38/ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 THE RIDER Saddle Fit & Technology:


spots. You can deal with some of these problems with your saddle by shimming or adding pads, but it is still prudent to work with a professional


to


make sure you’re not hurting your horse. When


it’s


cold, probably the last


thing you


By Jochen Schleese CMS CEE CSE ©2018 Saddlefit 4 Life® All Rights Reserved Well it’s that time of year


again, and you need to consider that your horse’s conformation may likely change over the next weeks and months as you go into winter mode. Of course, if you belong to the lucky riders who get


want to do is go riding. Of course, once you’re out in the bright sun-


shine enjoying the fresh air – is there really anything better than to enjoy the countryside with your best


friend? Weather really


shouldn’t change your routine too much – remember that your horse probably looks forward to his time with you because standing 23 hours a day in his stall is b o r I n g. There will however be some differences in his metabolism and


horse – getting new shoes, his teeth floated, changes in diet etc. can all affect the fit of the saddle. Fitting a saddle does not just


involve reflocking; the gullet plate may also need to be ad- justed. Not only should you be able to change the angle (as is the case with many ‘do-it-yourself’ interchangeable gullet plates) but also the width. You need to ensure minimum 2-3 fingers space all around the withers – not just at the top – to ensure there is enough room for the shoulders to come up and back through (like a sliding door) when the horse is in motion. If the saddle is too tight (at the withers, in the gullet channel) then an extra pad will not help – this is like wearing another pair of socks when the shoes are already too small. Best is to you have a saddle fit check up to ensure everything is still working opti- mally before the cold weather hits (and of course, then again in the spring). If you keep your horse blan-


keted all winter, it’s important to check often for signs of rubbing or discomfort. Your horse will still enjoy a regular grooming and should be brushed regularly to re- move dirt, dust or mud that has built up – all of which, if not re- moved, can lead to bacterial and/or fungal infections. Whatever your plan is for


the winter, ensure that your horse does get out to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine; would you like to be cooped up 24/7 with nothing to do? Keeping up your horse’s nor- mal exercise routine can be a challenge – especially if you don’t have an indoor arena, but ensur- ing movement is maintained is crucial to maintain at least some muscle tone! Just make sure that he remains comfortable while doing so by having his equipment adjusted if/as necessary! Or – like so many people do


to head south for the winter with your horse, some of these points may be of less importance to you. However, we still recommend that you consider having your saddle fit checked 2x a year – once in spring just before compe- tition season begins, and then again in the fall as you either change your training patterns or make your way south to continue competing. It will take you about 4x as


long to build up muscle in your horse as it takes to lose this mus- cle. That is why his conformation can change pretty drastically in a very short period of time if you have decided to give him some time off in the winter. This means that should you decide to ride (even occasionally) during the cold season, it is very possible that your saddle may not really fit optimally any more. This be- comes even more true in the spring when you begin riding more regularly – and a poorly fit- ting saddle can cause your horse to develop either behavioral is- sues due to pain, or simply work against his ability to muscle up again because it pinches in certain


his physiology that will impact both his and your comfort. As your horse’s coat be-


comes thicker, you need to be aware that this can effect saddle fit. The funny thing is that saddle fit is probably your best indicator of changes going on with your


and I suggested earlier – you can always head south for the winter with your horse and avoid these issues altogether! (I’m saying this tongue-in-cheek; I know it’s not an option for everyone). Stay warm and happy trails!!


Saddle Fit and Winter Issues


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