01 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

Transcription

1 01 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

2 G. PASSIER & SOHN GMBH: THE COMPANY Foundation: 1867 Location: Langenhagen Employees: 80 Portfolio: Saddles, bridles and accessories Main focus: English riding (dressage, jumping, all-purpose) Export: 50% of production, world-wide 02 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

3 03 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE THE SADDLE FIT RIDER

4 THE SADDLE FIT RIDER: SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE RIDER There should be space for the width of approximately four fingers between the back of the rider s seat and the cantle 04 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

5 THE SADDLE FIT RIDER: SADDLE TREE Normal seat Deep seat = higher cantle 05 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

6 THE SADDLE FIT RIDER: POSITION / LENGTH OF SADDLE FLAPS Depends on the equestrian discipline When the stirrup leather is adjusted to the correct length, the riding boot should cover approximately four finger s width over the saddle flap 06 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

7 THE SADDLE FIT RIDER: SUPPORT It is a question of preference Modern thigh supports are large and voluminous = good hold for thigh and knee Traditional knee supports are smaller = less support for the knee but more freedom of movement for the rider in the saddle: This makes it easier for the rider to find the right balance 07 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

8 08 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE THE SADDLE FIT HORSE

9 THE SADDLE FIT HORSE: GENERAL The saddle fit ensues from a) Gullet width b) Gusset flocking 09 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

10 THE SADDLE FIT HORSE: THE SADDLE S CENTER OF GRAVITY Correct The point of gravity is in the middle Incorrect a) The saddle is too low at the back, the rider sits in the rear third of the saddle Saddle pressure in the rear area Saddle slips forwards b) The back of the saddle is too high, the rider is positioned too far forward The rider cannot sit properly 10 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

11 THE SADDLE FIT HORSE: FREEDOM OF THE WITHERS Correct There should be enough space for up to two fingers to fit between the withers and the saddle Whose fingers? The fingers of the rider on the horse Incorrect Contact of withers and saddle Saddle pressure in the front area 11 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

12 THE SADDLE FIT HORSE: SHOULDER FREEDOM Correct The saddle is positioned behind the shoulder Incorrect The saddle is positioned on the shoulder The horse is restricted and cannot move freely Saddle pressure in the rear area Saddle slips forward 12 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

13 THE SADDLE FIT HORSE: FREEDOM OF THE SPINE Correct Maximum contact area whilst also allowing freedom of the spine The rider s weight is distributed over as large an area as possible Incorrect Channel too wide = small contact area of the saddle with the horse s back Serious problem of localized pressure points 13 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

14 THE SADDLE FIT HORSE: FREEDOM PANELS More space on both sides of the withers Wider channel in the first third of the saddle tree Greater freedom of movement 14 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

15 THE SADDLE FIT HORSE: FLOCKING Correct Plane and even flocking Incorrect Uneven flocking Saddle is crooked on the horse Rider s weight imposes more strain on one side In the long term the saddle tree will also become crooked 15 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

16 THE SADDLE FIT HORSE: FLOCKING Correct Soft flocking Incorrect Hard flocking Causes saddle pressure 16 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

17 THE SADDLE FIT HORSE: POSITION OF THE SADDLE GIRTH Correct The saddle girth is positioned at a distance of approximately four fingers behind the horse s elbow Incorrect The saddle girth is positioned very far forward Saddle slips forward Question What can you do in a situation when the horse is so barrel-like that the saddle girth always slips behind the elbow? Flocking Gullet plate width Girth strap arrangement/billet lead-through system Saddle girth 17 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

18 18 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE CORRECT SADDLE FITTING

19 CORRECT SADDLE FITTING: 1. ESTABLISHING CONTACT The seller should ask about: The equestrian discipline The rider s height The rider s weight The type of horse The conformation of the horse On the basis of this information the seller selects some saddle types which would be suitable for the rider as well as the horse 19 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

20 CORRECT SADDLE FITTING: 2. SADDLE FITTING AT THE STABLE Saddle check on horse standing still, without rider a) Put the trial saddle on the horse s back, position it correctly and tighten the saddle girth b) Assess the fit without the rider c) Correct the fit if required Testing the saddle in movement Rocking, slipping or sideways instability can only be recognized when the horse is moving under the rider Measuring up Only necessary if the make of saddle which is ridden at the saddle fitting trial is not the same as the one which is later purchased 20 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

21 CORRECT SADDLE FITTING: 3. FINAL CHECK AT THE STABLES Final check If the saddle required alterations after the initial saddle fitting trial, the seller should come to the horse again afterwards in order to check for himself that the saddle meanwhile fits correctly Follow-up check Modern flocking materials are so stable that a further check-up after 6 weeks is no longer necessary the saddle is only likely to drop to an extremely minimal extent 21 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

22 22 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE TIPS TO MAINTAIN THE CORRECT SADDLE FIT

23 TIPS TO MAINTAIN THE CORRECT SADDLE FIT: TIGHTENING THE SADDLE GIRTH Incorrect Girthing up on the left side only Correct Also girthing up on the right side This prevents the saddle tree from becoming crooked 23 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

24 TIPS TO MAINTAIN THE CORRECT SADDLE FIT: FLOCKING Incorrect Too frequent re-flocking Correct As a matter of principle, a saddle should only be re-flocked when it no longer sits well on the horse s back or when the panels have become very hard In such cases it is recommended to completely re-fill the saddle Generally speaking A saddle has to be re-fitted when the horse s shape has changed or the panels have dropped significantly 24 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

25 TIPS TO MAINTAIN THE CORRECT SADDLE FIT: FLOCKING Incorrect Re-flocking by making a cut in the panel below the end of the large saddle flaps Correct Plane and even re-flocking For this purpose the panel has to be separated from the upper part of the saddle Generally speaking There is no set period after which a saddle has to be re-flocked 25 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

26 TIPS TO MAINTAIN THE CORRECT SADDLE FIT: MOUNTING Incorrect The rider holds on to the cantle and pulls himself on to the horse The strain imposed predominantly on one side is detrimental to the horse as well as the saddle 26 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

27 TIPS TO MAINTAIN THE CORRECT SADDLE FIT: MOUNTING Correct The rider holds on to the saddle and pulls himself on to the horse Even better Use a mounting block to mount 27 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE

28 THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST! 28 SADDLE FIT FOR RIDER AND HORSE