Saddle Fit

Magnetic Saddle Pad

Written by HH Reader

Dear HH,

I was happy to see a picture of our popular saddle pad in the article about therapeutic saddle pads, but I was disappointed that our name was not mentioned. Our magnetic UnderPad is very popular and durable, helping many horses stretch and extend their gaits and helping with sore backs. Some people who swear by our UnderPad and its durability are:

- Jim Kolford, Dressage

- Kathy Rowse, USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist, USEF "S" Dressage Judge, FEI Trainer / Rider / Instructor.

- Barbara Wiefelstede, USAEQ ‘R’ Dressage Judge, Instructor & Trainer: “...without exception, all horses relaxed more in their backs when using the UnderPad.”

- Molly Layfield, Licensed Physical Therapist.

[e-mail from]

Paulette, Equine Magnetic Therapy, Inc

800-731-8463, www.equinemagnetic.com

Rollkur Discussion Continues - FEI Response

Written by FEI Letter

FEI Response to Dr. Robert Cook’s reaction to “hyperflexion” ruling

The intention of the FEI round-table conference on hyperflexion/Rollkur was specifically to address an issue which is of concern to equestrian sport.

Participants at the meeting were selected to include veterinary and welfare authorities as well as sporting experts so that all sides of the debate could be heard and addressed.

Finding the Right Saddle Fit

Written by L.A. Pomeroy

No one understands the importance of a good foundation better than a professional homebuilder. Dave Kaden, 57, of Specialized Saddles in Canutillo, Texas, brings that expertise to constructing saddles for the king of Malaysia, and five of the top finishers at the 2010 World Equestrian Games Endurance qualifier in Lexington, Kentucky.

Saddle Fit Study at NM State University

Written by Press Release

Las Cruces, NM (October 21, 2009) The Agricultural Marketing group at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, has undertaken the first scientific saddle fit study of Western Performance Saddles. Using a force sensor array (FSA) pressure pad, which shows exactly how the saddle applies contact to the horse, different levels of pressure are shown in different colors and in three dimensions.

The focus of the study is on barrel and roping saddles, but the results are applicable to all types of western saddle users.

Saddle-Fitting for the Horse in Movement

Written by Schleese Saddlery Service

Old-fashioned static saddle fit differs from fit for the moving horse.

Many saddle fitters can fit an English saddle to a horse standing still in the crossties. Traditional points of reference for static fit include but are not limited to

- wither clearance

- panel touching evenly all the way down

- angle of the tree points over the wither

- balance front to back

- billet alignment

The Importance of Mounting Blocks

Written by Leith Emrich

According to experts on equine health and saddle mechanics, the habit of mounting from the ground is one we’d be wise to break, for the sake of our horses’ backs and our saddles.

A cavalryman fighting in a war in the mid-1800s mounted his horse from the left side, so that his sword, hanging in a scabbard from his left hip, posed no impediment. He’d mount with a good, strong bounce from the ground, and a healthy grip on his horse’s withers and saddle. Today, none of us needs to mount our horse, battle-ready, with a weapon attached to our hip, but out of tradition many of us, even experienced riders, continue to act as if we do. Unfortunately, this habit is not harmless.