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Discussion on Performance and Soundness Problems From Ill Fitting Saddle | |
Author | Message |
New Member: Wthrail |
Posted on Monday, Nov 28, 2005 - 10:44 pm: Well I just realized I have been torturing my horse with my too narrow saddle. My instinct told me that it seemed too tight behind his shoulders. But I asked my trainer and he thought it looked fine (at one time we both had the same saddle so he was familiar with it and never had any problems fitting it on horses). I recently borrowed a friend's saddle because my son was needing a larger saddle and I was shocked when I compared it to my saddle as to how much wider it looked. Well I tried it on my horse and he went great. None of the "bad behavior problems". He is an OTTB and my trainer would also say the horse had poor work ethic or bad attitude. Well long story short the saddle has caused soundness problems over the past 2 yrs. He would start out good and then get worse as the ride progressed. He would become aggitated and tense, trip, get heavy on his forehand and get behind the bit, chomp the bit-sometimes stop and refuse to go. And when my ride was over he would let out a big sigh and finally become relaxed. It all took a toll on his stifles and his back. Well now he is a new man the problem is that he is using muscles that he had been "holding" and now I am afraid he will have new problems. I noticed that his left front shoulder blade seemed to be larger than the right today. I am contacting a saddle fitter, chiro guy to help me evaluate him. I know some damage has been done but I hope it is not too late. The difference has been so dramatic. I feel really stupid. The horse would always move so much better in the field loose or on the lunge or even when my trainer rode in his saddle. I always thought it was me and the way I rode him. I am considering having the vet out and discussing my find and ask his advice. We never discussed saddle fit when addressing the soundness problems. I know my horse has had some muscle soreness from changing the way he was going in the old saddle. What should I expect during this transition. He is a completely different horse and it has only been 1 week since I discovered this. I would appreciate any advice. I hope I am heading in the right direction. Oh-and I need a new saddle!Thank you. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2005 - 8:25 am: IF this is his problem I would expect steady improvement Wendy and there is no reason to worry about muscles he was not using before. After all he did not use them because he was hurting before, now they are not being hurt. If you still have lameness issues a veterinary assessment makes sense to me.DrO |
Member: Kathleen |
Posted on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2005 - 10:08 am: Wendy,A massage therapist might help if he has sore muscles and/or spasms. I had the same thing happen and the massage helped. Kathleen |
Member: Angel77 |
Posted on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2005 - 8:40 pm: Dear Wendy,I had the same problem with my horse. For about two weeks I tried out 27 different saddles. I have a 16.2 TB that is very short coupled. So he was very hard to fit. Finally the Crosby Centennial with a wide tree and long leg flap was the only saddle that fit my horse properly. We did try all the fancy saddles. Short of spending a fortune for a custom made saddle, three years later we are still happy with the Crosby. I am glad you brought this up, not enough people understand that when the horse has comfortably fitting gear, 9 times out of 10 they will perform more proficiently. Good luck, WTG |
Member: Wthrail |
Posted on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005 - 9:39 am: Thank you for your responses. Well my horse has some sore muscles. All in his shoulders and behind his withers where the saddle I started using is sitting-since the saddle is now sitting where it should and he has no muscle tone there at all. I gave him a good massage before and after I rode him lightly at w-t-but boy he was grumpy, he had worked hard the day before. I did call the vet. I gave him some Robaxin and bute to get over this hump. I am fortunate to have Dr. Kerry Ridgeway in my area and have placed a phone call to him with my vets approval.WTG-The saddle that I am using that belongs to my friend is a Crosby California Prix. Unfortunately it is a short flap-it does not fit me well, but I can get by with it until I find something. I am open to suggestions. My horse is also a 16.2 TB-but you would not think he needs a wide tree. But he is well sprung behind the shoulders. He wears a 54" girth. |
Member: Brandi |
Posted on Friday, Dec 2, 2005 - 1:00 am: Wendy,I wish you luck in working this out with your saddle, I went through something similar many years ago, and my horse's shoulder became more prominent like you've described. A better fitting saddle was the solution, but I don't remember the details of his "transition", if he was sore afterward, and I was much less attentive to the nuances of his way of going back then. I also wanted to ask you to say hello to Dr. Ridgeway for me and my horses Rocki and Moon. Though he may not remember us after the 12 or so years it's been, he worked on my horses at a hoakey little boarding stable in Rocklin, CA back then, and I very much miss having his expertise and bedside...I mean, stall-side manner. You are fortunate to have him nearby. Good Luck. |
Member: Dres |
Posted on Friday, Dec 2, 2005 - 10:34 am: Brandi, my understanding is Dr. Kerry comes up north from time to time if you are wanting to see him / horses to see him....On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS.. |
Member: Brandi |
Posted on Friday, Dec 2, 2005 - 7:30 pm: Thanks for the info Ann. Last I heard from a letter he sent to clients a few years back, he was headed to North Carolina. Wendy's profile didn't say where she lives, so I didn't have any reason to think differently.That is GREAT news. I have a new horse coming from Oregon in 2 weeks--a 16 yo just-retired 4th level dressage horse with a "mostly recovered" hip injury, who is currently sound due to some rest and good acupuncture. I would love to continue his acupuncture with someone as qualified as Dr. Ridgeway so this guy can stay sound enough to (A) be really comfortable, and (B) be my dressage teacher. Ann, you've made my day. Wendy, sorry to interrupt your thread. |
Member: Angel77 |
Posted on Friday, Dec 9, 2005 - 3:00 am: Dear Wendy,The California grand Prix does that come in a spring tree or maybe a wide tree? My horse is also thick through the shoulders. I think that is why it took me sooo long to find a saddle that fit him. Before I got the Crosby I would use several pads to help cushion the old saddle. It really helped. Like a gel pad then a small square pad under a large square pad. My horse usually wears a 54" girth. While I was using the all of the pads I had to use a 56". LOL You will find a saddle that fits your horse. Good luck looking!! WTG |
Member: Wthrail |
Posted on Monday, Dec 12, 2005 - 11:42 am: Well Dr. Ridgway came and did 2hrs of chiro and accupuncture. My horse loved it. He stood still for it all-he is a new guy. Dr. Ridgway thinks he also is suffering from ulcers. We are following up with massage and a second chiro accupucture treatment. It was amazing. My horse as textbook problems all stemming from the poor saddle fit and how he was compensating for his discomfort. I have been trying saddles and my horse lets me know if I have one on him that he does not like. He tried to buck one day.Dr. Ridgway is living in Aiken SC. But he travels all over. |