Legacy Saddles and Bodywork LLC

12/22/2022

I have never seen anything more true!

12/08/2022

How did your helmet rate?

The Virgina Tech Helmet Lab has released its much-anticipated equestrian helmet ratings. Taking the top spot in the rankings is the $460 Champion Revolve X-Air MIPS helmet, but in good news for riders who are both frugal and safety conscious, the re...

09/25/2022

This is going to be a great one for all of us with Cushings and/or older horses!

When I first started asking around for a great equine immunologist to speak, Dr. Adams's name came up over and over again! You don't want to miss this unique opportunity to learn from a busy, successful researcher about the effects of aging and Cushings Disease on the equine immune system.

09/23/2022

Be safe, wear a helmet every time!

Did you know?! Savings to be had on all helmets, safety vests, and breakaway irons this week!

09/20/2022

Dive in to the cold hard facts and stats about a modality that has become a rather common conditioning and rehabilitation practice.

Use and Application of Water Treadmill Exercise: an Evidence-Based Discussion

09/10/2022

Remove the "human" emotions and let's try to understand what our horses are saying to us from a different perspective

Pain, Behavioural, or Both?

When I read on fb threads people giving out advice to horse owners that have described ridden problems they are having with their horse, it can often be cringy at least, and often unfortunately, a huge disservice to the horse.

We've all read them, but when it's still the classic BS that you thought had been put to bed mostly, it's certainly gutting, for the horses sake.

So we often have the following; they are just being a brat, they are just testing you, you need to show it who's boss, n so on n so on......

NO, NO AND BLOODY NO!!
Firstly yes horses are super smart and intelligent, they are also prey animals and live much more in the moment when it comes to reactions.

Their brains aren't actually that well studied tbf but more will come I'm sure. One thing is for sure, humans do have a tendency of wanting their own needs met as a priority. I'm not going to get deep into the study of the equine brain. It's a long way to go yet....but

Whilst horses certainly do have reasoning, I do believe its just not a human type of reasoning. Duh of course , right....so why do we keep interpreting their behaviours from a human view point??
They aren't bloody planning that day they'll test you, or go out their way to p**s you off!! They aren't a child!!

So what I do not believe is that their cognitive development includes being like children. Ya know....right now I'm gonna be a brat, today I wanna test your riding skills.....yeehaaa ah you sat to that brilliant let's now try this to get rid of you....hmmmmm

You see how bloody ridiculous that's starting to seem?!
Often, a horse’s behaviour problems are rooted in either pain or incomplete training.

Can they throw a wobbler of excitement and pent up energy in circumstances, heck yeah....or Is it total anxiety ?🤔 😉.......

(If you're any type of a horse person excitement is usually easily observed; yeah)

Can they throw a wobbler of confusion, panic and of not understanding the question, oh yes!! Now we are getting somewhere.

Sometimes folk need help to work this out, but please let's stop employing a FB expert who's actually clueless of understanding a horse. All they're gonna tell you is ya horse needs you to be boss and a very sh*tty route to achieving that!!. ( er yeah It won't result one little bit in your horse wanting to work with ya, or to feel confident with you, or any other thing you should be wanting to achieve)

Often unwanted behaviour's develop in response to pain and therefore confusion.
So now another possibility along with not understanding the question you asked.

Yes this is more my speciality; the workings out, the thinking of the horse from inside-out, what makes sense of what may be causing x y n z, what doesn't etc, and let me tell you, there are set patterns of dysfunction in the body that DO have certain outcomes of behaviour that I see very often!!........e.g. spooking or kicking out when ridden are examples or unwilling to pick up left canter.
Do you understand the horses vision field ? Do you understand what cranial issues do to that visual field? No probably not. What about the guts relation to this.......?

That's why ya acquaintance friend on fb ain't going to help you when they tell you to give your horse a crack every time it spooks, or tell you it's misbehaving and testing you!
Jeez fecking no!! OK just no!!

Even if the vet or your therapist isn’t able to identify a source of pain, don’t jump to the conclusion that your horse is out to annoy you. Instead, take a good look at his training and get a 2nd opinion from a different type of therapist. I've never not found a reason/cause for a horses behaviour!

Most horses, many horses simply aren't using their bodies correctly, from the start of being backed and ridden to then further down the line when problems often start. Remember their communication is very much body language based. And many bodily issues start at very young ages.

