AZThunderPony

Hi Rod and Denise. I'm not sure if you have spoke with Terry Moore, but he is my saddle maker. Or he is making the saddle I feel will fit a Spanish Mustang. Since Terry will be making the saddle I'm guessing from our conversations that you guys will be making the tree. I was hoping folks on here would comment on some of the problems varied breeds face, since not everyone has the typical QH, Draft, TB or Arab type horses. lol The saddle I'm having made is a customized version of an 1880's/On the Border, saddle. We are still discussing trees, but the one I'm leaning toward is the Meana or Slick Fork. Since Terry owns the same breed as I do, and has the "Mustang" tree (I believe you made for him), and has successfully fit his own horses who share the listed attributes in the earlier post, I feel he is best suited to be my saddle maker. However, there are many Spanish Mustang owners looking for good saddles that fit their horses. Many production saddles have been tried, so far very few actually fit this breed correctly. There is a large enough venue out there within this breed to warrant some interest to Saddle Makers and Tree makers. So I've been on a reseach journey to bring this delima to the attention of those who can make a difference. In doing so I hope saddles will begin to emerge that are built in such away that Spanish "Type" horses particularly Spanish Mustangs (Barbs, Colonial Spanish or what have you) will be able to perform comfortably. The biggest problems I have faced fitting Spanish Mustangs are: 1) rigging (3/4) to 5/8) too far back on rib cage, causes saddle to slip up onto shoulders and cinch to become loose. 2) Back of tree digs into the loins 3) pinching at withers 4) tree cutting into the muscling along ribheads 4) gaps between front of tree and back of tree along horses backs (one or both sides) 5) improper contact at wither/shoulder pocket (to tight, or to sloppy) 6) many types of riggins such as flat plate dig into horses ribs) As for sex and size, no it doesnt seem to matter too much regarding saddle fit accept it seems the mares appear to be a bit rounder, which compounds the above fit issues. Mares also do not carry themselve as elevated as stallions which I suppose could throw off the balance as well. Good luck folks... I am really interested to see what kinds of approaches will be put on the table to address these "issues" which by-the-way show up collectively on almost every horse as well as on some horses indepently. Thanks for the post. Susan Catt Bear Paw Ranch Arizana

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the wonderful information you are sharing here. For the first time ina long time in a forum situation the differences of opinion are educating and not damaging. This is a sampling of backs of different ages, and sizes of the same breed. Some pics are of 20 some year old horses from the 60's some are recent shots of 2 year olds, some are at varied ages in between. Heights range from 13 to 15 hands. All are stallions. in varying condition or non condition. All have these common problems with fitting saddles. They have muscling that reaches from the neck along the sides of mild withers ending deep into the back, round backs, narrow shoulders that meet up with well sprung ribs, round barrels, short backs that rise up slighty into the loin. If they have good shoulders they should be well layed back which places the saddle too far back for anything but a full or 15/16th rigging and a three point tie off. I have yet to find a saddle that had all the parts come together in such a way as to fit this breed as a breed... Trees? Are you kidding? This is a project: you guys want to share some thoughts? Thanks for your info and time! Susan Catt Bear Paw Ranch Arizona