Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Friday, October 10, 2014
Saddle Fit Does Matter!
Many times poor performance between horse and rider can be linked to poor saddle fit. Incorrect saddle fit can lead to horse and rider back pain, which eventually can express itself in equine behavioral issues and/or rider compensatory posture problems.
How can a rider tell if their saddle fits correctly?
Generally speaking the saddle should be in proper balance from pommel to cantle, with the deepest part of the saddle being in the middle. I initially fit a saddle without a saddle pad. Proper balance is usually achieved with the cantle being slightly higher than the pommel. This height difference is dependent on the type and style of saddle being fitted. I like to see 3 to 3 ½ fingers pommel/withers clearance, with the goal being “sufficient” clearance. (Each horse is an individual so having a clearance measurement isn’t necessarily a “set in stone” rule.)
There should not be any bridging along the center of the panel and the gullet should create a channel where the horse’s spine will never come in contact with a “sliding” panel. This helps eliminate any pressure points directly on the spine. The entire panel should make even contact with the horse’s back along the sides of the spine. Once the saddle is girthed there should be no side-to-side or front to back rocking action. A good fitting saddle looks and feels like it was made for that particular horse.
Once the rider sits in the saddle they should feel balanced and comfortable. By sitting in the deepest part of the saddle, the rider can remain in balance over their feet, with their heels positioned in line underneath their hips. This should not be a struggle. Gravity can work with you instead of against you! Test your balance by sitting in your saddle and moving slowly forward and backward. Find your “sweet spot” where balance is effortless. This is where gravity flows from head through heels. If you cannot find this “spot” check your saddle fit first!
Safe and Happy riding!
“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” ~Winston Churchill
Nancy McLean is a Certified Master Saddle Fitter for Stübben North America. She has spent most of her 18 years in the Equine Industry working with Thoroughbreds on and off the track.
How can a rider tell if their saddle fits correctly?
Generally speaking the saddle should be in proper balance from pommel to cantle, with the deepest part of the saddle being in the middle. I initially fit a saddle without a saddle pad. Proper balance is usually achieved with the cantle being slightly higher than the pommel. This height difference is dependent on the type and style of saddle being fitted. I like to see 3 to 3 ½ fingers pommel/withers clearance, with the goal being “sufficient” clearance. (Each horse is an individual so having a clearance measurement isn’t necessarily a “set in stone” rule.)
There should not be any bridging along the center of the panel and the gullet should create a channel where the horse’s spine will never come in contact with a “sliding” panel. This helps eliminate any pressure points directly on the spine. The entire panel should make even contact with the horse’s back along the sides of the spine. Once the saddle is girthed there should be no side-to-side or front to back rocking action. A good fitting saddle looks and feels like it was made for that particular horse.
Once the rider sits in the saddle they should feel balanced and comfortable. By sitting in the deepest part of the saddle, the rider can remain in balance over their feet, with their heels positioned in line underneath their hips. This should not be a struggle. Gravity can work with you instead of against you! Test your balance by sitting in your saddle and moving slowly forward and backward. Find your “sweet spot” where balance is effortless. This is where gravity flows from head through heels. If you cannot find this “spot” check your saddle fit first!
Safe and Happy riding!
“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” ~Winston Churchill
Nancy McLean is a Certified Master Saddle Fitter for Stübben North America. She has spent most of her 18 years in the Equine Industry working with Thoroughbreds on and off the track.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
The Stübben Tree.
The product differentiation of Stübben saddles is in the design of the saddle tree. With emphasis on research and technology, Stübben is committed to using the best in materials and technology. As the Stübben Custom brochure explains, "The Stübben tree is a unique combination of very specific materials.We start with the outer part of the frame, which is made of a composite material that is both extremely strong and durable, yet remains flexible. Unlike wood (which many other manufacturers use for their trees), which is affected by moisture and may start to warp over time, our composite material is impervious to water, humidity or temperature changes, and does not lose any of its properties over time.
The second component is the unbreakable, never-rust brass stirrup bars, which are always recessed into the tree. These recessed bars ensure that the stirrup leather buckles do not interfere with the rider’s contact with the horse.
Now, the truly unique part of the Stübben Spring Tree - our tree gets its “spring” from tensioning materials that counterbalance each other. The steel bars along the bottom of the tree, which would lay flat without tensioning, are prevented from doing so by the webbing at the top of the tree. Inversely, the webbing cannot flex too much because of the resistance of the steel bars below. These two components, working flawlessly together, create the perfect shock absorbing system.
When the rider sits on a Stübben Spring Tree, the spring of the tree is immediately activated. The webbing flexes to diminish the impact of the rider’s weight, while the steel bars prevent the webbing from simply caving in. Thus, an ideal interface is created between the vertical motion of the rider and the horizontal motion of the horse. When absorption occurs, the tree disperses the weight throughout the saddle, from front to back. This keeps the rider in better synchronization with the motion of the horse, which improves both comfort and performance.
To sum up, a saddle is only as good as the tree upon which it is built. The Stübben Spring Tree guarantees the perfect balance of strength and flexibility in your saddle. And remember, there is no other tree like a Stübben Spring Tree."
Don't buy until you ride in a Stübben!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Before Your Custom Fitting....
Before your saddle fitting, please have on hand the following items:
Helmet
Leathers and irons
Girth appropriate to the saddle you anticipate purchasing (dressage, all purpose, etc.) If you are unsure, ask me. Billet lengths can vary between saddle makers, so it never hurts to have a variety of lengths on hand if possible.
Any other items of apparel you would normally ride/show in, e.g. gloves, boots, etc.
If weather is inclement, have some alternative locations for riding if your arena or other area may not be available. An area suitable for basic walk, trot and canter is usually sufficient.
There is a negotiable fitting fee due at the time of the actual fitting. If a Custom Stubben is ordered through me, the fitting fee is negotiable.
When possible, we will be fitting the saddles to your horse without using a pad, so it will be to your horse's benefit to have him "mud free" to spare him any discomfort from the girth and saddle.
Due to the many possible combinations of tree styles, sizes and options, you may not necessarily test ride a model with the exact specifications that will ultimately be ordered--if you did, it wouldn't be Custom!
For test ride purposes, it is possible that saddle padding will be necessary to establish the right balance for the rider during the test ride. It is the ultimate goal however, that your custom saddle will require no padding, unless you choose to use one for cosmetic purposes, make saddle cleaning easier, or temporarily use the saddle on another horse.
You will be doing some riding, so take precautions (turn out, lunging) ahead of time to ensure your horse will be calm and relaxed during the fitting process. I will work the appointment around feeding and turnout times.
I look forward to working with you to obtain the best possible saddle fit for your horse and you. Let me know if you have any questions.
Should you need to reschedule or cancel for any reason, please contact me by phone at 618-530-6709.
Monday, October 14, 2013
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