Saddle Fitting Flashcards
Head high - back hollow:
Head low
When the horses head is lifted the backbone is bent thus tightening the vertebrae and sending adrenalin through the spine and into ther brain. The higher the head the more resistance and the less they will be able to run. Their cervical rhomboids become very tight, followed by tight muscles in the shoulders and the back. Muscle under the neck will begin to build up. Elevating the head not only makes the back week but takes the power out of the hind end and puts pressure on the hocks. Soon travel and turning are an issue.
Lowering the head pumps endorphins into the brain which are relaxing to the horse and very important before going into a competition.
How is your horse affected by poor saddle fit?
Stumbling ROM in front end and back end Go over muscles that are affected and how this affects horses performance. White spots Back sore when being brushed Switches tail Stumbles when being ridden Horse is becoming short strided Head up Back hollow Trouble staying in or picking up a lead Unable to bend left or right
Discuss different types of trees
- Wood covered raw hide
- Tree less
- Fibreglass
- Composite
Lets look at cinches
Do single finger on arm and flex vs 4 fingers on arm and flex (difference between wide and narrow cinch when roping)
Go over placement of cinch D ring
- a clean mohair cinch has the maximum capacity to absorb sweat
- cinch length and placement
- affected muscles -
What have you noticed that your horse does when you are saddling and/or riding him?
A sore horse is often difficult to detect. We often ignore the signs, believing the horse has developed an attitude, when in fact this change is caused by pain.
Pin his ears Throw his head Switch tail Kick or bite Yawn Lick lips Shake head Lie down Buck Shortened strides Nervousness Mentally preoccupied Manure release and farts
What are the types of saddle pads? What are their benefits and what are their problems?
Wool - wicks the moisture from the back - can be slippery - closest fit and form between the horses back and the saddle
Felt - wicks the moisture from the back - is made from wool (felted) - available in a variety of thicknesses - long lasting
Rubber backed felt pads - scalds horses back if worn too long or worn in the heat - non breathing - helps saddle to stay on horses back
Shim type saddle pads - many times shimmed in the wrong places which adds pressure between the saddle and the horses back (can increase bridging)
What does getting a custom tree and a custom saddle mean?
The objective: creating a seat that will assist the rider finding the ultimate balance that is relaxed, strong and comfortable.
Are all people built the same? How would this affect your decision on which saddle to purchase?
Go over how each saddle is affecting each rider…are they all in good position for their event?
- Custom tree to fit one horse
- custom tree to fit a group or type of horse
- custom seat to fit your size and build
- custom seat to fit a specific use or event
- custom rigging to fit the horse you ride
- custom rigging to fit the specific use
- custom style
- custom decoration (ie a brand or name on your saddle or a trophy saddle)
Lets take a look at your saddle
Check for broken or cracked tree
Check condition of the leather on stirrups, latigo, cinches etc.
Check the sheep skin - look for any lumps, bumps or nails, does the sheepskin need to be replaced
Lets look at your saddle pad
What is the wear on your saddle pad telling you?
Is it the right size for your saddle?
Is it rubbing your horses loin area?
Is it the right thickness?
Is it wore out?
Too much blanketing can cause your saddle to roll.
Does your horses back change
Yes:
from winter to summer
from young to old
just like us from rodeo season to christmas dinner.
Show shims
Discuss: Nothing is better than a good fitting saddle especially when you are doing fast paced events
Sheet Test
Go through how to do a sheet test.
Tape sheets to saddle pads (need sheets & duct tape)
Give out Optimum Equine business cards with emails for support
Traits of accomplished riders are balance, strength, comfort and relaxed in the saddle. How can you help your horse and yourself to be more competitive?
Why are jockeys tiny? Why do they have to weigh in before a race?
What do they have to do to become good? Who has watched Seabiscut?
Why do hockey players, boxers, pro cowboys work out?
Why are their practices in sports? To become familiar and good at what you do and to make what you are doing a habit! (if you practiced getting up at 5 am and making your bed first thing…soon it becomes a habit)
- condition your horse (how many fat horses after a long day get a saddle sore?)
- get in shape yourself (balance - pilates or yoga, coordination - eye/hand coordination and ROM - TFH 1 eyes, ears techniques - cross crawls, reaction time - fitness program like walking/dancing/hockey
- posture, balance and fitness contribute to your horses athletic ability
Balance - just because you feel comfortable in the saddle doesn’t mean it is comfortable for your horse.
ie: barrel racing in a cutting saddle or rope saddle.
- Both you and your horse have a centre of balance
- Seat position can be altered to work in harmony with your horse
- Your position in the saddle is one thing - the position it placers you in over your horse is another
- If you are not balanced you can become unseated quickly or cause your horse to get off stride (ie switching to incorrect lead going into your pole bending or barrels)
- you and your saddle should not interfere with your horse’s balance
- seat length should position you as close as possible over the horses centre of motion
- female vs male seat fit - tree is shaved out in order to fit the shape of pelvis
- you should feel one with the horse, just like your best fitting pair of shoes that make your feet feel good
What about rigging?
Aside from speed events and where stability is needed full rigged saddles work better for more mutton withered straight shoulder horses and 7/8 rigging for high withered sloping shoulders.
