8(and yes, I’m warning you - these are controversial!)
Myths of Saddle Fitting Methods
I have often heard riders say, “I have been using my saddle for x number of years. It fits me
perfectly and fits every horse I use. Never had to get it fitted.” I have to really bite my tongue
on that one but usually just manage to smile and say. “Lucky you”. Most people do not realize
the possible damage they may be doing to themselves and their horses, but the fact is that
there are still saddles on the market that actually inhibit the development of the horse, and
as such – they may actually be right. Their saddles may still fit the same as it did when they
first bought it. But, the analogy here is sort of like the Chinese custom of binding the feet so
that they will not grow. Doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do…(tradition aside!) Fitting the
saddle properly should have less to do with opinion and more to do with science and the laws
of nature. There was a time when people argued and swore that the earth was flat – there are
still people who would argue that there is no physical difference between the male and female
pelvis when it comes to saddles! (Scary – and some of these are even equine professionals!)
Story & Photos By
Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSE, CSFT
©2020 Saddlefit 4 Life™
All Rights Reserved
There are several
major problems
arising in today’s modern saddle construction, because of
the fact that:
a) People are getting heavier (larger)
b) There more horse owners than horse’men’ (and women)
around now (which means much of the inherent knowledge
about horse husbandry may have been lost)
c) Horse’s saddle support area is getting smaller (horses are
being bred with shorter backs which leaves a smaller area
for the saddle)
d) The structure of saddle trees and saddle panels have
deviated from proper function. The side rails of the saddle
trees are too narrow for proper weight bearing surface
area, and the panels are generally much too soft to afford
any real support to the too narrow rails. Panels need to be
firm for support.
All of these challenges work together to result in more and
more back issues – for both horse and rider!
Let me explain my theory on this, and please recognize
that my ‘opinion’ on this has been substantiated with the
use of various diagnostic tools, as well as being supported
by the simple fact that the horse will change in conformation
as it matures; especially at ages 3, 5 and 8. It would be
doing the animal a huge disservice and potentially causing
unnecessary pain and long term back damage to not
to have the saddle adjusted to ensure continued health,
comfort and performance, which is why we recommend
at least annual checkups for saddle fit. Dr. Joyce Harman
in her book “The Horse’s Pain Free Back and Saddle Fit
Book” actually states at one point that, depending on the
discipline, saddle model, and riding style that adjustments
may need to be made as often as monthly! (although
once a year is pretty much the minimum requirement for
most saddles).
The most common dilemma in saddle fit seems to be
whether the saddle needs to fit the horse first or the rider.
The short answer is that the saddle needs to fit the rider first,
and here is why. Colonel Alois Podhajky, the director of the
Spanish Riding School in Vienna from 1939-1964 states, “It
is of the utmost importance not to cause the rider any discomfort.
With a cramped posture it is impossible to achieve
a pliable seat. Without a pliable seat it is not possible to
achieve oscillation in a horse’s back. And if its back cannot
oscillate, the horse will suffer pain and will not be able to
collect”. The point? The saddle has to fit the rider as well as
the horse. Which means, among other things – the saddle
has to be gender appropriate.
TRAINING & Showing
Now let’s look at the various methods that the saddle is
then fitted to the horse.
Fit #1 - The Clothespin Fit. Seen in Jumping, Dressage, but mostly for Polo
This type of fit is often seen in polo saddles, where the
saddle actually is designed to ‘lock’ onto the spinal processes.
Polo ponies often have atrophied back muscles,
and usually 6-8 ponies are used in a game because they
simply are in too much pain and not strong enough to
continue. They have too little musculature to compensate.
The saddles with this type of fit will put excess pressure
on the multifidus muscles and spinal nerves, which is
what leads to muscle atrophy in the back.
Some saddle manufacturers and their trained saddle fitters
still maintain that a saddle is fine with a relatively (1-2
fingers) narrow channel. The tree is often too long and flat
(resting on the shoulder cartilage and lumbar area) and
sits with minimal weight bearing surface on the longissimus
muscle. In this scenario, the saddle barely moves
because it is ‘clamped’ on the spine (other than perhaps
to twist during motion as it is ‘kicked back’ by the bigger
shoulder.) This saddle actually rarely does need to be adjusted
because bone structure, cartilage 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 to develop a proper topline with
a saddle that fits like this. The saddle doesn’t need to be
refitted as no development happens.
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