New Wade Saddle Got Me Bucked Off All Weekend

[Huntet02]

Huntet,

You are feeling with your hand between the horse and saddle subjectively to see if the pressure on your hand from the saddle is the same all the way down the bar. There may be no contact at all in the center if you have a really badly bridging saddle. I believe there is contact in the center of the saddle it was all completely wet after I chased cows with her. Sorry I didnt check til afterward. Seems like the only place the bars aren't touching a whole bunch is right under the swell rise. Check with your hand under the front and back bar tips as well. Is there more pressure there? Then push down on the saddle while your fingers are under the bar tips. If you are feeling a lot of pressure there, so is she. ot have a sharp edge that digs in. The pressure should ease off gradually from under the saddle, nIf you still have questions, then have someone walk the horse as you have your hand in the area you wonder about. The tree will have more and less pressure under different parts as they walk. The question is does it have too much at any point. I don't think so Remember that what you are feeling is just the weight of the saddle. The pressure increases a lot with the rider.

Once you know where the bar edges and tips were resting on her during your ride, check for soreness in those areas specifically. No soreness. Don't just push down on the muscles. That is only part of what may show you pain. Push sideways towards the spine and watch for her reactions. Did this both myself and trainer and no reactions did this all the way down starting at her withers. Normal muscle doesn't hurt even with a fair amount of pressure. She may wonder what you are doing but that reaction is different than "ouch!". You'll be able to tell.

Edited April 7, 2010 by Huntet02

[Huntet02]

Got it , I understand completely what to feel for. "Off topic" but we did find a pretty hardened corner where obviously something has been inserted on other side of saddle when made. Its underneath where wool is thinning possibly where left front concho/leather hardware would have been inserted. Feels like a rough edged thickness but could hurt if had thin pad on. We dont' think the mare felt this ever through the pad Ihad on her but what do I do about this esp. if I do have to go to a much thinner pad?

Edited April 7, 2010 by Huntet02

[bruce johnson]

checked it tonight you can definately feel something on the rifght side that wasn't finished right and guess were there the only dry spot on her back was tonight after her workout....same side. But I don't think Teskeys will still take it back because I still rode it the guy said if I rode it he couldn't pay me full price I paid. He said he would look at pictures of it and make me an offer I haven't sent him pictures but this thing not being right I feel should be fixed just wished I have noticed it before I rode it

Huntet,

From your earlier reply, Nope wasn't me who said you had mule bars. I didn't see that reply. I think the fact that you can feel something on one side and not the other, you have a nice picture of a single dry spot corresponding to that area, and you have already shared it with 9000 people might sort of get their attention. I would think Teskeys would at least want to see it. I understand them not wanting to carte blanche give a full refund, but I'd think they might want to at least fix it if there is a problem.

Edit - Now that these pictures are up, I see some placement things I'd probably do differently too. I think that saddle appears to be sitting too far forward in some of the pictures. Where I expect the bar tips to be on that swell fork is a few inches behind where I expect they are with the Wade in some of those pictures. There is one picture (3rd one)that shows a sweat pattern where the saddle is sitting what appears to behind that about the width of the cinch. It looks like that is about where the saddle wants to settle, but again your hands are on it and we are looking at pictures. Sometimes the pictures when they are moving can make things look like they are sitting differently in different phases of a stride too. Again though, if one side of the saddle is different underneath than the other, that needs to be addressed.

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

Huntet,

Interesting shape to that dry spot. In post #29 it looks to have a pretty straight line on the top of it. Most dry spots fade out more gradually. In trying to interpret what you've written, it sounds like the different piece makes a ridge too. Anytime there is assymmetry like that it can affect all sorts of things - pulling the saddle crooked on the horse etc. Who knows what they are feeling under there if it is twisted a bit? So whatever is different needs to be fixed for sure. That is a defect in the saddle.

We agree with Bruce that the saddle appears to be too far forward in a bunch of those pictures. Are any of the pictures with the saddle taken after your ride before you moved the saddle? Which ones?

