Using tracings to get an idea of tree width

[farrieremily]

My budget was going to be a big chunk of tax return but my husband is going to be laid off for a month or so and there goes that plan. 

At least we know before it’s spent. I’ll probably beg around for a saddle we can borrow and pad this year and save for something next year. I still need a pony show saddle but at least he’s generic fat pony shape and a common fit. 

Free horses seem to cost more than the ones I pay for!

If I do find any info I will post here. 

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

1 hour ago, farrieremily said:

Free horses seem to cost more than the ones I pay for

That was the funniest thing I've heard all day, and also the most true!  None of them are cheap to keep, but the free one do seem to end up costing a pile!

I am sorry about your husband's impending layoff.  Tough to keep ahead of expenses when income is cut or disappears.  

4 hours ago, Geary said:

Thanks Big Sioux,

Budget? what is that? Going to have to do a lot of this myself, the tree will be a problem. Sorry about that tree a lot of money for something inferior.

 

Not having enough to budget for anything seems to be a common complaint these days!  Everyone is scrambling for money.

[Billy H]

Farrieremily,

Not sure where you are exactly - but you might try Jon Watsabaugh. He was in Iowa a few years back.

Really talented Saddle Tree maker and also a Master Saddle maker. Super easy guy to talk to.  Regards Billy

[EdOdgers]

If you are still pursuing this issue, I have a few ideas to offer.  First, are you interested in a western or English saddle?  If English, there are saddles available that come with various gullet irons that can be changed out to fit the wither of your horse.  Also, as noted by Big Sioux, your horse appears to have an extreme dip or "rocker" that needs to be accommodated. This will be much easier to accomplish with an English saddle which is much shorter and relies a cushion of "flocking" to support the riders weight behind the withers.  Western saddle trees bars are longer and must conform to the horses back along their entire length of about 22".  Fitting this horse with a western saddle tree is going to be a challenge.

If you are going to pursue fitting this mare with a western saddle tree, I recommend that you find a competent saddle or tree maker that uses the Lane card system.  This system uses a series of templates to map the shape of the horses back, thereby informing the tree maker how to best fit the horse.  You could buy a set of these cards if there isn't a saddle maker nearby that you can visit.  Alternately, you could consult with a saddle or tree maker that can trial fit a number of bare trees on your horse.  From the picture you posted It does not appear that the width or angle of the wither area is that extreme, however the rocker or dip in your horses back may pose the largest challenge.  That too can be determined with the Lane card system.  I suspect that the rocker required by this horse may exceed the practical limits that any tree maker will build as it is unwise to build a tree and saddle that will only fit a unique horse (After the horse is gone, the saddle will live on to sore every horse it is used on).  If that is the case, your best option may be to fit the horse as best you can and finalize the fitting process with a customized pad.  You can buy pad systems to fill in the void under the bars where your horse's back dips away, or you can have an experience saddle maker make one.

In summary, you will have a much better chance to fit this horse with an English saddle.  As stated in a previous post, you will not find a tack-store western saddle that will fit this horse acceptably.   Fitting a western saddle will be very challenging and require that you get some knowledgeable help.  Good luck.

[farrieremily]

On 2/21/2019 at 9:52 AM, Billy H said:

Farrieremily,

Not sure where you are exactly - but you might try Jon Watsabaugh. He was in Iowa a few years back.

Really talented Saddle Tree maker and also a Master Saddle maker. Super easy guy to talk to.  Regards Billy

That’s a bit of a distance from Michigan. But thank you, I may be looking to get my English saddle worked on/restuffed to sit better on her. 

[farrieremily]

On 5/26/2019 at 1:00 PM, EdOdgers said:

In summary, you will have a much better chance to fit this horse with an English saddle.  As stated in a previous post, you will not find a tack-store western saddle that will fit this horse acceptably.   Fitting a western saddle will be very challenging and require that you get some knowledgeable help.  Good luck.

Thank you, fortunately my daughter has little interest in riding Western so we are simply making due for the hour or so she may be in a Western saddle. It works. They aren’t doing more than walk trot at this point. 

I have an older Rembrandt English saddle with a crank/screw type system for adjusting the tree. I’m pretty sure it goes as wide as any one were you swap the gullet. It’s not close to wide enough. 

If I can find some one close enough I may see about getting it reflocked/stuffed to suit her better. It’s probably time to redo the billets anyhow. 

Edited June 5, 2019 by farrieremily