Elite Equestrian magazine July August issue 2020

Myths of Saddle Fitting Methods

8(and yes, I’m warning you - these are controversial!)

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!

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!)

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

TRAINING & Showing

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.

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.

58 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com