05/28/2022
Great info to rgunk about on saddle fit and how it can relate to horses soreness!
What makes a good saddle?
Many people are under the impression that a higher price tag automatically means the saddle is better, but that isn't the case. What makes a saddle good is the design (not bling or leather color) but the internal structures that determine if it fits both the horse and rider.
So what components make for a good saddle?
First and foremost, the tree. The tree is the skeleton of the saddle, and without it there is no way to properly distribute the weight of the rider while steering clear of fragile structures and reflex points that can cause negative reactions.
A good (English) tree has LONG tree points (contrary to popular belief) that extend well beyond the edge of the thoracic trapezius and allow the weight to be transferred instead to a muscle capable of withstanding it. To clarify, not arbitrarily long, but the correct length to allow the pressure to sit away from the trapezius so a minimum of 13.5cm from the center of the pommel down to the end of the tree point.
Additionally, rear facing tree points. In order to prevent the tree points from impeding the shoulder as the horse moves, rear facing tree points are a necessity for preventing damage to the scapula and surrounding muscles.
Wide tree. Most riders prefer a close feel to the horse, however the standard design of the modern English tree focuses the pressure in the front and rear, while the tree rails curve towards the spine at the center of the saddle where width is needed the most. A solution to this would be a wider tree and also not sitting quite as close to the horse.
Tree length. With long trees the saddle sits beyond the last thoracic vertebrae (not rib!) and sometimes as far as L3- L4, preventing movement and engagement of the back and leaving the horse to remain hollow. Tree length can be shortened by minimizing how much the pommel is cut back.
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