Rub Marks On Horses Back

[Jasper's mum]

Hi

We recently bought a Phoenix Prolite for my wide, flat backed, croup high Cob. Every other saddle I have tried him in has slipped laterally. It started off great, not budging an inch. However, now it is slipping laterally despite using the Professional Choice Girth and an anti slip pad underneath. Today, I noticed a rub mark appearing on the left hand side of his back towards the back of the saddle.

Initially the saddle was slipping to the right but now it seems to be going to the left which is where the rub mark is more pronounced. He is assymetrical, having more muscle on his left but surely that would make it slip to the right as it did initially?

Any help, advice appreciated - would a sheepskin nummah help prevent the rubbing and keep the saddle more still do you think?

Many thanks

Fiona

[paulam]

i've only just started using a sheepskin half pad and have to say I like it very much. No slippage, though I didn't have any slippage problems before either) and they both seem very comfortable in it.

What are the rub marks like?? hair rubbed away or just ruffled?

[Jasper's mum]

Hi

There is general ruffling of the hair under the saddle area but the rub mark is a more specific wearing away of his coat. He had a Physio out to him last week who said that he had a band of muscle on his left hand side.  At that time the saddle was going to the right but since she has worked on him, it seems to be going more to the left.

Where do you get your Sheepskin Half Pads from - is it the Stephens one?

Many thanks

Fiona

[carrieh]

http://www.equestrian-originals.co.uk/halfpad.htm


Great source of Stephens half pads!  

Or PM sj-chick as it is her website.

 

[JulieR]

I used the sheepskin half pad and the slipping was terrible on my flat backed pony.

[carrieh]

Has anyone tried one of these anti-slip pads underneath a Stephens halfpad to help with slippage?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STICKY-PAD-IDEAL-FOR...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[von10]

Are you sure the saddle isn't sitting on the edge of the saddle cloth beading and rubbing him, or the edge of the anti slip pad?

My old mare came to me with rub marks at the rear of the saddle, caused by a pad that was too small and a saddle that was used on every other horse in the riding school!

Yvonne.

[Jasper's mum]

Hi Yvonne

It is interesting that you have pointed out that it could be the pad because it is since I have started using the Barnsby Grip Pad that I noticed the marks. Oddly enough they do not seem particularly noticeable now but his coat is generally ruffled along the whole saddle area.

The last two rides I have had, the saddle has hardly moved at all so maybe all the Physio treatment he has had is starting to make him more level. I will try it with a different pad next time and see what happens.

Thanks for your advice.

Fiona

[JulieR]

I have the same problem. saddle has rubbed under the back, and is worse now I have put shims in front so taking them out again. Have tried a stephens half pad, saddle slipped badly so no idea if it would work. Have now got a prolite saddle slip pad which is really thin which has stopped the slippage problem, but under saddle ruffled and bald on two points at back. Helen came today and saddle generally sits too low and rubs so I must be too heavy for saddle. New panels will lift a little but really need a thick pad under the whole length. So have swapped my fhoenix for my friends sbs for now to help his back as this does not rub. Helen also wanted to take my pony home, which would have solved the problem. I seem to spend so much of my life worrying about all of this, buying new girths, pads etc and I really wanted to avoid the princess and the pea look of pads under the saddle!

[Jasper's mum]

Hi JulieR

Sorry to hear that you are having similar problems to me. My saddle is slipping badly again over to the side and today it was windy, my horse was spooky and I felt very insecure in it.

The best pad so far that we have tried has been the Barnsby Grip Pad but like you, we still have lots of ruffled hair and rubs at the back.

I am actually on the point now of looking for something else. Mariaana at Better Saddles is going to let me try a Michaela Ling Strada Saddle. We put one on him when she came out to me with the Treeless Saddles before I bought the Phoenix and it sat really well on his back. I have heard they are very good for wide, flat backed horses.

I am very disappointed as I really had hoped the Phoenix would suit him and it did seem to initially. I have been sent some extra shims but found it very difficult to get the panels to sit level with them inside so had to give up on that.

Hope you have more luck with the SBS!

Fiona

[em-merrie]

Jasper's mum I have the dartmoor treefree and my horse had a flat round back with flat withers and I have no problem with the saddle slipping at all. It isn't traditional looking like the phoenix but I love it too bits! The only time it has slipped is down to me not having done the girth tight enough when I've gotten off her to get back on her for some reason! :rudolph:  

[Jasper's mum]

Hi em-Merrie

I am glad you are pleased with your saddle. I know it shouldn't be important, but I just prefer the look of the more conventional treeless saddles. However, I am beginning to wonder if treeless is right for me as well as Jasper as I quite often get backache after riding.

I am going to hang onto the Phoenix for a while but try the Strada. My friend also has an Ideal Highland & Cob Saddle which might fit my horse which I could try. The WOW sounds like another good option - just so expensive!

[JulieR]

I am just wondering if maybe i AM  too heavy for it and causing the problems myself?

[Heather]

Hi JulieR,

It really is very unusual for the Fhoenix to slip, even on very wide flat horses. I dont like the Barnsby Grip Pad with the Fhoenix- it is not the right size and also pulls down across the wither- this not only causes pressure, but stops the gullet functioning for the purpose of preventing slippage. This is why we strongly advocate the Mattes high wither cut cloths- they fit so well and we never have any slipping problems.

I have to say though that I tried a Stephens half pad under the saddle on my stallion, who has a good back, but is not extra wide, and I definitely felt that it was not as secure as usual.

My horses have given this saddle some pretty extreme trials, I can tell you, with my big gelding whipping round as quick as a bullfight trained horse, and the saddle doesnt budge a centimetre.

If the saddle continues to slip, please contact Nix, and we will send you a Suberpanel to try. This is still by far the best panel for the really wide flatties. It would also help to know your weight and whether you feel you are a balanced rider, and also the size of your pony. Pm me with this if you prefer.

Heather

[em-merrie]

Have you had a treatment for yourself like a bowen treatment as it might be beneficial for you to help with your back or the alexander technique.

My friend has had problems with her back as landed on coyxsc (can't spell it soz!) falling off horse in old treed saddle! It didn't fit horse that brilliantly tbh but she now rides treeless but still has back problem not from the saddle which is taking some getting used to on her part as she is now learning the correct position on the horse! But cos she is tense in parts of her body and that causes her main pain. She doesn't realize this until I kindly remind her about her position and to relax!

But the same goes for me too! I am constantly telling myself to relax when I realize I'm tense as I've been learning bad habits for years and they are so easy to do but am aiming for the correct way of riding to become natural and it is getting easier.

But have to add when I used to ride in treed saddles I used to have horrible back and leg pains but the saddles were not very nice really! But when I rode my friends fell in her saddle I couldn't bare it so much so next time I go up and see her and go for a ride my treeless is coming with me! :lol:

Back to my friend, our therapist Lucy put her on her saddle on a wooden horse and saw how lopsided she was and got her to correct it without too much work and what a difference it made when she was on her horse!

Hope that is some help as sometimes I get a little long winded about my point and get off track sometimes too! :lol: