This month’s Success Story features Cindy Sanders and her horse Dane.  Cindy was looking for a dressage saddle for Dane; he’s a big boy, a rehab case, and built very uphill.

She’d tried several different saddles, but they all sat pommel-high, and Dane wasn’t a happy guy – Cindy described his canter as “cantankerous.”  Cindy’s also quite petite, and small rider on large horse adds another dimension into the saddle fitting equation.

We sent Cindy and Dane a used 17″ wide tree high head Albion SLK .  The high head dealt well with his big wither, and it had a very thick rear gusset, which balanced the saddle and kept it from sitting pommel-high.  Things looked pretty good from the first time Cindy put the saddle on Dane’s back, and a few days later, she told me, “I’ve been able to ride Dane in the Albion enough to make a decision. I believe it is a good match for both of us. He’s not protesting to trot sitting nor canter departs. I am comfortable in it, as well.”

She very kindly posted on the Ultimate Dressage Bulletin Board:  “Great eye, great call. We’re a very happy pair.  Thank you!” and included the following photos – which truly are worth a thousand words!

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