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It does help if a mounting block is used for the rider to get
on the horse – but it`s not about the weight; the rule is that
the higher the mounting block, the less torque and strain
for saddle and horse.
We talk a lot about making sure the saddle fits the horse,
but there are some ways to make sure the human fits the
saddle. This will only happen if the saddle is made under
consideration of the human’s anatomy. Male/female; leg
length, leg position (hip articulation), hip circumference,
weight – these are all variables that need to be considered
when the saddle is built. Obviously, a balanced rider has a
better chance of not impacting the horse negatively.
Almost more important is truly that the saddle is then
adjusted to the horse and its needs are taken into consideration!
You need to ensure that the gullet gives the
horse enough room all around the withers, so that when
the horse is in motion and the muscles begin to ‘grow’
(contract and expand) the saddle doesn’t pinch. The
tree points need to have the same angle as the shoulder
to allow freedom of movement here as well (think ‘sliding
doors’) and not injure the horse by chipping off the sensitive
www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com 53
shoulder cartilage.
We have all seen horrifying pictures of people riding in
saddles that are way too small for them. This will cause
damage not only to the horse, but also to the rider. Horse
damage can include lameness, sacro-iliac subluxations,
vertebrae damage, pinching of nerves along the spinal
column and behavioural issues that result from these painful
results such as bucking, stumbling, and refusing to work.
Human damage can include slipped discs, constant
backaches, recurring bladder infections, impotence, and
hip
damage to the point of requiring hip replacement.
The best analogy of what happens when a saddle is too
tight – you will get a blood blister faster on the heel with
too tight shoes than if you wore shoes that are too big. If
a heavier rider sits in a saddle which is too small, the rider
has no chance for a pliable seat and therefore doubles her
natural weight. She is not able to swing through her back
nor harmonize with the swinging of the horse`s back.
Considering the 9 points of saddle fit, saddle length is
critical, as is tree width (not to be mistaken with tree angle).
Heavier riders will need softer padding in their panels and
sometimes even additional saddle pads (as long as the
tree is wide enough to accommodate this extra padding.)
Seat size and full panel contact are also important.
The heavier the rider – the more of an issue it will be if the
saddle bridges. There needs to be accommodation for
some ability for the saddle to `rock` with banana-shaped
stuffed panels to take care of the extra weight of the rider
to avoid digging into the loins or shoulder if the panel is too
straight.
Let’s remember that horses were not meant to be ridden
– we have forced this on them. It is crucial to ensure proper
saddle fit to maintain their back health, and it is crucial to
ensure the correct saddle for the rider to assist in this. People
need to understand that saddles will need to be fitted
on a regular basis because due to this unnatural activity
and weight on the animal`s back the horse`s conformation
will change – and the heavier the rider, the more often the
saddle will need to be refitted to the constant change in
the shape of the horse`s back.
Introducing our newest saddle
5* FEI Judge, Past USEF Coach, Olympic Caliber Trainer
Fit is Everything.
Schleese proudly introduces
our Bi-NateLine of saddles.
• lighter saddle with soft ride seat
• light weight, pattented AdapTree™
• improved comfort
• a closer connection with horse
• lowest pressure distribution
on the horse’s back with our
new revolutionary PSI panel
Try our Bi-NateLine™
for yourself and feel the
difference Schleese makes!
saddlesforwomen.com
info@schleese.com I 800.225.2242
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
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