MARCH/APRIL 2012 THE RIDER /81 Saddlefit 4 Life: Who’s Built Best to Ride?


of men and women, and how these differences relat- ed to riding ability. The conclusion was that women may have a conformational disadvantage, but with exercises and muscular development could com- pensate and achieve a simi- lar position on horseback to the male.


By Jochen Schleese. CMS, CSFT, CEE


It has always been puzzling why some women and some men seem to have had an inherent ability to ride. Excelling in their discipline, they would go on to become FEI riders and trainers. Others seem to have every advantage - a good horse, natural athletic ability, discipline to train, and yet - something is missing.


Many years ago an article appeared in Equus Magazine discussing just this phenomenon. This was an in-depth study of the comparative muscular/skeletal structures


Equine Canada Supports Ontario Horse Racing Male and Female Pelvis


Especially in dressage it is difficult for women to achieve the classic “shoul- ders-hipsheels” straight line, due to the fact that the articulation of female hips are different than a man’s. It is painful to sit on the pubic bone, and as a result, most women ‘collapse’ at the hip to escape the pain. The leg shoots forward, and time is spent fighting the position instead of con- centrating on riding. Posi- tion and balance of the rider are the key ingredi- ents in all riding disci- plines; in dressage more so than in other disciplines, because the majority of time is spent sitting. The seat bones are the key structure for the foundation of position and balance. For men, this does not provide the obstacle it does for the majority of women. Men have two “V” shaped seat bones set close togeth- er, giving them a bipod axis. Although the saddle manufacturer has in the


Ottawa, ON—Equine Canada, the national voice for the horse industry, strongly supports Ontario horse racing and encour- ages the province to contin- ue its strong partnership with the industry.


For more than 10 years, the OLG Slots at Racetrack Program has been a successful partner- ship that generates more than a billion dollars a year for the Province and enor- mous benefits for rural Ontario. In addition to the enormous local benefits, this relationship has also created tremendous new opportunities both at home and abroad for the Stan- dardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse breeds. Ontario sired and bred horses are in demand around the world, and Equine Canada has collab- orated with the racing industry to encourage increased exportation and worldwide growth. Just recently, Equine Canada worked closely with the racing industry in enhanc- ing relationships with China and Australia, two nations that have taken great interest in Ontario racing and breeding. Equine Canada will contin- ue to encourage foreign investment in Ontario’s horse racing industry “Canada is a great equine nation with a horse industry that is economi- cally viable and vital,” said Mike Gallagher, president of Equine Canada. “Horse racing in Ontario, and the thousands of men and women who work in this


flourishing industry, play a very important role in this national success story. “We strongly encour- age the government of Ontario to work with the industry to ensure horse racing continues to grow and prosper. The benefits


of this successful partner- ship are felt not only in Ontario but in every part of Canada, throughout our rural and farming commu- nities, and among the tens of thousands of men and women who work with horses or supply products


and services to the horse racing industry.”


About Equine Canada For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.


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past afforded special atten- tion to that skeletal struc- ture, it is not as complex as the woman’s requirements. Unfortunately, too many women ride in saddles built for men, which is why you often have a “chair seat” as a result. There is simply not enough padding in the seat to allow the support of the spinal column which will ensure that the four natural curves along the back can do their job as natural shock absorbers! Women have a broad range of hip shapes, all of which need to be accom- modated when constructing


a saddle. Unlike the “V” shaped man’s seat bones, women’s are usually flat. In addition, women have a more prominent pubic bone. This combination of three skeletal structures causes a woman to sit as on a tripod. Herein lies the problem for most women - unless the pelvis is straight, the pommel of the saddle interferes with the pubic bone, and unless the abdominal muscles are used, it is almost impossi- ble to sit correctly in a sad- dle. What actually often happens is that the woman will collapse at the hip to


escape the pain resulting in the “not tonight honey, I’ve been riding!” syndrome. The traditional ‘male’ saddles are built fairly widely in the crotch area, but are narrow in the seat. Women find themselves sitting with their legs pushed outwards from the hip, and painfully sitting on the seat seaming. The anatomy dictates that the structure for women should be exactly opposite – nar- row in the crotch area and wider in the seat area. There are many other areas of human anatomy and equine conformation which need to be taken into con- sideration for proper saddle fit and balance, however, suffice it to say that if you are interested in further education on this, please visit the website at www.saddlesforwomen.co


m and watch all of the short videos we have avail- able on the various aspects of proper saddle choice and fit!


Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CEE


www.saddlefit4life.com; www.saddlesforwomen.com Biography:


Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CEE


Jochen


Certified Master Saddler, Saddlefit Technician, Equine Ergonomist


dlery registered and certifi- able in Ontario as the only authorized training facility. Schleese has 60 employees and agents worldwide. He developed the


Mr. Schleese is a for- mer member of the German young rider’s Three-day event team, and graduated from Passier Germany as the youngest-ever Certified Master Saddler at age 22. He came to Canada as the Official Saddler for the 1986 World Dressage Championships. Schleese has made the trade of sad-


Saddlefit4Life® philosophy and diagnostic system. Saddlefit 4 Life® is taught worldwide to DVM’s, REMTs, DCs, Trainers and Saddle Fitters. Through sharing expertise Saddlefit 4 Life® professionals are protecting horse’s and rider’s backs. Jochen states, “Horses should not suffer for the ignorance of the rider, nor should they be farmed out, or put down because of severe, irreparable damage result- ing from poor saddle fit.” Jochen’s passion and life mission to educate is improving the well being of horses and riders world- wide!


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