Shimming Solutions - Think I've Got It

[Appy2quarter]

Hi all

You may recall I posted a while ago about how I was trying to get the right shimming solution for my long withered downhill built horse. He tends so refuse to move forward if he feels pressure on his withers so no wonder standard saddles didn't suit.  Well I think I am there with the right solution  

I am using the new panels which I like very much (the wedge ones in the new material) and had been using 2 shims plus fybagee.  This has been working very well so we tried a little comparison between this and the standard flat panels on the saddle horse -

With standard flat prolite panels we couldn't get our hands under the front of the saddle (nb this would be fine on a horse with lower withers but with my boy, the pommel hits them)

BUT with the arrangement above, the clearance was much better.

Anyway, I wasn't sure that this was right so today cut up my old prolite panels.  I used the front of the panel (ie to the twist) and then sort of bevelled them off so as not to be too sharp.  We then put them into the panels and sat on the saddle horse.  LOADS of clearance but I felt a little tipped back so went and put the saddle on my horse to test.

Perfect - I felt upright and because his back slopes UP toward his tail, the back of the saddle was naturally lifted so I was straight.  I could see straight through the pommel so his wither was totally clear - wohoooo!  I think this is best with the wedge shaped panels btw as the back is higher than the flat ones.

Am going to test it out to make sure he is happy and then I will probably buy a set of the standard panels in the new material and use them to make the shims as I like the new material as does my horse.

Sorry its long, but thought it might be interesting to those fighting a less than standard shape.  

 

[Appy2quarter]

ah, so not just me then?  As you say, its the length of the withers that is the problem.  When I rode him in the saddle with no shims or numnah he pretty much refused to move, with one set of shims it was marginally better and with 2 he wasn't too bad.  However, the back of the withers still was touched by the pommel.

This new solution gives TONS of clearance   I can get my hand all the way down the gullet so I know there is no pulling down.  I also felt much more balanced and think I wasn't being tipped forward so much.  I will test drive it for a while to make sure he is happy with it.

Take your point about the spring of the new material  :P

One thing I have noticed is that if I shim the new panels, they seem to be much smoother than when I shimmed the prolite ones, ie no 'bulge'.  I think the new material is much more mouldable and forgiving.

[Funky MeerKAT]

From your description I can't quite work out how you have it all aranged , but thats great if its working.

Mate has a really long wither too. To get a dressage saddle to fit him I took a wintec raiser pad and cut the gullet out of it so I now have two panel shaped pads. They make the panels 'taller' and make the gullet much deeper. We have lots of clearance and a happy horse.

[Appy2quarter]

Hi there FunkymeerKat

Your solution was one I was also considering but couldn't work out how I could keep the new 'panels' stable under the saddle.  As you say, you need deeper panels to ensure those long withers are nice and clear.  

For Hylo, I have taken the old prolite panels and cut them in half ie halfway down to where the twist is then I've shaped them round the edges and put them in as shims at the front whilst leaving the back as normal depth.    

[Jennifer]

What did you use to cut and shape the panels?  

~Jennifer

[Appy2quarter]

Hiya Jennifer

I used a sharp pair of scissors    I pulled off the material/fybagee backing to make the panel a little thinner and then cut it to suit.

I did find that I needed to make the shim a little smaller to fit in (ie not exactly half the panel) so that it would fit behind the panel.  It is a squeeze but seems ok!

[Jennifer]

Thanks!  I'm considering cutting up an extra pair I have, but scared to GO for it.   :P   First, I need a new pair of scissors that isn't dull.

~Jennifer

[Appy2quarter]

I know exactly what you mean, Jennifer - I really did have to take a deep breath before I did it!  Been thinking about doing it for ages and figured that since I already needed 2 shims + fybagee, I might as well use my spare panel.  couldnt believe the clearance it gave his withers, I have to say.

Good luck....

[winterknight]

Hi, any chance of a photo of the panel you have shaped?  This sounds a great solution :P