NOVEMBER 2022 THE RIDER/ 7


Beyond the Wither Tracing A Saddle-Fitting Series by Holly Barnett, REMT, CSF


common


Tree width is the most conversation


around saddle fit yet lacks consensus across the board. There are a number of con- siderations involved with assessing tree appropriation, width being one of the more


basic interpretations. Tree angle and length


are arguably more over- looked with substantial con- sequences when


left


unaddressed. Short wide tree points (especially ones that flute out from behind


the shoulder) feel tighter under the stirrup bars. Side wither clearance is an issue with this configuration which essentially ends up clamping down over the base of the withers. The top left photo shows the panels appearing to sit wider than the horse - the tree points are excluded as a weight bearing component of the saddle creating pressure points just behind the tree points.


Long steep angles on a


wider, sloping horse create pressure points at the bot- tom of the tree points. In this case there was a hardening


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and thickening of the tissue around the tip of the long metal tree point. (Bottom left photo) The tree points must


lie parallel to the angle of the surface they are laying against (right photo) For ex- ample; a thoroughbred will likely have a steeper angle than a modern warmblood yet the measurement across (width) may be similar - head plate shape comes into play here which we’ll ex- plore in an upcoming article. The height of the withers dictates the length of the tree point required. Taller spinous processes require more length than what is of- fered on many popular brands making this an all to common scenario. Long tree points on shorter mutton withers are also painfully uncomfortable for the horse - even though your saddle may appear balanced.


Photo: The top left - short wide tree points Bottom left - long steep tree points Right - parallel tree points with appropriate length in relation to the height of the withers (with adequate side wither clearance)


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Tree Points Keep training your


eye and routinely check your tree points!


About the Author: Holly Barnett has been a profes- sional fitter and equine ther-


apist for 20 years. She has worked with horses of all breeds and riders of all lev- els and disciplines through- out North America. She is the founder of August Equine, located in Camp-


bellville ON. Her team pro- vides saddle-fit consulta- tions of all brands and offers sales of new and used saddles. For upcoming edu- cational events see www.au- gustequine.com.


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