Saddle Fitting
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The Balanced Horse Introduces:
MAKING AN IMPRESSION
with the Port Lewis Impression Pad
A very accurate, uncomplicated saddle fitting method
Are you tired of relying on talcum powder for your horses' saddle fit? It's extremely difficult to know if a saddle is hurting a horse unless
there are obvious signs, such as open sores. Unfortunately, most of the best-intentioned people gather data while the horse is standing
still.
Saddle fit must be assessed while the rider is in the saddle and the horse is in motion.
There are many tools available to assess saddle fit, ranging from molds, casts, and various devices to pressure-analysis systems. Since
molds and measurement devices are used on stationary horses, we're proponents of using pressure-measuring systems that work
while the horse is in motion. These systems range from ultra-simple (carpenter's chalk and a white saddle pad) to extremely
sophisticated (modified hospital pressure pads tied to computer-collection devices).
Joanne uses the Impression Pad system to analyze your saddle fit. This pad gives simple data. It takes only 30 minutes to test a saddle,
and the pad will absolutely capture and show you high pressure points under a saddle.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SADDLE FITS?
Joanne encounters and solves equine behavior issues every day that are saddle-related, often surprising horse owners who previously
believed that their horses had personality or training issues. However, before deciding that your saddle is the culprit, you need to be
confident that your horse is correctly trimmed or shod, has received the required therapy treatment, is bitted/bridled appropriately, and has
been properly trained. You should also honestly evaluate yourself—your own body symmetry and riding ability—and seek professional
help if you think it's called for.
Here are a number of signs
that a saddle does not fit well:
Attempts to bite or kick when girthed
Grinding of teeth when being tacked
Moving away when being tacked up or mounted
Body sensitive to being groomed
Mysterious hind-end or front-end lameness
Swishes tail or holds it at an angle
Back is rigid or tense
Reluctance to move forward, engage or bend
Travels with elevated head carriage
Damage to hair coat or sores
Bucks under saddle
Rushes or refuses fences or to go down hill
Change in feet shape or body structure
An "attitude" (Horse pins her ears or walks away at
sight of saddle: This is a very clear sign that many
horse’s give and many rider’s ignore)
Horse drops its back when rider sits in saddle
due to increased pain
In many equestrian disciplines the fit of the saddle has become a very popular topic of debate. In the recent years enough information has
begun to surface that riders of most disciplines at least acknowledge that an ill-fitting saddle negatively effects their horse.
From dressage to trail riding, riders need to make a concerted effort to acquire a saddle that fits both horse and rider. A saddle that is ill-
fitted to the rider will prohibit the rider from sitting properly, making communication with the horse difficult To the horse an ill-fitted saddle
will cause tremendous back pain creating behavior problems resulting in poor performance.
For an appointment or more information, Contact Joanne Kelly at (850) 777-9944 or
thebalancedhorse@aol.com
Joanne is also an Independent Dealer for Port Lewis Saddle Fitting
MAKING AN IMPRESSION
with the Port Lewis Impression Pad
A very accurate, uncomplicated saddle fitting method
Are you tired of relying on talcum powder for your horses' saddle fit? It's extremely difficult to know if a saddle is hurting a horse unless
there are obvious signs, such as open sores. Unfortunately, most of the best-intentioned people gather data while the horse is standing
still.
Saddle fit must be assessed while the rider is in the saddle and the horse is in motion.
There are many tools available to assess saddle fit, ranging from molds, casts, and various devices to pressure-analysis systems. Since
molds and measurement devices are used on stationary horses, we're proponents of using pressure-measuring systems that work
while the horse is in motion. These systems range from ultra-simple (carpenter's chalk and a white saddle pad) to extremely
sophisticated (modified hospital pressure pads tied to computer-collection devices).
Joanne uses the Impression Pad system to analyze your saddle fit. This pad gives simple data. It takes only 30 minutes to test a saddle,
and the pad will absolutely capture and show you high pressure points under a saddle.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SADDLE FITS?
