I have a four year old Perch/TB that I do walk/trot only on. Recently, over the past week, I have noticed she is getting an indent where the saddle sits behind the withers. I was told that she was probably going through a growth spurt. It doesn't seem to cause her pain at all. She is not skinny and the saddle fits her fine. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this normal for drafts? I am just trying to get some incite before I contact the vet. Any thoughts?

Thanks

I also have an almost 5 yr. old perch/TB gelding and at about 4, he suddenly outgrew his saddle. I had to get an extra wide tree and it seemed like it happened over night! Is the dent on her spine or alongside her withers? Can you get a picture?

Thanks Dana!

All the more reason Cody and Bella are related! How funny even the same growth issues.

The indent is not on the spine but alongside the withers. I did notice the saddle I was using doesn't fit her correctly as the pummel is very close to sitting on the withers. So I guess it is time for a new saddle!

Dang Perchs, why do they have to grow so much!

Yep, Oh, I remember! I knew he outgrew his saddle because suddenly he had white hair below his withers and along the sides of his spine. I felt so bad! He never acted like it hurt

I got a Thornhill Berlin extra wide for about $800 and I'm glad I went with the extra wide because he would've grown out of the wide in no time. I love my new saddle, my first ever
really "new" one

You can't really see the saddle well but here we are last week. Hard to believe he'll be 5 in a couple weeks! How big is Bella now? Any new, under saddle pictures?

That is a beautiful horse!

...reminds me of so many gorgeous horses I've seen during my trips to Kentucky.

Thanks! Not to hijack your thread, Nikki!!

He does have some TB in there

Now I have to post a recent picture of Bella so I can get my thread back!

Cody is very beautiful. He looks like he still has a baby face in that picture. Bella is not as big as Cody and I hope she doesn't get that big! Right now she is about 16 or 16.1 and about 1200 lbs. She is on the thin side but she is more on the petite side. I think she got more TB genes.

I will get some new pictures on Friday. Maybe I can start some sibling rivalry!

ok, so I am terrible at taking pictures. I take my camera, but I'm so engrossed in riding I forget about the camers. Anyway, these were taken in April. I will try to get some under saddle. Let me know what you think!

Bella is so beautiful and what a kind face!