JUNE 2017 THE RIDER /31 Saddle Fit & Technology:


By Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CSE ©2017 Saddlefit 4 Life. All Rights Reserved


Many tools have been developed over the


years to assist in the diagnosis of saddle fit, how- ever, as ‘sexy’ as they are, they are just that – tools – providing information that exemplifies the situ- ation at a given moment. Unless you have someone that actually knows what to do with this informa- tion to provide you a solution to your issue, it’s pretty much without value. Many people can tell you what’s visually wrong with your saddle but there are very few who can analyse the data to ac- tually tell you why you are having the issue you are.


Most saddle fitters will come out to take a


look at your horse and measure his withers size and shape using a flexible wire curve. This is pretty much the minimum measurement you should ex- pect during a saddle fitting session. This does not however, tell you much more about the horse’s three-dimensional back shape (size and length of the saddle support area) and really only works to determine whether you need a narrow, medium or wide tree in most saddle brands. Several of these tools can be subjectively ma-


nipulated so that in the wrong hands they become simply a marketing tool to show you exactly what the technician wants you to see. Thermography is one of these tools which can provide a very pretty picture filled with lots of colours, but the interpre- tation is open to error unless you have someone well-trained in the use of the instrument. Comput- erized saddle pads to measure pressure points – in- tegrating sensors in every square inch of the pad which are linked to a computer readout – are also not without fault, as pressure will change according to the gait and rider balance.


Using the Sprenger Gauge to measure wither angle and ensuring the shoulder angle lines up with Sprenger Gauge.


The Topographer by Equi Scan - also used to measure the 3-D back shape but somewhat awkward in its usage.


There is a device approved by the Association


of Saddlers and Harness Makers in Germany called the BVFR which determines the horse’s topline. But since this device always needs to be used in conjunction with another device to also determine the actual shape of the saddle support area, it too becomes a bit complicated to use accurately.


tribution on the horse’s back while in motion. It al- lows us to see where undesirable pressure peaks occur and how riding technique influences pressure distribution. We also use the Pegasus Gait analysis software, the Rein Tension Device, and the Port Lewis impression pad. It can sometimes seem like overkill, but there are clients who want the full deal and peace of mind that knowing what is going on brings with it! It’s still a matter of working with someone


who knows what they’re doing to ensure proper saddle fit for you and your horse – regardless of the devices that are available to make this ‘easier’.


for general use. The Topographer® by EquiScan consists of 11 individually moving sectioned arms which are laid across the horse’s back. Each indi- vidual number on each segment is recorded. Until this can be done automatically/electronically it be- comes prohibitive (time-wise) to do this – although the results are very good. Many more saddle man- ufacturers are starting to use this tool as it is one of the most comprehensively accurate on the mar- ket.


How Technological Advances are Changing the Way Saddles are Fitted


There are no shortcuts to expertise – just tools to make it all come alive!


Rein Tension Device - Photo courtesy of www.kivakuva.com.


Port Lewis Impression Pad - Photo courtesy of PortLewisWorkShop.com.


The BVFR uses this standardized but also somewhat unwieldy device to measure the horse’s topline.


For most saddle evaluations we do, we prefer


The HorseShape® laser captures the 3-Dimensional back shape with a computer printout that can be com- pared over time as the horse changes – photo used with permission.


One of the newest tools on the market is the


HorseShape® laser which is truly an interesting piece of machinery, reading the three dimensional shape of the horse’s back within seconds and trans- mitting this information back to the main computer for analysis. It is used best when a full custom sad- dle is being made to accommodate a particular horse’s back, but also allows the horse owner the option of getting a ‘cut-out’ form of the shape which clearly allows comparisons of changing con- formation over time.


the simple Sprenger Withers Gauge to determine withers shape and angle to ensure enough room at the pommel of the saddle, and a combination of the Arc Device, an LWT (leather withers tracer) and the HorseShape® Laser (if the client asks) to de- termine the actual accurate three dimensional shape of the horse’s back and the saddle support area.


We are also integrating the MediLogic® com-


puterized saddle pad into our diagnostics and of- fering ‘the ultimate diagnostic experience’ as an option for a complete and detailed analysis. The MediLogic® pad enables us to see the pressure dis-


The Medilogic Horse Saddle Pad (photo used with permission). Your horse has given you a lifetime of love and it is hard to walk away when the time has come to say goodbye


Honouring the life of your horse.


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The Arc Device (or “lobster claw”) also measures the angulation all along the back.


The Arc Device ™ is a manual measuring de-


vice, fitted to each individual horse’s back while the saddle fitter or saddle ergonomist records the angles. This is also used to ensure that a saddle is refitted properly to accommodate the horse’s back shape.


There are a couple of other devices available


commercially (only in Europe at this point) to as- certain the shape of the horse’s back, but they are somewhat convoluted and unwieldy with several kinks to be worked out before they are acceptable


www.ontarioequinecremationservices.ca


Barry & Mary Hunter, Family & Staff clearblufarms@bellnet.ca


Let the staff at Ontario Equine Cremation Services provide you with individual equine cremation.


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