Saddles for the Hiwithered TB

[Gixer]

Help! Although I have Glen with no financial obligation I feel compelled to get him his own saddle. Currently he borrows one and I just know its not right for him. His owner bought him and Inde with the intention to sell on but Glen has got to her and will be staying even though she's not really got the budget to kit him out. We've discussed it and she is happier for me to spend on kit for him rather than feet/teeth etc as then if our arrangement ends for any reason I walk way with my kit.

So He's a typically high withered TB, quite narrow but he is lacking in the topline department and I can't see this improving while he's not comfortable in his saddle.

Budget wise (as ever with me) is on the low side so think of things I may find for not very much at all 2nd hand on ebay (synthetics?)

Any tips on particular makes and models to look out for would be great I dont mind having to buy and sell a few to find one thats right
Needs to be suitable for hacking jumping and schooling, I'm thinking maybe VSD?

I know I should get a fitter out but no one as anything in my budget esp when you add the call out and fitting fee 

[DollysMum]

I'd go for a second hand Saddle Company saddle and get it adjusted to fit.

[winnieandben]

Thorowgood do a high wither saddle.

[Wendy]

Whatever you do it is going to have to be fitted professionally. What about asking your local fitter (if there is a good one locally) if they can find a second hand one? Talk to them, tell them the situation, they may have something suitable.

I noticed in the pics that you posted he looks like he has some atrophy. If his current saddle is not right that may be causing the atrophy and the unwillingness to stride out at the walk. Once he starts to build some topline you will need to get his saddle checked and maybe even changed again. There is inevitably going to be cost involved.

I'm looking at Thorogood atm, with the changable gullets, but not sure they are good for high withers.

[Gixer]

I know whatever fit now it unlikely to last more than 6 months, I'm hoping that we're doing right in the extra padding being used with his current saddle, I know it is less than ideal but I do check his back pre and post ride to hopefully makesure that we're not doing any further damage, yes there is atrophy there he came that way he has been sat neglected in a bare field for at least 4 months if not a lot longer.

Budget is a killer :( sensably I only have £150 (and thats £50 more than I really have if I'm honest)

[whisper's mum]

You'd get a Thorowgood for that budget on eBay or Preloved, and they do a hiwither design, but there's still no guarantee it would fit. 

[whisper's mum]

There is a Heather designed Thorowgood on the for sale board here. It will be an older one and the fittings were narrower then, so the Medium will be narrower than a medium now. 

[Cloud_cirrus]

You would be very lucky to get a Saddle Company for that budget, you would get a Thorowgood though and they do have a high wither model.  I have two listed on Ebay at the minute and am happy to compare a wither template to them to tell you if they may be suitable.

[Gixer]

I must remember to dig out a metal coat hanger!

[Gixer]

Right Going to be sensible and take all advice on board, after our excellent schooling sessino on Tues is bloody obvious this lad has a sensitive back and I need to treat that as gold!
So I'm selling everything I possibly can (anyone fancy a 1 of a kind handmade handbag? lol) and doing some car boots to raise as much as possible so I can get the saddler our and get him fitted out properly

[Peaches]

Sounds a really good, albeit hard, plan Viv 

Do remember though that the key here is getting it fitted right. Don't feel you have to spend ££££££ on *expensive* saddles as that may not be the case. The thorowgoods and wintecs may do just the job, and as long as you can ride okay in them and they fit the horse, there's nothing wrong with that at all. If they don't, there's many saddles out there second hand that hopefully the fitter could find something at a reasonable price to work. Also speak to your saddler about the possibility of fitting something a touch wide in conjunction with a pad or something, which would give you a bit more time in the saddle before you have to start searching all over again as his shape changes. The saddler may feel that isn't appropriate for the horse at this stage, but it's worth asking 

Being a tb shape, you have much more chance of finding something on a budget as it's what saddles for years have been designed for. Good luck