The areas marked in
white on the horse’s
back are the saddle
support areas, which
essentially the position
of the longissimus
muscles.Your
horse will tell you
if he’s comfortable
– as the rider you
will feel whether he
responds readily to
your aids, or seems
resistant because
something may be
‘off’.
EE
7. 8.
www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com 59
From this horizontal line feel downward
where the longissimus ends
and inserts into the intercostals (rib
muscles). There will be more or less
distinct indentation here. Draw a
parallel horizontal line here as well
from the 2nd to the 4th vertical lines
(there will be about 4 inches of space
between these 2 lines).
Go down 4 inches
from the top of
the 2nd line and
draw a diagonal
line to connect
the 2nd and 3rd
lines back to the
base of the withers,
then back to
the top of the
2nd line. This
triangle is the area where there should be absolutely no
contact. The trapezius, the rhomboid and the spinalis all
insert under this region as well as the nuchal and dorsal
ligament system, with all the accompanying nerve ends.
This is the most sensitive area of the withers (where the
stallion bites the mare to immobilize her during mating).
9.
For your own visible information draw red chalk
X’s where the saddle and girth should not lie:
- Between the 1st and 2nd vertical chalk lines
- Between the 4th and 5th vertical chalk lines
- In the sensitive area of the withers
- Above the 1st horizontal line on the horse’s
back/ spine
- The girth buckles should avoid the area of the
edge of the pectorals and the latissimus at the
elbow, and at the sides of the horse
Author of ‘Suffering in Silence - The Saddle-Fit Link to Physical and Psychological
Trauma in Horses’ (2013) Jochen Schleese established Saddlefit 4 Life in 2006 to
teach riders and professionals to recognize and find solutions for saddle fit issues
through lectures and seminars worldwide.We help you find answers in personal 80
point Saddle Fit Evaluation. http://www.Saddlefit4life.com http://www.SaddlesforWomen.
com 800-225-2242
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
/www.Saddlefit4life.com