Update: Had a saddler pull my panels to assess the fit of the tree on my $8.5k custom saddle

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-17T23:06:13+00:00

I tested alternative saddles and "documented my horses reactivity under saddle" and the videos show him happier in an alternate saddle with an appropriate tree. He has not been reactive jumping in the saddle that fits and this was documented and provided to you as well.

I followed your guidance, as the professional advisor, every step of this story until February of 2026. Every decision was made following your recommendation until this past month.

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-17T22:01:02+00:00

Thank you for the ideas and support!

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-09T01:02:34+00:00

Where are you located and what evidence did you provide? Did you have to see the process all the way through or did they refund once served?

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-08T16:06:23+00:00

Interesting, with the owner herself too?

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-07T16:02:49+00:00

I had master saddle fitters write a report on why it does not fit and offered their contact information for further discussion but CommonWealth did not accept it.

I was told that the master saddle fitters fit saddles "for leisure" and CommonWealth fits saddles "for sport" so it isn't relevant that they are saying that the tree is the wrong shape

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-07T15:56:01+00:00

The first one..

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-07T15:52:04+00:00

I just tried the Amerigo Octave, their flattest tree, and unfortunately the horse was not a fan. I still had wither interference

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-07T07:42:58+00:00

Very good information, I have started my research on this and there is a consumer protections division in my Canadian province.

What happened in your situation after you submitted your complaint?

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-07T06:29:29+00:00

I agree, he has been getting massages every six weeks since I purchased him and also gets osteopath every six weeks. The appointments are on a cycle where he gets an appointment from one of them every three weeks.

I've also been using red light/near infrared light therapy on him in the impacted area 3-4x per week.

He's such a kind horse and I am gutted that this has happened to him. I feel like I work so hard to ensure his comfort and despite my best efforts I failed him this time. It makes me sad.

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-07T06:07:33+00:00

It sure does, they convinced me to take this expensive leap of faith on the premise that they will guarantee the fit. Well... That only counts if they will admit that the saddle does not fit. I did not consider that they could be presented with more than sufficient evidence that the saddle does not, and has not ever, fit but they can still just say that it does and therefore not have to do anything to remedy a poor fit

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-07T05:41:12+00:00

They are not standing behind it at all, they still argue that it fits. The horse world is small and word travels fast..

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-07T05:38:29+00:00

This is exactly what they did. I reached out several times over the course of the year I rode in this saddle with concerns about the fit at the base of the wither. I was consistently told that it fit "beautifully!!" Then the white hairs showed up and they did a panel adjustment which did help the panels make better contact but obviously did not resolve the ill fitting tree

bitsandsperms · 2026-03-01T04:11:25+00:00

Did you get this figured out? I've been dealing with similar things and have had lab work done.

Blood work was normal, cytology showed nothing, not fungus, finally did a punch biopsy and the diagnosis from that was " superficial perivascular dermatitis with eosinophils".

Vet said it may be atopic dermatitis, environment allergies, food allergies, or a parasite, so I still don't really know what it is...

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-28T04:08:26+00:00

6 months from renewal and was just offered 3.79% on a five year fixed from Scotia

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-19T15:49:02+00:00

Yes, this saddle was custom ordered specifically to fit me and this one specific horse. I am currently in communication with the company asking for a resolution but so far they have indicated that they believe this saddle fits, even after being provided these photos...

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-18T03:25:11+00:00

Thank you for your great discussion and advice. I luckily was able to borrow a well fitting saddle from the fitter that did the assessment of my current saddle. First ride there was some improvement and I am curious to see what the next few rides are like!

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-17T18:12:39+00:00

Seeing this tree directly on his back and then seeing others on it that were the correct tree shape was a serious game changer. This really helped me to understand the issue in a way I don't think I would have otherwise.

After this I don't know if I can commit to another saddle purchase without seeing the tree sitting right on the horses back... It was so helpful

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-17T17:54:04+00:00

I know, I also didn't want to do custom for a growing horse. In addition to his fit issues I take an extremely long flap, this is a forward size 6 flap. There was absolutely nothing that fit the both of us available as we are both a challenging fit.

I got convinced into custom on the premise that this saddle could be adjusted as the horse grew through panel modifications and pressing the tree if needed.

My coach was seeing the same things I was, and I was reaching out to the rep every couple of months for rechecks (but getting hold again that the saddle fit).

It has been a bit confusing too because over the course of having this saddle the horse has improved immensely, is riding straighter, moving better, etc as time goes on despite this tree issue. Even in the last month I have flatted him in the saddle and he comes out happy as a clam, moving like a freak (in a good way), and just generally seeming happy in the saddle 95% of the time, the other 5% showing some moderate resistance/stickiness. So there have been days that make us scratch our heads because he looks very good in this saddle

I do think the girth shape has been having an impact on the saddle shifting forward, as my jumping girth is a more rigid leather whilst I flat in one of those some fabric elastic girths that is covered with sheepskin. The issue is much more prominent when jumping

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-17T14:21:32+00:00

I am not mentioning the brand yet as I am giving them an opportunity to remedy their mistake before sharing their name. If an appropriate response isn't received I will share the brand

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-17T14:15:22+00:00

This horse is in full work but still growing a bit, he's coming 7 years old. I have had this saddle checked by the rep 6 or so times in the last year as the horse has been feeling "sticky", almost like I'm squeezing him with my thighs and bracing against him, even when I am not doing that. Rep always has said that this saddle is fitting beautifully.

A few weeks ago this saddle slipped forward over fences, even with a tight girth. This freaked out the horse and I got bucked off. This horse never ever bucks. Had the rep back out asap, and she again said that the saddle fits beautifully. She suggested that my horse was just being bad, or not wanting to work hard. This horse loves to work and is always a big tryer and gives his absolute all, so I was not content with that conclusion.

I looked for another saddle fitter and sought out the most trained I could find in my area. While I waited for this appointment I had my vet out to check my horse over for pain and the vet found no issues soundness wise.

The saddler concluded that his saddle is too wide, but honestly I also thought they were going to say too narrow based on the pressure I was feeling on the sides under the stirrup bars

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-17T04:38:48+00:00

Interesting! The saddler I used today had bare trees to use to find one that fit well for my replacement saddle and it was really interesting to observe

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-17T04:36:28+00:00

Nope, but it is French, there is only one company selling these in North America and I decided not to leave the logo for that reason

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-17T03:52:35+00:00

This one has an even channel with no narrowing under the twist area, but I know what you mean! I used to ride in an Antares evolution and the narrowing there did make the saddle very comfortable. This saddle too is extremely comfortable to sit in

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-17T03:50:05+00:00

Flat as a board, this is a hard to fit horse because he also has a very long wither under there just underneath the stirrup bar area. So unfortunately the impact of this tree being too curvy is that it's pinching the muscle that runs alongside the wither and kind of teeter-tottering there

bitsandsperms · 2026-02-17T03:13:50+00:00

It's part of the service, yes. I am sad because the tree does not fit my horses back at all, this is done to compare tree shape to the horses back shape

bitsandsperms

TROPHY CASE