T
here are many opinions and theories on
saddle fitting. Occasionally we have
even heard riders say “I have been using
my saddle for x number of years. It fits me
perfectly and fits every horse I use.” I have to
really bite my tongue on that one but usually
just manage to smile and say. “Lucky you”.
Some people are unfortunately just not open
to being educated on the facts that have been
substantiated in recent years through MRIs,
thermography, and fibreoptic cameras, and do
not realize the possible damage they are doing
to themselves and their horses. I am going
to deal with two main theories on how to fit
saddles properly, but there are probably several
other variations on this theme.
Many saddle manufacturers and their trained saddle fitters maintain
that a saddle should have a narrow channel, therefore sitting on the
spinal processes and ligaments. The tree is long and flat (resting on
the shoulder and lumbar area) and sits with minimal weight bearing
surface on the musculature. In this scenario, the saddle barely
moves because it is sitting on the spine (other than perhaps to twist
during motion as it is ‘kicked back’ by the bigger shoulder – but this
will be addressed in a future blog). This saddle rarely does need to
be adjusted because bone structure and ligaments do not adapt
and change their conformation through training like muscles do
– and the muscles really won’t change much because the horse
simply is not able to use his muscles properly with a saddle that fits
like this. Often people will say “my saddle always fits” or “my saddle
fits any horse”. They are semi-right, because one advantage to this
is that they do not have to have a saddle fit or modified. The horse
doesn’t really change.
The disadvantage with this is the spine and ligaments will not tolerate
prolonged compression and the horse’s back movement is restricted.
To protect the shoulder, lumbar and spine, the horse will get
tighter and tighter in its back (especially in the lumbar area), which
leads to cramping in the gluteus maximus muscle. The horse will then
develop a dip in front of its SI and the glutes will seize up. Between
the SI joint and the tail, the gluteus will become atrophied (see image
below). The front end of the horse will then push down the base
of his neck and will ‘break’ over C3 in order to get on the bit. At
this point it will become difficult for the rider to get the horse supple
through the poll and have his highest point at the poll and not at C3.
In complete opposition, the other theory (the one we like!) is for the
saddle to stay off the spine, lumbar vertebrae, and shoulders – while
maximizing the surface area the saddle sits on. The saddle support
area is on the weight bearing longissimus dorsi (long back muscle).
The advantage to having the saddle on the saddle support area
muscle is to stay away from the reflex points that create negative
behaviour or negative conformation and health issues. Staying off
the spine, lumbar area and shoulder keeps the back muscles loose
and supple. Your horse can then articulate through the SI joint, and
use his haunches better by stretching his gluteus maximus and ham-
Divergent Theories
On Saddle Fitting
Checking shoulder angle
Saddle support area
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