This message is from: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Just my $0.02 here...
I don't think that there is any reason that a saddle should slide forward onto the withers, even if the horse is mutton withered. I've had wide backed Appys with great withers, and now a fjord mare with essentially no withers. My experience with my Appys has been that if the saddle isn't wide enough, then the saddle will creep forward. I take that as a sign that the tree isn't wide enough. Period. Getting a tree that is wide enough for my Fjord mare was a challenge, so after a 10 day trial I ordered a new Bob Marshall Sports Saddle (no tree). During the trial I rode up and down hills, and it stayed put. For English saddles, check out the Duett Saddle website (http://www.duettsaddles.com/horses.htm) . Most of the Fjords are in 38cm trees! Now as to saddle slipping from side to side on a barrel shaped horse, that's another story! The recommendation for the Bob Marshall (and presumably other treeless saddles) is to always use an english type breastplate. I've also found that 1" foam (the inexpensive kind at fabric stores) works great, as does the anti slip rubber that goes under rugs (ditto the rubber shelf liner). Happy Trails from Eileen in eastern WA, hoping to get my new Bob Marshall soon!
