Thousands of Years Ago We Saw Horses Running Free and Wild and We Wondered .....
independent.dynamic.saddlefitting
When we take horses into our lives and take responsibility for their well being, we create a new relationship with a huge potential for personal growth. We meet a myriad of new people, we experience a plethora of emotions and we receive a sometimes overwhelming amount of new information.
We talk to our coach about how we can improve our riding, we speak with our trainer about the horse's abilities and potential, and the farrier helps our horse carry us to new heights. The vet, with wonderful potions and caring touch, keeps our horse healthy. As riders and owners, we form a partnership with our horse and hold the responsibility for their spiritual well-being and their happiness, developing a sacred trust.
We spend time thinking about what bit might work best to communicate our wishes, what boots they need to protect their vulnerable legs. We try to balance and understand the relationships we're developing with our horses and how the equipment we use affects them and us. What other sport in the world is more challenging than one that requires the partnership of a human and another sentient being, working in harmony to achieve their goals?
The saddle embodies the transition of human want to equine action. The saddle should function as a consistent point of contact and load dispersion where horse and rider unite. lt is our centre, our balance, and our meeting point. Your horse's reactions to the saddle are a direct indicator of his/her ability to carry out your wishes. Look for the negative fit indicators – pinned ears when you approach with the saddle, hollowed back, kicking and/or biting at the saddle, slipping back or forward of the saddle, pinching at the withers or little or no clearance between gullet and withers. What is your horse trying to communicate to you?
Does the saddle move around during a rising or sitting trot? Are you thrown forward; are you sitting back of the motion; in two-point do you feel you’re going to be thrown head-over-heels (and I’m not talking about being in love) off your mount? Does the pressure on your forward pubic bone feel even with the pressure on your rear hip bones? Can you tighten your abdominals, bring your bum underneath you, straighten your lower back and feel centered and comfortable in that position during a rising or sitting trot?
lf not, you may have saddle fit issues that impact on your communications with your horse and his/her ability to perform the actions you're requesting. We are going to explore center-balanced riding, the concept of being in the centre of the motion of the horse and how that relates to saddle fit.
lf we study the bio-mechanics of the horse as they relate to riding, we discover that the centre of the three-dimensional movement of the horse is located around the fourteenth thoracic vertebrae. One through thirteen of the thoracic vertebrae face slightly forward, the fourteenth is straight up and down and fifteen through eighteen face slightly back. The general construction of the saddle tree allows for the 'sweet spot' or centre of the saddle seat to sit over the fourteenth thoracic vertebrae when fit properly. lf a saddle is selected that allows for the rider's proper hip position in the saddle and the saddle is centered over the fourteenth thoracic vertebrae, the rider will find it's much easier to achieve a one-two rhythm and be in the centre of the horse's movement.
Of course there are many factors that must be considered, but of paramount importance is the mental awareness and education of the rider as it relates to obtaining this centre balance position. The largest deterrent to obtaining this position for women is the natural curvature of the female spine, the second the construction of the female hips. Men do have somewhat of a muscular-skeletal advantage in this area, however, the male rider is encouraged to heed the same advice -- men can have ‘chair seat’ too. The curvature of the female spine puts the hip back of the motion, especially during a rising trot. The result is that the rider posts into the cantle as opposed to in line with the horses motion, causing a trampoline style effect and putting the rider out of the rhythm with the mount.
Furthermore, the horse now has a bad point of reference for weight load and distribution and will try to compensate. This compensation can manifest itself in many different behaviors, all unwanted and some resulting in progressive injury to the horse and rider. Compounding the problem further can be a somewhat loose girth, thus allowing the saddle to move around and further exacerbate the situation, frustrating the horse and rider because they cannot find common ground and rhythm.
To compensate, tighten your abdominal muscles and tighten your gluteals (your bum) underneath you so your lower back is straight and vertical. This will assist you with proper hip position and will have the added benefit of releasing the tension on the ligaments in the back of the rider's leg (achilles and hamstring) thus allowing your foot to sit in a more natural position without the usual strain. With the proper saddle chosen and fitted and the girth tight enough to make it difficult to get the hand between the horse and girth, the rider now has a bio-mechanically correct point of contact with their horse. The horse now knows where the rider is going to contact consistently and the rider can now sync with the horse's gait and rhythm, and both can concentrate on their mutual goals.
We talk to our coach about how we can improve our riding, we speak with our trainer about the horse's abilities and potential, and the farrier helps our horse carry us to new heights. The vet, with wonderful potions and caring touch, keeps our horse healthy. As riders and owners, we form a partnership with our horse and hold the responsibility for their spiritual well-being and their happiness, developing a sacred trust.
We spend time thinking about what bit might work best to communicate our wishes, what boots they need to protect their vulnerable legs. We try to balance and understand the relationships we're developing with our horses and how the equipment we use affects them and us. What other sport in the world is more challenging than one that requires the partnership of a human and another sentient being, working in harmony to achieve their goals?
