Does anyone have an Arab with hollow back and which saddle do you use?
She is 18 and semi-retired. Just used for hacking every now and then. She has spavin also which effects her back.
She is currently getting used with a Wintec 500 which has been fab for the time I've had it but think might be better moving to something else now her back is hollowing. She gets regular physio.
I would go for a balance saddle, because you can add pads to fill out the dip, or you could use a specialised saddle again it can be fitted to the exact shape of you horse. Both options aren't cheap, but if your horse is happy that is what counts
We have a lovely cob on our yard that has a sway back and after much research by very careful owner he has a Wow as they built the saddle around a tree made for him. Again not cheap
Just thinking, you can get saddle pads that you put shims in, never seem one but I think they have 3 compartments along the saddle bit? It would cost a lot less than the other options.
Just thinking, you can get saddle pads that you put shims in, never seem one but I think they have 3 compartments along the saddle bit? It would cost a lot less than the other options.
Was also going to suggest this-they don't come cheap but certainly cheaper than a special saddle,especially since she's oldish and semi retired.
Salad had a dipped back which was worse when we got him due to lack of back muscle, in fact he was lacking in most of his muscles. He now has muscled up and has good back muscle but back still dips a bit. In desperation after we could not find a treed saddle that would fit we ended up with a treeless ansur classic off ebay and it has worked well for him. Treeless saddles are rather like marmite though and not all horses or riders like them. Tried several other treeless makes but some were rejected by Salad who is quite opinionated, and some we didn't like. With treeless definitely try before you buy. Good luck in finding a saddle.
I use the nuumed shim pad numnah as Arabi had some muscle wastage behind the shoulder and his back is slightly dipped, you will need the saddle to be wider to allow for the shims and some saddle makes don't suit dipped backs you need one with a more curved tree, but I can highly recommend the shim pads they have done a great job replacing the lost muscle yet still allowing the muscle to come back I think hey are about £80 so not too bad they are real wool.
Hollow Back - Saddle
Posted - 16 Sep 2014 : 12:45:00 PM
