| Are You Sure You Are Ready For Spring? Getting ready for the new "horse" season? Got everything all set? Show's lined up? Mane clipped? Trailer checked over? Emergency kit checked? Saddled dusted off and ready to go? But does that saddle fit?? Every horse deserves a well fitted saddle regardless of how much they cost or what they are doing? How can your equine partner perform at their best... when the saddle does not fit? If you can imagine this for yourself..... a jacket to small, a belt/pants to tight and a pair of shoes that DO NOT FIT We know what it feels like... well, it's not much different for your horse when the saddle does not fit. Signs Of A Ill Fitting Saddle - White hairs which indicate the blood circulation has been cut off for lengths of time due to pressure - soft blisters or hard painless lumps - Saddle sores and girth galls-dry spots - swirls in the hair when saddle is removed usually means it's moving around/friction - Horse is short striding, hollow-backed, and resistant - Horse is uncomfortable & unwilling to go downhill, jump or make transitions - Shows signs of disliking the saddle i.e. ears back, tail twisting, biting, and kicking - Refuses to stand while being mounted- Inability to bend- Unable to travel straight - Carrys tail off to one side- Higher then normal head carriage - Refuses to pick up hind feet for shoeing - Changes in the horse's attitude that leads to... refusals, bucking, unruliness, or even dangerous to ride. Fitting The Saddle - Check List ~ There should be a generous clearance between the saddle and the horse's withers A shambling transistion indicates a saddle that is too tight across the shoulders tightness hinders the ability for your horse to bend also Like a jacket that is to tight for yourself. ~ The saddle should not touch the horse's spine at any point and... you should be able to see... daylight between the horse's back and the gullet of the saddle ~ The back of the saddle must not extend past the 18th rib. ~ With saddle girthed, can you lift the back of the saddle? If you can, it's likely that this saddle moves when you ride which...will be extremely uncomfortable... if not painful for the horse ~Without a rider on, but with the saddle girthed up... you should be able to get your hand behind the whole length of the front saddle flaps from the top to the bottom easily and evenly. ~ Are your stirrups even? Measure from center of seat! Uneven stirrups can offset your balance of your saddle ~ Be sure to switch your leathers from time to time to balance out the stretching! ~ Be sure to place the saddle behind your horses shoulder blades ~ Girth too tight? Can you get your hand between the horse and the girth easily? If not, it's too tight A saddle that fits properly should not move around or slide A too tight girth will cause short striding along with muscle damage ~ Rear cinch... Are you using it correctly? It should be making contact wtih the horse and be slightly snug. The rear cinch is meant to share the girthing system with the front cinch. If your horse is not accustomed to a rear cinch Accustomize him to it gradually Always be sure the girths are attached with a keeper! The wider the girth the more comfortable it is for your horse!! How Often Should You Test Fit? Every six months or so, Just like a spring Vet check! The horse changes from Season to Season and...as he ages The horse's shape also changes according to feed and work schedules |
| Saddle Fitting - Is It Working For You? |
| Horses In Motion - Saddle Fit Tips |
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