RED RAE SADDLERY FITTING ONLINE
Problems Arising From Badly Fitting Saddles
- The Saddle Tree
It's vital the saddle tree fits the profile of the horse's back.
If the points of the tree are too narrow, it will pinch the horse either
side of the withers. This cannot be altered, satisfactorily. A tree too broad will mean the
front will bear directly on the withers. An over flocked saddle can cause
soreness and unbalance.
- The Gullet
The Channel, also known as the gullet, which divides the panel, must
have sufficient width to clear the spine so the divided panel can bear
weight evenly and be clear of the spine. When the gullet is too narrow or in extreme cases closed, there will be
pinching of the spinal vertebrae's.
- Saddle Sitting Level
It's absolutely vital the saddle sits level so the weight of the
rider is distributed evenly through the panels of the saddle. If the saddle
sits to high at the front, it will throw the weight of the rider to the rear
of the saddle. Accordingly if the saddle is too high at the back it will put
pressure at the front of the saddle.
Panels that are uneven will cause more weight on one side of the panel than
the other, also a badly made tree, that is twisted can cause the same
effect. If the saddle rocks it can cause soreness by friction and
developing into hair loss and bruising.
- Does The Saddle Fit You?
It is extremely important that the saddle relates to the length of the
horses back, and the rider. A too small saddle and an oversized rider
with an oversized posterior will cause too much weight over a small
area. A too long saddle or a short back will cause pressure on the
kidney.
- Too Forward Cut
The saddle should not be too forward cut which will result in
interfering with the action of the shoulder blade, which will impede the
horses movement and will result in the horse tiring quickly. The
saddle should always lie behind the shoulder.
- Badly Flocked panels
Poorly flocked panels produced by unqualified saddlers, or bad
technique can cause pressure points causing hair loss, and reduction of
blood to that area. How to identify a poorly flocked saddle can sometimes be
very obvious to the human eye, which can take form of a lumpy uneven surface
on the bearing surfaces of the panels, or dips in the panel which are less
obvious with the eye, but more by touch.
Panels that have more flock in one than the other can prevent the riders
weight from being distributed evenly over the entire surface of the horses back.
Panels
over flocked at the front can cause the saddle to fit too high, resulting in
pressure points and malfunction, causing pain in the trapezium muscle, which
will cause the horse to bare and restrict his stride, resulting in soft swellings, and
scar tissue in severe cases.
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