Posted 2011-10-05 11:36 AM (#138070) Subject: Henry Miller Saddle fitment input needed!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: Ohio
Hey everyone! I just picked up a nice Henry Miller plantation saddle for my walker/rocky cross. I bought a 19" saddle (17" western) which is a little big for me, but I like a little larger than needed saddle. I was riding in an 18" aussie (16" western) and loved it, but my horse has grown out of it. She's just 5 years old. I'm in need of opinons on fitment as I am unfamiliar with the miller saddles and how they're supposed to fit. My concern is that this saddle is too long? I don't want it to bridge or put too much weight on her loins. I'm 6ft and about 185. My horse is 15hh and right under 1000 lbs (per vet weight tape). I know how aussies should fit, but have gotten rusty on western fitting and especially miller fitting. I have included a picture. Thanks in advance!
Posted 2011-10-05 7:13 PM (#138079 - in reply to #138070) Subject: RE: Henry Miller Saddle fitment input needed!
Location: KY
Looks like it fits fine. How does it ride? How does your horse act with it? Only thing left to do is check sweat pattern after riding. Best of luck with your new saddle, it is very nice looking (and your horse is too)
Posted 2011-10-05 7:47 PM (#138080 - in reply to #138070) Subject: RE: Henry Miller Saddle fitment input needed!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: Ohio
I added a pic of her sweat pattern under the same link. She seems okay in it but I haven't ridden more than about 45 continuous minutes in it. She gaits well but she gaited well in the bad fitting aussie...she is a horse that really doesn't show much pain. She wasn't fighting me with saddling or riding..
I'm just a bit paranoid with it I think. Thanks for your input and compliments on my girl :)
Posted 2011-10-13 7:19 AM (#138274 - in reply to #138070) Subject: RE: Henry Miller Saddle fitment input needed!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: Ohio
Just as an update, I sold the Miller. Loved the saddle, hated the fitment on my horse. It actually was a 21" saddle and not a 19 like I originally thought. She ended up getting a welt on one side of her back and it was bridging quite severely.
I ended up with a Paso Fino Saddle from the maker H W Kurth out of Georgia. The local tack shop had one on consignment, I took it home to try and it fit her like a glove. Its a very nice saddle. Link:
Posted 2011-10-18 12:55 AM (#138348 - in reply to #138070) Subject: RE: Henry Miller Saddle fitment input needed!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610
Location: Northern CA
I was gonna say, "yes, that saddle is too long for your horses back." (Henri Miller saddle)If you look back at the sweat patterns, The sweat marks show that the saddle was well beyond her shoulder (scapula)which means it was riding on top of her scapula. The front of the saddle should fit just behind the horses scapula.