Remedial


	This page is very much a “work in progress”, I will be developing it




	Remedial Saddling

I do hope that you find the photographs and illustrations in this section both interesting and inspiring. It is such an important subject, and one for which I am particularly keen to share with you my experiences.

You may also find it interesting to read this excerpt from “Animal Management”, prepared in the Veterinary Department for General Staff, War Office (1908).

Saddle Fitting

When meeting a horse for the first time, and being asked to assist and advise on saddling, these are some of the most important points that I always consider:

Is the back correct or damaged?

Does this horse have good muscle development?

Is there room for improvement?

Does this horse have any muscle wastage?

What is the history of this horse?

Is the horse’s posture good or compromised?

What health problems does this horse have?

What riding / training issues is this horse experiencing?

What behaviour problems does this horse exhibit?

All of the above can be influenced by the design and fit of a saddle.

Often, a horse will come to a new home with problems inherited from its past.

Where saddling is concerned, it is always possible that a horse will have been fitted in saddles that have never been truly comfortable from the first day that he or she was backed.

Where muscle wastage and posture problems exist, it is sadly a common practise for a new saddle to be fitted to the contours of the incorrect shape. This can only compound the problem and will not help the horse in the long term.


	Key Points

The saddle should be fitted to allow for the moving shape

The saddle should be correctly balanced front to back

The shoulder should be clear

The saddle should be stable on the back and not bounce or rock

The length should be correct for horse and rider

The rider should be placed in a well balanced position


	Remedial Saddle Fitting

I will advise on this in detail once we have established the needs of the horse

All of the above still need to be achieved whilst allowing the horse room to develop


	Please click on the links below to see much more on remedial saddling:

Anatomy	Muscle wastage in backs	Incorrect for the rider, too
Muscle atrophy and posture problems	Muscle wastage - hind quarters	Good saddle fitting
Muscle wastage - shoulder/chest	Examples of saddles that were poorly designed and too narrow	Before and after Wither Tracing


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