Joanne encounters and solves equine behavior issues every day that are saddle-related, often surprising horse owners who previously
believed that their horses had personality or training issues. However, before deciding that your saddle is the culprit, you need to be
confident that your horse is correctly trimmed or shod, has received the required therapy treatment, is bitted/bridled appropriately, and has
been properly trained. You should also honestly evaluate yourself—your own body symmetry and riding ability—and seek professional
help if you think it's called for.
Here are a number of signs
that a saddle does not fit well:
Attempts to bite or kick when girthed
Grinding of teeth when being tacked
Moving away when being tacked up or mounted
Body sensitive to being groomed
Mysterious hind-end or front-end lameness
Swishes tail or holds it at an angle
Back is rigid or tense
Reluctance to move forward, engage or bend
Travels with elevated head carriage
Damage to hair coat or sores
Bucks under saddle
Rushes or refuses fences or to go down hill
Change in feet shape or body structure
An "attitude" (Horse pins her ears or walks away at
sight of saddle: This is a very clear sign that many
horse’s give and many rider’s ignore)
Horse drops its back when rider sits in saddle
due to increased pain
In many equestrian disciplines the fit of the saddle has become a very popular topic of debate. In the recent years enough information has
begun to surface that riders of most disciplines at least acknowledge that an ill-fitting saddle negatively effects their horse.
From dressage to trail riding, riders need to make a concerted effort to acquire a saddle that fits both horse and rider. A saddle that is ill-
fitted to the rider will prohibit the rider from sitting properly, making communication with the horse difficult To the horse an ill-fitted saddle
will cause tremendous back pain creating behavior problems resulting in poor performance.
For an appointment or more information, Contact Joanne Kelly at (850) 777-9944 or
thebalancedhorse@aol.com
Joanne is also an Independent Dealer for Port Lewis Saddle Fitting
| THE PORT LEWIS IMPRESSION PAD Patent Pending The Impression Pad is made from clear flexible vinyl and contains a moldable putty which we affectionately call Equi-Dough. It's extremely easy to use, place it on your horse's back, do up the saddle and go for a ride... that's it! When you remove the saddle, you will have an exact impression of how that saddle fits that horse, with that rider. The Impression Pad can be reused again and again, allowing you to retest your horse whenever your Training schedule changes. Place THE IMPRESSION PAD on your horse's back. Position your saddle, do the girth up and go for a ride. Generally, a 30 minute ride is all that is required. Dismount and remove your saddle. You now have an exact impression of the pressure your saddle exerts upon your horse while you are riding. Compare this with the bars on the underside of your saddle . Ideally the Equi-Dough will be evenly displaced under the length of the two saddle panels (bars). Areas where the Equi-Dough has been completely displaced are the extreme pressure points. The Impression Pad can be used over and over again. |
| Saddle Fitting Analysis Rates: $30 per session ($25 if it is combined with a BioScan treatment) Book 5 or more saddle fittings at your barn or for your friends, and get your analysis free! Saddle Fit Recheck As your horse's training and conditioning changes, so will your horses body, including his back. A recheck ensures your saddle still fits: $20 per session ($15 if it is combined with a BioScan treatment) |
The Balanced Horse
| Online Equine Courses & Workshops 2008 through: |
| Saddle Fitting: Introductory (SF101) 10 Week On-Line Course Begins Wed., March 19th 8 pm (7 pm Central) Instructor: Joanne K. Miller Click Here to be directed to the Penzance Website in order to Register |
| Now selling the Port Lewis Impression Pad! $249.00 plus $25.00 shipping Credit Cards and PayPal Accepted! |
| Saddle Fitting Consultation: A Consult with Joanne is much more involved than saddle fitting. This involves assessing your horse both mounted and unmourned and in motion. Joanne believes a saddle cannot be fitted properly by observing the horse at a standstill. Not only will your horse be assessed but you will be assessed while riding, instilling Joanne's strong belief: "You and your horse are one, in harmony." At the end of this assessment you will better understand how & why the way you ride affects not only your saddle fit but your horses' back as well. You will leave with a deeper knowledge of assessing and correcting saddle fitting and back issues in your horse. |