I can guarantee horses that have been backed with restraints/ on a lunge rather than learning to move their body freely but connected, to understand contact, build confidence etc WILL have ridden issues at some point, and with the non professional rider they'll have more clout on really telling you no doubt! But after those riding problems start and the early signs were missed you then go back to that lunging with side reins or a pessoa etc etc to fix it ?....er isn't that bonkers?!

Oh and "moving correctly" being another in-depth subject, let's for now call it; most beneficial for becoming a ridden horse and that doesn't mean putting up with gadgets on endless circles, something they were not designed for! If they've not been given correct training to slowly n thoroughly move their body section by section at any time in their pre or during ridden life I can guarantee they need visceral body work BEFORE common muscular work!

So they bumble along initially, seemingly quite happy. Because the extra subtle equine clues that they are holding their breath, or cant go forward in a relaxed engaged way, or the girth wasn't introduced all that nicely initially, or they don't actually get following the flow of the bit n rein contact in the slightest and so on, until, well they've got to shout a bit louder that they can't do what you're asking.
Then every ride becomes a challenge?!...

Sound familiar ?
Seek quality help........
Leave fb and the acquaintances with that uneducated opinion.

Take-Home Message

No, your horse isn’t out to make your life miserable. Chances are, his behaviour problems are rooted in either pain or incomplete training. Work with your equine osteo/therapist and a behavioural specialist to determine why your horse is exhibiting unwanted behaviours and to find solutions to the issues.

09/08/2022

Story of my life! And probably your too, great read!

From creating timelines to reducing drive times to the stables...

09/08/2022

A fabulous horse woman

08/13/2022

🐑🐑

04/09/2022

Way to go team USA!

04/05/2022

What an amazing accomplishment for these talented riders!

Announcing your 2022 World Cup™️ Final Dressage Team headed to Leipzig, Germany! Anna Buffini and Ashley Holzer have landed in Leipzig and are ready to head down centerline next week! 🇺🇸

04/02/2022

Practice proper biosecurity and be safe ❤️

One horse has been euthanized. Two other horses presented with fevers and have been tested.

03/28/2022

A big CONGRATULATIONS to Jennifer Williams Dressage and Joppe K!

Joppe, thank you for a great day!
In his first weekend at Grand Prix he is the Lovsta Future Challenge Grand Prix Champion! Incredibly grateful to develop this amazing horse and to the owners, trainers, and our team behind us!

03/21/2022

Great success for Jennifer and Joppe!

WELLINGTON, Florida, Mar. 20, 2022–Jennifer Williams and Joppe K claimed a start in the Lövsta Future Challenge final for developing Grand Prix by winning the Intermediate II Sunday in the la…

03/20/2022

They are on fire 🔥 🔥

And today yet another win for Nintendo❤️so Much energy! So much heart. My best friend ❤️thank you Zenon for the help this season ❤️we’ve had the best time❤️

03/09/2022

💙💛

We and invite you to join a community movement to support the brave people of Ukraine. 🇺🇦 To help facilitate donations and additional support, Equestrian Sport Productions and Global Equestrian Group have identified four non-profit organizations who are “boots on the ground” in Ukraine. To learn more or to provide a donation, click the link ➡️ https://linktr.ee/equestrians4ukraine

📸 SusanJStickle.com Equestrian Photography & Design Services

03/08/2022

It is a beautiful rainy day here in the Pacific Northwest. Periodically conditioning your saddle with Albion Leather Balm is an important step in protecting you Albion saddle. Making a Albion Leather Balm delivery to Summervale today!

03/01/2022

🌟

Two 20-something Americans compete head-to-head in the Global Dressage Festival World Cup this week in the last chance to earn an invitation to the Final of the global championship in Leipzig, Germ…

02/28/2022

Inside look of a day in Anna Buffini's life. Truly goes to show horses are a lifestyle

Anna Buffini, 27, runs her business out of San Diego, but she’s spending this winter in Wellington, Florida, to compete at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival under the tutelage of Guenter Seidel. As a young rider, she earned team gold at the Adeq...

02/23/2022

Live Stream of the CDI5*, I'm excited to watch some beautiful horses and talented riders.

Watch tonight's CDI5* Dressage classes live beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST!...

02/18/2022

So fun dressage knowledge!

