The saddle I have been using on Geisli has got to go-it fits neither of us. So I pulled out my Wintec CAIR dressage saddle to see if adjusting the gullet would help. I thought that it had the wide gullet plate when I tried it on him, but it had the medium. No surprise it just perched on him with that. Using the wintect measuring device, it indicated that he needed the medium wide, which I had. I changed the gullet plate over to the medium wide. Here's the situation-it fits him much better at the withers and down the panels in the front. I think he has lost some muscling along the topline as he isn't as level as I remember-probably from lack of work and the other saddle being too wide. It sits low in the back. When I sit in the saddle, there is about a finger's breadth between the saddle and spine.
There are 3 things I think I can do until I can get a saddle fitter to look at it. I do think if some flocking was added it would raise it up enough-not sure what that will do to the seat for me though. I don't need to be encouraged to sit on my crotch more than I tend to do ;) The info with the saddle says that flocking can be added to adjust the saddle. The air bladders cannot be modified with more or less air but the saddle has points where flocking can be inserted between the seat and air bladder. I can use a riser pad. I know this is not a long term solution. If I do that, any suggestions on what would be kindest to his back? Use it the way it is, since it isn't touching his back. Watch for signs of any discomfort. Don't use it at all, which presents me with what shall I use. There is a saddle fitter coming to my area in May-it seems like a long way off. Suggestions? Thanks. CJ
