A little Background Info:
Saddle trees were built to alleviate rider pressure at the shoulder and loin – especially when the horse was carrying heavy loads over a long period of time. The western saddle was used for work and functionality was key; the main base of the tree maintained the solid structure of the saddle and complemented the saddle support area. Saddle evolution has developed from being used for a purpose/survival to working/functionality to sport/fashion. Over the years, sport and fashion changed the look and functionality of the saddle tree to the point where there is now barely any support left over the saddle support area of the horse – the biggest culprit of which is the racing tree.
The normal English saddle tree has become much too narrow in the centre (where 40% of the weight and supporting surface should be). The saddle lacks the dynamic fitting purpose of the “Tree-Lift” in the centre of the saddle, therefore creating massive pressure at the front and back of the saddle.
Modern saddle construction results in more and more back issues, because of the fact that
People are getting heavier (larger)
There more horse owners than horse’men’ (and women) around now (which means much of the inherent knowledge about horse husbandry may have been lost)
Horse’s saddle support area is getting smaller
Panels are generally much too soft to afford any real support. Panels need to be firm for support.
So we have developed a revolutionary new panel which brings back the knowledge of the past and aligns the functionality of years gone by with the sport and fashionable look of the modern saddle.
Localized high pressure areas from conventional English saddles are not only painful but risk ischemic damage if the mean capillary pressure of approx. 4.67 kPa (kilopascal per square cm. of pressure) is exceeded for sufficient time. The industry accepted pressure > 11 kPa is a ‘reasonable threshold’ above which the risk of ischemic injury under saddle occurs, but already only 4.67 kpa is recognized as already restrictive! So that means that most saddles are already causing more pressure than is necessary to cut off oxygen from the tissues!
The saddle tree is recognized as being the foundation of the saddle to distribute the rider’s weight over a large area (the saddle support area) when the saddle is correctly fitted. We generally recognize this to be 4” on either side of vertebra (about 2” down from the spinal processes on either side) in an area from the base of the withers to the 18th thoracic vertebrae. We calculate this then as being on average 4 x 16 x2 = 128 sq. in. The rider’s body weight and the skill level also affect the force on the horse’s back, together with the weight of the saddle – which can go anywhere from 15-25 lbs. in an English saddle, including stirrups. The force beneath the saddle also varies depending on girth tightness, and the inertial effects of the rider’s weight, which increases with speed within each gait. Maximal total force is approximately double the rider’s weight at the trot.
Our new PSI panel allows the necessary ‘tree lift’ which allows the back of the horse to come up. The PSI panel has expanded the ‘missing’ centre of the tree (as per the illustration) to allow this action with a solid yet flexible insert. This is what reduces the overall kpa* for the entire saddle – meaning more comfort and protection of the horse’s back and less chance of ongoing long term damage!! Try it for yourself and see the difference in how your horse feels and moves – remember, the eyes, ears, and tail don’t lie!!
*data to be included soon to illustrate test results that are statistically significant for this result.
For more information and illustrative drawings to demonstrate the concepts discussed above, please visit: https://schleese.com/revolutionary-psi-panel-full-details/
About Jochen Schleese and Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd.
Jochen Schleese got his certification as Master Saddler at the age of 22 and came to Canada in 1986 to establish and register the trade of saddlery in North America. With over 80 different models designed over the years, Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd is the world leading manufacturer of saddles designed for women, specializing in the unique anatomical requirements of female riders. Schleese authorized representatives provide diagnostic saddle fit analysis and saddle fitting services across the globe to maintain optimal saddle fit to horse and rider.
Jochen is the author of the best-selling “Suffering in Silence: The Saddle Fit Link to Physical and Psychological Trauma in Horses”, now in its third printing by Trafalgar Square and available in hard copy, digital and paperback versions at amazon.com
For more information about Jochen Schleese and Schleese Saddlery Ltd. please go to www.saddlesforwomen.com or www.saddlefit4life.com