! This forum is fabulous!

AdamTill, Hi. The short, broad back is the hardest to fit. Both my horses (Norwegian Fjord and Haflinger) have this body type. I'm riding the Fjord in a dressage saddle while I wait for his western saddle. Hopefully, it will be only four or five months. Thanks for the info!

Broncobuster & Janice - Thanks!

Hi. Is it okay to ask about a particular saddle maker or company? Specifically about their reputation and quality of workmanship? Thanks, Cheri Name: Cheri UserName: goldpony IP Address: 66.183.53.80 Email Address: goldpony10@hotmail.com