MARCH MADNESS. Saddle Fitting Tips MORE. Check us out

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FIRST EDITION MARCH 31, 2012 CTPA Inside: Saddle Fitting OAS winners Show #2 Penning

com Saddle Fitting Tips Make sure you have a saddle that fits properly.

Some of the problems we are running into these days are that horses are bred differently than

We breed for the big hip and hind end and many horses just don t have the withers of the past.

Veterinarians and equine chiropractors report that back issues caused by poorly fitting

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1 FIRST EDITION MARCH 31, 2012 CTPA Inside: Saddle Fitting OAS winners Show #2 Penning Flashbacks MORE 2012 SOONER Legacy Sel 413 LQ w/bunk beds! Check us out Saddle Fitting Tips Make sure you have a saddle that fits properly. Poorly fitting saddles can not only cause pain but can also diminish performance. Some of the problems we are running into these days are that horses are bred differently than in the past. We breed for the big hip and hind end and many horses just don t have the withers of the past. The result is saddles that may pinch, poke, rub, slip or tip on our horse s back. Veterinarians and equine chiropractors report that back issues caused by poorly fitting saddles are extremely common. cont d page 2 MARCH MADNESS 2012 F250 CREW CAB 4X4 Larger Sponsor Ad ask a little more money for Western Edition package incl. sync, rear view camera, black step bars, 18 wheels, tailgate step, power driver seat Madness Price! $70,121 Madness Price! $39,809 ALL ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION WITH SINGLE PIECE ALUMINUM ROOF 13 SHORTWALL 17 TRAVELER ELECTRIC AWNING WESTERN DeCOR PACKAGE BUNK BEDS 19 LCD TV W/ DVD PLAYER PREMIER EDITION PACKAGE T2205 All Rebates to dealer. Lease payments based on 36 month RCL/20,000 kms/yr Taxes and Fees EXTRA Chinook Team Penning Association Cam DAVE FRASER SHOW 1

Saddle Fitting Tips cont d Some things to look for: Is he unhappy with the saddling process (pinning ears, tail swishing, moving away, hollowing back, nipping at the girth etc.)?

Can you see an even contact pattern of the saddles tree from front to back of the saddle? No? These signs may point to an ill-fitting saddle. Is he lame or sore?

The saddle is too high in the front. This indicates that it is too narrow and will therefore put pressure on the shoulders.

The saddle is too low in the front and lifting at the back. This indicates that it is too wide and would cause pressure on the withers.

This indicates that the saddle is either too narrow, and/or is to flat, causing pressure points on both the shoulders and the loins. White hairs.

When there is a pressure point sufficient enough to cause scarring in the skin tissue, pigmented hair is unable to grow, and the hair will grow out white in that area.

2 Saddle Fitting Tips cont d Some things to look for: Is he unhappy with the saddling process (pinning ears, tail swishing, moving away, hollowing back, nipping at the girth etc.)? When you mount your horse does he toss his head and hollow his back? Look at the sweat pattern on your horses back after a long ride. Can you see an even contact pattern of the saddles tree from front to back of the saddle? No? These signs may point to an ill-fitting saddle. Is he lame or sore? Be aware, however, that not all unhappy body language is always related to saddle fit but fixing an ill-fitting saddle is a step on the road to improvement. The saddle is too high in the front. This indicates that it is too narrow and will therefore put pressure on the shoulders. It may also tip the rider back or push you to the back of the saddle, causing your legs to slip ahead of you. This also puts excessive pressure on the horse s loins. The saddle is too low in the front and lifting at the back. This indicates that it is too wide and would cause pressure on the withers. A saddle in this position will tend to tip the rider forward and cause your legs to slip back. The saddle is bridging (has a gap over the centre of the horse s back). This indicates that the saddle is either too narrow, and/or is to flat, causing pressure points on both the shoulders and the loins. White hairs. Check for white hairs anywhere that your saddle is contacting your horses back. Most commonly found in the withers area, but you can find them anywhere. When there is a pressure point sufficient enough to cause scarring in the skin tissue, pigmented hair is unable to grow, and the hair will grow out white in that area. Catching it early and fixing the problem is the only solution for white hairs. (unless of course your entire horse is white!) Then you just have to check for sensitive spots after and before each ride. We are now a certified 4 Star Trailer Dealer NOW OVER 1000 SADDLES IN STOCK Priefert stalls are designed with the highest degree of consideration for safety of both horse and handler. including MARTIN SADDLES visit us at MANE EVENT Red Deer Booth #771 check out our OKOTOKS LOCATION located upper level Okotoks Ag Society Open 7 Days a week 2 Dave Fraser Show Chinook Team Penning Association

Wither Clearance. There should be approximately two to three fingers clearance between the underside of the pommel and the horse s withers.

A saddle with less than 2-3 fingers may mean that the saddle is too wide. But again, check for the other symptoms as well.

The two to three finger rule may not apply to horses with flat round withers.

wither clearance in front. You would see this at both the front and the back of the saddle. This is one of the few cases when a saddle pad with inserts along the entire length of the spine will work.

3 Wither Clearance. There should be approximately two to three fingers clearance between the underside of the pommel and the horse s withers. Adequate clearance should extend all the way through the gullet of the saddle along the horses spine, between the two panels. More than three fingers clearance may mean the pommel is too high, i.e. the tree is too narrow. A saddle with less than 2-3 fingers may mean that the saddle is too wide. But again, check for the other symptoms as well. For some horses, as long as the saddle is sitting level, and is not contacting the withers or spine, you can have less than 3 fingers clearance. The two to three finger rule may not apply to horses with flat round withers. Also, if a horse is underweight, and its muscles along each side of the spine are not well developed, the saddle can have the correct gullet width but not have the spine clearance in back or the wither clearance in front. You would see this at both the front and the back of the saddle. This is one of the few cases when a saddle pad with inserts along the entire length of the spine will work. It will lift up the entire saddle and fill the area parallel to the spine- use it until the horse gains weight, and the saddle should fit just fine without adjustment to the flocking. Note that a saddle will settle lower with the weight of the rider, so check these measurements with and without someone on the horses back. Rocking Test. Another test to determine proper saddle fit is done with the saddle on the horse, without pads or girth. Be sure the horse is standing squarely on a level surface. Place one hand on the pommel and the other on the cantle and alternate pressure from one hand to the other. If the saddle rocks like a rocking chair on the back then the saddle isn t a good fit. The less motion you get, the better the fit. A badly fitted saddle can rub a horse over 4,000 times in one hour-long ride. The pain this can cause will often lead to behavioural problems which are sometimes severe enough to be dangerous. The goal of saddle fitting is to make your horse comfortable so he can do the job you are asking of him, in a way that will keep him sound and happy. A properly fitting saddle will also encourage a horse to develop muscles along his topline, which will make the work easier to accomplish. A word of caution: a saddle that fits well today may not fit after six months of steady work. It is a good idea to check and re-check your saddle every few months to be sure it is still comfortable for your horse. Saddle fit is part science and part artistry. If you are unsure whether your saddle fits correctly, and if your horse has a sore back, it is always wise to call your veterinarian or a saddle-fitting expert. Chinook Team Penning Association Dave Fraser Show 3

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