AUGUST 2011 THE RIDER /57 Saddlefit 4 Life


By Jochen Schleese


saddle fit such a hot topic right now? Let us explain one of the key issues in determining proper saddle fit.


let plate. Each of these needs to be fitted proper- ly; two of them by extensively trained experts who have to understand equine anatomy to do their jobs properly. Just like in shoeing, there are different opinions in how gullet plates need to be fit. The most verified long term damage to the horse’s back has been scientifically proven to result from incorrectly fit gullet plates. Fibreoptic cameras, MRIs, thermography, laser sensors, 3-D animation, and computerized saddle pads have made it very clear that the A- Frame withers of the static horse (upside down V) becomes an upside down U-Frame in motion. This is perhaps why symptomatic white hairs always show up at the top of the side of the with- ers, where the gullet plate generally pinches if doesn’t fit.


We believe that the gullet plate shape and size has to be set to accommodate the moving horse (the upside down U-shaped withers). Many saddle fitters can fit an English saddle to a horse which is standing still in the crossties (as much as the inherent structural limitations of the traditional English saddle built on a wooden spring tree will allow). There are traditional points of reference for static fit; withers clear- ance, panel touching evenly all the way down, etc. Where it becomes interesting, and where it becomes difficult beyond the ability of many sad- dle fitters, not to mention the capability of the saddle construction itself, is fitting the saddle so that it works when the horse begins to move. Your saddle sits on many different muscle groups on the horse’s back. To begin explaining the importance of gullet plate fit, we start at the front of your saddle under the pommel, where the metal gullet plate is. The gullet plate needs to align with the angle and the width of the shoul- der. The shoulder moves upwards and back- wards 4-8” under the tree points during motion. The tree angle is often incorrectly fitted to the muscle angle and not to the shoulder angle. This can result in cartilage and nerve damage during this restriction of movement in the horse. The gullet plate sits over two opposing muscle groups; the top will contract (pulling the shoulder upwards and getting bigger) while the bottom expands or elongates (i.e., gets ‘thinner’) during motion. This is how the upside down V becomes an upside down U.


We need two-three fingers clearance at the withers – but all around the withers, not just on top. Under the front of your saddle we find a muscle that extends all the way up into the neck, the trapezius. A tight upside-down V gullet plate results in pinched muscles, tight neck, and tight back.


Diagram A What can often happen is a “too tight on top, too wide on bottom” feeling in movement which is illustrated here. This scenario means your saddle is pinching in two little spots on either side of the trapezius muscle when the horse is moving.


Diagram D shows the naked tree/gullet plate sit- ting on the horse’s back


three different metal parts used in riding which come into close contact with the horse; one is the bit, one is the shoes, one is the gul-


There are


Diagram E shows the cross-section of a the sad- dle (with panel and stuffing) and gullet plate positioned properly for a horse in motion


Diagram C shows a common static fit, with no C


This is just one point why Schleese is dedi- cated to protecting horses from long term dam- age. Not only can our certified saddle fitters fit saddles on-site to the moving horse using our innovative saddle fitting tools, but the saddles themselves have the only geometrically adjustable gullet plates on the market. Schleese is teaching dynamic saddle fit at the German National Riding School in Warendorf, as well as to the College of Osteopathic Equine Medicine in Overath, Germany. Take advantage of this level of expertise – second to none in the industry -


Para Dressage Continued from page 44. room for expansion of the withers during motion.


If you take your hand and pinch the horse on either side of the withers, in most horses the back will tighten and drop, and the head will come up. This is the traditional ‘vise grip’ of the saddle – and where the stallion bites the mare to immobilize her during mating. This is not what we want to occur when riding – and is another reason why we want the upside-down U gullet plate fit to the moving horse, and not the static upside-down V shape


How a naked tree sits on the horse’s withers when standing is not necessarily indicative of how it actually fits when the panel and stuffing are added. Without the panel, the tree would crush the withers and the tree points would dig into the horse’s back. With the panel on, the stuffing clears the horse’s withers and lifts the tree higher. It will actually protect the withers and the tree points rest in an area where the side of the withers becomes narrow – behind the shoulder.


D


second stop on the Canadian Para-Dres- sage European Tour. From July 13–15, the Team attended the CPEDI 3* Hart- pury Festival of Dressage, also held in Great Britain. The purpose of the 2011 European Tour is ultimately to prepare athletes and horses for the 2012 Para- lympic Games.


The 2011 European Tour is made possible through the Own the Podium program, a national sport technical initia- tive designed to help Canada’s summer and winter athletes achieve podium suc- cess at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.


About Viterra Inc.


Viterra provides premium quality ingredients to leading global food manu- facturers. Headquartered in Canada, the global agri-business has extensive opera- tions across Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Our grow- ing international presence also extends to offices in Japan, Singapore, China, Switzerland, Italy, Ukraine, Germany and India.


About Perry Transport Ltd.


For more information about Perry Transport Ltd., please visit www.perryt.com.


About Para-Equestrian Sport Para-Equestrian sport provides rid- ers with a physical disability the opportu- nity to compete against other riders with similar abilities. Riders are given a “Grade” based on their functional ability, and are judged on their riding skill against other athletes of the same Grade. There are five grades of competitions in dressage, with Grade 1A representing the more severely impaired riders, and Grade 4 representing the least severely impaired riders. Many Para-Equestrian athletes


Why is


Diagram B provides much more evenly and well distributed pressure down the length of the sup- porting tree, therefore the muscles in the neck can relax and drop and we can work our horses into a relaxed true engagement. The three-finger clearance rule needs to apply all the way around the withers.


Old-fashioned Static Saddle Fit and How it Differs from Fit for the Moving Horse E


and call us for your own saddle fit evaluation today! Don’t you owe it to your horse?? Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CEE www.saddlesforwomen.com www.saddlefit4life.com


Biography: Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CEE Certified Master Saddler, Saddlefit Technician, Equine Ergonomist


Mr. Schleese is a former 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 saddlery regis- tered and certifiable in Ontario as the only authorized training facility. Schleese has 60 employees and agents worldwide. He developed the Saddlefit4Life® philoso- phy 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 pro- tecting 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 resulting from poor saddle fit.” Jochen’s passion and life mission to educate is improving the well being of horses and riders worldwide!


also compete alongside able-bodied competitors in Equine Canada competitions. At the grass roots level, Para-Equestrian encompasses a number of different dis- ciplines, while the international stream focuses only on Para-Dressage. For more information, please visit www.equinecanada.ca/para-equestrian.


About Equine Canada


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


Helping riders enjoy the process... not just the result! Technical skills + the science of how


horses learn = fun and success! Ask about lessons and clinics.


Hoosier Horse Expo. Indianapolis 2011.


Can Am. London, 2011


“Practical training for horses and riders.” Orangeville, Ontario


(519) 938-8815 • www.lgrice.com


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