Quality new and used Western & English saddles and bridles
Getting The Right Saddle For Your Horse
12 Feb 2008 Author: Admin In: Buying Used Tack, Selecting the Right SaddleBy: Dennis Conner
Ensuring that you select the right saddle for your horse is vital. It not only affects the position in which the rider will sit, and therefore can be beneficial in preventing back ache or muscle pain, but it also affects the horse. No responsible horse owner would want their steed to be in discomfort and pain and so choosing the best saddle is very important. There are companies available who will measure your horse and recommend the saddles that they think are most appropriate but as with most things this service costs money. I highly recommend this service as it ensures that you will not be causing any distress to your horse when you ride it.
Once the correct saddle has been purchased it is important to remember that positioning the saddle on the horse’s back is also vital in ensuring your horse is comfortable when ridden. There are three main muscles in the horse’s back which can be affected by the use of a badly positioned saddle. It is important to familiarize yourself with these and their locations before attempting to position the saddle on your horse. This will give you an idea of where the saddle needs to sit in order to be most comfortable for the horse.
In addition to the muscles which can be affected by the saddle you must remember that the saddle is positioned on the horse’s back and so this can have an effect on the spine and its vertebrae. Remembering this should remind you of how important this lesson is and that you cannot afford to take risks with your horse if you want it to lead a long and painless life.
Firstly, place the saddle on the horse’s back, forward of the wither. Once you have done this, slide it back along the back of the horse until it cannot comfortably go any further. This will vary dependent on the shape of the individual horse but the lowest point of the saddle should correspond to the lowest point of the horse’s back. If the saddle is in the correct position, the saddle tree will not be pressing on the scapula (the shoulder of the horse) but will rest in the natural grooves behind them. The most common mistake is to position the saddle too far forward and this then causes the saddle to press on the muscles in the scapula causing pain, impeding movement and creating the possibility of saddle sores.
Once you have learned how to position the saddle you will find it comes naturally after a time. It is worth taking the time to do it properly though if you wish to remain the owner of a healthy, happy horse.
Article Source: http://www.allthebestarticles.com
The author is a regular contributor to Saddle Advice where more information about saddles and saddle sources is freely available.
Saddles and Bridles Blog
Horseback riding and showing is a dream that many of us have from when we were little. There is something about these magnificent animals that grabs the heart and mind and never lets go. This site is about horses, riding, enjoying, showing, and buying equipment for. A little of everything for the horse lover in all of us, whether we're currently owned by an equine or not. One goal of this blog is to point you toward good selections of new and used English and Western tack : horse and pony saddles, bridles and cavessons. Equipment is expensive, especially the good stuff. Most of the top of the line saddlery is beyond the budget of most of us, but our four-legged friends deserve the best we can get. That means checking out the used saddle market for top quality horse tack by Hennig, Stubben, Passoa, Crosby, Reinsman, Circle Y, etc., and of course many custom made pieces by well known saddle artisans. It's better to buy a first-rate used saddle than a badly made, poor-quality new one. Your horse will thank you!