Horse sold away for 4 yrs returns to farm—magic unfolds when his old pals notice that it’s him
By pretty horse - juin 09, 2018
video Name : Horse sold away for 4 yrs returns to farm—magic unfolds when his old pals notice that it’s him
Posted Online : Published on Mai 30, 2018
Video Duration : 1 minutes 51 seconds
Views : More than 65 669 449 vues
Description : This horse was sold four years ago and now has been re-purchased… Watch his reaction when he meets up with two of his old pals he left behind! Just like humans, animals do have emotions—watching them play and roll together, it is obvious that they are meant to be together. Horses also have a deep understanding of each other, and it is built on love and respect. The three horses in this video
Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip - Skin Irritations and Girths: Part 3 (Check your Girth and Billet Alignment)
By pretty horse - avril 22, 2018
n recent tips, we talked about skin irritations and pressure caused when billets are not positioned correctly, the buckle is too high, or the shape of the girth restricts freedom. Does your saddle slide forward? Let’s examine correct girth alignment.
Try this experiment: take an hourglass and try to tie a string around either the top or the bottom half. The string will always migrate to the narrowest part of the hourglass – the middle, connective piece. Your horse’s girth will do the same – it will migrate automatically to the narrowest part of the horse’s thoracic area; we call this the girth area. A saddle which has been girthed up anywhere behind this area will slide forward during riding; taking the saddle and the rider with it and leaving the correct saddle support area – if it has been correctly positioned there during mounting. This natural tendency to find the ‘area of least resistance’ will cause the saddle to move forward onto the shoulder.
In dressage nowadays, short girths are the rule with long billets. A huge advantage here is that the girth buckles don’t bother the rider at his thighs, and usually allow the saddle to be fastened more securely. However, the girth buckles may now be located at a very sensitive area of the horse’s ribcage.
The longer girth used in jumping or eventing saddles is usually buckled on the sweat flap, which means that there is relatively thick second leather layer protecting the horse’s flank from the buckle. A short girth is buckled directly on the side of the horse, so that the buckle, which may be protected minimally with only one thin layer of leather, may cause pressure here as well. The area where the girth is positioned and buckled is an area where several muscle groups converge and have their sensitive points, which means that we should avoid irritating them if possible.
The girth should be buckled as close to the widest part of the horse’s side as possible (i.e. as high up as possible) so that the buckles are ‘pulled away’ from the ribcage and don’t put unnecessary pressure on the horse side and the insertion points of the M. Pectoralis profundus.
n the past, foregirths and point billets helped to prevent the saddle from slipping forward, or the saddle was girthed on really tightly to keep it in the correct position. Today we know however, that it is partially due to the billet position on the saddle that causes the sliding forward – and their position can be checked simply when the saddle is lying on the horses back and seeing where the billets hang before girthing up. If they are hanging too far back chances are that the girth will pull them forward and the saddle will ride up on the shoulder.
Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip - Skin Irritations and Girths: Part 2
By pretty horse - avril 22, 2018
Check out these important tips on how to avoid saddle fitting issues and skin irritations caused by improper girthing.
It is important to select the correct girth and billets with buckle placement to avoid pressure points which cause muscle and skin irritation. Girths come in a variety of types, lengths and materials, with different forms and functions.
Many horses have an issue with the girth pinching at the elbow (the narrowest spot where the girth naturally sits and where it will always find its way). A correctly shaped girth should displace pressure as evenly as possible along its length. Ideally, it should have a wider surface area along the sternum of the horse, which is the strongest point of contact. These ‘diamond’ girths are anatomically accommodating, narrower at the ends where it sits under the elbow area, and widening to between 4-8 inches at the sternum to displace the pressure evenly.
More often, you see girths that are neither wide enough nor long enough, with too much elastic at the buckles. The result is they actually ‘cut’ into the pectoralis muscle. A wider girth is always advantageous. It ensures distribution of pressure and weight over the biggest surface area possible, without impinging on the nerve ends or causing rub marks. It should be narrower at the ends to allow freedom of movement without interference behind the elbows. Elastic should be at both ends so there is a bit of give equally on both sides at the buckles. This is more comfortable for your horse and allows him to breathe better. A long girth should have no more than 2 inches of elastic at the buckles; a short girth no more than 1 inch of elastic (based on industry guidelines for stretch). If the bottom hole of the billets is about 1 inch from the sweat flap after tightening the girth (with long billets/ short girth), there should be maximum 2 to 3 open holes left at the top of the billet. This will ensure elbow freedom and no pressure on the edge of the pectoralis muscle.
Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip - Skin Irritations and Girths: Part 1
By pretty horse - avril 22, 2018
Check out these important tips on how to avoid saddle fitting issues and skin irritations caused by improper girthing.
In my experience, whether or not a saddle can fit properly and lie balanced on the horse’s back has a lot to do with the saddle pad and the girth. About 20% of slipping or instability issues are caused by these accessories. The function of the girth is to keep the saddle in place within the saddle support area. There are many different types, lengths and versions of girths available. They have different forms and functions, paired with saddle billets in their necessary length. A girth has the potential to put immense pressure on the horse’s musculature. Therefore, it should displace this pressure as evenly as possible along its length.
Be aware the girth can be a significant cause of skin irritations. The video shows the position of the girth as one leg goes forward and the other leg goes back, where the skin is wrinkled and the girth is buried.
Saddle fit issues and skin irritations from improper girthing occur when:
- the billets are not in the right spot
- the girth is the incorrect shape
- the girth alignment does not match up
Let’s look at the placement of the billets. The area where the girth is positioned and buckled is an area where several muscle groups converge and have their sensitive points – an area we should avoid irritating. The longer girth used with jumping and eventing saddles is usually bucked on the sweat flap, which means there is a relatively thick second leather layer protecting the horse’s flank from the buckle.
In dressage, short girths with long billets are the rule. A huge advantage is the girth’s buckles don’t bother the rider at his thighs and allow the saddle to be fastened more securely. However, the girth buckles are located at a very sensitive area of the horse’s rib cage. A short girth is buckled directly on the side of the horse, so the buckle (which may be protected minimally with one layer of leather) may cause pressure. The girth should be buckled to the billets as close to the widest part of the horse’s side as possible (as high up as possible) so the buckles are ‘pulled away’ from the rib cage and won’t put unnecessary pressure on his side and the insertion points (edge) of the M. Pectoralis profundus, but rather on its mass (flatness) – for example, the pectoralis or latissimus. The buckles should never cause pressure points to the horse or rider or interfere with riding and moving freely, without pain.
Next tip we will look at the shape of the girth in preventing skin issues.
Author of ‘Suffering in Silence - The Saddle fit Link to Physical and Psychological Trauma in Horses’ (2013) Jochen Schleese teaches riders and professionals to recognize saddle fit issues in Saddlefit 4 Life lectures and seminars. We help you find answers in a personal 80 point Saddle Fit Diagnostic Evaluation.
“As long as my saddle fits my horse” – Saddle Fit to Rider – 3 Factors for Consideration
By pretty horse - avril 22, 2018
“I don’t care if I’m not comfortable in the saddle; the main thing is it fits the horse.” I’m sure many saddle fitters and sales people have heard this statement from riders. Many riders (and fitters) seem to ignore the necessity of the saddle also being comfortable for the rider. The reality is it’s much easier to make a saddle to fit the horse than it is to make it also fit the rider. There are many more points to consider when designing or making a saddle to fit the rider properly - to allow him to sit in balance on the horse and concentrate on riding rather than fighting the saddle to maintain position. Consider the quotes of two professionals I have worked with.
Laura Whitteron, Certified Saddle Ergonomist, England
"Having spent years doing exercises that supposedly loosen the hips in an attempt to sit 'deeper' in the saddle and prevent my toes turning out while riding, I have now found that when sat in a saddle designed for the female rider I am immediately sat 'deep' in the saddle with toes pointing forward, without even warming up. I now wonder what unnecessary damage I have done as a result of years of putting torque on my joints with these exercises. I learnt these exercises as a child from an instructional riding book; I wonder how many other people, specifically women, have unnecessarily damaged their bodies believing they struggle with 'tight hips'."
