Saddlefit 4 Life’s European Division has held quarterly educational events since 2006 producing over 100 Certified Equine Ergonomists from 17 countries.
The recent March 6 seminar held at the “Gut Oldendorf” near Bueckeburg (southwest of Hanover, Germany) featured guest lecturer renowned German physiotherapist Lilo Cross (Author of “Instant Relief from Backaches” and inventor of the Acromiopelvimeter (a tool which allows an exact determination of the extent of crookedness of the pelvis without using x-rays or other invasive imaging). The demonstration featured a rider with obvious physical crookedness, riding on a baroque horse.
Osteopath and Equine Ergonomist Susanne Voigt analysed the horse, and orthopodiatrists took plaster casts of the rider ‘nether regions’ – all of these processes and diagnostics were extensively photographed, videoed, and documented. After making all necessary adjustments to ensure that the saddle accommodated the inherent rider issues, the demo rider again rode – and was immediately free of her back pain, allowing the horse to move with totally different freedom of movement through all of the gaits!
All three parts – horse, saddle and rider – worked very well together, which is no surprise if one understands the inherent connectivity between the individual parts, which is the foundation of Saddlefit 4 Life training.
Several members of the German equestrian press audited the day’s events. All of the course participants – most of whom were professional riders and/or Master Trainers were also measured; all demonstrated levels of crookedness and all have experienced problems when riding.
The next course in Germany with guest lecturers is planned in the area of Winsen/Luhe.
Founded by Jochen Schleese in 2006, Saddlefit 4 Life is a global network of equine professionals from over 14 countries working together to protect horse and rider from long term damage caused by ill-fitting saddles. Saddlefit 4 Life educational programs are taught worldwide with accreditation through the USDF, the OEF (Ontario Equestrian Federation), the German National Riding School, the Berufsreiterverband, at satellite training facilities in NY State, Sao Paulo Brazil, Melbourne Australia, Hanover Germany, and Toronto Canada, and hundreds of host locations worldwide. Book an educational session for your group! www.saddlefit4life.com