Post by Carol on Mar 2, 2008 21:21:36 GMT -5
My thoughts on saddles and saddle fit.
I believe if the saddle is too narrow...... its too narrow. The only time I move a saddle back ..is when it was too far forward in the first place. To determine if a saddle fits, I place the saddle (WITHOUT A BLANKET)a little too forward and gently rock/slid back... until it falls into the "pocket" behind the scapula (I feel that is correct placement) I then slide my hand under the front of the saddle checking the area where the front of the bars meet the horses back. (To find the beginning and end of the bars, look for the screws/conchos front and rear.) If there is enough "flare" and the bars are wide enough ... it feels snug but not tight. Keeping my fingers at the end of the scapula. I then bend the horses head (as in lateral flexion) If I can't stand the pain.... I know the saddle is too tight. If I slide it back more...... the bars will not be making solid contact over the ribs in the place intended by the saddle maker. (I have called and talked to several tree and saddle makers I found on the internet.) Shimming a saddle that is too tight will only worsens the problem. Wide is better. I make sure the saddle is off the withers. If I need shims to adjust, I won't be adding discomfort. The next spot I check is the directly under the riders seat. I look for firm contact. If my fingers slide easily under the bars, I know the saddle is "bridging" putting pressure on either end of the saddle. It is actually that part of the bars that are distributing the riders weight..... so if the contact over the ribs isn't even.... expect problems. Riding a saddle that doesn't fit the horse , makes me think about the phase used in gardening. It's better to plant a 10 cent plant in a dollar hole.... then plant a dollar plant in a 10 cent hole. Many lameness issues and behavior problems are caused by ill fitting saddles. I rode Mac in a circle y for 3 years and then in a McCall with a wade tree (lots of flare in the tree ..front and rear) After 2 years in the McCall, I switched back to the circle y one day. When I asked for a canter (I was in the round pen.... luckily) Mac bucked a lap and half. I listened to him and went back to the McCall. I think the size of the gullet and amount of flare makes the difference. If funds where short, I would put my money in a really good saddle before anything else. This is not right or wrong ....just where I am in my understanding of the saddle fit. Carol
I believe if the saddle is too narrow...... its too narrow. The only time I move a saddle back ..is when it was too far forward in the first place. To determine if a saddle fits, I place the saddle (WITHOUT A BLANKET)a little too forward and gently rock/slid back... until it falls into the "pocket" behind the scapula (I feel that is correct placement) I then slide my hand under the front of the saddle checking the area where the front of the bars meet the horses back. (To find the beginning and end of the bars, look for the screws/conchos front and rear.) If there is enough "flare" and the bars are wide enough ... it feels snug but not tight. Keeping my fingers at the end of the scapula. I then bend the horses head (as in lateral flexion) If I can't stand the pain.... I know the saddle is too tight. If I slide it back more...... the bars will not be making solid contact over the ribs in the place intended by the saddle maker. (I have called and talked to several tree and saddle makers I found on the internet.) Shimming a saddle that is too tight will only worsens the problem. Wide is better. I make sure the saddle is off the withers. If I need shims to adjust, I won't be adding discomfort. The next spot I check is the directly under the riders seat. I look for firm contact. If my fingers slide easily under the bars, I know the saddle is "bridging" putting pressure on either end of the saddle. It is actually that part of the bars that are distributing the riders weight..... so if the contact over the ribs isn't even.... expect problems. Riding a saddle that doesn't fit the horse , makes me think about the phase used in gardening. It's better to plant a 10 cent plant in a dollar hole.... then plant a dollar plant in a 10 cent hole. Many lameness issues and behavior problems are caused by ill fitting saddles. I rode Mac in a circle y for 3 years and then in a McCall with a wade tree (lots of flare in the tree ..front and rear) After 2 years in the McCall, I switched back to the circle y one day. When I asked for a canter (I was in the round pen.... luckily) Mac bucked a lap and half. I listened to him and went back to the McCall. I think the size of the gullet and amount of flare makes the difference. If funds where short, I would put my money in a really good saddle before anything else. This is not right or wrong ....just where I am in my understanding of the saddle fit. Carol