Does Your Saddle Fit Your Horse?
How would you know if your saddle does not fit your horse? How could he tell you if he was uncomfortable? Would you recognise this only when he became nappy, awkward or downright dangerous or if he was uneven or worse still lame? Would you wait until the hair was rubbed, the skin became broken or sores appeared; would you notice any swelling? If your horse was young and being backed could you tell whether he was displaying unruly behaviour due to his new experiences or whether a saddle being used pinched him or simply did not fit?
Horses, like people, may tolerate difference amounts of discomfort and react accordingly. Some people exhibit a high pain threshold but carry on regardless of the pain; some are unable to continue without medication or removal of the root cause. The sensitivity of a horse, like a human, can also determine whether he can and will work regardless of whether he is feeling any pain.
Compare it to your shoes
Try walking in shoes two sizes too small, or with a strap which digs into your skin. Or, how would it feel if your shoes were slipping off at every stride, making it difficult to pick your feet up properly? Attempt to carry a rucksack or a bag in each hand. Endeavour to undertake all this and add being punished for a ‘crime’ like tripping or stumbling…. This can be compared to the treatment many horses have to endure when care is not taken to ensure a saddle fits correctly!
Albion Saddles
My saddles of choice for many years have been Albion dressage saddles plus Wintec G.P. and a treeless for new horses or horses with back-related problems. Last year I was introduced to a range of saddles designed by Peter Maddison-Greenwell specifically with the Spanish and Lusitano horse in mind. That is not to say that they are breed specific. Owners of native ponies, Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods have purchased an El Caballo saddle in preference to other makes; where the fit and comfort to the horse has proved these saddles to be superior.
El Caballo de Espana Saddlery
Peter has combined his years of experience training and producing horses with an instinctive feel for the correct fit of a saddle. He has considered the build and frame of the horse and the scope with which he needs to move so that he may carry a rider efficiently. Peter’s horses are able to work well into their late teens and early 20’s and produce physically exacting but correct advanced dressage work for public displays. They can only do so if the saddle takes into consideration their musculature and physique.
Peter’s saddles allow freedom of the shoulder, spine and loins and are balanced in every way. Added to this, he has introduced his unique flair and style to his range of saddles which sets them apart from many of their contemporary models.
Society of Master Saddles
The El Caballo de Espana saddles are produced by Ideal, a member of the Society of Master Saddlers and with over 30 years as a Walsall based manufacturer, they are highly regarded for their English quality and performance.
Young Horse – New Saddle
Even though my association and friendship with Peter goes back many years I did not automatically feel I had to buy one of his saddles when I was looking for a saddle for my new young horse. This horse was not difficult shape-wise but does possess a very sensitive temperament which relies on everything in his life being ‘just right’. Attempting to ride him with any element of his tack uncomfortable in ANY way, is simply not an option.
Balanced Saddles
I firstly tried one of the El Caballo saddles on my advanced horse who usually carries an Albion SLK. The difference in comfort (for me) was immediate and the balance, even without the saddle being properly fitted to this horse, highlighted how my usual Albion saddle was very slightly tipping me forwards. Not enough for most people to notice but under Peter’s analytical eye it sent me back to my saddler to have my Albion saddle re-flocked.
We then tried the El Caballo saddle on the young horse which confirmed my preference for Peter’s saddle. Any attempt by this horse to fling me skywards would be made slightly more difficult by enabling me to sit deeper and feel more secure without being ‘held’ in place.
German Designed Saddles
During this period I was also able to take the opportunity to act at a guinea-pig rider for a well-known German saddle manufacturer who has embarked on producing a new range of saddles for Spanish and Portuguese horses. We spent an afternoon with the company saddle designer and a popular South-East saddler and saddle retailer. Although I was impressed with SOME elements of some of the designs, I was unable to recommend one saddle which met with all of my criteria. I hoped my input could be helpful with the progress they were making with their newly designed range but I was grateful I could make the comparison with both the El Caballo range and the Albion dressage saddles.
Comfortable riding for you and your horse
When I ride my horses I need to feel comfortable.
When I ride my horses I need to know they are comfortable.
Saddle Fitting
I don’t want to have to ‘hoick’ my saddle back into position every time we travel around a corner, neither do I want to keep adding panels, layers of numnahs, shims, pads, gels, breast plates, cruppers or any other devices which keeps the saddle in place or which attempts to make it fit. It’s true to say that the conformation of a horse (or pony) can sometimes mean that some of these items may be necessary for a short period or that the horse is going through a transition weight-wise or is one-sided for some reason or another. But by and large I prefer that my saddles fit like a pair of comfortable shoes worn with cotton socks!
The El Caballo saddle certainly does this.