Most bars are made so they fit right at the back edge of the shoulder blade, but in trying to see though the saddle to the horse it looks like the saddle is set up on top the shoulder blades in most of the photos. You say the bars aren't touching under the "swell rise". I am not sure what you are meaning there. Could you explain better?

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Huntet, I see the same things that Bruce and Denise see. To me the saddle is sitting too far forward in most of the pics. It give the appearence that it is going uphill when it should be more level. The fact that it looks uphill indicates that it is sitting up on top of the withers and not "just behind". I too would also be interested in what that lump is and what is wrong there. Can you turn the saddle over and point with your finger where the lump is in a picture. I had that "horse uncomfortable " feeling on a horse that is built similar to yours. Pictured is a saddle that I made for him, note that this is a cutting saddle, and it is a close contact wide open seat on a Buster Welch tree, and sits down on the horse and gives the appearence of going downhill because of a really flat wide open ground seat, what I am pointing out to you is more where the saddle is actually sitting on his back. If I were there, I would probably first look into that lump and get it corrected, and second, if all else looks correct, sit the saddle rearward like Bruce and Denise have also indicated.

Bondo Bob

[Huntet02]

Huntet,

From your earlier reply, Nope wasn't me who said you had mule bars. I didn't see that reply. I think the fact that you can feel something on one side and not the other, you have a nice picture of a single dry spot corresponding to that area, and you have already shared it with 9000 people might sort of get their attention. I would think Teskeys would at least want to see it. I understand them not wanting to carte blanche give a full refund, but I'd think they might want to at least fix it if there is a problem.

Edit - Now that these pictures are up, I see some placement things I'd probably do differently too. I think that saddle appears to be sitting too far forward in some of the pictures. I know it looks to far forward but I put the saddle where this trainer thouhgt it should go pic # (not that its correct) she said that my mare just had withers that would always have trouble sliding saddles/pads back of any kind. We then lunged her this different pad cinched up and rode her and the pad did offer the saddle a more "stay" affect and she never offered to buck but that doesn't mean things are OK. I know I didn't do everything right last night but had to be appreciative of the lady that gracisouly offered her help ....so Where I expect the bar tips to be on that swell fork is a few inches behind where I expect they are with the Wade in some of those pictures. There is one picture (3rd one)that shows a sweat pattern where the saddle is sitting what appears to behind that about the width of the cinch. It looks like that is about where the saddle wants to settle, yes I gave you this "after ride"sweat picture as I thought to this would be what you wanted to see as far as where the saddle wanted to settle. but again your hands are on it and we are looking at pictures. Sometimes the pictures when they are moving can make things look like they are sitting differently in different phases of a stride too. Again though, if one side of the saddle is different underneath than the other, that needs to be addressed.

I got home way late and had mucho problems getting Kodak or Photbucket to load my pictures all at onece couldn't belive I had to laod them one at a time.....was exhausting so I know I'm not painting you all a very easy picture.

[Huntet02]

Huntet,

Interesting shape to that dry spot. In post #29 it looks to have a pretty straight line on the top of it. Most dry spots fade out more gradually. In trying to interpret what you've written, it sounds like the different piece makes a ridge too. Anytime there is assymmetry like that it can affect all sorts of things - pulling the saddle crooked on the horse etc. Who knows what they are feeling under there if it is twisted a bit? So whatever is different needs to be fixed for sure. That is a defect in the saddle.

We agree with Bruce that the saddle appears to be too far forward in a bunch of those pictures. Are any of the pictures with the saddle taken after your ride before you moved the saddle? Thanks for being patient with me...Yes 1stpic below is taken after our ride. But if I were to cinch up look were the cinch would be....the other riders said that when she started bucking the cinch looked to be in the middle of her belly....course they all think middle of belly is the wrost thing in the world. I'm so tired not sure what to think today. Here' some more pictures of her build. these pics were taken when she got real poor with her EPSM disorder her topline always suffers...but thought they would help you see her build better..

The instrutor you see in the pics said she was just one of those horses who had withers that were hard to fit. I never thought so but I look at old pictures and her pads do tend to slide back. Her answer was using this other pad and get a pulling collar she also said Teskeys' better make this right side lump right they should take it back and repair. But heck if I ship back it will cost a fortune....I will see if matt Hunn down here can help but he's pretty far away.

