yoboverthetop

Chaed, I really enjoyed seeing your saddle come together. It's probably my favourite thread on this forum (that I've read so far)...perhaps with the exception of Dusty Johnson's attempt to homeschool a few folks on the topic of saddle fit (really...it's priceless reading). Your pics were fantastic and your comments both helpful and entertaining. Your saddle looks great too. Really nice job. Looking forward to saddle #2. 8-)

oldtimer, I have Harry Adams' book here, Saddlemaker's Shop Manual. He says the following... "Mules require a wider and lower gullet with a flatter bar angle than horses of the same weight and size"

Great job. I really like the nicely balanced two-tone look you've created.

Bob's comments make sense to me too. I would wager that if you shimmed that tree up at the back, it would further exaggerate the problem areas of the fit. I could really seeing the front of the bars digging into that horse's shoulder. A narrower gullet with a bit more flare at the front of those bars and it'd be a better fit. Have you seen Rod and Denise Nikkel's page on 'Measuring Horses for Fit'? I think their trees run about $600, which is probably not the cheapest option around. But, if you're having a bit of trouble finding something for this horse, I suspect you could take your measurements to Rod and he'd make a really nice tree for you. http://bit.ly/ZThfR0 BTW, I like your grey horse. Nice red dog too. 8-) Good luck.