Phoenix Vogue - tipping backwards

[smokeysbandit]

Hi everyone!

I have a Phoenix Vogue, bought new and fitted nearly 4 years ago for my clydesdale.  It is fabulous, I noticed a difference in him straight away, striding out lovely without his rather large shoulders being inhibited in any way!  And anyone who rides in it loves it too!!!

When it was first fitted, I needed a front riser to to atrophy at the withers.   As soon as this was sorted I removed it and happily used the saddle with just a high wither saddlecloth for ages.

Then I noticed, especially on fun rides, my horse seemed unhappy when I went to get off.  My instructor thought maybe the stirrup bars were touching him as weight was placed in them to dismount?  I dont know, but anyway, I bought a full HM pad to go underneath, and this seemed to make him happy.

However, now my instructor says it is tipping backwards? 

I cannot find a "rear" riser on the EE shop website. So is there such a thing, or does my saddle need to go off to have adjustments made?

[Lee]

Hello and welcome to EE.   

Can you post any photos of the saddle on the horse without you and of you riding in it?  People in the know will find it much easier to make suggestions if they can see the problem.

Lee

[smokeysbandit]

I dont have any, but can get some.  Will write it on my list of things to remember to do!!!  He isnt being ridden this week due to him having some steroid injections tomorrow, but will do as soon as I get back on.

TBH, I dont notice it, but I am rubbish with this sort of thing.  My instructor has the most amazing knack/feeling for this sort of thing (she loves the saddle too!).

I will remember!!!!   

[Heather]

Agree with Lee  but can you also post some of him without the saddle, one whole horse, side on, and one either side of the saddle region, close up. 

[smokeysbandit]

Ok!  This is him without a saddle



And close up on both sides





With the saddle (all that is underneath is a not slip jelly thing and a high wither saddle cloth)



SOrry, he took a bow on this one!!



and with me on



If it helps - he is 17.2 and a full bred clydesdale.  I am 5'8" and weigh about 11stone (depending upon how many cakes I ate that day!  )

Any help appreciated

[winnieandben]

I thought I had posted on here but its disappeared 

Lovely horse 

It does appear to be tipping back and puting too much weight under the cantle.  I only ever had to shim the front of my fhoenix so not sure what risers work for the back.  You can also get wedge panels but again dont know, sure one of the fitters will help though 

[smokeysbandit]

Thank you, he is my (not so) little angel    The epitomy of a gentle giant, he has had 5 year olds ride him unaided bless him.

I am glad someone else can see it (I sure cant! ) but I have already admitted that I am completely rubbish at this sort of thing!  Hope someone can help 

[yvonnemzz]

If it's any help - I use a Lemieux half sheepskin pad under my saddles. The beauty of these is that you can shim either the back or front as they have 'pockets' for shims either side, front and back. Very flexible if you quickly want to adjust them for other horses etc without having to alter the saddle itself.
 This saddle does appear to be on a slight slope and would be more correct if it was sitting level.

[Stormypatch]

I've got a griffin nuumed shimmable saddlepad for mine, which is similar as you can shim either the front or the back and left or right side or both. Very useful, although I would have preferred the shims to be slightly thicker.

Aerborn also do a shimmable pad, but I've seen one and thought the sims were a little too thick!

[smokeysbandit]

So there's nothing to be done with the saddle itself?  I just need to find something that will take some kind of shim at the back?

[yvonnemzz]

My Vogue came with an alternative pair of panels that replace the main body under the saddle. These are held in place in the velcro'd pockets either side of the gullet. I believe that this can make the saddle easier to fit depending on whether if is a flat backed horse or a very narrow one with possible high withers or atrophy. Heather could probably explain this better. But apart from this, they are pretty universal so often only need a slight adjustment that can be made with a shimmable saddle cloth.