Which ones?

Most bars are made so they fit right at the back edge of the shoulder blade, but in trying to see though the saddle to the horse it looks like the saddle is set up on top the shoulder blades in most of the photos. You say the bars aren't touching under the "swell rise". I am not sure what you are meaning there. Could you explain better?

Edited April 7, 2010 by Huntet02

[Huntet02]

Huntet, I see the same things that Bruce and Denise see. To me the saddle is sitting too far forward in most of the pics. It give the appearence that it is going uphill when it should be more level. The fact that it looks uphill indicates that it is sitting up on top of the withers and not "just behind". I too would also be interested in what that lump is and what is wrong there. Can you turn the saddle over and point with your finger where the lump is in a picture. The lump is where the concho/latigo straps are inserted Im sure of it. Dawg gone it I was sure I attached the pictures of wool inside saddle but it took me 2 hrs to attached very few pics computer at home needs burned down.LOL

Well Ok here is the Teskeys stock picture, see the very front conchos right behind it is the lump not underneath we already figured that one out at camp. The lump feels like a really dull bolt is in there and not covered well by wool its pretty obvious

I had that "horse uncomfortable " feeling on a horse that is built similar to yours. Pictured is a saddle that I made for him, note that this is a cutting saddle, and it is a close contact wide open seat on a Buster Welch tree, and sits down on the horse and gives the appearence of going downhill because of a really flat wide open ground seat, what I am pointing out to you is more where the saddle is actually sitting on his back. Bob when you mentioned the pic looked like the saddle was downhill thats exaclty the first thing I thought. Looks like the back is lifted up to high makes the horse appear downhill yet the legs dont' appear that way

If I were there, I would probably first look into that lump and get it corrected EXACLTY my first plan I think right now I'm not going to speed around worrying about the saddle not fitting and trying to return it. Gonna slow down and get at least the lump looke at my Matt Hunn down here at Hunn leather in August Ks first and foremost. Then If i can trailer my horse over to him then I will but he's pretty far. and second, if all else looks correct, sit the saddle rearward like Bruce and Denise have also indicated.

Bondo Bob

Edited April 7, 2010 by Huntet02

[Huntet02]

Found another way to get you all pics of the wool....here you go. then the pic of her after our ride with just the saddle......

Edited April 7, 2010 by Huntet02

[Huntet02]

Huntet,

Interesting shape to that dry spot. In post #29 it looks to have a pretty straight line on the top of it. Most dry spots fade out more gradually. In trying to interpret what you've written, it sounds like the different piece makes a ridge too. Anytime there is assymmetry like that it can affect all sorts of things - pulling the saddle crooked on the horse etc. Who knows what they are feeling under there if it is twisted a bit? So whatever is different needs to be fixed for sure. That is a defect in the saddle.

We agree with Bruce that the saddle appears to be too far forward in a bunch of those pictures. Are any of the pictures with the saddle taken after your ride before you moved the saddle? Which ones?

Most bars are made so they fit right at the back edge of the shoulder blade, but in trying to see though the saddle to the horse it looks like the saddle is set up on top the shoulder blades in most of the photos. You say the bars aren't touching under the "swell rise" SOrry I should have said that I felt like the bars WERE all touching to my horse' back. This being in reference to you all making sure I felt to see if the saddle was 'bridging' which I understood to mean touching in back and front of bars but maybe not in midel or otherwise. Here's what I found-

with the saddle on her "bare" back after her workout it seems to be touching all over her back when I put my hand underneath and then pressing downa little I thought I felt the saddle bars everywhere they should be. It did seem a little tight one time on her left side on top of bars near the "tiestrap holder" but then I felt it again and it wasn't too tight and then I started doubting what I felt but horse did twist around to say hi to a neighbor so that may have been what I misread as tight or not.

I am not sure what you are meaning there. Could you explain better? I meant there was less saddle touching her back "in front of the Pommel to the seat rise" which rises up in this saddle anyway so I dont' think that is abnormal. It couldn't touch her back there...

Edited April 7, 2010 by Huntet02