"Having spent years doing exercises that supposedly loosen the hips in an attempt to sit 'deeper' in the saddle and prevent my toes turning out while riding, I have now found that when sat in a saddle designed for the female rider I am immediately sat 'deep' in the saddle with toes pointing forward, without even warming up. I now wonder what unnecessary damage I have done as a result of years of putting torque on my joints with these exercises. I learnt these exercises as a child from an instructional riding book; I wonder how many other people, specifically women, have unnecessarily damaged their bodies believing they struggle with 'tight hips'."
Nicole Künzel, Trainer for Classical Riding Methods, Hanover, Germany
“A saddle just for women??? I thought this was a joke. I was an emancipated woman – or so I thought – and as such, I should be able to ride in any saddle. That was the thought – until I actually felt the difference between a saddle made for a man and one made for women for the first time. Without exaggeration, this was truly an eye-opening experience. I rode so naturally without any effort to have my legs hang straight down where they were supposed to be; to feel the movement as one with my horse. Since then, as a trainer I often think that a saddle that is correctly fitted to my students would definitely help or even hinder some of their position issues.”
“A saddle just for women??? I thought this was a joke. I was an emancipated woman – or so I thought – and as such, I should be able to ride in any saddle. That was the thought – until I actually felt the difference between a saddle made for a man and one made for women for the first time. Without exaggeration, this was truly an eye-opening experience. I rode so naturally without any effort to have my legs hang straight down where they were supposed to be; to feel the movement as one with my horse. Since then, as a trainer I often think that a saddle that is correctly fitted to my students would definitely help or even hinder some of their position issues.”
There are 25 points we look at which specifically focus on how the saddle fits the rider. These, together with 55 evaluation points to horse, measurements, dust pattern, static and dynamic analyses, comprise the Saddlefit 4 Life® 80 Point Saddle Fit Diagnostic Evaluation to horse and rider. The following video shows 3 important views and discusses fit of the saddle to the rider.
Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip: Treed vs. Treeless? Just the Facts.
By pretty horse - avril 22, 2018
It is much easier (less time and expense) from a craftsman’s point of view as a saddler to build a treeless saddle than to build a treed saddle. However as a rider, Certified Master Saddler and saddle fitter I have evaluated thousands of horses and always recommend a (properly-fitted) treed saddle over a treeless. Let’s consider the purpose of the saddle tree - to optimally place and support the rider’s weight correctly over the saddle support area (the longissimus) of the horse’s back to achieve suppleness and freedom of movement.
A treeless saddle (similar to a bareback pad in structure) does not have the support structure to allow proper distribution of the rider’s weight on the horse’s back. In the middle of the saddle support area, the horse’s transverse spinal processes are completely straight. In a treeless saddle it means 100% of the rider’s weight is concentrated in this area. As most of the rider’s weight is under the seat bones, this causes individual pressure points on the horse’s back. Pressure points impede circulation and cause muscle atrophy, along with tendonitis and ligament damage. We want to avoid symptomatic long term damage and pain, but also incorrect muscle contraction leading to atrophy when the horse reacts to try and avoid pressure. The saddle tree is needed as a support system to allow both horse and rider to work in harmony as one.
Proponents of treeless saddles do agree the rider feels the horse’s motion more closely and is closer to the horse. There are no stiff or immoveable parts in the construction that could force the horse into an unnatural muscular reaction. Treeless saddles never need to be refit as he changes and matures.
When we consider the well-being of the horse, the disadvantages of treeless clearly outweigh the plusses. A treeless saddle is simply unable to properly distribute the rider’s weight over the saddle support area, and will always cause pressure points under the seat bones. Beyond causing pressure points, it is difficult for the rider to give the proper aids and it is almost unavoidable the horse will experience long term damage to its muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons in its back. A horse which has pressure points on its back is unable to bring its back up properly to compensate for rider weight or move freely when carrying a rider. This impedes the entire functionality of the biomechanics and load-carrying ability of the horse, and will lead to long term health issues diagnosed through MRI and thermography.
A treeless saddle may work for a short time as an interim solution when a treed saddle does not fit, but in the long run treeless saddles are not doing your horse any favors. I recommend Investing in a Saddlefit 4 Life® 80 Point Saddle Fit Diagnostic Evaluation to assess movement, comfort, freedom and saddle fit for you and your horse.