02/17/2022

I love seeing riders and horses happy in their Albions ❤

A saddle is an investment in your horse, not just an expense. A properly fitted saddle can make all the difference in your horse's comfort and rideability. It also affects your seat and how effective your aids are. I have ridden in Albion saddles for years and love their feel and fit for my horses! Thank you Albion for all of your support and for making my horses happy under saddle!

02/10/2022

❤❤❤

Millione entered Jennifer Schrader-Williams’ sales program in 2014 as an 11-year-old who was going third level and showed a talent for piaffe. Then two years later, when his partnership with a new owner didn’t work out, “Mickey” returned t...

02/09/2022

Food for thought!

** CENTAUR BIOMECHANICS 2022 BLOG SERIES**

IS THERE A LINK BETWEEN RUG SLIP AND MOVEMENT AYSMMETRY?

For over 15 years we have been quantifying the complexities of horse, saddle and rider interaction, in particular the primary factors associated with saddle slip…in the context of saddle slip, as written previously, based on multiple scientific studies, the horse is the primary factor (1-4), and the saddle and rider follow the movements of the horse.

Generally, the saddle will slip to one side, the side that the saddle slips too is consistent, and occurs primarily on one rein (i.e. a saddle which slips to the right, will occur when the horse (and rider) is on the left rein, and vice versa for horse’s who displace their saddle to the left). Given that saddle slip is primarily induced by the horse’s movement (lameness or movement asymmetry), we wanted to explore if there was any relationship between saddle slip and rug slip.

Initially we quantified movement patterns in 150 horses who either slipped their rug to the left or right, and in horse’s where the rug remained central (5). Although this study is in its infancy (3 years), and data collection continues, there has been some interesting findings. To date we have found that horses who have rug slip (either left or right) had a greater degree of movement asymmetry than horse’s where the rug remained central. It is important to note, that even in horses where the rug remained central, movement asymmetry was still apparent, but was not of a magnitude of the horses where the rug slipped to one side (should be noted that most horses have some degree of asymmetry). With respect to our initial aim, we are now looking at rug slip in horse’s who have saddle slip, although it is not completely consistent, there is a trend that the rug slips towards the same side as the saddle (rug slip left, saddle slip left when ridden on the right rein), at present the underpinning mechanics of this is still unknown. This study is ongoing, and there are several factors which we must consider when evaluating rug slip, rug fit/design/number of straps, direction of travel in the stable etc., all of these need to be taking in to account when interpreting the information being presented here.


This study is by no means concluded, and although we have identified a higher degree of asymmetry in horses who have rug slip, compared to those that don’t (although the non-rug slip horses had movement asymmetry), there is one key take away point to consider. If your horse’s rug generally remains straight, and then for no apparent reason the rug starts to slip to one side, this could be an early indicator of movement asymmetry occurring and should be monitored and discussed with your home team. As written before, horses will develop a locomotor strategy to alleviate any discomfort caused. This strategy can cause movement asymmetry, and that is something we are keen to detect and support at an early stage to help reduce the risk of injury and loss of performance.

Massive thank you to the owners of all the horses, who helped with the initial part of the study.

1. Bystrom A, Roepstorff L, Rhodin M, Serra Braganca F, Engell MT, Hernlund E, et al. Lateral movement of the saddle relative to the equine spine in rising and sitting trot on a treadmill. PLoS One. 2018;13(7):e0200534.
2. Greve L, Dyson SJ. An investigation of the relationship between hindlimb lameness and saddle slip. Equine Vet J. 2013;45(5):570-7.
3. Greve L, Dyson SJ. The interrelationship of lameness, saddle slip and back shape in the general sports horse population. Equine Vet J. 2014;46(6):687-94.
4. Mackechnie-Guire R, Mackechnie-Guire, E., Fisher, M., Mathie, H., Bush, R., Pfau, T., Weller, R. Relationship between saddle and rider kinematics, horse locomotion and thoracolumbar pressures in sound horses. JEVS. 2018;69:43.52.
5. Unpublished - (Ongoing) R. MacKechnie-Guire, E. MacKechnie-Guire, L. Robson, J. Mary-Hill and T. Pfau. Can direction of rug displacement in the stabled horse, be used as an indicator of hind limb asymmetry?

02/09/2022

Stirrup covers can be a great way to prevent scratching of your Albion saddle and aids in keeping it clean. I am loving these Harry Potter themed stirrup covers!

02/05/2022

Wow! How exciting and such a great cause

02/05/2022

A Friday funny! Have a great weekend

I mean... Society isn't exactly wrong, right? 🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