Members goldpony Posted October 3, 2010 Members Report Posted October 3, 2010 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! Quote
Members Tkleather1 Posted October 3, 2010 Members Report Posted October 3, 2010 Personally I would chang sides with the Latigo. And then put a Mohair cinch on it. That bulk under the ring of the cinch will cause some problems. Quote Tim Worley TK-Leather If you don't ask and dont try how are you gonna learn anything?
Members kseidel Posted October 3, 2010 Members Report Posted October 3, 2010 The rigging placement on the saddle is fine for the horse... it is in the correct position. The fault lies with how you set the cinch when saddling your horse. The saddle is in the correct position, however, you have placed the cinch too close to the horses leg, and have the latigos running at an angle forward. This is incorrect. If you place the cinch straight down from the rigging, the cinch will be about 3 inches behind the leg where it is supposed to be. TKleather1 is correct in that the long latigo is supposed to be on the left (or near) side of the horse, and the billet should be on the right side. when running the long latigo around the rigging, it should go over the top of the hardware, and not through the slot a second time. A longer cinch is also in order for this animal. It would be best at least 2 - 3 inches higher on each side. The cinch should be 4 - 6 inches longer. The wear piece under the cinch buckle will not be a problem when in the proper place on the horse. These changes will put the cinch in the proper position, and your horse will be able to perform painlessly in this saddle. Respectfully, Keith Seidel Quote Keith Seidel Seidel's Saddlery www.seidelsaddlery.com
Members goldpony Posted October 3, 2010 Author Members Report Posted October 3, 2010 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). Quote
Members BondoBobCustomSaddles Posted October 3, 2010 Members Report Posted October 3, 2010 On 10/3/2010 at 5:17 AM, goldpony said: 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). Gold, without question, the info from Keith and TK, is correct. Hang that nice leather cinch on the all and let it look pretty. Use a good quality mohair cinch of proper length, if it ends up a little forward, it won't bother the horse and your horse will enjoy the comfort afforded by a well fitting new saddle. Happy Trails, Bondo Bob Quote
Members Billy H Posted October 3, 2010 Members Report Posted October 3, 2010 (edited) Goldpony, Congrats on the new saddle! I can not tell for sure, but it looks like you have a Fjord saddled up. Those horses can be a challenge to fit well, your saddle looks good up there. Keith made a real good comment on the length of cinch, TK also made a good comment about bulk. Bob I think is right on about once you get a good mohair cinch of proper length--- if it moves forward a little I do not think it will bother the horse. Get some miles on that new rig!!! Billy Edited October 3, 2010 by Billy H Quote
Members goldpony Posted October 3, 2010 Author Members Report Posted October 3, 2010 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! Quote
Members Tkleather1 Posted October 3, 2010 Members Report Posted October 3, 2010 On 10/3/2010 at 4:45 AM, kseidel said: The rigging placement on the saddle is fine for the horse... it is in the correct position. The fault lies with how you set the cinch when saddling your horse. The saddle is in the correct position, however, you have placed the cinch too close to the horses leg, and have the latigos running at an angle forward. This is incorrect. If you place the cinch straight down from the rigging, the cinch will be about 3 inches behind the leg where it is supposed to be. TKleather1 is correct in that the long latigo is supposed to be on the left (or near) side of the horse, and the billet should be on the right side. when running the long latigo around the rigging, it should go over the top of the hardware, and not through the slot a second time. A longer cinch is also in order for this animal. It would be best at least 2 - 3 inches higher on each side. The cinch should be 4 - 6 inches longer. The wear piece under the cinch buckle will not be a problem when in the proper place on the horse. These changes will put the cinch in the proper position, and your horse will be able to perform painlessly in this saddle. Respectfully, Keith Seidel You are much better at the explantions than I. You said everything I wanted to but didnt wuite know how to spit it out without sounding like a know it all. Well Said Kieth. Quote Tim Worley TK-Leather If you don't ask and dont try how are you gonna learn anything?
Members GrampaJoel Posted October 3, 2010 Members Report Posted October 3, 2010 (edited) Goldpony I ride a Fjord as well. My mare is such a great ride. She is quite a bit taller than her sister, but that works just fine with my height. 6'1". I have had a hard time getting a saddle to fit her wide flat short back also. But the saddle you have looks like it fits well. I suggest that you go with the mohair string cinch and when putting the saddle on let the cinch strap hang loose enough to "self place" itself before tightening. I usually go to her front and raise her front leg to remove and wrinkles that may get caught under the cinch. Looks like you have a white. My girl is a brown dun. Edited October 3, 2010 by GrampaJoel Quote
Members Billy H Posted October 3, 2010 Members Report Posted October 3, 2010 Hey Goldpony, This is just a thought. You might want to get some rear billets put on and use that leather cinch there. What do you guys think? I am not sure how many strands a roper mohair is, but I ride alot of Haflingers with same build and a 19 or 21 strand works real well for me. I always enjoy seeing the saddle on the horse instead of on a stand. Keep us posted! Billy Quote
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