Stübben Michigan/Dark Horse Saddle Fit LLC.

07/26/2024

07/01/2024

I want to let everyone know I had an accident this weekend that resulted in my horse trailer door coming off its hinges and landing on my head. I am okay but pretty banged up and have an open wound on the top of my head. I will be contacting all my fittings scheduled for this week to reschedule. I may be a bit delayed in responses and I thank you all for your understanding.

05/09/2024

I was recently perusing a saddle fit advice page, and one of the commenters said, “Go wider. Too wide doesn’t pinch, but too narrow always pinches.”

IS THIS TRUE? No, absolutely not.

A saddle will pinch any time the metal gullet plate is not PARALLEL to the horse’s side… the difference between too wide or too narrow is WHERE it will pinch.

Assuming the pommel shape and tree point length is correct, a too wide tree width pinches the Trapezius, scapular cartilage, Rhomboids, and Spinalis. This causes the horse to invert/hollow, stiffens/immobilzes the back and joints, damages the stay apparatus, and causes dysfunction throughout the entire body. Unfortunately, many riders think the horse’s resistance is caused by misbehavior, and instead of checking the saddle, a martingale/draw reins/tie down/harsher bit is used, and the saddle continues to do damage.

A too narrow tree width (with the same pommel and tree point length) will pinch the Latissimus and Longissimus. This usually results in a gait disturbance that the rider feels, and the offending saddle is removed.

In my practice, I see far more issues with saddles that are TOO WIDE than too narrow, although both should be remedied immediately.

03/09/2024

Rosie made the wild card pick. She is currently in second place and still has a chane to advance to the final round!!

Rosie is a Cardigan Corgi. She works as a Therapy dog at assisted living facilities. Working with memory care and physical therapy residents

03/07/2024

Its the last day to vote for Rosie to make the finale! She is currently in secind place and has to be in first to advance. Please vote if you can! https://americasfavpet.com/2024/rosie-7b86?fbclid=IwAR1rtA1OWG9v8uqeg12Mp4ae2uJHjAzT5XqdnaoRF90OR4hurB_UElTnMBY

Rosie is a Cardigan Corgi. She works as a Therapy dog at assisted living facilities. Working with memory care and physical therapy residents

01/25/2024

Throwing it back to a saddle that started it all! Can you guess the saddle pictured?

Founded in 1894, Stübben has been creating quality saddles for generations to enjoy. Over the past 130 years our philosophy has not changed. Our goal is to commit to innovation and service excellence so that the well being of your horse is the foundation to build a true partnership.

In 2024, our seats are more padded and leather more grippy than when we originally started but the foundation of the Stübben saddles has remained true to our core in every product we develop.

01/19/2024

STARTER PACK: MY SADDLE PAD TWISTS/MOVES

As a kid, we learn that the round peg goes through the round hole, the square peg goes through the square hole, and so on…

As a teenager, we women learn that “curvy” jeans do not fit a “straight” hip profile, and I seriously have doubts that “mom jeans” fit anyone…

As an older adult, you realize that comfortable shoes that fit your feet are far more important than cute/expensive/sexy/crippling high heels that don’t…

THE MORAL TO THE STORY
Matching shape to shape is incredibly important for both comfort and functionality.

Stability in the saddle, saddle pad, half pad, girth, and even the rider comes from matching the shapes of these products to the horse as well as each other.

In my experience:

If your saddle pad shape doesn’t match the horse’s back shape or your half pad shape, the pad(s) MOVE.

If your saddle tree doesn’t match your horse’s shape, your saddle MOVES, no matter how much you flock it or adjust it.

If your girth doesn’t match your horse’s shape, the saddle MOVES and the horse is uncomfortable/girthy.

If the rider doesn’t fit the shape of the saddle (or vice versa), the rider MOVES and is unstable.

SHAPE IS EVERYTHING.

12/18/2023

It's official, I finally have a logo! Can you guess who inspired it? 🤔

12/16/2023

12/16/2023

Lola and I have been busy product testing Stubben's new custom sandwich cases. So far it has past the test on everything we can throw at it. Now if only my model would pose for longer than a second. *Lola is also modeling her custom Phoenix Elite and an Equisoft Girth with sheepskin of course.😃

12/16/2023

So excited to be offering sandwich cases!

12/13/2023

Weight on one puts weight on all…

The Thoracic Trapezius is not a major mover of the scapula, but it is of extreme importance because of what lies BENEATH it (or deep to it).

Logic and basic physics tells us that placing weight on the Trapezius means that any structure “deep to” it will also have weight placed on it, which means the scapular cartilage, Rhomboids, Spinalis, and spinous processes (and all their associated veins/arteries/nerves, and fascia) will be affected.

Anatomy and basic engineering tells us that weight on a muscle also weights both its origin (where the muscle originates from) and its insertion (where it inserts).

The Trapezius originates on the Supraspinous ligament and inserts into the spine of the scapula.

The Thoracic Rhomboids originate on the Supraspinous ligament and insert onto the costal surface of the scapular cartilage.

The portion of the Spinalis that is located under the saddle originates and inserts on the dorsal spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae (the spine).

It is common sense and well known that none of the anatomical structures listed above are weight bearing. This means we cannot reasonably place the weight of the saddle on the Thoracic Trapezius and expect the horse to be able to function correctly under saddle due to weight on the Supraspinous ligament, the scapula, the spine, and the scapular cartilage.

TREE POINT LENGTH is just as important as TREE WIDTH. The tree point must be LONG ENOUGH to reach the only weight bearing muscle of the horse’s body: The Longissimus

The PURPOSE of the tree is to distribute the rider’s weight to the Longissimus, therefore the tree must reach that muscle in order for it to distribute the weight there.

Claims that short tree points that end on the Trapezius “provide shoulder freedom” are incorrect; you cannot have shoulder freedom if the tree point rests on any of the structures above the Longissimus Dorsi. Short tree points are for RIDER COMFORT only, as they remove the bulk of the tree from under the rider’s upper thigh, but at the expense of the horse.

12/13/2023

12/05/2023

Saddle fitting can be exhausting work! Sometimes you just need a power nap. ~Rosie the Cardigan
Stübben NA Little Chonk

11/24/2023

Stubben North America is having a huge Black Friday sale including their used saddles! If you see something you like don't hesitate to reach out to me for more information.

Custom saddles & equestrian accessories that bring heritage, innovation, and performance, into one designs. Explore what Stübben has to offer

07/20/2023

Christmas in July is back!! Many great deals available!! If you see anything you like connect with me and we'll make it happen!

Get Ready for the Stübben Summer Sale! ☀️

Mark your calendars! 🗓️The much-awaited Stübben Summer Sale is finally here, starting this Monday! Get ready to indulge in some incredible savings on all saddles and accessories.

Enjoy an amazing discount of 25% off on everything* when you spend a minimum of $150. It's your chance to grab top-quality products at unbeatable prices!

So, saddle up and prepare for an incredible shopping experience.

*certain saddle models will be a set price

💙