Ok, I need some opinions. I'm sure some of you know that I have had a HORRIBLE time trying to find a saddle to fit Jack. He's low withered, wide shouldered, and very short backed. I have tried about 10 different saddles and NONE have fit right. So, looks like I am going to have to go the custom route because I can't afford to keep buying saddles that might fit.

Jack is still doing awesome, but obviously the saddles I have available to use don't fit and are undoubtedly causing him some discomfort. In the last month I've seen a few signs of him developing a negative association because it's uncomfortable, but I won't be able to get the new saddle until after Christmas.

I don't want to stop his training in the middle of it, I'd have to start over again when I get a new saddle, but I refuse to cause him any more pain. I wish I'd have known how hard he'd be to fit, then I could have gotten a custom saddle before I started.

Should I invest in a nice baraback pad? It's not exactly what I want to do, I know it could confuse him a bit when I do get a saddle and he'll be accustomed to feeling my cues so clearly, and of course I wouldn't really be able to take him on the trail or anything either. He would stay in the habit of being ridden though.

I am just getting frustrated, and I guess it's a choice of the lesser of two evils until I can get my saddle. Should I try the bareback route in a controlled area, or just let him be a lawn ornament until I can get a saddle?

I did happen to find a promising saddle company that makes custom saddles for gaited horses without my having to put a lien on my truck for it,lol. It's still expensive, but not as bad as some.

Curious as to what brand saddles you have.
I have and have had multiple shaped horses and have always had the original crosby's fit them all fairly well.
Another option, while your still looking. Is to use a sheepskin halfpad-the brands that don't have any padding down the spine or Tipperary makes really good closed cell pads. Ebay of coarse for your best deals.

As I was reading this before I got fourth paragraph I was thinking "Hm..would a bareback pad work?". There are some out there that are very similar to saddles, depends on how much you want to spend.

I used to ride this horse named Hannah who had no withers...at...all! It stunk,cause the saddle would slip off her all the time. Very dangerous. So the lady who owned her got her a bareback pad from Parelli [now that is a lot of money] & she thought it was weird at first but we lunged her with it on & then got on her. She seemed to like it since she gave no fuss. But she was an 8 year old :P

But in all honesty I think you should go what you think is right for Jack.

I've tried Circly Y reiner, 2 different kinds of Aussies, Buffalo, Big Horn endurance, an ancient barrel saddle that's so old the name has worn off of the silver plate, trooper, etc...

One of the main issues is the fact that a gaited horse has to have a lot of shoulder room to be able to gait freely. A non gaited saddle isn't normally flared enough to allow the free shoulder movement and causes constriction.

I found this info. You may already have it. It looks like you are going to have to use specifically gaited saddles. The Western bars are going to be spread to wide, even though it will allow shoulder freedom they will sit to low everywhere else.
Western Saddle Fitting and Different Tree Sizes

Thanks! That's good info!
Yeah, unfortunately saddle companies are just now really getting into gaited horse saddles so there aren't as many options as w/other types. Also, the Mountain Horses(RMH/KMSH/UMH) are built a bit differently than TWH, and Paso's, which is more what most gaited trees are aimed at.

Have you ever tried a "Treeless" saddle? Everyone I know of, who has ever had a saddle problem- it ended with the treeless saddles. Both my Aunt and Uncle use them and state they will never go back to a saddle with a tree. I rode in my Uncle's western Treeless and it was definitely amazing. You could actually feel the horse's movement, instead of sitting on leather and wood.
Besides that, very comfy for the horse. Not the cheapest in the world, but there are places where you can try out their Demo saddles for a trial period to make sure it fits both you and the horse. They make all styles of Treeless. If you are interested in trying one out, I can get the information for you to get ahold of a Demo and see if it'd work for your boy.

I know a woman who owns two Icelandic horses and one Rocky Mountain horse, and she had the very same issues of finding a saddle. She did actually buy a treeless saddle and she says that all of her horses love it, and she does to. She won't even ride in a tree-d saddle anymore, I guess. Hmm...there was a site a ran across that had a wide selection of treeless saddle brands. I'll dig it up for you if I can. But, it sounds to me that even if they are more expensive, you'll probably save money in the long run rather than go through more batches of saddles. My own horse has been extremely difficult to fit--he has a tall, thin wither, a straight back, but he's very wide (he's huge, so, yeah). I've just been lucky enough that a local tackstore owner works with a saddle designer, so she's actually gone to him with my horse's problems and measurements and he created a custom saddle without the custom price (because he could keep the specifications for a separate line down the road if he wants to).

Anyway. I think a treeless saddle would probably be your best bet. Especially for gaited horses.

This is more than I'd pay, but saw it and thought you might be interested.
15 1/2" National Bridle Tennessean Trail Saddle - eBay (item 180299292177 end time Oct-22-08 18:18:39 PDT)