My new little mare

[Khabriyasmom]

I just got this little arab mare a few weeks ago. She is a bit underweight because she was off for a long time after a suspensory injury, but comming back very nicely. She is a real sweetie, and apparantly very well bred. So what do you think of her?

[Appy]

Very cute!!!!! I'm no confirmation expert, but I like her looks!

[Mary1]

I am wondering if it would be possible for you to set your saddle back a bit to give her freer use of her shoulders and neck? The tree sitting directly over the shoulder area (you can see the outline of the saddle in the picture of her standing at the fence) pinches a horse, restricts movment, and from the tiedown/martingale use, may be causing her to run off to try to escape. You look like you will be a good team.
Congrats

[Mary1]

I am thinking a good three-four inches back from where the saddle is now, but your will need to feel her shoulder blades and then set the saddle BEHIND them. Free moving shoulders move to the rear a bit when engaged. If they are pinched by the saddle, they can bunch up and round to protect themselves. It changes the look of the horse and even keeps the horse from really engaging her rear. If you need, you can then get shims to lift the front of the saddle.

[Julia]

Lovely horse, but your saddle is very forward cut, looks like what I would call a jumping saddle here in the UK. Maybe it will be hard to set it much further back, any chance of using a straighter cut saddle while she muscles up?

Good luck, Julia