My western saddle is puzzling me..

I have a very solid 15.2 QH and a full quarter tree 16inch seat wester sadddle for him. I bought it nearly a year ago and he has been wearing it around all the time, although I have backed him bareback I have not ridden him in it (he is three). I would like to start riding him in it but I am a bit worried about the fit..

When I put it on him it looks fine, and to my English trained eye it looks like it fits, but, when I do the cinch up tight enough for riding, the back of the saddle tips upwards, and looks as though its sitting up a little bit off his back.. A friend who also rides western has told me she thinks that is fairly normal for a western saddle, and I ahould get a second cinch for the back D rings (ok you probably dont call it the second cinch - excuse my ignorance!).

Trouble is, I just cant bring myself to get on him in it and give him weight to bear, when I cannot be sure the saddle fits.. The friend who imported it said it would fit him, but she never actually came down and checked it (geography again....).

So, my questions are:

Is it normal for the back to tip up slightly when there is no weight on the saddle (it goes down again if you push it..)??
Secondly, being based in Exeter, is there anyone I get get to look at it on him, who is experienced with western saddles that anyone knows of??

I can take a photo of him in it and post it if anyone would like to see it..

How far back is the bit that goes up? The very last bit of the saddle shouldnt be putting any pressure on his back. But there is no tree in that last bit.

Put the saddle on with no pad and feel under it. follow the contour of his back with your hand and feel where the tree in the saddle is. the tree and his back should be touching all the way down and with equal pressure. if the tree towards the back isnt on his back at all and lifting up then that would indicate it doesnt fit?

Also look at the angle of the front of the saddle. is it the same angle as his shoulders?

it lifting at the back would indicate it is too wide (at a guess) but then it sounds like it shouldnt be if hes fairly wide.

Posting some pics would help. (i'm not expert by the way, this is just the little bit i know).

Hi ya, have alerted maria - the western saddler .....she will contact you and tell you what photos she wants. Then she can advise you as best she can without seeing the horse. I have offered to transport you to shows in the past, I am certain I could arrange a visit to Maria when she has had the baby.

Jude

I really struggled to find info too everyone just seems to encourage giving up the hunt for the perfect fit adn to pad the saddle out or try a treeless. Neither of which I wanted to do and like you I won't ride in anything that's not perfect.

I bought the Fitting Western Saddles DVD by Dr Joyce Harman and trawled the internet for info.

my main problem was that I didn't have access to a variety of different makes, styles and sizes of saddles to try.

Thanks to Rodeoange, the most thorough ebay seller ever, I bought a saddle the fits like a dream and every inch of it and the horse was measured before I bid.

Dr J Harman now has a new book on fitting western saddles out, I have her "english" book and it's a really good tool. I definitely recommend the book and DVD if you are stuggling the same way I did.

Good Luck!

Thanks for everyone's replies, contact from The Western Saddler would be great.
Its great of you to offer to run us around QQH but I always feel awful that I am right out of your way!
I took some photos of him yesterday in his saddle. Would be greatful for opinions! I did wonder if it was a bit too far forward, but when i put it on further back it was sat right on his kidneys - he is as you can see fairly short backed.
You can just see in this one that it is tipping up slightly at the back. I will post another where he is moving and it really sticks up!
(Note its July and he is stood on mud, thanks English summer...!!)