The saddle embodies the transition of human want to equine action. The saddle should function as a consistent point of contact and load dispersion where horse and rider unite. lt is our centre, our balance, and our meeting point. Your horse's reactions to the saddle are a direct indicator of his/her ability to carry out your wishes. Look for the negative fit indicators – pinned ears when you approach with the saddle, hollowed back, kicking and/or biting at the saddle, slipping back or forward of the saddle, pinching at the withers or little or no clearance between gullet and withers. What is your horse trying to communicate to you?
Does the saddle move around during a rising or sitting trot? Are you thrown forward; are you sitting back of the motion; in two-point do you feel you’re going to be thrown head-over-heels (and I’m not talking about being in love) off your mount? Does the pressure on your forward pubic bone feel even with the pressure on your rear hip bones? Can you tighten your abdominals, bring your bum underneath you, straighten your lower back and feel centered and comfortable in that position during a rising or sitting trot?
lf not, you may have saddle fit issues that impact on your communications with your horse and his/her ability to perform the actions you're requesting. We are going to explore center-balanced riding, the concept of being in the centre of the motion of the horse and how that relates to saddle fit.
lf we study the bio-mechanics of the horse as they relate to riding, we discover that the centre of the three-dimensional movement of the horse is located around the fourteenth thoracic vertebrae. One through thirteen of the thoracic vertebrae face slightly forward, the fourteenth is straight up and down and fifteen through eighteen face slightly back. The general construction of the saddle tree allows for the 'sweet spot' or centre of the saddle seat to sit over the fourteenth thoracic vertebrae when fit properly. lf a saddle is selected that allows for the rider's proper hip position in the saddle and the saddle is centered over the fourteenth thoracic vertebrae, the rider will find it's much easier to achieve a one-two rhythm and be in the centre of the horse's movement.
Of course there are many factors that must be considered, but of paramount importance is the mental awareness and education of the rider as it relates to obtaining this centre balance position. The largest deterrent to obtaining this position for women is the natural curvature of the female spine, the second the construction of the female hips. Men do have somewhat of a muscular-skeletal advantage in this area, however, the male rider is encouraged to heed the same advice -- men can have ‘chair seat’ too. The curvature of the female spine puts the hip back of the motion, especially during a rising trot. The result is that the rider posts into the cantle as opposed to in line with the horses motion, causing a trampoline style effect and putting the rider out of the rhythm with the mount.
Furthermore, the horse now has a bad point of reference for weight load and distribution and will try to compensate. This compensation can manifest itself in many different behaviors, all unwanted and some resulting in progressive injury to the horse and rider. Compounding the problem further can be a somewhat loose girth, thus allowing the saddle to move around and further exacerbate the situation, frustrating the horse and rider because they cannot find common ground and rhythm.
To compensate, tighten your abdominal muscles and tighten your gluteals (your bum) underneath you so your lower back is straight and vertical. This will assist you with proper hip position and will have the added benefit of releasing the tension on the ligaments in the back of the rider's leg (achilles and hamstring) thus allowing your foot to sit in a more natural position without the usual strain. With the proper saddle chosen and fitted and the girth tight enough to make it difficult to get the hand between the horse and girth, the rider now has a bio-mechanically correct point of contact with their horse. The horse now knows where the rider is going to contact consistently and the rider can now sync with the horse's gait and rhythm, and both can concentrate on their mutual goals.
I am a saddlefitter working in Canada, Brazil and other countries. I am available for appointments in S.W. & Central Ontario usually with one weeks notice; 2 - 4 weeks notice required for seminars and clinics. For multiple appointments at one facility or a weekend in one city 4 weeks notice is normally required.
We believe in providing the best saddlefitting service possible. As a dynamic saddlefitter I combine static technical fit processes with bio-mechanical movements of the horse and rider to provide the best fit, form and function.
Saddlefitting Questionnairre - Download and Fill out prior to your appointment
Contact me if you would like to book an appointment, seminar, clinic or organize a day or weekend of saddlefittings at your equestrian facility at saddlefitter@live.ca, by calling 519.872.5826 or by using the 'submit your questions' form on this site.
We believe in providing the best saddlefitting service possible. As a dynamic saddlefitter I combine static technical fit processes with bio-mechanical movements of the horse and rider to provide the best fit, form and function.
Saddlefitting Questionnairre - Download and Fill out prior to your appointment
Contact me if you would like to book an appointment, seminar, clinic or organize a day or weekend of saddlefittings at your equestrian facility at saddlefitter@live.ca, by calling 519.872.5826 or by using the 'submit your questions' form on this site.
Some questions to ask before choosing a saddlefitter:
1) Does the saddlefitter represent a saddle line? If yes, you may well expect to be pointed in the direction of purchasing a saddle that is not necessarily in the best interest of your horse or you.
2) Is your saddlefitter a dynamic fitter? Static fit and motion fit must be analyzed together to provide the best fit, form and function.
3) Does your saddlefitter work for a tack shop/saddlery or is he/she an independent?
4) Are you contemplating purchasing a custom saddle for your horse? There are many major issues to be considered prior to doing so, an article on this will be posted in September 2010 exploring the custom saddle.
5) Is your saddlefitter performing a detailed examination of the horse and rider prior to completing any work on your saddle?
