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Friday, September 30, 2011

Saddle Fitting Demo

Jan's neighbor Nanci invited us over for a saddle fitting demo on her gelding Duvall.  Duvall is a 10 year old 16.1 hand Trakehner.  Nanci wanted to check the fit of her Schleese dressage saddle.  Schleese is a Canadian brand of saddles, and they are marketed as saddles designed for women.  They are the most comfortable saddles I've ever sat on.  They are also way out of my price range - thank goodness I don't need a saddle!

The demo started with an analysis of Duvall's confirmation and muscling.


Next his back angles were measured.

The saddle fitter adjusted Nanci's saddle's frame to Duvall's measurements with a pneumatic tool and re-stuffed the panels while we watched.

Nanci made a quick test ride -
such an elegant pair -
then final adjustments were made.

This is the Reader's Digest version of a two and a half hour appointment.  For those who would like more detail, here's a link to Step 1 of Schleese's 9 step video series - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2mKz0uP_K8.



11 comments:

Sharon said...

That's really interesting! So, saddles are fit for the horse and not the rider, I hadn't thought about that!

So... in the old westerns, when they grabbed a horse and threw on their saddle, it may not have been a good fit and could possibly injure the poor animal? I hope I understand that right.

Liesl said...

I love that thingy she took his back measurements with! Have never seen anything like that! Wish we had saddle fitters with those tools nearby!! I need a new saddle for my endurance horse!

Mare said...

Thanks for sharing, Terry! Very interesting!

Janet said...

Really interesting -comfort is so important to both the horse and the rider, Duvall sure is beautiful !!

Louise said...

Very interesting. I've heard a lot of comments, both good and bad, about the Schleese saddle. Sounds like Nanci has a good fitter, and that makes all the difference, I think.

in2paints said...

Looks very high tech! And here I've been using pieces of cardboard... :)

Jim said...

I always learn something here. That is one beautiful horse! I at least know that!

Kate said...

Wow, that angle measurer thingy is awesome.

Dreaming said...

That's one lucky horse! I love the back measurer - how awesome!

Texan said...

Who knew all that went into adjusting a saddle.

Dom said...

Such a great post! very informative and COOL visuals to boot :)