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Greetings!
The leaves have fallen, and the furnace is running. There are so many different jackets and coats in my truck, it looks like I live there!
With the colder weather, remember to take a little extra time warming up your horse for your rides or yourself if you are active outdoors.
Special thanks to everyone who wrote in with suggestions for articles. Keep them coming!
Thanks!
Robyn |
Navigating the Labyrinth of
Saddle Fit and Pads
 The MOST unpleasant part of my job is having to tell someone that their saddle is causing pain in their horse's back or shoulders. Saddles are expensive, and I hate to have to be the bearer of bad news.
Saddle fit is one of the most important components to your horse's comfort and performance.
The horse, like any athlete, cannot reach her performance potential with something bruising or pinching her back with every step.
Most saddles have trees. The tree a is fixed framework, usually inflexible, made of wood or composite, around which the saddle is built. Your horse's back moves fluidly, and your pelvis, hips, and back are also fluid in movement. Between you and the horse lies an immovable tree. Because of the tree, that acts as a brace, you are separated from the horse. It is critical that this "brace" fit correctly and that it is as neutral as possible for both horse and rider.
Poor saddle fit can cause the rider to struggle for balance and comfort, and can cause terrible problems for your horse's biomechanics. For example, if the saddle is causing muscular pain, atrophy, and bruising, your horse will probably misbehave, but he may also begin twisting his hocks as a way to disperse the power of the hind legs before it comes up through the painful back. The hock twisting will contribute to arthritis, and muscle atrophy in the croup.
As a therapist, I can tell you if your saddle is a problem, but you really need a master saddler or master saddle fitter to assess the saddle and the horse. The saddle fitter should come to your barn to assess the saddle, the horse, and the rider - together.
If you're lucky, a change in the flocking will suffice. Some trees can be adjusted, but you may need to change saddles all together.
Padding is not an answer, but should be seen as a short-term compromise until the saddle can either be adjusted or changed.
My favorite pads for intermediary issues is the Mattes Correction Pad. This pad comes with shims, and can reduce the pressure points caused by many saddle fit problems. The fleece is very comfortable for the back, and can be helpful if you're trying to rebuild atrophied back muscles.
Also keep in mind that fluctuations in weight, growth spurts, or seasonal changes may effect your horse's shape which will impact the fit of your saddle.
I ride with a natural fleece pad all the time - it is not for any correction, just for my mare's comfort.
I am happy to put you in touch with local saddle fitters. Email me if you're interested in a referral.
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Book Review
The Horse's Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book
by Joyce Harman, DVM, MRCVS
"Ensure Soundness and Comfort with Back Analysis and Correct Use of Saddles and Pads"
Everything you ever wanted to know about saddle-fit and more!
If you found my blurb above intriguing, and suspect that you might have a saddle-fit issue, the next step for all you do-it-yourself-ers (or if you're just a horse-issue wonk), is this book.
This is an extremely thorough, easy-to-read text. It is written for the layman, and explains all the aspects of the saddle's effect on horse and rider.
It is filled with photos and diagrams, and easy-to-follow instructions for assessing your saddle, your horse's back, and your saddle pads.
In this book you will find the following subjects:
Evaluating Saddle Problems,
Facets of Saddle Construction,
Correct Fit and Position on the Horse,
Stabilizing Rider Balance and Seat,
Sensible Use of Pads and Shims,
Measuring the Horse's Back,
Accommodating Multiple Horses,
Fitting Challenging Conformation Types,
Finding a Saddle,
Caring for the Horse's Back.
If you are going to use a Master Saddler or Master Saddle Fitter, please keep in mind that there are many different schools of thought on the finer aspects of saddle fit and construction. Regardless of all of our words, books, and ideas, keep in mind that the horse gets the final word on the saddle. If the saddle fits theoretically perfectly, but the horse is unhappy - the horse is right.
I use this book as a reference text, and find myself going back to it over and over.
I hope you enjoy the book. I did!
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